{"id":"nps-blca","slug":"black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park","name":"Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park","designation":"National Park","category":"national-park","categoryLabel":"National Park","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"BLCA","designation":"National Park","sourceId":"nps-blca"}],"states":["CO"],"stateNames":["Colorado"],"location":{"lat":38.57779869,"lon":-107.7242756},"bbox":[-107.8295,38.503,-107.6184,38.6413],"acres":{"value":31048,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time. Come see some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Forces of nature and the Gunnison River sculpted this canyon over two million years. The result is a vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=38.6413&b_tl_lng=-107.8295&b_br_lat=38.503&b_br_lng=-107.6184","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Black%20Canyon%20Of%20The%20Gunnison%20National%20Park","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C81655F-1DD8-B71B-0B4BCFFDB74EE723.jpg","title":"Black Canyon near Tomichi Point","alt":"Black Canyon near Tomichi Point","caption":"Black Canyon near Tomichi Point","credit":"NPS Photo/Lynch","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C8166E8-1DD8-B71B-0BDEB9A4EEEED807.jpg","title":"Black Canyon near Painted Wall","alt":"Black Canyon near Painted Wall","caption":"Black Canyon near Painted Wall","credit":"NPS Photo/Lynch","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Astronomy","Stargazing","Camping","Backcountry Camping","Car or Front Country Camping","RV Camping","Climbing","Rock Climbing","Fishing","Fly Fishing","Hiking","Backcountry Hiking","Front-Country Hiking","Horse Trekking","Horseback Riding","Paddling","Kayaking","Junior Ranger Program","Skiing","Cross-Country Skiing","Snowshoeing","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["Explorers and Expeditions","Transportation","Trains and Railroads","Westward Expansion","Animals","Birds","Canyons and Canyonlands","Geology","Mountains","Night Sky","Astronomy","River and Riparian","Rock Landscapes and Features","Scenic Views","Thickets and Shrublands","Trails","Watersheds","Wilderness"],"fees":[{"title":"Entrance - Private Vehicle","cost":"30.00","description":"7-Day Vehicle Pass.  Entrance fees cover all persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle."},{"title":"Entrance - Motorcycle","cost":"25.00","description":"Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers."},{"title":"Entrance - Per Person","cost":"15.00","description":"7-Day Individual Pass (pedestrian or bicycle)"},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Sedan","cost":"25.00","description":"Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 1-6 persons.  Fee is $25.00 per vehicle plus $7.00 per passenger."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Van","cost":"40.00","description":"Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 7-25.  Fee is $40.00 per vehicle."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus","cost":"40.00","description":"Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 7-25.  Fee is $40.00 per vehicle."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach","cost":"100.00","description":"Commercial tour fee for vehicle/bus with seating capacity of 26 or more.  Fee is $100.00 per vehicle."},{"title":"Entrance - Non-commercial Groups","cost":"30.00","description":"Non-commercial vehicles with a vehicle capacity of 15 or fewer: $30.00 per vehicle, regardless of the number of passengers."},{"title":"Entrance - Non-commercial Groups","cost":"15.00","description":"Non-commercial vehicles with a vehicle capacity of 16 or greater: $15.00 per passenger (including driver). Fees will not exceed the commercial fee for the same-sized vehicle. Youth 15 and under are free. Individuals or families with any valid Annual or Lifetime pass may use their pass for entry at the per-person rate. Pass and photo ID must be presented upon entry."}],"passes":[{"title":"Annual Entrance - Park","cost":"55.00","description":"An annual pass to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is available for $55.00 at the South Rim entrance station from early April to late October, and at Recreation.gov. This pass admits the permit holder and all accompanying passengers in a single, private, noncommercial vehicle to the park. It is valid for 12 months from date of purchase and covers entrance fees only."}],"hours":[{"name":"South Rim","description":"The South Rim is open 24 hours a day.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"All Day","monday":"All Day","thursday":"All Day","sunday":"All Day","tuesday":"All Day","friday":"All Day","saturday":"All Day"},"exceptions":[]},{"name":"North Rim","description":"The park is open 24 hours a day, but the North Rim Road and ranger station are closed in winter and early spring. The road typically closes mid-November and reopens early May.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"All Day","monday":"All Day","thursday":"All Day","sunday":"All Day","tuesday":"All Day","friday":"All Day","saturday":"All Day"},"exceptions":[{"name":"Winter Season","start":"2026-11-25","end":"2027-04-29","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}}]}],"directions":"South Rim: 7 miles north on CO Highway 347 from the intersection with U.S. Highway 50 east of Montrose. Physical/GPS address is: 9800 Highway 347, Montrose, CO 81401 North Rim: 11 miles southwest of Crawford, Colorado. From CO Highway 92, turn west on Black Canyon Road approximately 3 miles south of Crawford. Follow the road signs to the park.","weatherInfo":"Today's Weather: http://www.weather.com/weather/today/l/NPBLCA:13:US CLIMATE Weather can vary greatly throughout the day. Summer daytime temperatures range between 55 to 90F (13 to 32C), nights 45 to 60F (7 to 16C). Winter daytime temperatures range between 15 to 40F (-9 to 4C), nights 10 to 20F (-12 to -6C). Afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer. Snow accumulation varies greatly year to year. Layered clothing appropriate for the season is recommended.","contacts":{"phone":"970-641-2337","email":"blca_info@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"South Rim Visitor Center","description":"This visitor center has exhibits, information, book and map sales, water (available seasonally), vault toilets, and hiking trailheads. It is open year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/blca","lat":38.5549914522,"lon":-107.686583834},{"name":"North Rim Ranger Station","description":"The North Rim Ranger Station is open intermittently in summer and closed in winter. In the summer, maps and information are available on the ranger station porch. A self-registration kiosk for wilderness permits is located outside.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/northrim.htm","lat":38.5870302793,"lon":-107.704837085}],"campgrounds":[{"name":"South Rim Campground","description":"The South Rim Campground is located one mile (1.6 km) from the South Rim Visitor Center. All campsites are by reservation only through Recreation.gov. Sites are fairly close together, partially shaded by tall shrubs. Only Loop B offers 20 and 30 amp electric hookups. During the warm season, drinking water is available, but there are no showers, dish cleaning stations, or water for RV tanks. Elevation: 8400 ft (2560 m). NOTE: Due to wildfire damage, limited sites (non-electric only) are currently available.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/camp_southrim.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234052","sites":88},{"name":"North Rim Campground","description":"The North Rim Campground is remote and has 13 sites dispersed among pinyon and juniper trees. Sites are first-come first-served; all payment is via Scan & Pay on the Recreation.gov app. The last 5.6 miles of the road to the campground are unpaved. Services are very limited. To protect sensitive vegetation, please use designated tent pads and do not tie, hang, or attach anything to trees. Maximum combined length of RV, car and/or trailer is 22 feet. Generators are prohibited. Elevation: 7767 ft (2367 m).","url":"https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/camp_northrim.htm","reservationUrl":null,"sites":13},{"name":"East Portal Campground","description":"East Portal Campground is located within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but is adjacent to and only accessible from Black Canyon National Park ($30 entrance fee). This small campground is located at the bottom of the canyon along the Gunnison River, shaded by box elder trees. The campground is closed in winter. East Portal Road is closed to vehicles in winter but open to pedestrians and cyclists. The Bureau of Reclamation determines when East Portal Road closes. Elevation: 6526 feet (1989 m).","url":"https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/camp_east_portal.htm","reservationUrl":null,"sites":15}],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"gunnison-gorge-national-conservation-area","km":15},{"slug":"curecanti-national-recreation-area","km":36},{"slug":"grand-mesa-national-forest","km":60},{"slug":"uncompahgre-national-forest","km":61},{"slug":"dominguez-escalante-national-conservation-area","km":61},{"slug":"gunnison-national-forest","km":67}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=blca"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.608Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Caution","title":"No Water Available in Park","text":"Water systems throughout the park have been shut off for the winter season, October to April. Please plan ahead and bring your own drinking water.","url":null,"updated":"2026-10-13 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-736CF815-5749-41B0-AD81-ECD3BA1D8D59"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Cashless Operations","text":"Black Canyon's operations are now cashless. South Rim Campground is by reservation only via Recreation.gov. East Portal & North Rim campground sites are first-come first-served and accept payment using Scan & Pay through Recreation.gov's mobile app.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/camping.htm","updated":"2026-04-15 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-7F949259-384C-4098-A7CF-90E54C09E118"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park.geojson"}