How to see Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in less than 24 hours
First things first, that picture by the sign is always a must. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve stood in front of a sign. It has become quite the tradition!
3 Things
After we got into the park, we knew we wanted to do three things.
- Go to the Visitor Center
- Hike a trail
- Drive the South Rim Road
We had our travel trailer in tow so we got set up first. We camped in Loop B and, lucky for us, there was a trail we could hike to the visitor center from our campground. Score! Off we go.
Hiking Rim Rock Nature Trail
From the South Rim Campground, you can hop on this easy 1 mile trail. The trail sits next to the rim of the canyon and is pretty flat. You’ll pass lots of plant life and see some great views. You might even see some wildlife if you get lucky. There are plenty of deer in this park so be on the look out. This trail ends at the Visitor Center at Gunnison Point. Exactly where we wanted to go. It’s a win win!
Visitor Center at Gunnison Point
This National Park visitor center has a lot to offer. They have plenty of information about what to do in the park, some hands on kids activities, and learning exhibits. The best part are the overlooks just outside the doors. Don’t forget to walk down and take look. It’s worth it.
Drive along South Rim Road
If you thought the view at the Visitor Center was great, you’ll want to jump in your vehicle and drive the South Rim Road. They have several view points to stop at. Rock Point, Devils Lookout, Chasm View, Painted Wall View, Cedar Point, Dragon Point, Sunset View, and High Point…to name a few. Don’t forget your camera.
If you’re short on time like we were, I’d highly recommend these 3 things. This park has so much more to offer and we are planning to return one day to get the full experience. But for now, we have to settle for our less than 24 hours and be thankful that we had time at all.
Consider the Wonders is not affiliated with Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park or the National Park System.
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