In A Nutshell

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the South Rim and North Rim?
The South Rim has more services, facilities and overlooks, and provides better views of the Painted Wall. The North Rim is accessed via a gravel road, has no visitor center, but does provide better views into the narrowest part of the canyon.

How do I get to the other side of the canyon?
There is no bridge between the South and North Rims. Allow two to three hours to drive from one side to the other.

Do people really hike to the river?
Yes, but they are extremely difficult, unmaintained routes.

I don't want to hike. How do I get to the river?
East Portal Road, which is a 16% grade. No vehicles longer than 22 feet are allowed.

When does East Portal Road open?
Typically East Portal Road is open by mid-April, and closes beginning to mid-November.

Where is the boat tour?
The Morrow Point Boat Tour happens in our neighbor park to the east, Curecanti National Recreation Area.

Where can I have a picnic?
On the South Rim, picnic tables are available at Gunnison Point, Pulpit Rock, Sunset View, High Point and East Portal. On the North Rim, you are welcome to picnic at an unoccupied campsite.

What is that black and white bird with the long tail?
Black-billed Magpie

Does the South Rim Campground fill?
It hasn't in over 25 years. North Rim Campground, however, does fill in the summer.

How much does it snow at the canyon?
Our records are incomplete, but in past winters the average snowfall has been between 8 to 8.5 feet.

Things To Know Before You Come

SAFETY ON THE RIM
Never throw anything from the rim into the canyon! Even a small stone can be fatal to hikers or climbers below. Stay on trails and supervise children closely. Weathered rock makes rim edges hazardous, and many places have no guardrails.

ACCESSIBILITY
The following facilities are accessible to those with mobility impairments:

South Rim:
South Rim Visitor Center
Restrooms along South Rim
South Rim Campground - 2 accessible camping sites (A21, B1), restrooms
Tomichi Point Overlook
Chasm View Overlook
Sunset View Overlook

North Rim:
Restroom at North Rim Ranger Station
Balanced Rock Overlook

FOOD, LODGING AND SERVICES
No food, lodging, gasoline or similar services are available at either rim. Full services are available in nearby communities. Water is available mid-May through mid-October.

CLIMATE
Weather can vary greatly between the canyon rim and canyon floor. Summer daytime temperatures range between 60 to 100F (15 to 38C), nights 30 to 50F (-1 to 10C) Winter daytime temperatures range between 20 to 40F (-6 to 4C), nights -10 to 20F (-23 to -6C) Precipitation is minimal, brief afternoon thunderstorms can occur during the summer. Layered clothing appropriate for the season is recommended.

COLLECTING IN THE PARK
Plants, rocks, wildlife and cultural artifacts must not be disturbed or removed.

HUNTING AND FIREARMS
Hunting and firearm use are prohibited. Firearms must be broken down or encased before entering the park.

Operating Hours & Seasons

South Rim: Open every day. The South Rim Road is open to vehicles from early April to mid-November. In winter, the South Rim Road is open to Gunnison Point. The remainder of the road is closed to vehicles, but open to cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

North Rim: North Rim Road and ranger station are closed in winter. The road typically closes late November and reopens mid-April.

SOUTH RIM VISITOR CENTER
The visitor center is open all year.
Hours: Fall, Winter, Spring: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Summer: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day
Phone: (970) 249-1914 extension 423
Location: Two miles from the south rim entrance station on the South Rim Road.

North Rim Ranger Station is open intermittently during the summer and closed the rest of the year.

Directions

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located approximately 250 miles southwest of Denver.

South Rim: 15 miles east of Montrose, via U.S. Highway 50 and CO Highway 347
North Rim: 11 miles south of Crawford, via CO Highway 92 and North Rim Road (unpaved)

There is no bridge between the north and south rims of the canyon. Allow two to three hours to drive from one side to the other.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
By bus: To Montrose or Grand Junction
By train: To Grand Junction
There is no public transportation within the park.

PLANE
Commercial airline service is available to Montrose, Gunnison and Grand Junction.

Park Contact Information

WRITE TO:
National Park Service
102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, CO 81230

PARK HEADQUARTERS PHONE:
(970) 641-2337

PARK HEADQUARTERS FAX:
(970) 641-3127

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.

Plan Your Visit

When You Get Here
Stop at the South Rim Visitor Center for information, exhibits, introductory film, publications and Junior Ranger program for kids.

Help preserve the Black Canyon for future generations. Please don't pick the flowers, feed or approach wildlife, or disturb natural features.

Fees & Reservations

ENTRANCE FEE - SINGLE VISIT
The entrance fee is $15.00 per vehicle at the South Rim entrance station and the North Rim ranger station of Black Canyon. It covers all persons in a single, private, noncommercial vehicle and is valid for seven calendar days. The entry fee for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, motor scooters, or mopeds is $7.00 per person, not to exceed $14.00 per vehicle. There is no fee charged for persons 16 years of age or younger.

BLACK CANYON ANNUAL PASS
An Annual Pass to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is available at the entrance station for $30.00 This pass admits the permit holder and all accompanying passengers in a single, private, noncommercial vehicle to the park. It is valid for 12 months from date of purchase and covers entry fees only.

COMMERCIAL BUS TOUR FEES

• Bus with 26 or more passenger seating capacity: $100
• Bus with 7-25 passenger seating capacity: $40
• Bus with 6 or less passenger seating capacity: $25 plus $4.00 per person

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass Program

Interagency Annual Pass - $80.00
The Interagency Annual Pass is valid for all National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service entrance fees, and Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and Forest Service sites that charge a standard amenity fee. (This pass is not valid for other National Park Service fees such as camping, boat tours or boat permits).

This pass permits entry for the pass holder and accompanying passengers in a single, private, noncommercial vehicle. Where entry is not by private car (such as Red Rock Canyon hikers), the pass admits the pass holder and 3 adults (not to exceed 4 adults; children under 16 admitted free).

The Interagency Annual Pass costs $80.00 and is valid for one year. Passes will be available at the South Rim Visitor Center after January 1, 2007. The pass can also be purchased online at http://store.usgs.gov/pass or by phone at 1-888-ASK USGS,
extension 1.

The Interagency Annual Pass is valid for one year from the month of purchase, and is non-transferable. Passes sold over the Internet will be punched with an expiration date prior to shipment.

Interagency Senior Pass - $10.00
The Interagency Senior Pass is a lifetime pass available to persons who are at least 62 years of age and citizens or permanent residents of the United States, for a one time charge of $10. 

This pass permits entry for the pass holder and accompanying passengers in a single, private, noncommercial vehicle. Where entry is not by private car (such as Red Rock Canyon hikers), the pass admits the pass holder and 3 adults (not to exceed 4 adults; children under 16 admitted free). It also provides for a 50% discount on camping fees.

The Interagency Senior Pass can only be obtained in person at park entrance stations or major visitor centers and is non-transferable.

Note: The Interagency Senior Pass replaces the Golden Age Passport. Existing Golden Age Passports will still be honored for the lifetime of the cardholder.

Interagency Access Pass - FREE
The Interagency Access Pass is a lifetime pass available without charge to persons who are blind or permanently disabled and citizens or permanent residents of the United States. 

This pass permits entry for the pass holder and accompanying passengers in a single, private, noncommercial vehicle. Where entry is not by private car (such as Red Rock Canyon hikers), the pass admits the pass holder and 3 adults (not to exceed 4 adults; children under 16 admitted free). An Interagency Access Pass also provides a 50% discount on camping fees.

The Interagency Access Pass can only be obtained in person at major visitor centers and is non-transferable. Documentation is required to obtain the pass. Acceptable documentation includes: statement by a licensed physician; document issued by Federal agency such as the Veteran’s Administration, Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income; or document issued by a State agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency.

Note: The Interagency Access Pass replaces the Golden Access Passport. Existing Golden Access Passports will still be honored for the lifetime of the cardholder.