Where to Stay at Black Canyon of the Gunnison: Inside the Park, Nearby Towns & Campgrounds

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

The quick answer. Black Canyon of the Gunnison has no lodge within its boundaries, so staying in the park means camping or nothing. Most visitors base themselves in Montrose, about 12 miles from the main entrance. One or two nights are enough to explore both rims at a comfortable pace. Our Black Canyon of the Gunnison itinerary guide will help you plan your days.

Where to stay: towns, lodges and campgrounds (8)

All Gateway townsLodgesCampgrounds

• Gateway town Montrose entrance South Rim · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Gateway town Crawford entrance North Rim · hotels, gas station, restaurants Directions ↗
• Gateway town Hotchkiss entrance North Rim · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Gateway town Delta entrance South Rim · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Gateway town Gunnison entrance South Rim · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Campground South Rim Campground recreation.gov · 88 sites Directions ↗
• Campground North Rim Campground recreation.gov · 13 sites Directions ↗
• Campground East Portal Campground recreation.gov · 15 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

⚠ Gateway town & Lodge data is undergoing editorial review.

Should You Stay in the Park or Outside It?

This question comes up every time, and the answer really depends on how you like to travel.

Choose a campground in the park if:

• You want to be standing at the canyon rim before sunrise without driving an hour from your hotel.
• You sleep well in a tent and have the right gear. Summer nights regularly drop below 50°F, and the elevation is around 7,500 feet on the South Rim.
• Your dates are flexible, since several sites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Choose a hotel outside the park if:

• You prefer a hot shower and a real bed after a day of hiking.
• You're visiting outside the summer season. North Rim Road closes from mid-November to early May, and nighttime temperatures drop to 10°F in winter.
• You're traveling with young children, or you're combining Black Canyon with several other stops in Colorado.

This park's layout makes staying outside the park easy. From Montrose, the South Rim entrance is less than 25 minutes away. Arrive early, before 8 a.m. in peak season, to avoid traffic at the overlooks and enjoy the morning light on the canyon. Along with evening light, it's the most spectacular light of the day.

Staying at Black Canyon of the Gunnison: Lodges and Other In-Park Accommodations

Let's be direct: there's no lodge, cabin, or concessioner-operated accommodation inside the park. Black Canyon of the Gunnison didn't follow the model of Zion Lodge or the Grand Canyon's Bright Angel Lodge. If you're looking for a room with an unobstructed canyon view from your window, you won't find one here. Staying in the park means choosing one of the three campgrounds described below.

Camping at Black Canyon of the Gunnison

The park operates three campgrounds with very different setups. None has electricity, water hookups, or sewer hookups for RVs.

South Rim Campground

This is the park's main campground, just a few minutes by car from the South Rim's main overlooks. Several dozen sites accommodate tents and small RVs. Some sites can be reserved in advance through Recreation.gov, which is highly recommended from June through August. The rest are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis when the booth opens in the morning.

The facilities are decent, with restrooms, including flush toilets in some areas, picnic tables, barbecue grills, and potable water available during the season. The typical rate is $22 to $30 per night, depending on the site. Rangers sometimes host evening naturalist programs around the campground amphitheater. If you happen to catch one, don't miss it.

North Rim Campground

There are just 13 sites, with no reservations available. Sites are first come, first served. This campground is more basic and significantly less visited than its South Rim counterpart. The access road from Crawford, about 12 miles long and partly unpaved for the last few miles, limits access for large vehicles. The payoff is real weekday peace, a night sky free of light pollution, and a remote atmosphere you won't soon forget.

Keep in mind that the campground closes along with North Rim Road, generally from mid-November to early May. The typical rate is about $16 per night.

East Portal Campground

This is the least-known of the three, and probably the most unusual. Located at the bottom of the canyon beside the Gunnison River, it's reached by an extremely steep road with grades exceeding 16 percent for several miles. Vehicles longer than 22 feet and any vehicle towing a trailer are strongly discouraged from taking it. In practical terms, if your vehicle struggles on steep grades, don't go.

If you can make it down, you'll spend the night in the heart of the canyon, just a few feet from the river's deep rumble. There are only a few sites, seasonal water, and first-come, first-served camping. Check our Black Canyon of the Gunnison campground guide for current opening conditions before heading down.

Where to Stay Around Black Canyon of the Gunnison: Gateway Towns

Montrose: The Obvious Base for the South Rim

Montrose is the go-to town for visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The South Rim entrance is about 14 miles from downtown, a 20- to 25-minute drive via Highway 347. With nearly 20,000 residents, the town has a solid range of accommodations, including hotel chains, independent motels, a few bed-and-breakfasts, and plenty of vacation rentals on the usual platforms.

Montrose also has a regional airport, with the code MTJ, serving Denver and other hubs in the American West. That makes it a convenient entry point if you're not starting your road trip by car. Supermarkets, pharmacies, and gas stations are all easy to find. On a September visit, we chose Montrose for its convenience and its central location between Black Canyon and the nearby Curecanti National Recreation Area. The nearly empty road to the park at 7 a.m. more than rewarded us.

Best for: everyone from solo travelers to families, and from hikers to RVers looking for services between stops.

Crawford: The Gateway to the North Rim

Crawford is a small rural town of a few hundred residents, set in an agricultural valley about 9 miles north of the North Rim entrance. Traditional accommodations are limited, with a few guesthouses and vacation rentals, but nearby Crawford State Park has its own campground overlooking a reservoir. It's quiet and lightly visited, with a deep-Colorado atmosphere you won't find in Montrose.

For groceries and fuel, stock up before you arrive. Stores are few and far between in this area.

Best for: independent travelers, anglers, and anyone making the loop through northern Colorado from Grand Mesa or Delta.

Gunnison: An Option for an Eastern Route

Gunnison is about 47 miles east of the park along Highway 50. Larger than Crawford, the town offers a range of hotels and motels, especially around Western Colorado University, which tends to bring prices down outside academic breaks. It's a good fit for visitors arriving from Salida or Pueblo, or those combining Black Canyon with Curecanti National Recreation Area.

Plan on a little over an hour of driving to reach the South Rim from Gunnison. That's not ideal for a short stay, but it makes sense as part of a longer Colorado loop. Our Road Trips and Colorado regions guides outline the classic combinations to and from Black Canyon.

When to Book Your Stay at Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Peak season runs from June through August. During this period, reservable sites at South Rim Campground fill up several weeks in advance. Montrose hotels follow the same pattern in July and August, especially on weekends.

Our summer advice is to reserve your campsite through Recreation.gov two to three months ahead. For hotels in Montrose, a month is usually enough outside weekends. Availability improves considerably in September and October, and rates drop noticeably. May is also a good window, as long as you're comfortable with North Rim Road not being open yet.

For seasonal weather and the periods to avoid for different types of visits, our guide to the best times to visit Black Canyon covers the essentials.

Lodging Budget: How Much Does It Cost to Stay at Black Canyon of the Gunnison?

These ranges are estimates for 2025-2026 and vary by season and availability. Remember to add the park entrance fee: $30 per vehicle, or $15 per person if you arrive on foot or by bicycle. If you're visiting several national parks in a year, the America the Beautiful pass quickly pays for itself. See all the details on our Fees & passes page.

Our Recommendation for Different Travelers

First visit, comfort comes first. Spend two nights in Montrose. On day one, drive Rim Rock Drive and visit the South Rim's main overlooks. On day two, visit the North Rim if the road is open, then return in the late afternoon. You'll see everything without rushing. Our complete guide to the park covers the must-see viewpoints and the best order to visit them.

Families with kids. Montrose remains the best choice for everyday convenience. If your kids are used to camping, South Rim Campground is a memorable experience. They'll sleep just steps from one of the most dramatic canyons in the United States. Before you go, read our guide to visiting Black Canyon with kids. Some overlooks don't have guardrails, and there are a few safety concerns worth knowing about ahead of time.

Tight budget. An NPS campground plus cooking on a camp stove, with groceries bought in Montrose before entering the park, is easily the cheapest option. Pair it with the America the Beautiful pass if you have other parks on your itinerary.

Total immersion in nature. East Portal Campground is our favorite for adventurers who want the full experience. Take the steep road down, pitch your tent beside the Gunnison River, and spend the night at the bottom of the canyon. It's hard to get more authentic than that. Check access and opening conditions before committing to the drive.

Colorado road trip. Black Canyon fits naturally into a route from Denver, Telluride, or Grand Junction. Montrose is often already on the itinerary, which settles the lodging question without adding a detour. For route combinations and distances between parks, our Road Trips guides provide the key information.

Frequently Asked Questions