Getting Around Black Canyon of the Gunnison: Access, Entrances, and Parking

By David Sanchez · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Black Canyon Of The Gunnison

The short answer is that you'll visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison by car. There are no shuttles, tour buses, or trains. Two roads run along the canyon's rims, and your vehicle, along with a good pair of shoes for the overlooks, sets the pace.

How to Get to Black Canyon of the Gunnison

The park is in western Colorado, 7 miles north of Montrose. No public transportation serves the park, so a car is essential. For directions from Denver, Grand Junction, Gunnison, or the regional airports, see the guide to getting to Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

The Park Entrances and Which One to Choose

The park has two separate entrances, one on each rim. They aren't connected by an internal road, so getting from the South Rim to the North Rim means leaving the park and following CO-92, a 1.5- to 2-hour drive.

South Rim entrance: This is the main entrance. It has a visitor center with rangers, restrooms, drinking water, a campground, and a store. It's open 24 hours a day year-round. This is the entrance to choose for a first visit.

North Rim entrance: The atmosphere is much wilder, and crowds are far smaller. Keep in mind that North Rim Road and the ranger station generally close in mid-November and don't reopen until early May. Outside the season, you can't reach the North Rim by car.

For a first visit, the South Rim is easily the better entrance. The North Rim is worth the extra effort if you're looking for solitude or returning for a second visit.

Admission fees ($30 per vehicle at the time of writing) and annual pass options are listed on the National Parks Fees & Passes page, which explains entrance fees and passes.

Getting Around the Park

By Car

A car is the only practical way to get around. Two roads follow the rims, with parking areas at every overlook.

South Rim Road: This road is fully paved and runs about 10 miles from the entrance to the last overlooks on the east end. The park speed limit is 25 mph. Follow it. Rangers patrol regularly.

North Rim Road: This road runs about 5 miles and is partly unpaved for the last few miles. A standard car can handle it without trouble during the dry season. You don't need four-wheel drive.

Here's the key point: there is no road into the bottom of the canyon. To descend into the inner canyon, you'll need to take trails with a specific permit. Your car stays up on the rims.

By Shuttle

There is no shuttle service at Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Unlike Zion or Bryce Canyon, private vehicles are still allowed on all roads that are open. No restrictions and no waiting for a bus.

By Bike

Bikes are allowed on South Rim Road and North Rim Road, which they share with automobile traffic. It's doable, but we don't recommend biking as your only means of transportation in summer, when temperatures can reach 90°F in July. The distances between overlooks are short by car and much more demanding in full sun. Save it for a cool morning ride.

Where to Park: Parking Areas and Tips

Visitor Center (South Rim): A large paved parking lot at the park entrance. This is the place to drop off your gear, pick up a paper map, and fill your water containers before heading out on the road.

South Rim overlooks: Every overlook has its own parking area, with anywhere from a few spaces to around 20, depending on the site. The busiest ones fill up quickly in July and August.

North Rim: Parking is available at the end of North Rim Road. There are fewer spaces, but the lot rarely fills up except on peak-season weekends.

There is no parking fee beyond the park entrance fee.

Here's a practical tip: arrive before 9 a.m. on July and August weekends. When we visited in August, the lots at the popular South Rim overlooks were already full shortly after 9:30 a.m. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison crowd calendar will help you plan your visit.

Distances and Drive Times Between Areas

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a compact park, especially compared with Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon.

South Rim, from the entrance to the last overlook: 10 miles, or 20 to 25 minutes without stopping. In practice, allow 2 to 3 hours to drive the entire route and stop at the overlooks.

North Rim, from the entrance to the end of the road: About 5 miles, or 15 to 20 minutes of driving.

Getting from the South Rim to the North Rim: A 1.5- to 2-hour drive around through Crawford and along CO-92. There is no direct route between the two rims. If you want to see both in one day, get an early start. The ready-made Black Canyon of the Gunnison itineraries cover a day, a weekend, or several days.

Special Cases: RVs, Camper Vans, Accessibility, and Pets

RVs and camper vans: The South Rim accommodates large vehicles on South Rim Road without significant restrictions. On the North Rim, however, vehicles longer than 33 feet (about 10 meters) aren't recommended. The road is narrow, and turnaround options are limited. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison RV guide covers campsites and access restrictions.

Visitors with limited mobility: Several South Rim overlooks have paved or compacted surfaces and designated parking spaces. When you arrive at the Visitor Center, let the rangers know what you need. They'll point you toward the most accessible overlooks based on current conditions.

Pets: Dogs are allowed in the park, but only on paved roads, in parking areas, and in campgrounds. They're not allowed on unpaved trails or in the inner canyon. Leashes are required and may be no longer than 6 feet.

Practical Mobility Information: Fuel, Cell Service, and Apps

Fuel: There are no gas stations in the park. Fill up in Montrose before heading up to the South Rim, or in Crawford for the North Rim. There are no gas stations along CO-347 between US-50 and the entrance.

Cell service: It's almost nonexistent in the park. The canyon walls effectively block signals. Download your route and the park map for offline use before you enter. The free NPS app for iOS and Android offers downloadable maps for each park. Google Maps and Maps.me work offline too.

If your car breaks down: Return to the Visitor Center or flag down a ranger during regular patrols on South Rim Road. Patrols are less frequent on the North Rim, so plan accordingly.

Weather: Summer thunderstorms move in quickly in the early afternoon, often as early as 2 p.m. and sometimes sooner. If you plan to descend into the inner canyon, leave early in the morning and come back up before lunch. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison weather guide covers seasonal patterns hour by hour.

Frequently Asked Questions