Natural Attractions

Balanced Rock Overlook

A short unpaved walk to a rim view of a rock that erosion left improbably balanced above the Black Canyon.

Big Island Overlook

A drive-up canyon view: park, walk a few steps, and the Black Canyon opens at your feet.

★ 4.8 130 reviews

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Sign

2,700 ft deep slot canyon; base as narrow as 40 ft, carved in 2-billion-year-old rocks.

Cedar Point Overlook

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

★ 4.6 347 reviews

Cerise Park

Gunnison River downcuts through 1.8 Ga metamorphic rock to a 2,722-ft canyon.

Chasm View Overlook

A short unpaved walk to a rim-edge view straight down the Black Canyon's near-vertical walls.

★ 4.5 1,028 reviews

Confluence Park

Knife-thin canyon; Gunnison River carves 2,722 ft depth through 1.7 Ga metamorphic rock.

★ 4.5 502 reviews

Crawford State Park

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

Cross Fissures Overlook

Fractured granite walls frame dramatic river views above the deep Black Canyon.

Devil’s Lookout Overlook

A 607-yard walk on unpaved trail earns a rim-edge view into the Black Canyon's dark gneiss walls.

Dragon Point Overlook

A short 100-yard walk delivers a straight-down look into the Black Canyon's river-carved depths.

★ 4.8 142 reviews

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

Dark, sheer walls loom over the Gunnison River. Erosion by water carved this deep canyon.

★ 4.7 247 reviews

Gunnison Gorge Wilderness

River-cut double canyon through Proterozoic bedrock; 14 miles of rugged walls.

Gunnison Point Overlook

The canyon view at the South Rim Visitor Center, a short unpaved walk from the parking area.

High Point Overlook

The last stop on the South Rim Drive: canyon-rim views plus the Warner Point Nature Trail trailhead.

Island Peaks Overlook

A short unpaved walk ends at a rim-side view into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Kneeling Camel Overlook

A full Black Canyon view just steps from your car - with the Deadhorse Trailhead right next door.

★ 4.6 184 reviews

Montrose Botanic Gardens

Arid plantings on a 3.5-acre site; open dawn to dusk.

Narrows Overlook

Stare into the canyon at one of its narrowest visible squeezes -- a short unpaved loop walk from the parking area.

Painted Wall Overlook

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

Pulpit Rock Overlook

A 134-yard walk earns you a straight-down view into the Black Canyon's gorge. Short approach, big vertical payoff.

★ 4.7 692 reviews

Riverbottom Park

Gunnison River carved a 2,722-ft canyon depth through ancient Precambrian rocks.

Rock Point Overlook

A 234-yard walk earns you a rim-edge look straight down into the Gunnison's dark, river-cut gorge.

Sunset View Overlook at Black Canyon

1,000-foot canyon walls frame the Gunnison River. Accessible overlook with dramatic sunrise and sunset views.