A narrow, sheer-walled canyon carved by the Gunnison River, with some of the steepest cliffs and oldest exposed rock in North America.

Park Pass

Join the National Parks Club

A single day covers the rim drive and main overlooks, while 2 to 3 gives you time to hike down into the inner canyon.

No special permit is required for the rim drives and overlooks; descending into the inner canyon requires a free wilderness permit from the visitor center.

Montrose is the closest full-service town, about 15 minutes from the South Rim entrance.

The entrance fee is $30/vehicle (7-day), or purchase a National Parks Yearly Pass.

Why Visit?:

Black Canyon is a genuinely dramatic, under-visited stop — some of the steepest cliffs and oldest exposed rock in North America, dropping over 2,000 feet in places to a river below that sees almost no direct sunlight. It's a different kind of canyon experience than the Grand Canyon's wide sweep — narrow, sheer, and a little unsettling in the best way.

Because it sees far fewer visitors than Utah's bigger parks, overlooks along the South Rim rarely feel crowded, even in peak season.

Things to Do:

The South Rim Road is the essential drive, with pullouts at Gunnison Point, Chasm View, and Painted Wall — the tallest cliff in Colorado. For a more active visit, the Warner Point Nature Trail offers an easy rim walk, while descending into the inner canyon (via routes like the Gunnison Route) is genuinely strenuous and requires a free permit.

Astrophotography is a real draw here too — Black Canyon is a certified Dark Sky Park, and the rim overlooks make for some of the most dramatic night-sky shots in Colorado.

Get the Full Itinerary

Closest airports: Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is right in town, about 15 minutes from the park, with seasonal direct flights from several major cities.

Nearby Attractions:

Curecanti National Recreation Area sits just next door with boating and fishing on Blue Mesa Reservoir, and Mesa Verde's cliff dwellings are about 2 hours south for anyone extending the trip.