Black Canyon of the GunnisonNational Park

Ranger programs are a long-standing tradition in the National Park Service that continues today. Park rangers share knowledge of park resources through guided walks, talks, and campground illustrated programs for visitors of all ages.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers a variety of free programs at the South Rim, ranging from informal talks at viewpoints to formal programs on topics such as geology, park history, ecology, and night skies. Most summer programs are available from mid-May through September. Program details and times are found on the park calendar or at the visitor center.

Programs are subject to change/cancellation due to inclement weather, emergencies, and park staffing. Check locally at the South Rim Visitor Center or campground bulletin boards for current offerings.

Summer Programs

Summer programs typically run from mid-May through September.

Ranger's Choice

Evening Programs

Astronomy Programs

Geology Talk (20-30 minutes) How did the Black Canyon form? What kind of rock is it? Why is it so steep and deep? Stop by Pulpit Rock Overlook to discover answers to these and other geology questions. Ranger's Choice Talk (20-30 minutes) Explore one of the fascinating stories of Black Canyon, from human history to plants to wildlife. Stop by the South Rim Visitor Center for daily topics and locations. Programs are not at the visitor center.

Twilight Talk (times vary) Twilight Talks are not being offered in 2026. Explore questions about Black Canyon's human and natural history. Program locations vary. Twilight talks occur before sunset. Evening Program (45 minutes) Evening programs are not being offered in 2026. Explore questions about Black Canyon's human and natural history. Program takes place at the South Rim Campground amphitheater. Parking at the campground is limited. If you attend the program but are not camping, please park in the overflow parking across from loop A. Evening programs start around sunset, but end after dark (bring a light for departing).

Astronomy Programs (30-45 minutes) Come explore the stars and the universe with a park ranger. Program topics will discuss preserving the night skies and stories of various constellations. Other nights, visitors can look deeper into the universe with the aid of telescopes and ponder the question: Are we truly alone in the universe? Be prepared for cooler temperatures. Please use red light only; white lights/flashlights can hinder night vision and be a safety hazard.

Winter Programs

Saturday and Sundays only

South Rim Visitor Center

Snowshoe Walk (90 minutes) Snowshoe walks are typically from mid-January to late February or early March. Walks are dependent on snow levels.

Snowshoe with a ranger among the oaks, open meadows and along the canyon rim of the Black Canyon. For more information and gear requirements, visit Ranger Guided Snowshoe Walks .

Check the calendar for program offerings and special events.

Become a Black Canyon of the Gunnison Junior Ranger and learn how to protect the park.

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

Black Canyon offers two campgrounds - one on each rim. There is also a campground at the bottom of the canyon called East Portal. Although accessed through the park, East Portal is within the boundary of Curecanti National Recreation Area. Hikers and kayakers may also camp in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness after obtaining a Wilderness Use Permit (restrictions apply).

Camping is allowed only in designated campgrounds. No overnight use is allowed along any park roads or trails, at overlooks, or in other developed areas.

Cashless Operations and Reservations

As of April 2025, Black Canyon's operations are cashless. Please make campground reservations in advance at Recreation.gov . First come, first served camping is limited.

South Rim Campground: Sites available by reservation only, year-round. Reserve sites online at Recreation.gov.

North Rim and East Portal campgrounds: All sites are first-come first-served, but payment MUST be submitted online using the Scan & Pay feature on Recreation.gov's mobile app.

There is limited cell service or connectivity on site. Download the Recreation.gov app before entering the park to arrive prepared.

More and more, black bears visit the campgrounds in search of food. While black bear sightings are an exciting part of your trip, please remember that black bears are wild animals that should not be fed or approached. Black bears that become habituated to humans and human food will ultimately need to be removed or, in some cases, killed.

Follow These Policies To Keep You and Black Bears Safe:

Use the bear-proof storage lockers to secure food (including coolers!) and any scented products like beverages, toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, and cooking utensils. Do NOT keep these items in your tent or pop-up trailer.

If lockers are full or unavailable, store these items in your locked vehicle with windows rolled up.

Clean your table and campsite immediately after eating. Don’t leave any food unattended.

Lock the dumpsters at South Rim after depositing your trash.

Developed Campgrounds

Campgrounds with designated campsites, restrooms, and potable water (in season).

Camping in the Wilderness

Well-prepared and experienced individuals may choose to camp at the base of the inner canyon wilderness routes.

South Rim Routes

Scramble to the river on a wilderness route from the South Rim.

North Rim Routes

Scramble into the canyon on a wilderness route from the North Rim.

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

NPS/Ethan Crump

Access to the inner canyon and wilderness routes is limited to the Warner and Gunnison routes ( by reserved permit ), Red Rock Canyon ( by reserved permit ), and other routes not burned in the 2025 South Rim Fire. The Tomichi Route remains closed until further notice. All North Rim routes remain open. Do not enter closed or burned areas until further notice.

HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS: Due to effects from the 2025 South Rim Fire, hikers on the Gunnison Route will experience hazardous burned-area conditions including steep, unstable slopes; loose rocks; burned vegetation; and potentially hazardous, unstable trees.

Exploring the inner canyon requires skill, experience, and preparation to be successful. Routes are not recommended for visitors with health conditions, such as heart or lung issues. Wilderness routes are not trails; they are unmarked, physically demanding, very steep scrambles with loose rock. The inner canyon is a designated wilderness area and requires a permit to enter . Inner canyon travel in winter is not recommended. The information collection notices for wilderness permits, under OMB Control No. 1024-0022, can be viewed here .

Inner canyon activities are located in remote portions of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness. Any rescue operation within the park is difficult and requires extended periods of time. Park visitors should be aware of the challenging nature of the terrain and carry the equipment necessary to endure an unexpected night in the wilderness. Each activity will require different essentials, but a good list to keep in mind in any wilderness area is:

Valid Wilderness Use Permit

4 quarts of water per person per day, or a water filter if filling up at the river (From fall through mid-spring, drinking water is NOT available in the park.)

High-energy food, enough for the planned trip plus an extra day

"WAG Bag" or commercial landfill safe human waste bag

Layers and rain gear

Sturdy hiking boots or shoes

Map, compass (GPS devices often don’t work in the canyon)

First aid kit; you must be prepared for self-rescue for at least 24 hours

Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries

How to Get a Wilderness Use Permit

Permits are required for all inner canyon wilderness use - both day and overnight trips. How to obtain a permit varies by season and location. See information below. Warning: inner canyon users without a permit may be cited and/or fined.

North Rim Permits

Free: distributed on a first-come, first-served basis

Limited number of permits per day

Limited number of people allowed on each route Pinyon Draw (SOB Route): 23 people Long Draw: 8 people Slide Draw: 11 people

Pinyon Draw (SOB Route): 23 people

Long Draw: 8 people

Slide Draw: 11 people

Must be obtained on the day of your activity (no reservations)

There is a permit self-registration kiosk with instructions when the ranger station is closed. Be sure to thoroughly complete the permit with accurate and legible information.

When you have finished your trip, check out with a ranger or, if the building is closed, place your permit in the self-registration box to “check out” of the inner canyon.

South Rim Permits

Starting in 2025: All day and overnight use of Black Canyon’s South Rim wilderness routes (Warner, Gunnison, and Tomichi) must be reserved on Recreation.gov for trips between May 1 and October 31. Read the news release for more information.

Limited number of people allowed on each route Gunnison Route: 15 Tomichi Route: 9 Warner Route: 23

Gunnison Route: 15

Tomichi Route: 9

Warner Route: 23

Peak season reservations/permits (May 1 – October 31) Permits will open in two reservation windows on Recreation.gov (dates are subject to change in future years).

On April 1, 2026 at 8:00am MT , reservations will open for May 1 – July 31, 2026.

On July 1, 2026 at 8:00am MT , reservations will open for the remainder of the season: August 1 – October 31, 2026.

Off-Season Permit Process (November 1 - April 30) Permits are available during the off-season for hikers on Tomichi, Gunnison, and Warner routes at the South Rim Visitor Center the day of the trip, either from a ranger during visitor center hours , or by self-registration at the permit box in front of the building. Permits are first-come, first-served.

Climbers and Kayakers

Climbers and kayakers must obtain their permit on the day of their adventure. There are self-registration kiosks with instructions when the visitor center is closed. Be sure to thoroughly complete the permit with accurate and legible information.

Red Rock Canyon

Peak-season permits (May through October) are available only through Recreation.gov. Off-season permits (November - April) are available at the South Rim Visitor Center without a reservation. For questions about permits, please email us . Refer back to this website if planning a future trip -- the permit process may change in future years. When you have finished your trip, check out is no longer required.

Wilderness Regulations

Safety and preparation are key when entering the inner canyon.

Route Information

South Rim Routes Scramble to the river on a wilderness route from the South Rim.

North Rim Routes Scramble to the river on a wilderness route from the North Rim.

Red Rock Canyon Permits Information on how to obtain a required permit.

Other Access to the Inner Canyon

Kayaking & Rafting Expert paddlers can whitewater kayak through the canyon.

Rock Climbing Experienced climbers can explore the canyon up close and personal. Learn how to do it safely.

East Portal Discover the history and recreation of East Portal. This is the only road access to the river level.

Wilderness Route Map

Not interested in a route?

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NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

NPS Photo/Kat Connelly

Hiking at Black Canyon

Many trails pass by steep dropoffs, so be cautious and keep a close watch on children. From late fall through mid-spring, drinking water is NOT available in the park. Hikers should be aware that limited cattle grazing is permitted on the North Rim. Please keep cattle gates closed should you encounter them.

BE BEAR AWARE. Bears have made amazing efforts to obtain hikers' snacks. A bear that becomes habituated to humans and their food will ultimately need to be destroyed. Keep your backpack within arms reach at all times. Check our Current Conditions page for trail conditions.

Trails Overview

Download This Dataset

South Rim Trails

North Rim Trails

Learn about safely viewing wildlife in the park.

Know before you go! Check current conditions and park alerts.

Make the most of your visit by planning your activities and experiences in advance.

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

Scenic Roads in the Park

Drives Outside the Park

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

NPS/Dani Goodman

Black Canyon provides many opportunities to observe wildlife in their native habitat. Wildlife are an important and vital part of our natural ecosystem. Humans can learn a great deal by carefully observing animals.

Know Before You Go

Familiarize yourself with the birds and mammals of the area

Know what time of day animals are active

Learn about their habitat

Learn wildlife signs such as tracks and scat

Bring binoculars or a camera lens with zoom capabilities

Wear clothing that blends in with environment

Take a hike or walk and tread quietly

Sit still and watch from behind cover

Leave dogs at home, they often scare wildlife away

Never disrupt, approach or attempt to feed wild animals

Never approach nesting or denning sites; this could be detrimental to the survival of the young

Back off immediately if the animal seems stressed, agitated or angry

Respect the space and territory of wildlife

Wildlife watching is much more enjoyable and successful when animals are left to perform natural activites like nursing young, playing, fighting, foraging or hunting without their knowledge of our presence.

Wildlife Safety

For larger wildlife, be prepared for an unlikely encounter and know what behaviors are better than others.

Back away slowly.

Break eye contact.

Make yourself look bigger.

If attack seems imminent, act aggressively throwing rocks or a large stick.

What to Look For

Yellow-bellied Marmot

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels

Least and Colorado Chipmunks

Mountain Cottontails

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Long-tail Weasels

Ask a park ranger for ways to identify these non-venomous snakes.

Smooth Green Snake

Great Basin Gopher Snake

Striped Whipsnakes

Bird watching in the area is excellent, especially in spring and early summer.

Peregrine Falcon

Red Tailed Hawks

Turkey Vultures

Come in to the visitor center and share your wildlife encounters and experiences. Please report any unusual or rare sightings.

Keep yourself, others, and the wildlife safe by following good practices.

Animals live in different habitats from canyon rim to river and require specific lifestyles to be successful.

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

Wilderness Regulations Apply for Climbing

All wilderness regulations, including a valid wilderness use permit, apply towards rock climbing. Know before you go!

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers vast opportunities to expert rock climbers. The canyon is extremely deep and narrow. At its deepest, the canyon is 2,722 ft (830 m) deep at Warner Point. The Painted Wall is the tallest vertical wall in Colorado, with a height of 2,250 ft (686 m) The majority of the climbing activity takes place around North and South Chasm Walls, where the canyon is 1,820 ft (555 m) deep.

Black Canyon is a full-on adventure climbing area. Detailed climbing information for Black Canyon climbs is often difficult to obtain or non-existent. A few guidebooks are available and the National Park Service retains copies of topos and route information turned in by first ascent parties. Visit the South Rim Visitor Center or North Rim Ranger Station for information.

Of the 145 climbing routes that are found in Black Canyon:

8 are rated at 5.8; only 4 of these have good information available and see regular ascents

21 are rated 5.9, 5 of which are aid routes, and only 6 of which see any significant climbing activity

The other 117 climbs have ratings between 5.10 and 5.13 and many require aid.

Many climbers have said that the ratings here can be deceiving.

Annual Climbing Route Closures

For the protection of nesting raptors, certain routes are closed from March 15 to July 15.

Climbing Safely

All of the climbs within Black Canyon are multi-pitch, traditional routes located in remote areas within the canyon. Climbing routes in the park are very deceiving. There can be clean cracks and excellent lines, followed by choss and places where it is easy to get off route. Loose rock is extreme. Be sure of your holds before you commit. Climbing under other parties brings the danger of being in the firing line of falling rock and gear. Always wear a helmet.

Carrying enough gear to stay out overnight if needed

Carrying the necessary equipment to endure an unexpected bivy

Climbing within your ability level, especially if you are new to climbing in the Black Canyon

Be willing to back off or bail if necessary.

Know your own abilities and that of your partners.

Rescues in Black Canyon are very involved. Lowering off to an awaiting ambulance is not an option. The park has rangers trained in high angle rescue, but rescues take time and are extremely technical in nature. Be prepared for self-rescue. Underestimating a route is not cause for rescue at the Black Canyon. The National Park Service does not guarantee rescue.

Photo by Julia Gavilondo

Climbing Regulations

Obtain a wilderness permit and follow wilderness regulations . Climbers must practice Leave No Trace climbing with these climbing-specific regulations:

Use “clean climbing” techniques and gear that can be removed (e.g., slings, cams, nuts, chocks, and stoppers).

Do not mark approach trails with cairns or anything else.

If fixed equipment is unsafe, replacement (anchor for anchor) is allowed without further authorization. Bolts, hangers and chains must be painted the color of the rock surface. If replacing worn webbing, use a natural color.

Placing of new permanent fixed equipment requires preapproval.

The physical altering of rock faces by chiseling, glue reinforcement of existing holds, gluing of new holds, and the intentional removal of lichen or plants from rock are prohibited.

A fixed rope may be left in place for no more than 14 days, while the climbing party is in the park.

Climbing gear may be cached for less than 24 hours (do not leave food!).

Use a personal human waste pack out system, such as Rest Stop.

BASE jumping is prohibited.

Highlines / slacklines: shall not be used in designated campgrounds; shall not be attached to vegetation or park property; shall not be left unattended; and shall be entirely removable. Highlines / slacklines that span any portion of the canyon or would reasonably be expected to affect the normal operations of the park require a special use permit.

New Fixed Equipment and Route Development

Please review the authorization process for new route development with fixed anchors and replacement of fixed anchors in Chapter 4 of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park/Curecanti National Recreation Area Wilderness and Backcountry Management Plan . To inquire about placing new permanent fixed equipment or obtaining a special use permit, email (link below) the following information to us:

Contact phone number

Location of the proposed new fixed equipment

Brief description of why the applicant feels fixed equipment is warranted at the proposed site.

Seasonal Information

Peak climbing season at the Black Canyon begins in mid-April and runs through the early part of June, and from mid-September through early November. Environmental hazards found at the park during these time periods include frequent afternoon thunder showers, fully leafed out poison ivy, and approach gullies inhabited by ticks. North Rim Climbing Routes: In addition to a permit, the North Rim Ranger Station has a whiteboard that is used as an informal way of letting other climbers know who is on what route. It prevents multiple parties from piling up on routes and is a quick way to judge climber activity in the canyon.

NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

Photo by Joyce Tanihara

Many of the darkest skies in the country are found at national parks. Some visitors may come from places where light pollution hinders views of the night skies. Others may never have experienced an unobstructed view of a starry night sky or the Milky Way.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park was certified as an International Dark Sky Park in September 2015 . The park has exceptional opportunities to view night skies, as well as stargazing programs scheduled throughout the summer months.

Stargazing at Black Canyon

The park does not close and allows for night sky viewing at all hours. Overlooks that are far from the road are better shielded from the light of passing cars. These locations are great for stargazing, using a personal telescope, or for astrophotography:

Chasm View Overlook (South Rim)

Dragon Point Overlook (South Rim)

Sunset View Overlook (South Rim)

Chasm View Nature Trail (North Rim)

Kneeling Camel Overlook (North Rim)

Areas at the bottom of the canyon, like East Portal, are suitable for viewing, but the amount of visible sky will be reduced.

Visiting in the winter? Enjoy the unique experience of cross-country skiing by moonlight or headlamp. Red light-equipped headlamps or flashlights are best to help preserve night vision and reduce light pollution.

Viewing times and seasons

Experiencing moonlight in such a dark place can be extraordinary. However, bright light from the moon means faint stars and the Milky Way are not visible. The best time to view our galaxy is during the new moon phase, or at times when the moon rises late in the night. Check the moon phase, moonrise, sunrise, and sunset times for Black Canyon.

The Milky Way shines brighter in the summer than the winter. This is because we face the center of our galaxy on summer nights, while we face the edge of our galaxy on winter nights. As we look to the center, we look at the combined light of more stars than when we look toward the edge. In the summer, the Milky Way rises higher and higher throughout the night, resting directly overhead late in the evening. During the fall, the Milky Way appears directly overhead very early in the evening.

NPS Photo/C. Roundtree

Program Offerings

Park rangers, volunteers, and members of the Black Canyon Astronomical Society (BCAS) work together to provide astronomy programs. These events occur frequently at the park during the summer. Programs are free to visitors who have paid the park entrance fee. Programs may include:

Daytime solar telescope viewing

Astronomy talks

Evening constellation tours

Night sky viewing with telescopes.

Check out the Junior Ranger Night Explorer program, which encourages young park visitors to explore the starry side of their national parks. Activities include learning about stars and galaxies, writing creative mythology about constellations, and using all senses to explore the night environment at a national park. Pick up a free booklet from the visitor center or download online .

Poster by Tyler Nordgren

2025 Moon Phases

2025 Major Meteor Showers

Dates listed are for predicted maximum viewing. Most of these showers are also active for a few nights before and after the predicted peak.

Lyrids April 21-22

Eta Aquarids May 3-4

Delta Aquariids July 29-30

Perseids August 12-13

Orionids October 22-23

Leonids November 16-17

Geminids December 13-14

Ursids December 21-22

Quadrantids January 2-3

Astro Fest 2024, from September 5-7, celebrates the starry skies at three separate sites along the Gunnison River.

Learn about the night skies at Black Canyon and park efforts to protect them.

Stargazing in National Parks

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NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS

Visiting in Winter

Although services and access is limited during winter, the park provides recreation opportunities for winter enthusiasts.

Tomichi Point and Gunnison Point Overlooks

South Rim Visitor Center

South Rim Campground (closed until further notice)

Hiking trails (may be icy or snow-covered)

Winter Closures

East Portal Road

South Rim Drive (beyond the visitor center)

Winter Ranger Programs

Depending on snow conditions, January to mid-March may be a great time to join a ranger for guided snowshoeing. Park rangers may offer guided snowshoe programs among the oaks, open meadows, and along the canyon rim of the Black Canyon. Check the calendar for program times.

Cross-country Skiing

In winter, South Rim Drive is closed to vehicles beyond Gunnison Point at the visitor center. The road will be in either "winter road status" or "ski trail status", depending on snow conditions. Winter Road Status: When the road is in winter road status, there will be no groomed ski trail established by the park. Leashed pets, walking, and bicycles are allowed on the road. Ski Trail Status: Rangers may groom the road for cross-country skiing (skate and classic) and snowshoeing, as staffing and conditions allow. The road becomes the South Rim Ski Trail. It is 6 miles (4 km) one-way to the end, and allows access to more overlooks. Parking is available at the South Rim Visitor Center. Equipment rentals are not available in the park. Check the current conditions page for snow and grooming updates. When the road is in ski trail status, pets and bicycles are not allowed. Please dispose of pet waste at all times.

Visitors can snowshoe in various locations depending on snow conditions and experience level:

South Rim Ski and Snowshoe Trail (beginner level)

the upper part of the Oak Flat Loop Trail (intermediate level)

Rim Rock Trail (best with more snow; exposed rocks can damage snowshoes; currently closed between Tomichi Point and South Rim Campground)

Please be courteous to other trail users by not snowshoeing or walking in the ski tracks or the flat area groomed for skate skiing along the South Rim Drive. Dogs are not permitted along the South Rim Drive when the road is groomed as a ski trail. Snowshoes are only available for loan while attending guided ranger tours. Visitors should bring their own or rent from local communities.

Winter Survival

Irregular weather, lack of experience, or unpreparedness can turn a park visit into a hazardous or risky situation. Stay warm, prepared, and ready to enjoy winter on the canyon rim:

Wear adequate clothing. Wool and synthetics will keep you warmer than cotton. Hats, mittens, and extra layers are a must.

Bring traction devices during shoulder seasons for potentially icy conditions.

Be prepared. When possible, travel with a companion. Tell someone where you are going and when to expect you back.

Check the weather forecast and the snow and ice conditions where you plan to go.

Together with the bare essentials like water and food, bring sunglasses and sunscreen, first aid kit, map and compass.

Hypothermia is a constant threat to people in the outdoors. Knowing the symptoms and what to do can save someone's life. Symptoms can range from uncontrolled shivering to drowsiness and loss of consciousness. When someone shows one or more symptoms you should:

Get the patient to a dry, sheltered place.

Remove wet clothing and replace with dry, warm clothing and/or blankets.

If the patient is awake, slowly give warm non-alcoholic drinks.

Transport to a medical facility as soon as possible.

Curious what the park looks like during winter? Check out images of snow-covered canyon walls, trails, and a slightly buried visitor center.

Things to Do in Winter

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NPS information imported 2026-10-17. Confirm current details at NPS