The Painted Wall, Colorado's tallest cliff, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
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Colorado · Est. 1999
Park Map PDF

Black Canyon

Sheer walls plunge 2,722 feet to the Gunnison River — the Painted Wall, Colorado's tallest cliff, unfenced overlooks, and current South Rim fire-recovery status.

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⚠️
Unfenced
Rim edges
🪧
24/7
South Rim access
🏕
38 sites
Campgrounds
💵
$30
7-day fee
🌙
Certified
Dark sky park
📏
2,722 ft
Max depth
⚠️Rim Edge & Altitude SafetyNo guardrails▾
⚠️ NPS's own safety page leads with this: weathered rock makes rim edges hazardous, and many overlooks have no guardrails at all. Stay on marked trails and behind railings where they exist — falls are the park's defining danger. NPS is blunt about another rule: "Never throw anything from the rim into the canyon! Even a small stone can be fatal" to hikers or climbers far below. Other hazards: altitude (~8,000 ft, watch for AMS symptoms), sudden summer lightning, and ticks in moist inner-canyon areas. NPS safety info ↗
Quick Stats
Max Depth2,722 ft
Painted Wall Height2,250 ft
Narrowest (at river)40 ft
Established1999
🔥South Rim Fire Recovery2025 fire impact▾
🔥 A lightning-caused wildfire (the 2025 South Rim Fire, ignited July 10, 2025) burned roughly 85% of the South Rim area, damaging the South Rim Campground, entrance station area, and several trails. Recovery is ongoing — South Rim Campground is operating at reduced capacity for the 2026 season (see Campgrounds below), and the Rim Rock & Uplands Trails pass through heavily burned terrain with uneven surfaces and blowing ash. Warner Point Trail and all North Rim trails are open with no fire impact. NPS fire status page ↗
🪧Park Access & FeesSouth Rim 24/7 · $30▾
South Rim Open 24/7 Year-Round
Paved access via CO-347, from Montrose
The main, most-visited side — paved road, the Visitor Center, South Rim Road overlooks, and (reduced-capacity) South Rim Campground.
💡 Open around the clock, every day of the year — no seasonal closure on this side.
NPS directions ↗
North Rim Seasonal · Gravel
Unpaved gravel road, via CO-92 near Crawford
The last 7 miles of the access road and all of North Rim Drive are unpaved. Road and ranger station typically close mid-November, reopening early May.
💡 No road connects the two rims inside the park — driving between them takes 2+ hours around via public highways.
NPS directions ↗
Entry Fees · 7-day pass
Vehicle$30
Motorcycle$25
Individual / Foot / Bike$15
Annual Park Pass$55/yr
America the Beautiful$80/yr
Annual pass sold at South Rim, early April–late October
🏕Campground AvailabilityReduced capacity▾
South Rim Campground Reduced for 2026 ▾
Open Sites25 non-electric (of 88 normal)
SeasonMay 18–Sept 30, 2026
Fee$20/night
NotesCapacity cut due to 2025 South Rim Fire damage & ongoing rehab
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
North Rim Campground First-Come, First-Served ▾
Sites13
Fee$20/night, Scan & Pay via Recreation.gov app (cashless)
NotesNo fire impact; seasonal with the North Rim Road
📍Landmarks & Overlooks7 stops▾
South Rim Road4 stops▾
Gunnison PointRight at the South Rim Visitor Center~10 min
Chasm ViewOne of the narrowest, most dramatic overlooks~15 min
Painted Wall ViewView of Colorado's tallest cliff, 2,250 ft river-to-rim~15 min
Warner Point Trail1.5 mi round trip to the highest South Rim viewpoint · open, no fire impact~1 hr
North Rim2 stops▾
North Rim Chasm ViewA different angle on the same narrow gorge as the South Rim's Chasm View~10 min
Kneeling Camel ViewNamed for a distinctive rock formation across the canyon~10 min
Inner Canyon — Wilderness Routes1 stop▾
Gunnison Route & other inner-canyon routesPrimitive, unmarked, very strenuous — $6 wilderness permit required via Recreation.gov, Gunnison Route capped at 15 people/day. Not for casual hikers.Full day+
Gunnison River Conditions1 live gauge▾
ℹ️ This gauge sits at East Portal / the Gunnison Tunnel diversion, upstream of the deepest inner canyon — the closest live USGS station to the park, though not literally inside the gorge.
Gunnison River below Gunnison Tunnel (East Portal)
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USGS site 09128000 ↗
🌙Stargazing & Night SkyCertified 2015▾
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Black Canyon of the Gunnison was designated an International Dark Sky Park on September 8, 2015. The canyon's dramatic depth and remote high-elevation setting make South Rim and North Rim overlooks excellent viewing spots, far from city lights. NPS night sky info ↗
Park Contact Information
📞 Phone: (970) 641-2337  ·  Mailing Address: 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230  ·  Official NPS contact page ↗