Cedar Point Overlook

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.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates: 38.5771044989, -107.722773252
Accessibility: The walk to the overlook is 303 yards on an unpaved surface. No paved-route or gradient information is published for this site.

Conditions & safety

Permits Required: 0

Planning advice

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.
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.
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.

More details

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.
Attraction Type: Scenic Overlook
Elevation Feet: 0
Accessibility Level: Short walk required — 303 yards on an unpaved surface
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Stargazing Quality: The park runs stargazing programming (see Stargazing at Black Canyon among park activities).
Visitor Center Present: 0
Restrooms Available: 0
Picnic Areas: 0
Interpretive Signs: 1
Water Available: 0
Guided Tours Available: 0
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.
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.