How to Take a Road Trip from Denver to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
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Wondering how to get from Denver to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park? This was the first-ever national park we ever visited, so it’ll always hold a special place in our hearts.
The Grand Canyon rightly gets a lot of attention for being a beautiful natural wonder. It’s enormous and gorgeous and absolutely worth visiting. But did you know Colorado has its own stunning and unique “Grand Canyon?”
Located about a five hour’s drive west of Denver, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is an amazing product of nature, a deep and sinuous gorge carved out of the landscape by the Gunnison River.
It is so deep that the walls are draped in shadow for most of every day, giving them a black hue and the canyon its name. Despite its strange beauty, it’s somehow the least visited park in Colorado and severely underrated.
The Black Canyon is a fantastic weekend destination for campers, hikers, bikers, and nature photography enthusiasts. The best way to get there is by car, so we’ve prepared a guide for driving from Denver to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Why You Should Road Trip from Denver to Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Five hours is a long time to spend on the road, but fortunately, getting from Denver to Black Canyon of the Gunnison by car is a fascinating, ever-changing drive that will keep travelers thoroughly occupied.
The landscape between Denver and the Black Canyon on the southern route shifts constantly from scrubby desert flatlands to piney mountains and back again. It’s a gorgeous stretch of land dotted with plenty of towns and cities for you to stop in and explore.
The northern route is a slightly longer but arguably even more beautiful road to travel. You’ll pass through some of Colorado’s most legendary skiing territory, where you can marvel at snowy peaks and clear skies.
Beautiful forests and lakes will tempt you to stop for many a photo opportunity, and history buffs will appreciate some time to explore the industrial history of Redstone.
How to Travel from Denver to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Driving from Denver to Black Canyon of the Gunnison is the most economical method, and the one that gets you there under the greatest amount of your own control. However, we understand that a five or six-hour road trip each way isn’t for everyone!
There are flights available from Denver’s main airport to the smaller regional airport at Montrose. These flights are about an hour, but there are only a handful of them per day, so you’ll need to book ahead.
Then, once you’re in Montrose, you’ll still need to make some kind of transportation arrangement for the remaining half-hour or so trip to the South Rim of the Black Canyon, whether by bus or by rental car.
Your luggage capacity will be limited, so a fly-and-drive-in is best for those who aren’t intending to do a weekend camping trip in the canyon itself.
You may be able to take a bus from Denver to the Black Canyon. This journey is usually a minimum of eight hours; however, it is not very efficient and often more costly than simply driving yourself.
Where to Stay Between Denver and Black Canyon of the Gunnison
On both the northern and southern road trip routes between Denver and Black Canyon of the Gunnison, there are a number of towns you can opt to crash in for the night. You’ll find anything from hostels to inns to familiar hotel names along the road.
When taking the southern route, your approximate “halfway point” would likely have you stopping somewhere just north of Poncha Springs.
The Mountain Goat Lodge outside of Salida is a beautiful option for road trippers looking for a little bit of a rustic yet luxe quality to their stay.
Visitors will get to see the Lodge’s titular mountain goats roaming the property and can even take classes in cheesemaking using the milk the goats produce. But going into Salida, you’ll find great familiar lodging options like Comfort Inn and Hampton Inn as well.
On the northern route, your halfway point is the resort city of Glenwood Springs. There are lots of hotel options here, and you shouldn’t be intimidated by the “resort city” tag because plenty of them are affordable, like Best Western and Quality Inn.
But there’s also the Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge, a fun little option for a really relaxing night. The rooms are comfortable, and the location is great, but the shining star here is the world’s largest hot springs pool–just what the doctor ordered after a few hours of driving.
Tips for Visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park from Denver
Check alerts
Check the National Park Service’s website for the Black Canyon before you leave Denver. There are alerts here that are kept updated for visitors, such as seasonal closures and roadworks. This can help you determine your travel route, finalize your plans, and more.
Get a physical map at the entrance
Keep a physical map on hand for your drive and one of the park itself. Relying solely on GPS or cellular data in a mountain zone is never a good idea! Cell phone service can be very spotty in the mountains, so please keep a backup physical map on hand.
Make sure you have the essentials
If you’re intending to hike down into the canyon, make sure you’re adequately provisioned and equipped. The NPS website is very clear that the inner canyon is not a place for the less experienced, and that any kind of rescue could be quite difficult. Bring what you need, and be careful.
Get a permit if you need one
Inner canyon exploration requires a Wilderness Permit. These are only issued the day of your visit on a first come, first served basis. Drive down the night before and then get up early the next day to make sure you can get to the visitors’ center or ranger station in time to get a permit.
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison may be an underrated park, but there is still a steady stream of appreciative visitors, and permits are limited.
Best Time of Year to do a Denver to Black Canyon of the Gunnison Road Trip
The best time to travel from Denver to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison really depends on your trip goals.
Do you love wildflowers? Mid-to-late spring is your season when trails around the outer canyon are festooned with flowers, and everything is fresh and green.
Enjoy summer hikes, but not typical hot summer weather? No problem. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is, in general, quite a comfortable hike during the warmest months, thanks to a lack of humidity and the sky-high elevation.
Autumn brings stunning color palettes to the Black Canyon. Nature’s massive paintbrush sweeps over the trees, leaving behind breathtaking swaths of fall hues as far as the eye can see. It’s a brisk time of year, so dress warmly.
In the wintertime, many trails and areas of the Black Canyon are closed–the entire North Rim is inaccessible by car, in fact, and you’ll have to hike in if you take that route.
But if cold-weather fresh-air fun is your thing, there are still some areas open for activities like skiing and snowshoeing. You’ll need to bring plenty of water (all taps are off in winter) and call the visitor’s center ahead of time to get the best advice on activity availability.
Perfect 3-Day Denver to Black Canyon of the Gunnison Itinerary
Day 1: Head west
This is your road trip day! Hop in your car mid-morning and head west. Be sure to pack plenty of snacks and have your paper map handy, just in case. You have two travel options here–
- Drive full out the whole day and get right to the vicinity of the park. Take your time and enjoy the beautiful drive! Plan stops in various towns for meals and shopping. Make arrangements ahead of time to spend the night in Crawford or camp out at one of the designated camping areas of the park; keep in mind there are fees for camping.
- Drive to a halfway point and stay in a hotel, as noted in the Where to Stay section, but then plan to get up early to finish your drive the next day so you can maximize your time in the park (and get a permit if you need it).
Day 2: Explore the canyon
Canyon Time! There are so many things you can do in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Park area. A few particularly enjoyable options include–
- Staying in the outer canyon area and driving or hiking around with your camera handy. There are stunning viewpoints dotted along each rim of the canyon, allowing photography enthusiasts to capture some truly beautiful memories.
- Exploring the inner canyon if you love a challenge. Hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing here will thrill any adrenaline junkie! But remember, the inner canyon can be perilous; stay safe.
- Go fish! The water in the Black Canyon is of the highest quality, and that makes for happy, healthy fish. There are some regulations and extra requirements for fishing here, but if you’re an informed and prepared lover of fishing, you’ll have a really great time.
Day 3: Head back to Denver
Time to head back to Denver! Hopefully, you’re well-rested after your exciting day at the park. Feel free to sleep in a bit and get a good, hearty breakfast in before you hop back into your car.
And then off you go! If you took the northern route to the park, consider taking the southern route back, and vice versa. It will make your trip back a fresh experience so that it doesn’t seem like such a long drive.
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison really is one of the most uniquely gorgeous national park experiences around, and it’s criminal how underrated it is. If you’re ready for a new nature adventure, move this park to the top of your bucket list!
You’ll have a blast no matter what time of year you go, and the memories you make will last a lifetime.
