Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
The Black Canyon, carved by the Gunnison River, left us in awe from the moment we glanced into its ancient depths. Its beautiful black sheer cliffs, powerful roaring river, clear evening skies, and endless majestic views made us stop and gaze, listen, and wonder, all just so we can take in as much as we could.
We spent all of the 3 days we had in the park on its South Rim. Since we wanted to experience as many of its wonders as possible, we camped in its peaceful South Rim Campground that allowed hiking opportunities right from our camp.
The Gunnison Route
The Gunnison Route is a steep but fun trail that goes down all the way to the canyon floor where the Gunnison River rushes by. Only about 1 mile long with an 1,800 ft. elevation difference, this trail is considered the shortest path to the river. A steal chain has been installed to help with the descend for a short section of about 80 ft. Due to its difficulty, the park requires a day permit that we picked up early morning at the Visitor Center, where this trail also starts.
The Warner Point Hike
This trail is a short and easy 1.5 mile round-trip to Warner Point. It is worth every step and, at the end, it gives away majestic views of the canyon towards the North.
Rim Rock and the Uplands Loop Hike
This 2 mile loop trail is an easy and relaxing hike that runs from the Visitor Center all the way to the South Rim Campground and back. The views stretch deep into the canyon and high into the sky, never ending and never to be be forgotten.
The South Rim Road Viewpoints
The vantage points offered by just driving on the South Rim Road are something out of this world. Stopping at every pull-off and taking the short walk to the view points make this 7 mile one-way drive a memorable one.
The Painted Wall
Words cannot describe the beauty of this 2,250 ft. sheer cliff decorated with colorful bends of different type of rocks.
Gunnison Point
A short walk from the Visitor Center takes you to the edge of the canyon with incredible views of the sheer black cliffs of the North Rim and Gunnison River below.
Pulpit Rock Overlook
The view of the Gunnison River knifing through the canyon seen from the Pulpit Rock Overlook is one of the most impressive in the park.
Cross Fissures Overlook
Another short walk from the South Rim Road takes you out to the edge of the canyon with incredible closeup views of one of nature’s works of art, done over millions of years.
Rock Point
The little white dot at the bottom of the canyon offers only a glimpse of the Gunnison River that has been relentlessly working for more than 2 million years to carve this dramatic canyon - deeper than it is wide in same places.
Chasm View
The walk out to Chasm View takes you closer to the North Rim than to the bottom of the canyon. Here the canyon is at 1,800 ft. deep, while the North Rim is only about 1,000 ft. away.
Cedar Point
Cedar Point is another great view of the canyon with impressive views of the fast rushing river.
Dragon Point
This spectacular view is just a few yards from the parking lot and it offers a grandiose view of the canyon and river from a different angle.
Sunset View
While this picture is not taken at sunset, this place on the South Rim Road is called Sunset Point with an incredible view of the canyon as far as the eye can see.
Enjoy Your Visit!
No words, pictures, or videos can describe the shear beauty of this place, or put in perspective the time in which the Gunnison River has relentlessly worked its way through the hard rock to form such an impressive canyon. For many years to come we will remember this place and we are certain that we will soon visit again. The North Rim has intrigued us at every step we took while on the South Rim, so that will be on our agenda for next time, for sure.
We hope you’ll like it here as much as we did!