Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
One day is the perfect amount of time to explore the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. This gives you enough time to drive the south Rim Road, do some of the short hikes and drive to the bottom of the canyon. If you plan to visit the North Rim, you will need a full day or you can plan to do one of the hikes in this more remote section on a second day.
We spent 1 day in Black Canyon of the Gunnison and will share our exact itinerary and tips to make the most of your time.
If you need help planning your visit, check out our Guide to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Quick Look at a 1 Day in Black Canyon of the Gunnison Itinerary
Below is a list of the best things to do in the park. Scroll down for more details. It’s important to note that you can easily change up the order of this itinerary:
- Stop at the Visitor Center
- Drive the South Rim Road and stop at the scenic Overlooks
- Choose 1-2 short Hikes
- Stop for a Picnic Lunch
- Drive to the base of the Canyon
- Stop at the Visitor Center and walk to the overlook for a final view in the late day light
Things to Know about Visiting the Black Canyon of the Gunnison
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is easy to visit from Montrose for the day. Below are some things to know to help plan your visit:
- Weather: Prepare for rapidly changing conditions; summers are warm, winters cold with snow.
- Entrance Fee: Required; consider an America the Beautiful Pass for multiple park visits.
- Park Hours: South Rim is open year-round; North Rim is open late June to mid-September.
- Safety: Stay on marked paths, keep a safe distance from cliff edges, and store food properly.
- Cell Service: Limited or non-existent in many areas.
- Hiking: Trails range from easy to challenging; popular ones include Rim Rock Trail and North Vista Trail.
- Accessibility: South Rim has more facilities; North Rim is rugged with fewer amenities.
- Visitor Centers: South Rim has more facilities and exhibits; North Rim is more basic.
- Leave No Trace: Follow park rules to protect the environment.
- Photography: Best light is early morning or late afternoon.
1 Day in Black Canyon of the Gunnison Itinerary
Start your day by stopping at the visitor center. You should plan to get an early start to the day and arrive at the center between 8-9 in the morning. It’s small visitor center, but you can get an overview of the park and take the very short walk to the scenic overlook.
Hop back in your car and start the South Rim Road drive. This road is 7 miles long and passes a number of scenic overlooks. Many of the overlooks are similar, but in our opinion, the best are:
- Gunnison Point: Sweeping canyon views and the Gunnison River.
- Chasm View: Expansive views of the canyon’s depth.
- Pulpit Rock: Panoramic views and unique canyon perspective.
- Painted Wall View: Striking view of the colorful Painted Wall rock formation.
- Sunset View: Gorgeous sunset views (on the North Rim).
After exploring the scenic overlooks you’ll have time to take 1-2 short hikes. Here are the 4 best hikes on the South Rim to enjoy:
Rim Rock Trail
- Length: 1.5 miles round-trip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: Offers stunning views of the canyon and is accessible for most visitors. A great introductory hike to the park’s landscape.
Sparks Lake Trail
- Length: 2.5 miles round-trip
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Provides views of the Gunnison River and diverse plant life. Features a scenic overlook of Sparks Lake.
Deadhorse Loop Trail
- Length: 3 miles round-trip
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: A loop trail with excellent canyon views and varied terrain, offering a more immersive experience of the park’s rugged beauty.
Warner Point Trail
- Length: 1.5 miles round-trip
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Features panoramic views of the Black Canyon and the surrounding landscape, with a viewpoint at Warner Point offering sweeping vistas.
Somewhere in between hikes and overlooks you should plan to stop for a picnic lunch. Several of the overlooks have picnic tables.
After exploring the South Rim Road, drive to the bottom of the canyon. This drive is steep but not too scary and offers a different perspective on the canyon. We loved exploring the river at the base of the canyon. See more about driving to the base of the canyon.
After enjoying the bottom of the canyon, you can either head back to Montrose or if you still have time, consider exploring the North Rim.
