High Point Overlook

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

Natural Attraction

Natural Attraction
Scenic Overlook0 ft$30 park entryRestrooms availableNo permit needed

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.

Getting there & parking

How To Get There
Follow the South Rim Drive to its end; High Point is the last overlook on the drive, per NPS.
GPS Coordinates
38.562446089, -107.742015785

What you will experience

Attraction Type
Scenic Overlook
Main Features
Canyon-rim viewpoint at the end of the South Rim Drive; trailhead for the Warner Point Nature Trail.
What Youll 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.
Unique Characteristics
Its position: the last overlook on the South Rim Drive and the only one doubling as the Warner Point Nature Trail trailhead.
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.
Photography Spots
The rim overlook itself - NPS designates it a scenic view/photo spot.
Geological Formation Type
River-incised canyon rim (erosional)

Facilities, fees & access

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.
Permits Required
No
Restrooms Available
Yes
Restroom Type
Vault/composting toilet
Picnic Areas
Yes
Water Available
No
Interpretive Signs
No
Accessibility Level
Drive-up view
Nearby Facilities
On site per NPS: picnic table, vault/composting toilet, trailhead. The South Rim is open 24 hours a day.
Family Friendly Notes
Picnic table and vault toilet make it a workable family stop, but this is canyon-rim country - keep kids close near edges.

Safety

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.

Nearby

Nearby Attractions
Other South Rim overlooks in the park include Sunset View Overlook, Dragon Point Overlook, Painted Wall Overlook, and Cedar Point Overlook.
Connecting Trails
Warner Point Nature Trail begins at this overlook.
Trailheads Here
Warner Point Nature Trail (trailhead at this overlook, per NPS).

Planning advice

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.
Tips Advice
- 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.

More details

Park Area
South Rim
Elevation Feet
0
Visitor Center Present
No
Guided Tours Available
No
Fishing Nearby
No
Swimming Allowed
No
Boating Allowed
No
Climbing Areas
No
Review Summary
Source data is limited to official NPS information, so visitor sentiment cannot be synthesized here. Functionally, the site serves two audiences: drive-and-look visitors ending the South Rim Drive, and hikers starting the Warner Point Nature Trail.

Location

Frequently asked questions

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.