Black Canyon of the Gunnison Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1

  Postcards? Check. Fossils? Check. Firewood? Check. This small, locally owned store has it all. But most importantly, don't forget to check out the attache dbuilding to view some stunning local photography.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2

  Rim Rock Trail i a relaxingl 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 mpnths, keep an eye out for wildlife and wildflowers along the way—nature’s little surprises!

  1 hour • Admission ticket free
• 3

  Tomichi Point is the perfect introduction to 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.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4

  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.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5

  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.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6

  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!

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7

  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 Gambel Oak forest that opens to sweeping canyon vistas

  2 hours • Admission ticket free
• 8

  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.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 9

  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 Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 10

  Rock Point Trail, which has a roundtrip distance of just over a quarter mile to a canyon jut out overlooking “The Narrows.” The corridor here is the tightest in the canyon– with the walls only 40 feet apart at their base!

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 11

  Devil’s Lookout Trail, a half-mile roundtrip that offers unbeatable views directly down to the river. It’s also the location to see a natural phenomena that’s so rare, it goes completely unnoticed by most visitors–the Dragon’s Tongue.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 12

  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.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 13

  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.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 14

  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.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 15

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

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 16

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

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 17

  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.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  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. Pro-tip: This trail is pretty exposed, so you might want to head out in the morning or afternoon.

  Admission ticket free
• 18

  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.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 19

  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.

  1 hour • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Additional Starting Point: Cimmaron - About 5 minutes outside of town, heading west on US-50
• Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.

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