National park · Colorado

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

A Colorado canyon so steep and narrow that parts of its inner gorge receive only 33 minutes of sunlight a day — carved by the Gunnison River through 1.7-billion-year-old rock.

Entrance
$30 private vehicle
Hours
Open 24 hours daily South Rim
Established
October 21, 1999
Region
Rocky Mountains
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (US National Park Service)
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park patch

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History

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is notable for its dramatic and steep canyon, which is one of the deepest in North America. The park preserves a unique geological landscape shaped by the Gunnison River, which has carved through ancient rocks over millions of years.

Key events

  1. The Black Canyon was established as a national monument on March 2, 1933, before being redesignated as a national park in 1999.
  2. Captain John Williams Gunnison was the first to provide an official account of the canyon in 1853, after which the river was renamed in his honor.
  3. The first passenger train passed through the canyon on August 13, 1882, highlighting its rugged beauty and engineering challenges.

Trails

  • Warner Point Nature Trail 1.5 mi · Easy
  • Oak Flat Loop Trail 1.4 mi · Moderate
  • North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point 3 mi · Moderate
  • Chasm View Nature Trail 0.3 mi · Easy
  • Deadhorse Trail 5 mi · Moderate

Plan your visit

Hours · South Rim

Open 24 hours, every day

The South Rim is open 24 hours a day.

Entrance fees

  • Private Vehicle $30
  • Motorcycle $25
  • Per Person $15
  • Non-commercial Groups $30

Fees and hours as of May 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Summer. All facilities open, best weather for hiking and fishing, ranger programs
  • Spring. Mild temperatures, waterfalls at peak flow, wildflowers
  • Fall. Cooler temps, fall colors, excellent photography light
  • Winter. Snow-dusted canyon walls, cross-country skiing, solitude

Wildlife

Black bearsMule deerElkMountain lionsPeregrine falconsGolden eaglesRiver ottersBobcats

Nearby patches

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