Black Canyon of the Gunnison: East Portal Road Closed After Flood Damage

If you're planning a visit to Black Canyon of the Gunnison, here's a closure to note before you lock in your plans. East Portal Road, which drops all the way to the bottom of the canyon and the Gunnison River, is currently closed to traffic. The campground at the end of that road is out of service too. The reason is flood damage that's made access impassable for now.

In practical terms, that changes two things for your trip. First, you won't be able to drive down to the water this way, and it's the only paved road that reaches the bottom of the canyon. Second, travelers who were counting on pitching a tent at East Portal will need to rethink where they'll sleep and fall back on another lodging option in the area.

No reopening date has been announced. The closure runs until further notice, which means it could last as long as the repairs take. So we'd suggest checking the road status right before you head out, since things can change from one week to the next.

The good news is that the heart of the experience is still open. The scenic overlooks perched along the canyon rims, on both the South Rim and the North Rim, aren't affected by this closure. That's where you'll see the sheer walls that give the park its reputation, with some of the most dramatic drop-offs in the country. So you'll still get the essential scenery, even without the drive down East Portal.

To plan the rest of your visit, lean on the Black Canyon Of The Gunnison park guide, which pulls together access, viewpoints, and practical tips. And if you're working this stop into a bigger loop, take a look at our road trip itinerary that runs through this park to line up your distances and overnight stops ahead of time.