South Rim Drive is closed past the South Rim Visitor Center. Until there is enough snow for grooming, it will remain open for pedestrians and bicycles. More
North Rim Road and East Portal Road closed for winter
North Rim Road and East Portal Road are closed. Both will reopen in spring as conditions permit. East Portal Road reopening is determined by the Bureau of Reclamation.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains in west-central Colorado. It exposes some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. It was established as a national monument on March 2, 1933 and redesignated as a national park on October 21, 1999.
The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Some roads into the park are limited access or closed entirely in winter. The park is divided by the canyon into a North Rim and South Rim. There is no bridge or road through the park or connecting the rims. Both rim drives have one access point from the highway, and dead-end within the park. Driving from one rim to the other involves driving along non-park roads and can take 2+ hours.
No reservations are required to enter Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
A view into Black Canyon from Cross Fissures Overlook
NPS/Zach Schierl
South Rim Visitor Center 9800 Highway 347 Montrose, CO81401
South Rim: 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
North Rim: 11 miles southwest of Crawford, Colorado. From CO Highway 92, turn west on Black Canyon Road approximately 3 miles south of Crawford. Follow the road signs to the park.
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 the visitor center. The remainder of the road is closed to vehicles, but open to cross country skiing and snowshoeing as conditions permit.
South Rim Visitor Center hours are listed on the Basic Information page.
Park District - North Rim
Closed today
Current Hours (Winter Season)
November 25–April 29
Every Day:Closed
The North Rim is open 24 hours a day during the summer season. In the winter, the North Rim is closed.
Standard Hours
Every Day:12:00 AM–12:00 AM
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 mid-April.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Winter Season
November 25–April 29
Every Day:Closed
The North Rim is open 24 hours a day during the summer season. In the winter, the North Rim is closed.
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2026
Closed
Washington's Birthday
February 16, 2026
Closed
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
Park District - East Portal
Closed today
Every Day:Closed
East Portal Road is closed in winter. The road typically closes mid-November and reopens mid-April. The road is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Summer
May 26–November 11
Every Day:Open 24 hours
East Portal Road is typically open from approximately mid-April to mid-November. Exact dates vary.
This visitor center has exhibits, information, book and map sales, water (available seasonally), vault toilets, and hiking trailheads. It is open year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.
Every Day:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Winter Hours: Open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Closed 12:00-12:30 for lunch. Temporary weather closures possible.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Summer Hours
May 4–October 4
Every Day:8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Summer hours run from approximately Mid-May through September.
The ranger station is staffed periodically by climbing rangers in the summer and closed in the winter. In the summer, maps and information are available on the ranger station porch. A self-pay station for the park entrance fee and a self-registration kiosk for wilderness permits are located outside.
Closed today
Current Hours (Winter Hours)
November 15–May 2
Every Day:Closed
The ranger station and North Rim Drive are closed in the winter.
Standard Hours
Every Day:Open 24 hours
The ranger station is staffed periodically by the climbing rangers in the summer and closed in the winter. In the summer, maps and information are available on the ranger station porch. The ranger station also has a self-pay station for the park entrance fee and a self-registration kiosk for wilderness permits, both located outside.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Winter Hours
November 15–May 2
Every Day:Closed
The ranger station and North Rim Drive are closed in the winter.
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2026
Closed
Washington's Birthday
February 16, 2026
Closed
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
Public WiFi is available.
Cell service at Black Canyon is very poor, and often non-existent. Public WiFi is available at the South Rim Visitor Center.
