Planning Your Visit

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.

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.

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

Annual Pass

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.

Senior Pass

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.

Access Pass

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.

ACADEMIC ENTRANCE FEE WAIVERS

Groups from bona fide educational institutions are eligible for an entrance fee waiver if they are coming to study park resources. Requests should be sent at least 2 weeks in advance of visit using the form below.