Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park South Rim Viewpoints and Overlooks- This article will guide you to all of the viewpoints and overlooks on the South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Some of these are short hiking trails on the upper ridge of the Black Canyon, while others are viewpoints that can be just a short walk to get to the scenic view. I highlight in this post where to stay, when to go, how much it costs, how much time you need there, the best viewpoints and overlooks, and our favorite spots along the South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is definitely worth a visit!
Overview
The Viewpoints of the South Rim
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When To Go
You can visit the park year-round, but there is minimal access during the winter months. In the winter the road through the park is closed right after Gunnison Point, which is also where the South Rim Visitors Center is located. There is high elevation, which makes for the chance of a pop up snow storm on the shoulder seasons.
If going in the summer plan for warm weather, as there is not much shade relief in this area. There is limited parking spots at each viewpoint. We had no problem as we went in the evening to the viewpoints. But if going mid day you may have to wait for a parking spot to free up at particular spots.
How Many Days or Hours?
The park can be visited easily in one day. Many people just take 2-3 hours for South Rim visiting the various viewpoints. If wanting to do one of the shorter permitted hikes, such as the Gunnison Route, down to the bottom you could get an early start and still be able to hike and see the overlooks on the South Rim in one day.
If you are wanting to see both the North and South Rims I would plan on two days as the two Visitors Centers are about a 3 hour drive from each other.
We stayed for one night. We came in around 5:00pm to get our permit for the Gunnison Route. Then we went to most of the South Rim overlooks before going back to make dinner at our campsite at the South Rim Campground.
The next morning we woke up around 5:30 am to complete the Gunnison Route . After we finished our hike we drove back to some of the viewpoints to see them in different lighting, along with hiking the Warner Point Trail in the early afternoon.
I believe one day would be sufficient here unless planning to do multiple hikes to the bottom of the canyon or camping in the canyon.
How Much Does It Cost?
We used our America The Beautiful National Park Pass. Well worth it if planning to visit a few national parks in 12 months. You can purchase yours on this site.
If not planning to use the National Park pass here is the Black Canyon of The Gunnison’s rates:
Vehicle Pass for 7 Days $25.00
Motorcycle Pass for 7 Days $20.00
Individual Pass for 7 Days $15.00 (pedestrian or bicycle)
Black Canyon Annual Pass $45
Where To Stay
Camping
Campground Sites
We stayed at the South Rim Campground inside the park. They do take reservations so make sure you book your spot at least a month ahead of time at recreation.gov. This campground has potable water, garbage disposal, drop toilets and an amphitheater.
If the South Rim Campground is sold out I would check out the following:
Backcountry Sites
You can get a permit to go to the bottom of the canyon to camp. You will need to hike down with your gear, which might be a challenge. But just make sure that you add that you are going to be camping on your permit so the rangers know how many days you will be gone in case of an emergency.
Non-Camping
The closest town to the South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison would be Montrose, Colorado at about 35 minutes away. There are a few shops, breweries and restaurants. The next closest town would be the town of Gunnison, Colorado which is a 1 hour and 15 minutes drive.
Our Favorite Viewpoints
Painted Wall View and Chasm View were some of our favorite view points on the South Rim.
Our Favorite Hike
Of course if you can do a hike to the bottom of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison I would highly suggest it. We did the Gunnison Route, it is one of the easiest and most popular. Make sure you get a permit, read the article linked for more information!
As for hikes at the top Warner Trail is a must. It will bring you to the best view along an upper canyon trail.
Should I Go To The North Rim?
It would be hard to squeeze both rims in one day. I think just visiting the South Rim would be sufficient if tight on time. But if you have an extra day it might be worth it as they have more and longer upper canyon hikes there. I would suggest the North Vista Trail. We didn’t go to the North Rim but heard great things about the North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point hike.
The Viewpoints and Hikes on the Upper South Rim
Tomichi Point
Distance from entrance of the park: 1.2 miles
Distance: 0.0 miles (view from parking lot)
Difficulty: Easy
Picnic Area: No
Restrooms: Ye
Restrooms: Yes
Handicap Accessible: Yes
This viewpoint is right off the parking lot. No walking required. This will be the first viewpoint from the entrance to the park. As being the first viewpoint it you will get a preview of the canyon, but there will be better ones to come! This parking lot also serves as a trailhead to the Tomichi Trail which is a permitted hike down to the bottom of the canyon. You can get these permits starting 4:30pm (or 1.5 hours before the Visitor Center closes) the evening before at the Visitors Center.
Rim Rock Trail
Distance from entrance of the park: 1.2-1.5 miles (depends on your starting point)
Distance: One Mile Round Trip
Difficulty: Easy
Picnic Area: at end trail, at Gunnison Point
Restrooms: at end trail, at Gunnison Point
Handicap Accessible: only at Tomaichi Point
This path takes you along a self guided nature trail along the rim of the canyon. It is a flat trail, one for all types of hikers. You may see some different forms of plant life along with sights of the canyon walls and river beneath you. The Rim Rock Trail starts at the entrance to Campground Loop C or you can jump onto the trail at Tomichi Point and then it ends at the South Rim Visitor Center. You can easily hike this trail, enjoy the Gunnison Point views and head back, or arrange for transportation to pick you up.
Gunnison Point
Distance from entrance of the park: 1.5 miles
Distance: 0.2 miles out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Picnic Area: No
Restrooms: Yes
Handicap Accessible: No, some views from Visitor Center’s cabin porch though.
This viewpoint is just behind the visitor center. Take the short path down to the many viewing platforms. Some of the viewpoints you can start to get the first views of the river at the bottom of the canyon. This area is also where you can start the Rim Rock Trail, Oak Flat Trail, Uplands Trail, and the Gunnison Route.
Uplands Trail
Distance from entrance of the park:
Distance: 2.3 miles out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Picnic Area: No
Restrooms: No
Handicap Accessible: No
This trail will lead you through the summer wildflowers and short vegetation, if interested in vegetation this would be your trail. If more interested in the canyon and river views pass on this and keep going to other more dramatic viewpoints
Oak Flat Trail
Distance from entrance of the park:
Distance: 2 miles round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
Picnic Area: No
Restrooms: No
Handicap Accessible: No
The Oak Flat Loop Trail is the perfect trail for those who want to get a few lower canyon views but does not want the challenge of hiking to the very bottom of the river. This hiking trail will dip you in and out of different clearings to see overlooks of the canyon. Be careful as the trail is narrow in some spots and has some pretty steep drop offs. No pets allowed on this hike.
Pulpit Rock
Distance from entrance of the park: 3.3 miles
Distance: 134 yards to viewing area
Difficulty: Easy
Picnic Area: Yes
Restrooms: No
Handicap Accessible: Yes
You will see more of the Gunnison River below and it begins to curve around the canyon bends.
Cross Fissures View
Distance from entrance of the park: 4 miles
Distance: 375 yards to viewing area
Difficulty: Easy
Picnic Area: No
Restrooms: No
Handicap Accessible: No
You won’t see the river at the Cross Fissures Viewpoint but you will get a good look at the canyon walls as you can see them from a few different angles here. At the end of the trail is a loop called Big Island to walk around to get a few different looks of the canyon.
Rock Point
Distance from entrance of the park: 4.1 miles
Distance: 294 yards to viewing area
Difficulty: Easy
Picnic Area: No
Restrooms: No
Handicap Accessible: No
A short walk out to the Rock Point Viewpoint. Worth the short hike out to see this overlook as you can see far into the canyon walls.
Devils Lookout
Distance from entrance of the park: 4.2 miles
Distance: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Picnic Area: No
Restrooms: No
Handicap Accessible: No
This trail is an out and back hike on the Devils Lookout Trail. This is a short hike but worth it for the incredible views. Best to go from April to November.
Chasm View
Distance from entrance of the park: 5.2 miles
Distance: 0.6 mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Picnic Area: No
Restrooms: No
Handicap Accessible: Yes
This was another one of my favorite viewpoints in the Black Canyon. The walk to the viewpoint is pretty quick. You can see the canyon cliffs start to really drop off from this viewpoint.
Painted Wall View
Distance from entrance of the park: 5.3 miles
Distance: 200 yards
Difficulty: Easy
Picnic Area: No
Restrooms: No
Handicap Accessible: No
You can walk from Chasm View to Painted Wall View as they are so close together. No need to move your car if you don’t want to. The Painted Wall is the highest cliff in Colorado. The wall is about half a mile wide and drops down 2,250 feet. You can really see the different colors in the canyon wall on this cliff. This area is one of the most photographed views in the Black Canyon.
Cedar Point
Distance from entrance of the park: 5.7 miles
Distance: 303 yards to viewing area
Difficulty: Easy
Picnic Area: No
Restrooms: No
Handicap Accessible: No
Cedar Point Nature Trail is a 0.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Montrose, Colorado that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is best used from March until October.
Dragon Point
Distance from entrance of the park: 5.8 miles
Distance: 0.4 miles out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Picnic Area: No
Restrooms: No
Handicap Accessible: No
Dragon Point is a widening ravine with overgrown sides, enclosing the greenish-grey waters of the river. The overlook is reached by a wide path across a flat, rocky promontory between the river and a small side canyon to the south. A sign gives the distance as 100 yards, but 300 is more accurate.
Sunset View
Distance from entrance of the park: 6.7 miles
Distance: 0.1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Picnic Area: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Handicap Accessible: Yes
We went when it was a little bit of an overcast and sprinkling off and on. But I bet the way to the sun was coming down this would be an absolutely stunning spot if you can catch the sunset at the right time. Dropping right over the walls of the canyon. Still a great view not at sunset as well! This is a great spot to stop for a snack or lunch break as there are restrooms and picnic tables.
High Point
Distance from entrance of the park: 7.6 miles
Distance: 0.0 yards
Difficulty: Easy
Picnic Area: Yes
Restrooms: No
Handicap Accessible: Yes
This area does not really have much of an overlook, it is more of the starting point for the Warner Point Trail. But it is a good spot for a lunch stop. This area does have picnic tables and restrooms right off of the parking lot.
Warner Point Trail
Distance from entrance of the park: 7.6 miles to trailhead
Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Picnic Area: at start of trail, High Point
Restrooms: at start of trail, High Point
Handicap Accessible: No
This is a moderately easy hike, and one of the best ones on the upper canyon. It is a very family friendly hike and has some benches along the route to rest on. The hike is through some vegetation, and then eventually opening up to a wide view of the San Juan Mountain Range and the Uncompahgre Valley. At the end of the trail you will get to enjoy another incredible view of the Gunnison River below and the Black Canyon walls around it. Pets are not allowed on this trail.
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