14 Best Hikes in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Fourteen distinct Black Canyon hikes across both rims and three permitted inner-canyon routes, with reviewed maps, profiles, and live park alerts.
Black Canyon is a park of two rims and one difficult interior. The South Rim has the visitor center, the main scenic road, and most short walks. The quieter North Rim requires a separate drive from near Crawford; there is no bridge across the canyon inside the park.
These fourteen itineraries cover the defensible local route inventory without counting the same corridor twice. Short South Rim viewpoints lead into longer rim walks and the North Vista destination; the final entries are unmaintained wilderness descents where low mileage conceals serious exposure, loose terrain, and a demanding climb out.
Distances and profiles come from the reviewed route files. South Rim fire effects, seasonal rim roads, flood-damaged East Portal access, drinking-water availability, and wilderness-route quotas can change, so check current NPS conditions before leaving service and let closures or ranger direction override this guide.
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Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
South Rim Visitor Center
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What changes a hiking day here
Choose a rim before choosing a trail
The South Rim is reached from Montrose on CO 347; the North Rim is reached from near Crawford. Driving between them takes hours outside the park. North Rim Road is unpaved and closes to vehicles in winter, while South Rim Road normally closes beyond the visitor center from roughly mid-November into spring.
Fire changed the South Rim
The 2025 South Rim Fire left unstable slopes, burned trees, ash, and rough tread. Current reports list Rim Rock and Uplands open but passing through heavily burned ground. The Gunnison Route carries more serious burned-area hazards. A route being open does not make it unchanged.
Inner-canyon permits are route reservations
Every inner-canyon day trip and overnight requires a wilderness permit. For the 2026 main season, South Rim routes and Red Rock Canyon use advance reservations on Recreation.gov; off-season permits use the park's same-day process. Group size is limited to four. Carry water, a waste bag, and enough equipment to survive an unplanned night.
High rims create mountain weather
Most rim trailheads sit near 8,000 feet. Sun, wind, hail, and lightning can arrive in the same afternoon, and drinking water is unavailable from late fall into mid-spring. Many paths run beside unguarded drops. Keep children close, and never throw stones into the canyon.
| Trail | Distance | Time | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulpit Rock Overlook | 0.2 mi | 10 minutes | Easy | A quick first look into the canyon |
| Cross Fissures | 0.3 mi | 15 minutes | Moderate | A short geology-focused overlook walk |
| Rock Point | 0.4 mi | 15 minutes | Easy | A quick rim walk between the central overlooks |
| Devils Lookout | 0.5 mi | 30 minutes | Easy | A short rocky walk to a dramatic canyon angle |
| Painted Wall View | 0.2 mi | 1 hr | Easy | A brief walk to the park's signature cliff |
| Dragon Point | 0.4 mi | 1 hr | Easy | A short western-rim walk with a broad canyon angle |
| Sunset View | 0.1 mi | 10 minutes | Easy | A very short western-rim sunset stop |
| Cedar Point Nature Trail | 0.4 mi | 20 minutes | Easy | Interpretive geology and a close Painted Wall view |
| Warner Point Nature Trail | 1.6 mi | 1 to 1.5 hours | Moderate | The best longer walk at the end of South Rim Road |
| Exclamation Point via North Vista Trail | 3 mi | 1.5 to 2 hours | Moderate | The classic moderate North Rim destination hike |
| Deadhorse Trail | 5.3 mi | 2 to 3 hours | Moderate | A quiet North Rim half-day away from the main overlooks |
| Pinyon Draw Route | 2.5 mi | 4 to 6 hours | Hard | Experienced inner-canyon hikers seeking a North Rim descent |
| Gunnison Route | 2 mi | 4 to 6 hours | Moderate | Experienced inner-canyon hikers prepared for loose, unmarked terrain |
| Red Rock Canyon Route | 6.5 mi | 4 hr 30 min | Hard | A longer inner-canyon route with less extreme grades |
Pulpit Rock Overlook
- Distance
- 0.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 25 feet
- Time
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Use the signed Pulpit Rock pullout near the South Rim Visitor Center.
- Best time
- Early or late in the day for softer light and fewer vehicles at the pullout.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Pulpit Rock is one of the shortest South Rim walks and a practical first stop after the visitor center. The overlook projects toward the gorge, giving a clear sense of the canyon's depth without committing to a longer trail.
Short distance does not remove the rim hazards. Watch children closely, expect wind, and step aside where the access path narrows.
What helps on this route
- Stop here before driving west so the later viewpoints make geographic sense.
- Use the developed overlook rather than climbing onto nearby rocks.
Terrain and access: Very short developed approach, mild grade, exposed rim, and little shade.
Cross Fissures
- Distance
- 0.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 60 feet
- Time
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Use the signed Cross Fissures pullout on South Rim Road when the seasonal road is open.
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon, especially when side light reveals cracks and buttresses in the rim.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Cross Fissures follows a short rocky path to views of deep fractures and the opposing canyon wall. The destination is close to the road, yet the uneven tread gives it a more natural feel than a paved overlook.
Stay on the established path and behind any barrier. The fissured rim contains loose, irregular rock, and a small detour toward the edge adds risk rather than a meaningfully better view.
What helps on this route
- Look across the gorge as well as down; the light-colored pegmatite bands are easier to trace from a safe stance.
- Skip exposed overlooks when thunder is audible.
Terrain and access: Uneven rock, minor climbing, open sun, fractured rim terrain, and exposed viewpoints.
Rock Point
- Distance
- 0.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 50 feet
- Time
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Use the signed Rock Point pullout on South Rim Road when the road beyond the visitor center is open.
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon for cooler temperatures and stronger relief on the canyon walls.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Rock Point is a short natural-surface spur to a fenced view over the canyon. It provides a different angle from nearby Cross Fissures and Devils Lookout without requiring a longer trail commitment.
Uneven rock and an exposed rim remain real hazards even on this brief route. Use it as one deliberate stop rather than racing between every pullout on South Rim Road.
What helps on this route
- Combine this stop with Cross Fissures for two contrasting views from one section of the road.
- Keep clear of loose edges and give returning hikers room on the narrow tread.
Terrain and access: Short rocky spur, small grade changes, open sun, minimal shade, and a developed overlook.
Devils Lookout
- Distance
- 0.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 110 feet
- Time
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Park at the signed Devils Lookout pullout on South Rim Road when the seasonal road is open.
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon, when angled light adds depth to the narrow gorge.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Devils Lookout follows a rocky spur away from the road to a direct view into the gorge. It is longer and rougher than the paved roadside stops, enough to feel like a brief walk while still pairing easily with Oak Flat or Warner Point.
Loose rock and an exposed finish matter more than the half-mile distance suggests. Keep children close and turn around if lightning, hail, or strong wind reaches the rim.
What helps on this route
- Wear shoes with grip rather than treating the route like a roadside sidewalk.
- Give the edge a wide margin; the best view does not require stepping onto loose rock.
Terrain and access: Rocky natural tread, small ledges, modest climbing, full sun, and an exposed overlook.
Painted Wall View
- Distance
- 0.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 25 feet
- Time
- 1 hr
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Use the signed Painted Wall View pullout on South Rim Road when the seasonal road is open.
- Best time
- Late afternoon, when angled light brings out the pale pegmatite bands across the canyon.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
This is a short overlook walk rather than a hike that fills the morning. Its value is the destination: a direct view of the 2,250-foot Painted Wall, the tallest cliff in Colorado, streaked by pale igneous bands.
Pair it with Oak Flat or Rim Rock instead of counting it as the day's mileage. The final overlook is developed, but the canyon depth and gusting rim winds still deserve attention, especially with small children.
What helps on this route
- Use the viewpoint as one deliberate stop on South Rim Road rather than trying to walk every tiny spur.
- Bring a longer lens or binoculars to inspect the rock bands across the gorge.
Terrain and access: Very short developed path, mild grade, exposed overlook, little shade, and possible strong wind.
Dragon Point
- Distance
- 0.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 120 feet
- Time
- 1 hr
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Use the signed Dragon Point pullout near the west end of South Rim Road when the seasonal road is open.
- Best time
- Late afternoon, leaving enough daylight for the drive back along South Rim Road.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Dragon Point follows a short rocky spur to a western view of the gorge, with the river bends and distant San Juan Mountains appearing beyond the immediate canyon walls. It takes longer than its mileage suggests if you stop to read the rock and watch the light change.
This is still an overlook walk, not a stand-alone half-day. Combine it with Painted Wall and one of the South Rim loops. The short tread has uneven rock and an exposed finish, so ordinary shoes and careful footing matter more than the distance implies.
What helps on this route
- Stop here after Painted Wall to see how the canyon changes farther west.
- Leave before dusk unless you have a headlamp and are comfortable driving the winding rim road after dark.
Terrain and access: Short rocky spur, modest grades, open sun, little shade, and an unguarded canyon-edge viewpoint.
Sunset View
- Distance
- 0.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 50 feet
- Time
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Use the signed Sunset View pullout near the west end of South Rim Road when the seasonal road is open.
- Best time
- Late afternoon through sunset, leaving enough light for the winding drive back.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Sunset View is a compact walk from South Rim Road to an open western viewpoint. Its mapped distance is tiny, but the broad downstream angle makes it a useful final stop after the longer South Rim walks.
The rim is exposed to gusts and fast-changing weather. Treat this as a viewpoint walk rather than extra mileage, remain behind any barriers, and do not count on phone light for the return after dusk.
What helps on this route
- Arrive before golden hour so you can park and settle in without rushing.
- Carry a headlamp and a warm layer if you plan to stay through sunset.
Terrain and access: Short developed path, mild grade, open rim, little shade, and wind exposure.
Cedar Point Nature Trail
- Distance
- 0.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 100 feet
- Time
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Use the signed Cedar Point pullout on South Rim Road when the seasonal road is open.
- Best time
- Late afternoon, when the Painted Wall's pale rock bands stand out across the gorge.
- Pets
- Leashed pets may walk to developed overlooks unless otherwise posted; confirm current signs and use a leash no longer than six feet.
Cedar Point Nature Trail is a short interpretive walk through pinyon-juniper to two overlooks. The western view faces the Painted Wall and helps explain the pale pegmatite seams cutting through the darker gneiss.
Read the exhibits, but keep attention on the uneven path and nearby drops. This route works best as a focused geology stop rather than a substitute for a longer rim hike.
What helps on this route
- Bring binoculars to inspect the Painted Wall without approaching the edge.
- Pair Cedar Point with nearby Dragon Point or Sunset View late in the day.
Terrain and access: Short interpretive path, pinyon-juniper, uneven rock, modest climbing, and developed canyon overlooks.
Warner Point Nature Trail
- Distance
- 1.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 380 feet
- Time
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Use the High Point parking area at the west end of South Rim Road when the seasonal road is open.
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon in stable weather, allowing time for the drive back before dark.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Warner Point Nature Trail follows a rolling ridge from High Point to broad views of the canyon, Uncompahgre Valley, and distant mountain ranges. Interpretive stops and repeated viewpoints make it more substantial than the short pullout walks.
The route loses and regains elevation, with natural tread and exposed high-country weather. Carry water and do not let the moderate distance disguise the return climb or the long drive back along South Rim Road.
What helps on this route
- Pick up the current trail guide or use the NPS app before leaving service.
- Save energy for the rolling return rather than treating Warner Point as a one-way descent.
Terrain and access: Rolling rocky ridge, pinyon-juniper, repeated small climbs, open overlooks, wind exposure, and limited shade.
Exclamation Point via North Vista Trail
- Distance
- 3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 330 feet
- Time
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Start near the North Rim Ranger Station when North Rim Road is open; the two rims require separate drives.
- Best time
- A cool morning or late afternoon during the North Rim vehicle season.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
North Vista Trail crosses open pinyon-juniper country to Exclamation Point, where the canyon walls and river corridor open into one of the North Rim's strongest views. This is the shorter official destination on the corridor, not the much longer continuation to Green Mountain.
The high, exposed rim has little shade and can be windy. Carry water, close cattle gates behind you, and keep food within reach in bear country.
What helps on this route
- Confirm North Rim Road conditions before the long drive from Crawford.
- Turn around at Exclamation Point unless you planned and provisioned for the longer Green Mountain climb.
Terrain and access: Rolling natural trail through pinyon-juniper, exposed high rim, modest climbing, cattle gates, and abrupt cliff edges.
Deadhorse Trail
- Distance
- 5.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 730 feet
- Time
- 2 to 3 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- loop
- Parking
- Use Kneeling Camel View near the east end of North Rim Road; leave room for stock trailers.
- Best time
- A cool, dry morning while North Rim Road is open.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Deadhorse begins on an old service road, passes a usually dry stock pond, and continues to the rim above Deadhorse Gulch and East Portal. The walking is less dramatic at first than North Vista, then pays off with a broad view into the eastern canyon.
It is the park's only trail open to horses and pack animals. Hikers should yield, speak calmly when approaching stock, and leave gates as found. The route has little water or shade and feels remote despite its moderate grade.
What helps on this route
- Carry enough water for the full out-and-back; the stock pond is not a drinking source.
- Step to the downhill side only when a rider directs you; otherwise ask where they want you to wait.
Terrain and access: Old service road, open scrub, dry pond, fence-line walking, uneven rock, limited shade, and a canyon-rim finish.
Pinyon Draw Route
- Distance
- 2.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,950 feet
- Time
- 4 to 6 hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Begin near the North Rim Campground only after obtaining the required wilderness permit and a current ranger briefing.
- Best time
- A cool, dry day while North Rim Road is open, with an early start and stable weather.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Pinyon Draw is an unmaintained wilderness route, not a constructed trail. It drops roughly 1,800 feet toward the Gunnison River on loose, steep terrain, and the climb back to the North Rim is the committing half of the outing.
Route-finding, poison ivy, rockfall, heat, and isolation all raise the stakes. A permit is required, and the map line is only planning context; current ranger direction and on-the-ground judgment govern the trip.
What helps on this route
- Carry the current NPS route description, an offline topographic map, and enough water for the climb out.
- Do not descend if wet rock, storms, smoke, or route uncertainty could compromise the return.
Terrain and access: Unmarked wilderness descent, loose rock, very steep grades, brush, poison ivy, rockfall exposure, and no reliable shade or water.
Gunnison Route
- Distance
- 2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,840 feet
- Time
- 4 to 6 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Start at the South Rim Visitor Center after obtaining the required wilderness permit and current route briefing.
- Best time
- Only in stable, dry weather, with a very early start and enough daylight for the ascent.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Gunnison Route drops about 1,800 feet in roughly one mile from the South Rim to the river. A chain assists one especially steep section, but much of the descent is loose rock and improvised route-finding rather than constructed trail. The return climb is the harder half of the day.
The 2025 fire added unstable slopes, burned vegetation, falling-rock risk, and potentially hazardous trees. NPS limits access and requires a reserved permit in the main season. This route is not appropriate for anyone looking for a conventional strenuous hike, and a map line cannot convey its exposure.
What helps on this route
- Obtain the permit and ranger briefing before committing; do not descend on another group's reservation or follow them blindly.
- Wear a helmet, carry four quarts of water per person, and pack for an unexpected night.
Terrain and access: Unmarked wilderness route, extreme grade, loose scree, chain-assisted section, burned slopes, rockfall exposure, and a punishing ascent.
Red Rock Canyon Route
- Distance
- 6.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,350 feet
- Time
- 4 hr 30 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Parking
- Use the signed Red Rock Canyon access west of the main South Rim entrance only with the required permit and current directions.
- Best time
- A cool, dry day with an early start; avoid rain, flash-flood risk, and hot summer afternoons.
- Pets
- Pets are not allowed on park trails. Trained service animals are allowed.
Red Rock Canyon follows a long drainage from the uplands to the Gunnison River. Its grade is generally less abrupt than the routes directly below the South Rim, but the additional mileage, route-finding, heat, and streambed travel make it a serious wilderness day.
A permit is required, with advance reservations used during the main season. Private-property boundaries and access instructions matter at this trailhead, so follow the current permit directions rather than an old track file. Mud, loose rock, poison ivy, and rising water can all slow the climb out.
What helps on this route
- Carry the current route sheet and stay within the authorized access corridor.
- Do not begin if rain could send water through the drainage or if the return will fall in the hottest part of the day.
Terrain and access: Unmarked drainage route, loose rock, brush, streambed travel, exposed sun, sustained descent and climb, and possible high water.
Official planning sources
Trail access and safety details were checked against these National Park Service pages. The maps and profiles follow the corresponding route geometry.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Trail geometry and planning details include National Park Service public information.