Physical Address:

South Rim Visitor Center

9800 Highway 347

Montrose, CO 81401

Mailing Address:

102 Elk Creek

(GPS/physical address = 9800 Highway 347, Montrose, CO)

Gunnison, CO 81230

contact-details

  • Phone Number: 970-641-2337 Voice

  • Email Address: blca_info@nps.gov

  • Description: We will try to respond to your inquiry within one week. Answers to most questions can be found on this website, particularly under the Plan Your Visit menu (above).

Fees

Entrance Fees
  • Entrance - Private Vehicle: $30.00
  • 7-Day Vehicle Pass. Entrance fees cover all persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle.

  • Entrance - Motorcycle: $25.00
  • 7-Day Motorcycle Pass. Entrance fees cover all persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle.

  • Entrance - Per Person: $15.00
  • 7-Day Individual Pass (pedestrian or bicycle)

  • Commercial Entrance - Sedan: $25.00
  • Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 1-6 persons. Fee is $25.00 per vehicle plus $7.00 per passenger.

  • Commercial Entrance - Van: $40.00
  • Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 7-25. Fee is $40.00 per vehicle.

  • Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus: $40.00
  • Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 7-25. Fee is $40.00 per vehicle.

  • Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach: $100.00
  • Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 26 or more. Fee is $100.00 per vehicle.

  • Entrance - Non-commercial Groups: $30.00
  • Non-commercial vehicles with a vehicle capacity of 15 or fewer: $30.00 per vehicle, regardless of the number of passengers.

  • Entrance - Non-commercial Groups: $15.00
  • Non-commercial vehicles with a vehicle capacity of 16 or greater: $15.00 per passenger (including driver). Fees will not exceed the commercial fee for the same-sized vehicle. Youth 15 and under are free. Individuals or families with any valid Annual or Lifetime pass may use their pass for entry at the per-person rate. Pass and photo ID must be presented upon entry.

Entrance Passes
  • Annual Entrance - Park: $55.00
  • An annual pass to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is available for $55.00 at the South Rim entrance station from early April to late October, and at Recreation.gov. This pass admits the permit holder and all accompanying passengers in a single, private, noncommercial vehicle to the park. It is valid for 12 months from date of purchase and covers entrance fees only.


Big enough to be overwhelming, still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park exposes you to some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. With two million years to work, the Gunnison River, along with the forces of weathering, has sculpted this vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky.

park designation:National Park

Directions:

7 miles north on CO Highway 347 from the intersection with U.S. Highway 50 east of Montrose. Physical/GPS address is: 9800 Highway 347, Montrose, CO 81401

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions


Operating Hours:

South Rim

The park is open 24 hours a day, every day, and no entry reservation is needed. The South Rim Road is open to vehicles from mid-April to mid-November. In winter, the South Rim Road is open to Gunnison Point. The remainder of the road is closed to vehicles, but open to cross country skiing and snowshoeing. South Rim Visitor Center hours are listed on the Basic Information page.

North Rim

The park is open 24 hours a day, but the North Rim Road and ranger station are closed in winter and early spring. The road typically closes late November and reopens mid-April.

Exceptions:
  • Winter Season (November 25, 2024 - April 29, 2025)

East Portal

East Portal Road is closed in winter. The road typically closes mid-November and reopens mid-April.

Exceptions:
  • Summer (May 1, 2024 - November 11, 2024)

Weather Information:

Today's Weather: http://www.weather.com/weather/today/l/NPBLCA:13:US CLIMATE Weather can vary greatly throughout the day. Summer daytime temperatures range between 55 to 90F (13 to 32C), nights 45 to 60F (7 to 16C). Winter daytime temperatures range between 15 to 40F (-9 to 4C), nights 10 to 20F (-12 to -6C). Afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer. Snow accumulation varies greatly year to year. Layered clothing appropriate for the season is recommended.


Activities
Camping
Camping

Climbing
Climbing

Fishing
Fishing

Hiking
Hiking

Backcountry Hiking
Backcountry Hiking

Horse Trekking
Horse Trekking

Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding

Paddling
Paddling

Kayaking
Kayaking

Skiing
Skiing

Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-Country Skiing

Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing

Wildlife Watching
Wildlife Watching