Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Nature's Masterpiece: Experiencing the Black Canyon
If you’re planning to visit Colorado - this is your sign to add this National Park to your journey!
The Black Canyon's beauty lies in its dramatic contrasts and raw, untouched landscape. Steep, sheer walls of dark rock plunge into the narrow gorge below, where the carves Gunnison River its way through the ancient stone. The canyon's rugged terrain, combined with its jagged cliffs, creates a striking visual spectacle! The canyon's depth and narrowness make it a unique natural wonder, offering breathtaking views and a sense of awe at the power and persistence of nature.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - The Painted Wall
To fully appreciate the Black Canyon, plan to spend at least half a day exploring. You can access via the the North, or South Rim.
Each rim offers unique perspectives of the canyon's dramatic cliffs and deep gorges, with the South Rim providing more accessible and developed viewpoints, while the North Rim offers a quieter, more secluded experience.
If you're short on time, focus on the South Rim, which has more trails and overlooks, but if you can, visit both rims to capture the full essence of this incredible natural wonder.
Our itinerary:
Entering from the South Rim, we enjoyed the full experience. The hikes to the viewpoints are rather short but there are so many, the miles definitely accumulate. So make sure to bring enough water and food!
These are all of our favorite spots. We definitely recommend to drive all the way to the end, and if your time is limited, start at the end as these viewpoints are the best in our opinion.
Sunset View
Dragon Point
Cedar Point
Painted Wall View Point
Chasm View
Devils Lookout
Pulpit Rock Overlook
We hiked to almost every view point, and we spent around 4 hours in the National Park.
Tipp: Make sure to navigate directly to the first spot you would like to visit. If you’re only entering “Black Canyon National Park”, the navigation system might lead you to the North Rim. It is a detour of about two hours, as there is no way to cross the Canyon and you would have to drive all around it!
If you have any questions regarding a visit to the Black Canyon National Park, please do not hesitate to contact us! We are happy to share more detailed information.
