Set off into the unfathomable depths of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, where you'll discover some of Colorado's most awe-inspiring sights and stories.

As you explore, you'll witness the sheer vertical cliffs of the canyon, marvel at panoramic overlooks, and hear the thundering echoes of the Gunnison River below.

Along the way, you'll learn about the forces that shaped this rugged landscape, the wildlife and plant life that call it home, and the human history intertwined with its dramatic scenery.

Get ready for a journey filled with wonder and discovery!

Black Canyon of the Gunnison Itinerary

1. Black Canyon General Store

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 20 minutes

Postcards? Check. Fossils? Check. Firewood? Check. This small, locally owned store has it all.

But most importantly, don't forget to check out the attached building to view some stunning local photography.

2. Rim Rock Trail

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 1 hour

Rim Rock Trail is a relaxing 1.7-mile out-and-back trail with jaw-dropping views of the canyon and the river way below.

It’s an easy hike, so you can enjoy the scenery without breaking a sweat. In the warmer months, keep an eye out for wildlife and wildflowers along the way—nature’s little surprises!

3. Tomichi Point

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 10 minutes

Tomichi Point is the perfect introduction to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, offering panoramic views right from the park’s entrance.

Unlike some other viewpoints, it’s easily accessible and provides a sweeping perspective of the canyon’s dramatic depths without having to hike or walk.

4. South Rim Visitor Center

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 20 minutes

The South Rim Visitor Center is the perfect starting point for your Black Canyon adventure, offering stunning canyon views right from its deck.

Inside, you’ll find exhibits on the park’s geology, wildlife, and history, along with helpful rangers ready to answer questions and share trail tips.

5. Gunnison Point Trail

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 10 minutes

Gunnison Point Trail is a short, 0.2-mile paved path leading to one of the park’s most iconic overlooks, right near the visitor center.

With its easy access and stunning views of the sheer canyon walls plunging into the Gunnison River, it’s perfect for all visitors, including those looking for a quick, family-friendly adventure.

6. Gunnison Point

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 10 minutes

Gunnison Point is just a short, flat walk behind the visitor center, and trust me - that heart-dropping, stomach-churning view straight down into the depths is unmissable. If you don’t do anything else here, do this!

7. Oak Flat Trail

John Manard

• Duration: 2 hours

This moderate 2-mile trail is a great trail for those looking to spend some extra time on and just below the rim.

The trail winds through the Gambel Oak forest that opens to sweeping canyon vistas

8. Pulpit Rock Overlook

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 10 minutes

Pulpit Rock Overlook offers a dramatic vantage point where the canyon’s steep, rugged cliffs frame the Gunnison River far below.

With its easy accessibility and breathtaking perspective, it’s a must-stop for capturing the raw power and beauty of Black Canyon’s unique geology.

9. Cross Fissures View

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 10 minutes

Cross fissures are vertical cracks and fractures found in hard, brittle rock and formed under intense pressure, such as during the Laramide Orogeny.

It’s a quick and accessible stop that offers a unique perspective on the geological drama of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

10. Rock Point

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 10 minutes

Rock Point Trail, which has a round-trip distance of just over a quarter mile to a canyon just out overlooking “The Narrows.”

The corridor here is the tightest in the canyon, with the walls only 40 feet apart at their base!

11. Devils Lookout

English: NPS Photo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

• Duration: 10 minutes

Devil’s Lookout Trail, a half-mile round-trip that offers unbeatable views directly down to the river.

It’s also the location to see a natural phenomenon that’s so rare, it goes completely unnoticed by most visitors–the Dragon’s Tongue.

12. Chasm View

English: NPS Photo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

• Duration: 10 minutes

The Chasm View Overlook starts with a quick stroll through the pinyon-juniper forest, but when you reach the end, you’re rewarded with one of the most spectacular views in the canyon.

This overlook sits right at the edge of the steepest, narrowest part of the Black Canyon, where the cliffs drop a dizzying 1,820 feet down to the Gunnison River, separated by a mere 1,100 feet between each wall.

13. Painted Wall View

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 10 minutes

The Painted Wall Viewpoint offers a jaw-dropping look at the tallest cliff in Colorado, rising 2,250 feet above the Gunnison River.

Its stunning dark rock face is streaked with pale, pinkish pegmatite bands that create a kind of “painterly” effect.

14. Cedar Point

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 10 minutes

The Cedar Point Trail is a moderate, short hike—just under half a mile round trip—that will take you to two beautiful canyon overlooks.

The overlooks feature incredible views of the canyon and the Gunnison River winding far below, along with fascinating glimpses of the rugged Cedar Cliffs.

15. Dragon Point

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 10 minutes

The walk to the Dragon Point Overlook is just a third of a mile round-trip, and it’s a great place for seeing pegmatite and for watching the sunset.

16. Sunset View

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 10 minutes

The westernmost viewpoint on the South Rim, this spot lives up to its name, offering a great view of the sunset over the canyon.

17. High Point

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 10 minutes

High Point is the highest overlook on the South Rim, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and the distant San Juan Mountains.

It’s the perfect spot to begin wrapping up your Black Canyon adventure, with a nearby picnic area to relax and enjoy the scenery.

18. Warner Point Nature Trail

The Dye Clan, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The Warner Point Nature Trail is a 1.5-mile, moderately difficult round-trip hike that offers breathtaking views of Black Canyon, the Gunnison River, and the surrounding valleys.

This trail winds through pygmy pinyon-juniper forests, with interpretive signs along the way highlighting the area’s unique plants, animals, and geology.

19. Warner Point

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 10 minutes

Warner Point offers a spectacular vantage point at the edge of Black Canyon, showcasing jaw-dropping views of the Gunnison River and the sprawling valleys beyond.

It’s the grand finale of the Warner Point Nature Trail, rewarding hikers with some of the park’s most stunning scenery.

20. East Portal Gunnison Tunnel

Rachel Ennis

• Duration: 1 hour

East Portal Drive is a steep, winding road that takes you right down to the Gunnison River, offering a close-up look at the canyon’s towering walls and lush riverside.

At the bottom, you’ll find the historic Gunnison Tunnel, an engineering marvel from 1909 that diverts river water to the Uncompahgre Valley—a testament to human ingenuity in this rugged landscape.

Explore the Black Canyon of the Gunnison with Shaka Guide

Black Canyon of the Gunnison, where it’s harder to say what’s more inspiring—the canyon itself, or the stories of human perseverance.

With Shaka Guide’s tour, you’ll explore this dramatic landscape at your own pace, uncovering both natural wonders and rich history along the way.

Whether you marveled at the sweeping views from the rims, ventured into the canyon’s depths, or cast a line into the Gunnison River, this experience offers something unforgettable for everyone.

Take the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Audio Tour with Shaka Guide and explore at your own pace with stories, directions, and must-see stops along the way.

Still planning? Check out our Know Before You Go guide to prep for an epic day.

Need help? Email us anytime at aloha@shakaguide.com!

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