Road Work and Construction Projects

Expect delays, alternating one-way traffic, and parking lot closures from the park boundary on Highway 347 to the South Rim Visitor Center.

NPS Photo

Ongoing Road Work

Road improvement projects at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will begin in 2024 and continue through 2025. These much-needed improvements will create significant impacts in accessing the park. Visitors should plan on delays of up to 30 minutes during their visit and a significantly reduced number of parking spots available. Press release for park road construction can be found here.

South Rim

Major road improvement projects will impact the park from April to November 2024. Expect delays, alternating one-way traffic, and parking lot closures from the park boundary on Highway 347 to the South Rim Visitor Center.

For those traveling in oversized vehicles, RVs, or with trailers starting July 29, 2024:

• All oversized vehicles (including all trailers, RVs, and buses) are prohibited from entering the visitor center parking lot due to a lack of turnaround space and lot congestion.
• It is not necessary to stop at the visitor center to view the canyon. All canyon overlooks along South Rim Road are open.
• Oversized vehicles on South Rim Road must turn around at the Sunset View Overlook parking lot, 5 miles (8 km) beyond the visitor center. The turnaround at High Point (end of South Rim Road) can not accommodate oversized vehicles.

For those traveling in all other vehicles starting July 29, 2024:

• Parking is very limited at the visitor center (~20 spaces), and is for standard passenger vehicles only. Please limit parking at the visitor center to 30 minutes or less, due to the limited number of parking spaces.
• It is not necessary to stop at the visitor center to view the canyon. All canyon overlooks along South Rim Road are open.
• Alternative parking areas for hiking or visitor center access may be available at Tomichi Point Overlook or the South Rim Campground.

Use the table below to see what locations are affected and for how long. Timeframes are subject to change.

 

Location (all locations are on the South Rim)	Description/Impacts	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov
Park Entrance Station	Fee collection may occur at a temporary building or at the visitor center. Follow road signage.
Tomichi Point Overlook and Parking	Road work throughout the spring and summer. No parking available on July 30-31 and August 12-15 (projected).
South Rim Road (from the park entrance to the visitor center)	Road work from spring to fall. Gravel road surfaces and alternating one-way traffic (expect 15-minute delays and multiple stops) from the park entrance to the visitor center.
South Rim Visitor Center	Road construction and paving at the South Rim Visitor Center parking lot starts July 29, 2024. Oversized vehicles (trailers, RVs, buses) are prohibited from entering the parking lot. Parking is very limited; do not park at the visitor center for hiking trails.
South Rim Road (visitor center to end of scenic drive)	No road construction until 2025.

 

Road Construction Map

The map below shows the current status of the South Rim Road and parking lots affected by road construction. Click on a road segment or icon for more information. Conditions can change quickly, so check back often.