Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park — Visitor Info

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Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park protects a narrow, sheer-walled canyon carved by the Gunnison River — some of the steepest cliffs and oldest exposed rock in North America. The park has a South Rim and a North Rim, on opposite sides of the canyon with no direct road connecting them. Here's what to know before you go.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: The 2025 South Rim Fire damaged much of South Rim Campground — only limited non-electric sites are reopening (May 18, 2026), and windblown ash/soot may still be present. Always check the official Black Canyon Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
Western Colorado, near Montrose
Entrance Fee
$30/vehicle (7 days)
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No
Permit Needed For
Inner canyon wilderness routes/camping
Lodging
None in-park — camping only, or stay in nearby Montrose/Crawford
Managed By
National Park Service

South Rim vs. North Rim

The South Rim is more developed, open year-round, and closer to Montrose — most visitors go here. The North Rim is quieter, seasonal, has more limited services and payment options, and requires a longer drive around; there's no bridge or direct road across the canyon. Plan a digital entrance pass if you're headed to the North Rim, since payment options there are limited.

Visitor Centers

South Rim Visitor Center
Open year-round; sells the Interagency Annual Pass and the Black Canyon Annual Pass (pass upgrades only at the entrance station).
North Rim Ranger Station
Seasonal, with limited payment options — bring a digital pass printed or saved before you arrive.

Confirm current hours on the official NPS visitor centers page before you go.

Entrance Fees & Passes

The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle (motorcycle $25, per person on foot/bike $15), valid for 7 days at both rims. An Annual Pass is $55. The park is entirely cashless at entrance stations and campgrounds — bring a card or buy a digital pass online in advance, especially for the North Rim where payment options are limited. No vehicle reservation is required.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

4th graders (and their families) can visit free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass, available at everykidoutdoors.gov.

Permits & Reservations

You do not need a permit to enter the park or view the canyon from the rim. You do need one for:

Inner Canyon Wilderness Routes

Hiking or scrambling into the inner canyon (from either rim) requires a Wilderness Use Permit, and these routes are steep, unmaintained, and for experienced, well-prepared visitors only. Kayakers on the Gunnison River also need a permit.

Campgrounds & RV Options

There are three campgrounds — one on each rim, plus East Portal at the canyon bottom (technically part of neighboring Curecanti National Recreation Area, but accessed through the park). No RV hookups anywhere.

South Rim Campground
Largely closed following 2025 fire damage; a limited set of non-electric sites is set to reopen May 18, 2026. Reservation required via Recreation.gov — check current status before planning around this campground.
North Rim Campground
13 sites, first-come, first-served — payment via the Recreation.gov app's Scan & Pay feature (download the app before you arrive; there's little to no signal on-site).
East Portal Campground
15 sites at the canyon floor, first-come, first-served, Scan & Pay via the Recreation.gov app. Reached via a steep road with vehicle/trailer length restrictions — check before towing anything down.

Bear-proof food lockers are provided — use them; black bears are active in all three campgrounds. Fees and current status: NPS – Camping.

Good to Know

  • No direct road between rims: driving from South Rim to North Rim takes about 2–3 hours around.
  • Cashless park-wide: bring a card or buy a digital pass in advance, especially for the North Rim.
  • Fire recovery in progress: parts of South Rim Campground remain closed — confirm current status before you go.
  • No gas stations in the park — fuel up in Montrose or Crawford.
  • Steep, narrow inner-canyon routes are for experienced hikers only — they are not maintained trails.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees, campground availability, and fire-recovery status change frequently. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Camping · NPS – Inner Canyon Wilderness · NPS – Alerts & Conditions