Black Canyon of the Gunnison: A 2-Day Itinerary

Day 1 of 2

The South Rim Drive · overlooks & Painted Wall

Get to the park early. From Montrose it is about 15 minutes to the South Rim entrance, and you will want time at the visitor center near Gunnison Point for the orientation, the canyon geology, and the free wilderness use permit if you plan any inner canyon scrambling. Then start working your way along the paved South Rim Drive, the main scenic road, stopping at the short walks out to each overlook.

6 stopsDay one

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⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

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   Drive from where are you driving from?~15 min · closest base to the South Rim · Drive

   Montrose is the closest base to the park, about 15 minutes from the South Rim entrance, with the nearest hotels, gas, and groceries. Fly into Montrose (MTJ) or Grand Junction (GJT), grab a rental car, and stock up here before you head up to the rim for the day.

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   Visitor center & Gunnison PointOrientation · free wilderness permit · Viewpoint

   Start at the South Rim Visitor Center near Gunnison Point for the canyon geology, current conditions, and the free wilderness use permit if you plan any inner canyon scrambling. The overlook right here gives you your first vertigo-inducing look straight down into the gorge.

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   Pulpit Rock & Chasm ViewThe canyon at its narrowest · Viewpoint

   Work along the South Rim Drive to Pulpit Rock and Chasm View, where the gorge pinches to its narrowest and you stare straight down roughly 1,800 feet to the Gunnison River. These are among the most dramatic overlooks in the park, each a short walk from the road.

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   Painted Wall ViewHighest cliff in Colorado · 2,250 ft · Viewpoint

   Painted Wall View looks across at the highest cliff in Colorado, a 2,250-foot wall of dark gneiss streaked with pale bands of pegmatite. It is the signature view of the South Rim and photographs best in the warmer light of early morning or late afternoon.

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   Sunset ViewWarm light on the dark walls · Viewpoint

   Finish the day at Sunset View near the far end of the South Rim Drive, where the low light turns the dark walls warm and the depth of the canyon really lands. Linger after the sun drops, since this is a Dark Sky park and the stars come out fast.

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   Stay in MontroseClosest base · hotels, gas & food · lodge

   Base in Montrose, about 15 minutes from the South Rim entrance, with the closest hotels, gas, and groceries. If you would rather sleep in the park, the South Rim Campground is the only in-park option and fills on summer weekends, so reserve through recreation.gov ahead.

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Day 2 of 2

Rim hikes, the inner canyon & Dark Sky stars

Spend the morning on the two best rim hikes. The Rim Rock / Oak Flat Loop (about 2 miles) dips below the rim through scrub and pinyon-juniper for the only easy taste of being inside the canyon, while the Warner Point Nature Trail (about 1.5 miles round trip) runs out to the end of the South Rim Drive for a wide-open view down the canyon and across the valley to the San Juan and West Elk mountains. Both are short and rewarding, and neither requires a permit.

4 stopsDay two

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⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Rim Rock / Oak Flat Loop~2 mi · dips below the rim · Hike

   Start with the Rim Rock / Oak Flat Loop (about 2 miles), the only easy hike that dips below the rim through scrub and pinyon-juniper for a taste of being inside the canyon. It does not require a permit and is the best short hike in the park for most visitors.

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   Warner Point Nature Trail~1.5 mi RT · end of the drive · Hike

   Drive to the end of the South Rim Drive for the Warner Point Nature Trail (about 1.5 miles round trip), which runs out to a wide-open view down the canyon and across the valley to the San Juan and West Elk mountains. It is short, scenic, and permit-free.

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   Inner canyon route (experienced only)Gunnison Route / S.O.B. Draw · permit required · Hike

   For fit, experienced scramblers only: the unmaintained inner canyon routes like the Gunnison Route and S.O.B. Draw drop roughly 1,800 to 2,700 feet to the river over loose rock, brush, and a fixed chain. There is no maintained trail. Pick up the free wilderness use permit at the visitor center first, and turn back if conditions feel beyond you.

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   Dark Sky stargazingCertified Dark Sky park · stay after dark · Viewpoint

   End your trip after dark. Black Canyon is a certified International Dark Sky park with some of the darkest skies in Colorado, so pick an overlook, let your eyes adjust, and take in the Milky Way over the gorge. Bring warm layers, a headlamp, and a red light to protect your night vision.

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