10 Best Things to Do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

The Black Canyon is the steepest, narrowest, and darkest gorge in the Rockies, and it's one of the least-visited national parks in Colorado. It's an easy park to see in a day, and this is how I'd rank what's worth doing.

Best Time of Year to Visit, and Why

I'd go from late May through September, with June and September as my favorites. The South Rim Road is open, the weather is comfortable, and the canyon light is at its best in the morning and late afternoon. Fall color on the oak brush is a highlight in late September.

Winter is quiet and cold, with the road closed past the visitor center, but the snow on the rim is dramatic and the park is almost empty.

How Black Canyon Compares to Grand Canyon

They're both big canyons, so here's how I'd choose.

	Black Canyon	Grand Canyon
Headline	A narrow, dark, steep-walled gorge	A wide, colorful canyon with a vast scale
Depth	Up to 2,700 feet	Up to 6,000 feet
Crowds	Light	Among the busiest parks in the country
Hiking	Rim walks and difficult inner-canyon routes	Rim walks and the famous corridor trails
Best for	A quiet, dramatic day trip	The classic canyon experience

If I could only pick one, I'd choose the Grand Canyon for the scale. I'd choose the Black Canyon if I wanted a dramatic view with almost no crowds, especially if I was already in western Colorado.

Hiking Checklist — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Heights and shadows drive my kit here:

1. A camera with a wide-angle lens — the canyon is huge, and the light is difficult.
2. Sturdy shoes — the overlook trails are rocky, and some are steep.
3. A light jacket — the rim is windy, and mornings are cool.
4. Binoculars — peregrine falcons nest on the cliffs.
5. Water and snacks — there's no food or water at the overlooks.
6. A permit for any inner-canyon hike — it's required and routes are strenuous.

The 10 Best Things to Do in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

1. 1. See the Painted Wall

   The tallest cliff in Colorado at 2,250 feet, with bands of pale rock. Short, paved walk. 20–30 min.

2. 2. Drive the South Rim Road

   A 7-mile road with a dozen overlooks and short walks at each. 2 hrs.

3. 3. Walk the Warner Point Nature Trail

   A gentle walk to a viewpoint with the canyon, the valley, and the San Juan Mountains. 1.5 mi RT, easy, 1 hr.

4. 4. Hike the Oak Flat Loop

   A loop that drops below the rim through oak forest. 1.6 mi loop, moderate, 1 hr.

5. 5. Watch sunset from Sunset View

   A rim overlook on the South Rim Road, and one of the best places to see the canyon at dusk. 20–30 min.

6. 6. Walk to Cedar Point

   A short walk to a view of the Painted Wall and Wildcat Point. 0.4 mi RT, easy, 20 min.

7. 7. Visit the North Rim

   A quieter, more remote side of the park with less crowds, about a two-hour drive from the South Rim.

8. 8. Hike to Exclamation Point

   A walk along the North Rim to a dramatic overlook. 3 mi RT, moderate, 2 hrs.

9. 9. Watch for peregrine falcons

   The cliffs are a nesting area for falcons, visible from several overlooks in spring and summer. Bring binoculars.

10. 10. Stargaze

    The park is an International Dark Sky Park, with a view of the Milky Way on clear nights. Bring a jacket.

Trail stats, road openings, and fire-related closures are accurate as of publication but change — always confirm current conditions, road status, and reservation rules at nps.gov/blca before you go.