Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$100.00Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 26 or more. Fee is $100.00 per vehicle.
CO
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
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Black Canyon Of The Gunnison at a glance
- Best time
- January, March–May, October–November
- Trip length
- 2–3 days
- Don't miss
- Tour the South Rim Drive
- Nearby city
- Montrose, CO
Explore this park
About Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
Sheer canyon rims, steep overlooks, and limited guardrails reward careful pacing.
Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time. Come see some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Forces of nature and the Gunnison River sculpted this canyon over two million years. The result is a vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky.
2 current NPS alerts
- Caution: No Water Available in Park
- Information: Cashless Operations
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 1, 2026). Official Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park page on nps.gov
Weather Information
CLIMATE Weather can vary greatly throughout the day.
- Summer
55°F – 90°F · 13°C – 32°C
- Winter
15°F – 40°F · -9°C – 4°C
Afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer. Snow accumulation varies greatly year to year. Layered clothing appropriate for the season is recommended.
Entrance Fees
Commercial Entrance - Van
$40.00Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 7-25. Fee is $40.00 per vehicle.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$40.00Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 7-25. Fee is $40.00 per vehicle.
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$30.007-Day Vehicle Pass. Entrance fees cover all persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle.
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
$30.00Non-commercial vehicles with a vehicle capacity of 15 or fewer: $30.00 per vehicle, regardless of the number of passengers.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$25.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
$25.00Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 1-6 persons. Fee is $25.00 per vehicle plus $7.00 per passenger.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.007-Day Individual Pass (pedestrian or bicycle)
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
$15.00Non-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.
Operating Hours
South Rim
The South Rim is open 24 hours a day.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
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 mid-November and reopens early May.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Entrance Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$55.00An 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.
Common questions
Planning Black Canyon Of The Gunnison
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 2 reservation types on the Permits tab, including Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Wilderness Permits and Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Red Rock Canyon Wilderness Permits. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
