Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Guide

While hiking the inner canyon can prove to be quite a challenge, it’s a great way to immerse yourself and learn to appreciate the canyon on a whole different level. There are no marked trails through the canyon, and this strenuous hike is only truly recommended for experienced hikers. If you’re willing to take this rigorous trek on, you’ll need to get a permit. Be sure to bring a gallon of water and high energy snacks with you, and while hiking, be aware of common dangers such as bears and poison ivy.

Rock, water, and sky come together to create the perfect backdrop not only for RV camping but also for some prime-nature photography. The springtime is the ideal time of the year to capture nature here at Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Everything is just beginning to come to life again with vibrant budding trees and colorful blossoms, so your pictures seem to spring to life.

When you visit Black Canyon, you’re almost guaranteed to see some wildlife, no matter what time of the year you visit. If you take the time and effort to seek the wildlife out, it can be a fun and exciting experience. Learn about the different creatures that live here, and see different species at different times of the year. Wear neutral clothes that blend in with the environment, grab some binoculars, and shhh—be still and see what you can find. For the safety of you and the animals, keep a distance of at least 100 feet from any wild animal, no matter how friendly they may seem.

The shortest trail at South Rim is the Cedar Point Nature Trail. The path is a .65-mile round trip hike. The most challenging trail you’ll find in this area is Oak Flat Loop Trail, and that’s only two-miles round trip. All of the trails, regardless of the difficulty, have breathtaking views. So whatever path you take, prepared for some fantastic scenery along the way.

There are plenty of hiking trails to choose from at both the North and the South rims. Always tread carefully, as many of the trails are close to steep drop-offs and may have some rough terrain. The shortest and easiest path that you can find at the North Rim is Chasm View Nature Trail, a .35 mile-long round trip. For a more challenging route at the North Rim, head to Green Mountain by taking North Vista Trail—a trip totaling seven miles.

If you're looking to cool off in the summer months, consider taking a ride on a raft. Although rafting is not available on the tumultuous Gunnison River, some private outfitters offer guided trips in the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, just west of the park. Pack your swimsuit and sense of adventure with you in the pop-up camper, and plan a camping and rafting adventure.

Kayaking the Gunnison River is a fun summer activity, but only for expert kayakers. If you're a pro that's up for the challenge, lock down the kayak on top of the rig and prepare for a bumpy ride. Kayaking here is known to be highly challenging. People that choose to try it do so at their own risk—even the most experienced kayakers have lost their lives here. Don’t attempt to kayak unless you know what you’re doing and you’re willing to take the risk. Poison ivy growing along the river’s edge is another concern to take into consideration, so keep your eyes peeled, and don't brush up against any brush.

Rock climbing is an adventurous activity, usually only recommended for experts. Climbing season starts mid-April and goes through early June, and then it picks up again from mid-September through early November. There is not a lot of information available on rock climbing, which means there are plenty of options for creating your own path. The canyon is deep and narrow, and climbing can prove to be extremely challenging. A permit is required to go rock climbing here.

The Gunnison River is designated as Gold Medal Waters and Wild Trout Waters by the state wildlife commission due to the river’s impressive amount of wild trout and excellent fishing opportunities. The award-winning waters make the Gunnison River a popular place to go fishing, so don't forget to pack your gear in the Airstream before you hit the road this summer. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the regulations—real bait is not allowed, and all trout catches are catch and release only. What is better than losing yourself in the beautiful wildlife while you fish and relax?

If you’re trying to pick the best time of the year to plan your RV camping trip, think about reserving a spot in the summertime. The kids are out of school, nature is calling you out of doors, and the weather is pleasant during the summer. Camping in the western portion of Colorado is a popular summertime activity, so it's best to plan your trip early to secure the best reservable campgrounds.

The summer is a great time to try to spot and identify the wide variety of birds that call this park their home. If you are patient and head to the appropriate areas of the park, you might get to see the peregrine falcon—the world’s fastest bird. You can also see the blue grouse, different species of eagles, and hawks. If you are an early riser, dawn is one of the best times to look for the canyon wren.

If you’d like to follow the Gunnison River, you can take East Portal Road. It may be a good idea to leave the Airstream at the campground because this road has some steep grades and sharp curves, and doesn't allow for vehicles longer than 22 feet. Careful driving is highly encouraged on this treacherous road. The Curecanti National Recreation Area is an excellent place to start this scenic stretch and offers fishing, camping, and picnicking facilities. The East Portal Road is not open during the winter months.

If you're itching to get away from the campground, head to the North Rim Road. You may want to leave the pop-up back at camp; however, as part of this route is gravel. This scenic drive offers six overlooks and presents you with some of the best views in the entire park. The tour usually takes around three hours, depending on how long you stop to take in the views at the overlooks. More information about this drive can be found at the North Rim Ranger Station, which is open intermittently during the summer months. Both Ranger Station and the North Rim Road are closed during the winter.

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a beautiful place to visit, and seeing everything through the window of your camper can be a relaxing experience. Take your time and set aside a few hours to drive the South Rim Road. South Rim offers 12 scenic overlooks that you can stop at—with most of the overlooks easily reached by hiking a small trail. If you can't make it to all 12 overlooks, prioritize Gunnison Point, Chasm View, Painted Wall, and Sunset View.

Because the park is far from city lights, the nights are much darker than they are in the populated areas of Colorado. The isolated location means that the stars shine more brilliantly here. In some areas of the park, you can see up to 15,000 stars, as compared to the 500 or so stars that most people can see in more urban settings. You can stargaze on your own in the park, or attend an evening talk in the park by local astronomers between May and September. The park even has a huge astronomy festival every June where you can listen to guest speakers and participate in special activities.

If you have horses, and you want to explore the Black Canyon of the Gunnison on your horse, consider visiting the park during the most colorful season, the fall. The Deadhorse Trail is a favorite riding trail for both horses and riders. Don’t let the name fool you though; this trail is five miles long and is rated easy to moderate. If you’re looking for more places to take your horse and ride, head to Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, just west of the park. The crisp fall air makes for a uniquely refreshing ride, and without the summer crowds, it's easy for both you and your horse to feel at peace out on the trails.

The Gunnison River is a powerful source of water. After all, the river is what carved out the Black Canyon, creating the majestic landscape, steep walls, and picturesque vistas. Who wouldn’t want to see the source of the canyon itself? If you wish to get closer to the river, Rim Rock Trail is an easy hike that rewards you with stunning views of the Gunnison River. The trail starts near your campground at Loop C of the South Rim Campground. The fall is a great time to go exploring the river as the leaves change color. Be sure to take precautions and check conditions before heading out.

During the winter, South Rim Drive is closed off to vehicle transportation but makes for an excellent trail for cross country skiing. If you don't have cross country ski gear, rent your equipment at one of the outfitters in either Gunnison or Montrose, and then bring your rig to the South Rim Visitor Center. The six-mile skiing trail will take you across the rim and past some of the more stunning viewpoints in the park.

In the winter, you can still experience some of the trails at Black Canyon by spending your time outside snow trekking. Pack your snowshoes, trekking poles, and your cold-weather gear and head to either Oak Flat Loop or Rim Rock Trail. During the winter, the canyon's rim is one of the more scenic places to snowshoe because as you trek along the rim, the snow-covered rocks create a stark contrast of light and dark throughout the canyon. The views that you’ll find here are incredible, and you can immerse yourself in a winter wonderland. While leashed dogs are generally permitted in the park, it's best to leave your furry friend at home during the winter.

There is so much that you can do in the snow that doesn’t even require you to pack extra things in the RV like snowshoes or skis. Simply get outside and let your imagination wander. Catch snowflakes on your tongue, make snow angels, build a snowman, or start a friendly snowball fight. Take advantage of the winter elements in an incredible setting. Don't forget to bring your cold-weather gear, because you won't want to be outside without gloves, hats, thick socks, and plenty of layers of clothes.

The wintertime at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is the perfect time to visit if you prefer to visit parks during the offseason. Without the noise of people coming and going, winter is the ideal time for contemplating life and all that it has to offer. This time of the year creates a quiet and calm atmosphere, and you can enjoy the calm even without stepping foot outside of your RV. Curl up with a nice hot drink, bring a deck of cards or a good book, and let your mind wander as you watch the snowfall outside the window.

For the serious campers out there, brave the winter by tent camping out along the closed South Rim Drive, beyond Pulpit Rock Overlook. You can only camp here if you have a permit and if you’re willing to risk hypothermia and other dangers of the cold. The wilderness in the winter is a rough world, but for the hardy, camping here is a rush.