Activities

THINGS TO DO:

Prepare yourself for 2,000 foot tall, narrow canyon walls dropping almost vertically to the Gunnison River.

The Black Canyon is known for crumbling rock, dizzying heights, and a lack of places to place protective equipment. Rock climbing is a challenge limited to highly experienced, expert climbers only.

Scenic Drives

South Rim Road

The South Rim Drive is 7 miles from Tomichi Point to High Point, and has 12 overlooks. Most are reached by walking a short trail. Allow 2-3 hours to view several overlooks. Those with limited time should consider stopping at Gunnison Point, Chasm View, Painted Wall and Sunset View.

The South Rim Visitor Center, which features exhibits on the canyon, is located at Gunnison Point. The visitor center is open daily throughout the summer, and most days of the week the rest of the year. The South Rim Road beyond Gunnison Point is closed to vehicles in winter.

North Rim Road

The North Rim is reached by taking a gravel road from the east end of Crawford State Park. The North Rim Road provides access to 6 overlooks. The canyon walls on the North Rim are almost vertical, offering some of the most impressive views found in the national park. Allow 2-3 hours for a leisurely tour.

Information is available at the North Rim Ranger Station, open intermittently in summer. The North Rim Road is closed in winter.

East Portal Road

Those wishing to drive to the Gunnison River may do so by taking the East Portal Road. This provides access into Curecanti National Recreation Area where camping, picnicking and fishing are available. East Portal Road is closed in winter.

The road is extremely steep (16% grades) with hairpin curves. Vehicles with an overall length (including trailer) greater than 22 feet are prohibited on the East Portal Road. Trailers may be left unhitched and left at a parking area at the campground entrance.

Another access, located at Cimarron (18 miles east via Highway 50), provides an alternative drive to the Gunnison River (and Curecanti National Recreation Area).

Hiking

See Hiking section for more information. (insert appropriate americanparknetwork.com address here)

Fishing

The Gunnison River within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is designated as Gold Medal Water & Wild Trout Water. Streams and rivers in Colorado are designated as Gold Medal Waters by the state wildlife commission because they provide outstanding angling opportunities for large trout. The Gold Medal Waters begin 200 yards downstream of Crystal Dam and continue to the North Fork of the Gunnison River.

Special regulations are required to maintain gold medal quality experiences. Of the more than 9,000 miles of trout streams in Colorado, only 168 miles are designated as Gold Medal.

The rapids within the national park are considered Class V and some sections are unrunnable. This is a very technical paddle and includes numerous long, difficult and dangerous portages. Poison ivy is nearly impossible to avoid, and can be found growing 5 feet tall along the river.

Camping

See Camping section for more information. (insert appropriate americanparknetwork.com address here)

Kayaking

Kayakers run the river at their own risk. The Gunnison River through the National Park has claimed the lives of even the most experienced, respected kayakers. The river's hydraulics can make self-rescue or rescue by others impossible.

The following are general water flow ratings*:

750-950 cfs = minimal hydraulics

1200-1500 cfs = River is "pushy" with major hydraulics.

1500-3000 cfs = River is very "pushy" with extreme hydraulics.

above 3000 cfs = Kayaking should not be attempted even by experts, portages disappear, death is probable.

*These are general water flow guidelines. Local kayak experts suggest the unique hydraulics of the Gunnison River through Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park make kayaking even more difficult than the above ratings.

Water temperatures are cold year-round, usually around 50 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Swimming or wading is not recommended.

WILDERNESS USE PERMITS ARE REQUIRED FOR KAYAKING.

See Park Regulations & Safety section for more information. 

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Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (link to Gunnison Gorge NCA page)

Boaters traveling through the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness need to register and pay Gorge user fees. Gorge takeouts include Chukar and Gunnison Forks. Boaters exiting at Chukar must sign the river register, haul their boats up the 1 mile trail and pay user fees at the trailhead. Boaters exiting at Gunnison Forks must stop at Chukar, sign the register and pay the applicable user fees.

Contact the Bureau of Land Management for information on the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area:

    BLM, Montrose District Office

    2465 South Townsend Avenue

    Montrose, CO 81404

    (970) 240-5400

Rafting

Due to the technical nature and numerous difficult portages, the Gunnison River through Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is not raftable.

Rafting opportunities are available in the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (insert appropriate americanparknetwork.com address here) west of the National Park. Several outfitters offer guided raft trips on the Gunnison Gorge section of the river.

Horseback Riding

Deadhorse Trail

The Deadhorse Trail on the North Rim is the ONLY area open to horses or pack animals for day use, recreational riding in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. No permit is required. Horses must be trailered to the trailhead at Kneeling Camel Overlook. Trailers must be parked at this overlook as well.

The Deadhorse Trail is located at the east end of the North Rim road, near the Kneeling Camel Overlook. It is easy to moderate with a round trip distance of 5 miles (8 kilometers). The first part of the trail follows an old service road, which after 3/4-mile (1.2 km) passes a stock pond that is usually dry. Continue on another 1 1/2 mile (2.4 km) until the stock fence and then turn right (south) and ride 1/4 mile (.4 km) along the fence until the canyon's rim. Deadhorse Gulch is reached via the large side drainage located east of the trail's end. Elevation ranges from approximately 8000' (2460 m) to 8200' (2525 m).

There are no facilities at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park for horses or pack animals. Horses are only allowed in the North Rim Campground or on the North Rim Road during transport in a trailer. Horses are not allowed on the South Rim.

Horseback riding is permitted in the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (insert appropriate americanparknetwork.com address here) west of the National Park.

Cross Country Skiing

The South Rim Drive is not plowed during the winter months, allowing the road to become a ski trail. The drive is 6 miles (one way), and allows access to the overlooks. Park at the South Rim Visitor Center, located at Gunnison Point.

Snowshoe Trekking

The upper part of the Oak Flat Loop and Rim Rock Trail are excellent treks for snowshoeing. Take in the incredible views of the snowy canyon that these two trails offer. Snowshoeing is also encouraged in any part of the canyon's rim. Going into the inner canyon, however, is not recommended.

Please be courteous to other trail users by not snowshoeing or walking in the ski tracks along the South Rim Drive.

For the sake of the wildlife surviving this cold season on the canyon rim, dogs are not permitted along the South Rim Drive in winter.

Winter Backcountry Camping

Camping along the closed South Rim Drive is permitted beyond Pulpit Rock Overlook. All wilderness regulations, like no wood fires, apply. A free wilderness use permit is required.  See Park Regulations & Safety (insert appropriate americanparknetwork.com address here) for more information on wilderness use permits.