Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

This short, moderately sloped trail offers visitors a chance to brush up on local flora with guideposts describing the various plants along the way. Two overlooks at the end offer breathtaking views of the river. Painted Wall, the tallest cliff in Colorado at 2,250 ft (675 m), is also visible.

Pets on leash are allowed.

Length: .2 mi (.3 km)

Difficulty: Easy

Chasm View Nature Trail breaks out of the pinyon/juniper forest at the North Chasm View, some 1,800 feet (547 m) above the river. Continuing near the rim, the trail reaches a second overlook with excellent views of Painted Wall and Serpent Point.

Pets on leash are allowed. Trail provides birding opportunities for swifts, swallows, and raptors.

Distance (roundtrip): 0.3 mi (0.5 km)

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

This trail enters the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness Area and offers good views of Deadhorse Gulch and East Portal on the Gunnison River. It is the only trail where day use horseback riding is allowed. No permit is required.

Pets are not allowed. Trail provides birding opportunities.

Distance (one-way): 2.6 mi (4.2 km)*

Difficulty: Easy to moderately strenuous

*If hikers choose to add the loop portion, roundtrip mileage is 6.6 mi (10.6 km).

Constructed by the Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, the North Vista Trail offers some of the best scenic views and birding in the park. After passing through an area of sage and oak brush, the trail meanders in a pinyon/juniper forest along the canyon rim. Several overlooks offer views of Pinyon Draw and the inner canyon. Hikers continuing to Green Mountain will be rewarded by panoramic vistas, including the San Juan Mountains, the West Elks, Grand Mesa, the Uncompahgre Plateau, and an aerial perspective of the Black Canyon.

Pets are not allowed.

Trail to Exclamation Point:

Distance (one-way): 1.6 mi (2.6 km)

Difficulty: Moderately strenuous

Trail to Green Mountain:

Distance (one-way): 3.6 mi (5.8 km)

Difficulty: Strenuous

The Oak Flat Loop Trail (built by Student Conservation Association volunteers) offers variety to the hiker who would like to explore below the rim without going all the way to the river. The trail enters the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness Area and meanders through Gambel Oak, then a forest of Douglas fir, Aspen, and chokecherry.

Parents should be aware that the trail is narrow in places and traverses some steep slopes. Pets are not allowed.

Distance (roundtrip): 1.6 mi (2.6 km)

Difficulty: Moderately strenuous

An early morning or late evening walk on the Uplands Trail provides a chance to glimpse wildlife when they are most active.

Although the trail is not near the canyon rim, watch for mammals and birds (or at least their tracks) and views of the West Elk Mountains. Upland vegetation such as Gambel oak, Utah serviceberry, big sage brush, and wildflowers make up the habitat along this hike. Pets are not allowed.

Distance (one-way): .9 mile (1.4 km)

Difficulty: Moderate

Chasm View Nature Trail breaks out of the pinyon/juniper forest at the North Chasm View, some 1,800 feet (547 m) above the river. Continuing near the rim, the trail reaches a second overlook with excellent views of Painted Wall and Serpent Point.

Pets on leash are allowed. Trail provides birding opportunities for swifts, swallows, and raptors.

Distance (roundtrip): 0.3 mi (0.5 km)

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Rim Rock Trail, which meanders along the canyon rim, connects the South Rim Visitor Center to the South Rim Campground. Take in the stunning depths of the canyon walls, glimpses of the Gunnison River, and panoramic vistas of the West Elk Mountains. Tomichi Point provides canyon views and a resting spot about halfway down the trail. The trail is fairly level with some stairs and uneven spots.

Leashed pets are allowed on this trail. Leashes must be a maximum of six feet (1.8 m) in length.

Distance (one-way): 1 mi (1.6 km)

Difficulty: Moderately strenuous

An early morning or late evening walk on the Uplands Trail provides a chance to glimpse wildlife when they are most active.

Although the trail is not near the canyon rim, watch for mammals and birds (or at least their tracks) and views of the West Elk Mountains. Upland vegetation such as Gambel oak, Utah serviceberry, big sage brush, and wildflowers make up the habitat along this hike. Pets are not allowed.

Distance (one-way): .9 mile (1.4 km)

Difficulty: Moderate

An early morning or late evening walk on the Uplands Trail provides a chance to glimpse wildlife when they are most active.

Although the trail is not near the canyon rim, watch for mammals and birds (or at least their tracks) and views of the West Elk Mountains. Upland vegetation such as Gambel oak, Utah serviceberry, big sage brush, and wildflowers make up the habitat along this hike. Pets are not allowed.

Distance (one-way): .9 mile (1.4 km)

Difficulty: Moderate

Along Warner Point Trail, hikers will find shady benches among mountain mahogany, serviceberry, pinyon pine, and juniper. Looking south, you can see the San Juan Mountain Range, Uncompahgre Valley, and Bostwick Park. Looking north, enjoy views of the West Elk Mountains. At the end of the trail, hikers can look down into the Black Canyon and see the Gunnison River.

Trail guides are available at High Point Overlook or the South Rim Visitor Center. Pets are not allowed.

Distance (one-way): .8 mi (1.25 km)

Difficulty: Moderate strenuous