Black Canyon of the Gunnison Np Wilderness Permits
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
Reservations are for South Rim wilderness routes ONLY (Gunnison, Warner, Tomichi). North Rim permits are not available online.
Black Canyon wilderness routes are primitive, rugged, very strenuous experiences--not established trails (there are no maintained or marked trails into the inner canyon). Routes follow very steep gullies and rock chutes to the bottom of the canyon, mainly loose dirt and rocks. Routes are nontechnical but are mostly steep scrambles. NOTE: Pets are not allowed.
Routes typically take from 4 to 8 hours to complete, round-trip. Individual fitness levels and canyon temperatures will affect hiking times.
All routes are unmarked. Navigating down the routes is somewhat intuitive, but coming back up can be very confusing. Getting “off route” is a common issue. On the way down, hikers should turn around and look behind them often, memorizing prominent landmarks such as trees and rocks. If you have not hiked these routes before, we strongly recommend reviewing specific route info on the park webpage and/or speaking with a ranger at the visitor center.
Due to the elevation difference, inner canyon temperatures are 5-10° F warmer than the rim. Hikers should have access to 4 liters of water per person, per day. A water filter or treatment option can help lighten the load. The only water access is at the river, at the bottom of the canyon. Summertime hikers should start their trip as early as possible (with enough daylight to see). Heat exhaustion is the most common injury on the routes.
A Black Canyon wilderness route experience should be approached with caution. If a hiker becomes injured, help is not immediate. It will take many hours to over a day for a rescue to be mobilized. Hikers should be prepared for self-rescue and unplanned overnights. DO NOT go beyond your capabilities; TURN BACK if necessary.
Your safety is YOUR responsibility.
Camping along the river is possible (fires, except for camp stoves, are prohibited). Maximum 3 nights. Bears are active much of the year; use of bear-proof canisters highly recommended.
The river is swift, cold, and deep — NOT recommended for swimming or wading. Through-hiking the canyon or going down one route and up another is not realistic as it requires intimate knowledge of the canyon along with entering the river. All routes eventually “cliff out” as one walks along the river. River access typically does not span more than a mile.
Most of the South Rim routes are snow-covered from November to April. Drinking water is not available from October to May, so make sure to bring your own.
Gunnison Route:
- 1.5 miles (2.4 km) one-way
- 1800 ft (549 m) vertical drop (includes Oak Flat Loop Trail)
- Descent: 2 hours, Ascent: 2-3 hours
Tomichi Route:
- 1 mile (1.6 km) one-way
- 1960 ft (597 m) vertical drop
- Descent: 2 hours, Ascent: 3-4 hours
Warner Route:
- 3.5 miles (5.6 km) one-way
- 2722 ft (829 m) vertical drop (includes Warner Point Trail)
- Descent: 2-3 hours, Ascent: 4-6 hours
Permit & Season Information
Permit allows permit holder and their group to hike one of the South Rim wilderness routes: Gunnison, Tomichi, or Warner. Permittees are allowed to camp at base of route for up to 3 nights.
Peak Season: May 1 – Oct 31.
- Reservations and permits are only available through Recreation.gov
- April 1, 2025 at 8:00 am MT: Reservations open for trips between May 1 - July 31, 2025.
- July 1, 2025 at 8:00 am MT: Reservations open for the remainder of the season: August 1 - October 31, 2025.
Winter Season: Nov 1 – Apr 30
- Permits are first-come, first-served at the Black Canyon South Rim Visitor Center. No reservations. Same daily quotas apply.
- Winter conditions may make hiking more difficult or impossible. Traction devices recommended.
The permit holder may print their permit through Recreation.gov account immediately after purchase up to the entry date. Once printed, the permit is “issued” and modifications or cancellations will not be allowed.
Display permit number on your vehicle dashboard.
Need to Know
These routes are unmarked, unmaintained steep, rocky difficult scrambles. Review specific route info on the park webpage and speak with a ranger at the visitor center if you have questions.
You must watch the wilderness route orientation video and route specific video prior to your trip.
After making your reservation and before your trip, you must "print" your permit - this is when your permit is officially issued. Once "printed" (printed on paper or electronically downloaded), no further modifications or cancellations can be made, and no refunds will be issued.
Vehicle information: If you will be in a rental vehicle and do not yet know the make/model/license, type "rental" in these fields to make your reservation, and edit the vehicle information in your reservation as soon as you are able to.
Park entrance fee required: $30/vehicle (valid for 7 days). Federal Interagency and Black Canyon annual passes are accepted. Entrance fees may be paid at the park entrance or purchased on Recreation.gov.
Commercial use (including guided fishing, hiking, or camping) is strictly prohibited in the inner canyon zone of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness.
Your safety is your own responsibility. Be prepared for self-rescue.
There is no cell service in most of the park.
Practice “leave no trace” principles in the wilderness. Pack it in, pack it out--including toilet paper.
Disposal of solid human waste is prohibited within 100 feet of the Gunnison River high water mark. The terrain will often not allow this minimum distance, so be prepared to pack out human waste and toilet paper (with a WAG bag or other appropriate solid waste containment system). The Gunnison and Warner routes each have one pit toilet but these are infrequently maintained.
Open fires, pets, livestock, hunting, wood cutting, drones, and bicycles are prohibited.
Fishing: Park regulations and Gold Medal Waters fishing regulations apply. A valid Colorado state fishing license is required for anyone 16 years old (and up) who will be fishing.
Food Storage: Practice proper food storage and do not leave packs unattended. Bears are present, and squirrels and other rodents may damage gear trying to access food. Feeding wildlife is illegal. If camping, bear-proof containers should be used to store food and all scented items.
Drinking Water: Giardia is present, so all water must be purified. Carry 4 liters of water per person (or 2 liters and a water filter).
The river is extremely cold, swift, and dangerous. Do not attempt to wade or swim. Flooding is possible from mid-May to mid-July. Before departing for your trip, check the USGS web page for Gunnison River stream flow data below the Gunnison Tunnel .
Use established camping sites near the river. Camping is prohibited in parking areas or along the routes.
Campers: Please use the smallest site that will fit your group. Please vacate campsites by 11:00 am on the day you will be hiking out to allow the next group to find a site.
Poison ivy is prevalent on the lower portion of the routes and all along the Gunnison River.
Routes may be icy early in the season; traction devices may be needed for hiking. Depending on snowpack and melt-off, fishing and/or approaching the river may not be possible.
You will need to carry your permit with you, either printed on paper or an electronic copy downloaded to your device.
Parking: Display the permit number on your vehicle dashboard.
Fee Policy
- Reservation Fee: $6 per permit
- Recreation Fee: $4 per person
The park's $30 vehicle entrance fee is required for park entry (valid for 7 days). Federal Interagency passes (such as annual, senior, military, 4th grade, etc.) and Black Canyon annual passes are accepted. You may pay the fee upon arrival or in advance. Visit the park's Fees & Passes page for more information.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy:
- Once printed, the permit is considered “issued” and modifications or cancellations will no longer be allowed. No refunds will be made.
- Cancellations and group-size reductions made more than 3 days before the entry date (and prior to printing) are eligible for refund of per-person fees. $6 reservation fee is non-refundable.
- If you will not be using your permit, cancelling your reservation will allow those spots to be made available for other hikers, even if it is too late to receive a refund. (Other permit-seekers will thank you!)
Change Policy:
- Permit entry date can not be changed. To change entry date, cancel the existing reservation and book a new reservation (quota permitting).
- If group size is increased (quota permitting), permit holder must pay additional per person fees.
- If group size is reduced more than 3 days before permit start date, a refund of the per person fees will be provided.
- Vehicle/emergency contact information may be modified before printing.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
102 Elk Creek Gunnison CO 81230
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number
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