Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in western Colorado packs some of the most dramatic vertical drops in North America into a compact park. The canyon walls plunge over 2,000 feet to the Gunnison River, and the rim sits between 8,000 and 8,400 feet of elevation, so even short hikes feel bigger than the mileage suggests. Here is how to plan your hiking days, from gentle overlooks on the South Rim to the leg-burning descent into the inner canyon.
Easy Rim Hikes on the South Rim
Most visitors base themselves near the South Rim Visitor Center, and the easiest trails branch right off South Rim Drive. The Rim Rock Nature Trail is a flat one-mile loop that connects the campground to the visitor center with sweeping views into the gorge. The Cedar Point Nature Trail is an easy 0.7-mile round trip that leads to two overlooks staring straight down at the famous Painted Wall, Colorado's tallest cliff at 2,250 feet.
For a slightly longer easy walk, the Warner Point Nature Trail starts at High Point, the end of South Rim Drive. This 1.5-mile round trip rolls through pinyon and juniper to the highest overlook in the park, with views of the San Juan Mountains and the West Elk range. It is the best sunset hike in the park.
- Rim Rock Nature Trail - 1 mile loop, easy, connects campground and visitor center
- Cedar Point Nature Trail - 0.7 mile round trip, easy, Painted Wall views
- Warner Point Nature Trail - 1.5 miles round trip, easy to moderate, best sunset
Oak Flat Loop: The Best Moderate Hike
The Oak Flat Loop Trail is the only maintained trail on the South Rim that actually drops below the rim, and it is the trail to do if you want a taste of the canyon's depth without committing to an inner-canyon route. Starting at the visitor center, this 2-mile loop descends a few hundred feet through Gambel oak and Douglas fir, with narrow stretches and steep, rocky footing. It reconnects to the rim with serious switchbacks. Wear real hiking shoes and carry water.
The Gunnison Route: Into the Inner Canyon
Reaching the river is the ultimate Black Canyon hike, and it is not for the casual visitor. The Gunnison Route is the most popular inner-canyon descent, dropping roughly 1,800 feet in under a mile from the visitor center area down to the river. There is no maintained trail for much of it. You scramble loose rock and use a fixed chain on the steepest 80-foot pitch. A free wilderness permit is required from the South Rim Visitor Center, and rangers will brief you on conditions. Budget two to three hours down and significantly longer coming back up.
Other inner-canyon routes such as the Tomichi, Warner, and S.O.B. draws are steeper, longer, and even more challenging, with heavy poison ivy in summer. These are for experienced, fit hikers only. If you want a structured plan that pairs the overlooks with the right hikes, our two-day Black Canyon of the Gunnison itinerary sequences the rim drive and trails so you do not waste a minute of daylight.
North Rim Trails
The quieter North Rim is reached by a long gravel road from Crawford and is usually closed in winter. The Chasm View Nature Trail is a short 0.3-mile loop with arguably the most heart-stopping overlook in the park, peering directly across at Painted Wall. The North Vista Trail runs 3 miles round trip to Exclamation Point and 7 miles round trip to the summit of Green Mountain for a panoramic payoff.
Safety and Seasonal Tips
The canyon's elevation means thin air and strong sun. Carry more water than you think you need, especially on inner-canyon routes where there is no shade until you reach the river. Summer afternoons bring thunderstorms, so start early. Poison ivy is abundant on the inner-canyon routes from late spring through fall, often growing chest-high. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable hiking temperatures, while winter limits access to the South Rim and a short stretch of plowed road.
Whatever your fitness level, there is a Black Canyon hike for you, from the five-minute walk to Gunnison Point to the all-day grind to the river and back.
