Cedar Point Overlook

A 303-yard rim walk to a sheer view into the Black Canyon, with plant-ID guideposts along the way.

Natural Attraction

Natural Attraction
Scenic Overlook0 ft$30 park entryNo permit needed

From Cedar Point Overlook you look straight into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of the deepest river-cut gorges in the National Park System. The mechanism is simple and relentless: the Gunnison River has been sawing downward through extremely hard rock, leaving walls that drop away almost vertically from the rim. Getting there is a 303-yard walk on an unpaved surface, with guideposts describing the various plants along the way — a short botany lesson before the geology takes over.

Getting there & parking

How To Get There
From the trailhead, walk 303 yards to the overlook on an unpaved surface. Guideposts describing the various plants line the route.
GPS Coordinates
38.5771044989, -107.722773252

What you will experience

Attraction Type
Scenic Overlook
Main Features
Rim-edge view into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison; interpreted plant walk on the 303-yard approach.
What Youll See
The gorge of the Gunnison River dropping away below the rim, plus the various plants identified by guideposts along the approach walk.
Unique Characteristics
One of the named rim overlooks into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, paired with an interpreted botany walk: guideposts describe the plants along the 303-yard approach.
Photo Opportunities
NPS designates Cedar Point as a Scenic View/Photo Spot — the canyon view from the overlook is the shot.
Photography Spots
The overlook itself — officially tagged by NPS as a Scenic View/Photo Spot for the canyon view.
Best Viewpoints
The overlook platform at the end of the 303-yard walk is the designated viewpoint; it is flagged by NPS as a Scenic View/Photo Spot.
Geological Formation Type
River-cut canyon (rim overlook)
Scientific Interest
The overlook frames the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, a textbook example of rapid river incision, and the approach walk doubles as an interpreted plant transect with species guideposts.
Stargazing Quality
The park runs stargazing programming (see Stargazing at Black Canyon among park activities).

Facilities, fees & access

Entry Fees
No separate fee at the overlook. Park entrance is $30 per private vehicle (7-day pass), $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person on foot or bicycle.
Permits Required
0
Restrooms Available
0
Picnic Areas
0
Water Available
0
Interpretive Signs
1
Accessibility
The walk to the overlook is 303 yards on an unpaved surface. No paved-route or gradient information is published for this site.
Accessibility Level
Short walk required — 303 yards on an unpaved surface
Family Friendly Notes
The 303-yard walk is short enough for kids, and the plant guideposts make it a good teaching stop — but the overlook has exposed canyon-rim drop-offs, so hold hands near the edge.

Safety

Safety Considerations
Gravity is the hazard. This is a canyon-rim overlook with vertical exposure — stay back from the edge and keep children in hand. The approach is 303 yards on an unpaved surface, so watch footing. Keep at least 25 yards from wildlife per park guidance.

Nearby

Nearby Attractions
Other named rim overlooks in the park include Painted Wall Overlook, Chasm View Overlook, Gunnison Point Overlook, Sunset View Overlook at Black Canyon, and Dragon Point Overlook.

Planning advice

Insider Tips
  • Treat the approach as part of the stop: the guideposts identify the various plants along the 303-yard walk.
  • An America the Beautiful pass ($80/year) covers the $30 park entrance fee here and at all federal recreation sites.
  • The park's South Rim is open 24 hours a day, so you are not racing a gate.
Tips Advice
  • Read the guideposts on the way in — they identify the various plants along the 303-yard approach walk.
  • The surface is unpaved; wear footwear with decent tread.
  • This is a canyon-rim viewpoint. Stay behind barriers and back from the edge — the drop is vertical.
  • Give wildlife room: park guidance is at least 25 yards from most animals.

More details

Elevation Feet
0
Visitor Center Present
0
Guided Tours Available
0
Fishing Nearby
0
Swimming Allowed
0
Boating Allowed
0
Climbing Areas
0
Review Summary
Visitors treat Cedar Point as a quick, high-payoff stop: a short walk, a dramatic canyon view, and enough interpretive signage that most people leave understanding what they looked at. The plant guideposts along the approach are an easy bonus that many overlooks lack.

Location

Frequently asked questions

Is Cedar Point Overlook worth stopping for if I'm short on time?

Yes — the walk is only 303 yards each way, and NPS flags the overlook as a Scenic View/Photo Spot. You get a direct rim view into the Black Canyon for about 15-20 minutes of total effort.

How hard is the walk to the overlook?

It's 303 yards on an unpaved surface. That's short, but the footing is dirt rather than pavement, so sturdy shoes help. Guideposts describing the plants give you natural pause points.

Is it safe to bring kids?

The walk itself is kid-friendly and the plant guideposts are a nice teaching tool, but this is a canyon-rim overlook with vertical drops. Keep children close and behind any barriers at the edge.

Do I have to pay extra to visit the overlook?

No. The overlook is covered by the park entrance fee — $30 per private vehicle for a 7-day pass, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person on foot or bike. An $80 America the Beautiful annual pass also covers it.

Is the overlook wheelchair accessible?

The published NPS description says the 303-yard walk is on an unpaved surface, and no accessibility rating is published for this site. If a paved, rated route matters for your visit, check with the park before you go.

Can I visit early in the morning or at night?

The overlook is open to the public and the park's South Rim is open 24 hours a day, so early or late visits are possible. Bring a light for the unpaved walk if you go in the dark.

Crawford State Park

Reservoir amid tilted hills shows the Gunnison uplift; drive-up access and year-round boating.

Painted Wall Overlook

Stand at the rim facing Colorado's tallest cliff - a 2,250-foot wall dropping river to rim.

Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.