Drive the Scenic loop at Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park

Montrose, Colorado

4.5/5

based on 2 reviews

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Added by Jared Beeler

Drive the Beautiful South Side Scenic Loop.

The Black Canyon of Gunnison is know for 2000 foot cliffs and a beautiful raging river below. The south side of the canyon is the most popular and the easiest to get to. The visitor center is also on the south side making it convenient for information and getting souvenirs. The scenic drive also has 12 easy to get to overlooks. The overlooks vary in length of walking but are mostly all on flat ground making it easy for anyone to get too and safe for kids to be there. Because of the very large cliffs there are not a lot of hiking trails in the park so the scenic drive is the best way to see the most of the canyon. The scenic drive is 7 miles in total making it not too long for a quick time frame and long enough to take most of the day. The deep contrasting colors of the canyon walls make for beautiful pictures especially during sunset.

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Drive the Scenic loop at Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park Reviews

Melissa Marsted

Drive the Scenic loop at Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park

09/09/20

As an author of children's books about the national parks, I am constantly exploring and had already been to Black Canyon, but I was curious how it was operating during the first summer of Covid. It was QUIET!! It was also pretty warm so it seems this park would be amazing in September! The entrance was free that day (although I have my pass), but the campgrounds were open and the visitors center was closed. Since I had already done the drive, I only drove to the visitors center and hiked down to the overlook (and no one else was there!). It was a magical feeling to be looking into the canyon and be free of social media, news and masks. It was only a few moments but it was so breathtaking I wish I could have stayed longer but I had a destination to reach before night. I highly recommend visiting and camping at Black Canyon to avoid more crowded national parks. I plan to head back to do more hiking and exploring!

4.0

PRO

Lucas Bremer

PRO

Drive the Scenic loop at Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park

09/02/20

This national park may be new, but it is mighty. The paved drive for several miles takes you to several trails and overlooks. It is easy and provides amazing views of Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike the Oak Flat Loop

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of Colorado's four national parks. Though not as well known as Rocky Mountain or Mesa Verde, Black Canyon has no lack of views, hiking opportunities, and other must-experience natural features. The Canyon's expanse is far too large to explore in a day, but the Oak Flat loop offers hikers the chance to see some of the most panoramic overlooks of the canyon an...

Tomichi Point and Gunnison Point Overlooks

To access the South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, take US 50 and CO 347 to the south entrance, 15 miles east of Montrose. There is no bridge between the north and south rims of the canyon - make sure you enter from the Montrose side. After passing through the entrance station, follow signs to the South Rim Campground. The Rim Rock trailhead is just off of Loop C. If yo...

Camp at Black Canyon of the Gunnison's South Rim Campground

The South Rim Campground is located about 6 miles inside Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. There are a total of 88 sites, 34 of which are available year-round. Reservations are definitely recommended, but are not required - loop C is first-come, first-served. Loop B fills up first, as it has electrical hookups, but chances are you'll be able to find a site up to a week before you go. ...

Drive the East Portal Road

Want an easier way to get to the bottom of the canyon without the rugged hiking trails? Drive to the bottom via the East Portal Road. Open once the harsh winter breaks, this road switchbacks its way to the bottom at the meeting place of Curecanti National Recreation area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The road is really steep, with many switchbacks and therefore only vehicles o...

Hike the Gunnison Route

Immediately upon arriving, secure a permit to scramble down 1,800ft in one mile to the Gunnison River. There are no hiking trails below the rim of the canyon, and because of its relentless steepness and rock exposure, the only existing routes are incredibly steep and loose. To protect the delicate environment only 12 people are allowed per day.The route down to the river is a steep, vegetated r...

Hike to the Painted Wall

At 2,250 feet, the Painted Wall in Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a sight that cannot be truly captured in photos. The layers of rock along the cliff's wall resembles a canvas with streaks from a paintbrush. This canyon took eons to create, and this view of the river and canyon walls is the highlight of the National Park. It is a quick and easy trip out and back to the overlook from the south ...

Drive the Scenic loop at Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park

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Drive the Scenic loop at Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Hike the Oak Flat Loop

Tomichi Point and Gunnison Point Overlooks

Camp at Black Canyon of the Gunnison's South Rim Campground

Drive the East Portal Road

Hike the Gunnison Route

Hike to the Painted Wall

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