High Point Overlook

Q: Do I need to hike to get the view?

No. High Point is a drive-up overlook. The Warner Point Nature Trail is optional - it starts here for those who want to walk farther.

Q: Are there restrooms, or should I go before I drive out?

There is a vault/composting toilet at the overlook per NPS, so you are covered - just do not expect flush plumbing or running water.

Q: Can we eat lunch there?

Yes. NPS lists a picnic table at the site, and its end-of-road position makes it a natural break point before you turn around.

Q: Is it safe to bring young kids?

It is a drive-up stop with a picnic table, so logistically yes - but this is canyon-rim terrain. The governing hazard is gravity: keep children in hand near any edge.

Q: Do I pay extra to visit this overlook?

No separate fee. Park entrance covers it: $30 per private vehicle for 7 days, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person on foot or bicycle; the $80 America the Beautiful pass also works.

Type

Scenic Overlook

Accessibility

Drive-up view

Features

Canyon-rim viewpoint at the end of the South Rim Drive; trailhead for the Warner Point Nature Trail.

Overview

About This Attraction

From the end of the South Rim Drive, High Point Overlook hands you a rim-country vantage where the Black Canyon's dark Precambrian walls drop toward the Gunnison River. This is the last overlook on the drive and the trailhead for the Warner Point Nature Trail, so it works as both a destination and a launch point. NPS lists a picnic table, vault toilet, and photo spot here - a practical turnaround with real scenery attached.

Quick Facts

Type

Scenic Overlook

Access

Drive-up view

Main Features

Canyon-rim viewpoint at the end of the South Rim Drive; trailhead for the Warner Point Nature Trail.

What You'll See

Views from the rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, plus the start of the Warner Point Nature Trail. NPS flags it as a scenic view and photo spot.

What Makes It Special

Its position: the last overlook on the South Rim Drive and the only one doubling as the Warner Point Nature Trail trailhead.

Safety Considerations

Canyon-rim terrain: treat any unfenced edge as a hard boundary - the hazard here is gravity, not wildlife. Park guidance: keep 100 yards from bears and 25 yards from other wildlife.

Visitor Tips

- This is the final overlook on the South Rim Drive - budget time for the stops before it rather than racing here. - The Warner Point Nature Trail starts at this overlook; NPS lists a trailhead among the amenities, so bring footwear that can handle dirt tread if you plan to walk it. - A vault toilet and picnic table are on site - the practical place for a break at the far end of the drive. - Standard canyon-rim physics apply: stay back from unfenced edges.

Details

Location & Features

Type: Scenic Overlook

GPS: 38.562446089, -107.742015785

What Makes It Unique:

Its position: the last overlook on the South Rim Drive and the only one doubling as the Warner Point Nature Trail trailhead.

Geology

Formation Type: River-incised canyon rim (erosional)

Getting There

Directions:

Follow the South Rim Drive to its end; High Point is the last overlook on the drive, per NPS.

Access Type: Drive-up view

Entry Fees: Covered by park entrance fee: $30 private vehicle (7-day pass), $25 motorcycle, $15 per person on foot or bicycle. America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) accepted.

Trails

Trailheads Here:

Warner Point Nature Trail (trailhead at this overlook, per NPS).

Connecting Trails:

Warner Point Nature Trail begins at this overlook.

Photography & Viewing

Photo Opportunities:

NPS lists this as a scenic view/photo spot; the rim vantage at the end of the South Rim Drive is the composition.

Best Photo Spots:

The rim overlook itself - NPS designates it a scenic view/photo spot.

Facilities

Restrooms (Vault/composting toilet)
Picnic Areas

Nearby

Nearby Attractions:

Other South Rim overlooks in the park include Sunset View Overlook, Dragon Point Overlook, Painted Wall Overlook, and Cedar Point Overlook.

Insider Tips

- Pair the overlook with the Warner Point Nature Trail - the trailhead is right here, so one parking stop covers both. - Because it is the last overlook on the drive, it makes a logical lunch stop: the picnic table is on site.

Visitor Information

Accessibility:

Drive-up overlook reached by vehicle at the end of the South Rim Drive; on-site surface details are not documented in the source data.

Family Friendly:

Picnic table and vault toilet make it a workable family stop, but this is canyon-rim country - keep kids close near edges.

Nearby Facilities:

On site per NPS: picnic table, vault/composting toilet, trailhead. The South Rim is open 24 hours a day.

FAQs

Is it worth driving to the very end of the South Rim Drive for this?

If you are already doing the South Rim Drive, yes - High Point is the last overlook and the only one that doubles as the Warner Point Nature Trail trailhead, so you get a view and a hike option from one parking stop.

Do I need to hike to get the view?

Are there restrooms, or should I go before I drive out?

Can we eat lunch there?

Is it safe to bring young kids?

Do I pay extra to visit this overlook?

📖 National Park Service — High Point Overlook (official page) (checked 2026-07-12) 📖 National Park Service — Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park fees, hours & conditions (checked 2026-07-05) 📖 Climate data: Black Canyon Of The Gunnison, Co Us, 8,150 ft (NOAA 1991-2020 normals, station USC00050754) 📝 YourNPGuide Editorial

Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works →

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