Black Canyon Of The Gunnison South Rim Campground
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison South Rim Campground
Part of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
Overview
A camping trip to the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park makes for a beautiful getaway for sightseeing, stargazing, and hiking. The park protects the most dramatic section of the Gunnison River Canyon; no other canyon in North America combines the narrow opening, sheer walls, and startling depths of Black Canyon.Facilities
Campsites are open year round, but drinking water is only available mid-May through mid-October. Electric hookups are in Loop B and available year around.
Natural Features
Perched on the South Rim of the Black Canyon, this campground is surrounded by scrub oak forests and sits atop ancient hard rocks. Deer, grouse, bears, and bobcats are known to frequent the area.Recreation
Take one of many spectacular hiking trails such as the Oak Flat Loop Trail and watch for birds like the black-billed magpie.
In summer, catch an evening educational program in the campground amphitheater.
Winter activities include snowshoeing on Rim Rock Trail or go cross country skiing on South Rim Drive (South Rim Campground is first-come, first-served in winter).
Nearby Attractions
Visit the Cimarron Canyon Rail Exhibit to see railcars and the last remaining railroad trestle on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison route. Head upstream to Curecanti National Recreation Area to enjoy water recreation on Colorado's largest reservoir.
Important Notices
There are no water hookups or dump station at South Rim Campground.
Cell phone reception is unreliable in the area.
Check out time is 11:00 a.m.
- Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers
This is a high elevation facility (8,000 feet/2438m). Learn how to "Take it Easy at Altitude" and more on the park's Safety web page.
Weather varies greatly from the canyon rim to the canyon floor; bring appropriate clothing
Generator use is not permitted.
There is NO wood collection or firewood sales in the park. Don't Move Firewood : Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states.
Notifications and Alerts
There is no set date to reopen the South Rim Campground in 2026 due to the damage from South Rim Fire. Loops B and C were heavily damaged. The park will assess the South Rim Campground in Spring 2026 after the snow melts, then begin to plan for rehabilitation. For more information on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, please visit the park website's Current Conditions page.
Available Activities
- Day Use Area - Day Use Area
- Wildlife Viewing - Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking - Hiking
- Camping - Camping
- Amphitheater - Amphitheater
- Backpacking - Backpacking
- Birding - Birding
- Cross Country Skiing - Cross Country Skiing
- Evening Programs - Evening Programs
- Fishing - Fishing
- Guided Interpretive Walks - Guided Interpretive Walks
- Interpretive Programs - Interpretive Programs
- Photography - Photography
- Picnicking - Picnicking
- Scenic Drive - Scenic Drive
- Star Gazing - Star Gazing
- Visitor Center - Visitor Center
- Wilderness - Wilderness
Directions
<p>The park is located approximately 250 miles (402 km) southwest of Denver. The South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is 15 miles (24 km) east of Montrose, CO, via U.S. Hwy 50 and CO Hwy 347.</p>
Contact Information
Phone: 970-249-1914 EXT 425
10346 Hwy. 347MONTROSE, CO 81401
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site B017, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site A010, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C016, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C022, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C023, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A003, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A031, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A027, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C030, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A021, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B002, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site B004, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site C008, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C015, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A024, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A034, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A012, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A022, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B011, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site B015, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site C017, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C009, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B021, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site A002, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B008, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site C029, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C014, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A006, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B014, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site A026, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C020, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B019, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site C028, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B013, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site C012, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B020, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site B016, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site C003, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B001, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site A015, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C025, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B003, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site B018, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site C024, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A020, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A029, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A005, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A001, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C013, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B012, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site A017, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B023, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site A014, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A008, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A004, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A019, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C011, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C027, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A030, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A011, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C021, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A007, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C006, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B005, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site C018, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C031, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B009, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site A013, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C001, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C026, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A028, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A025, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C032, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B022, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site A009, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C010, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C007, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B007, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site A023, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B006, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
- Site A016, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C005, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A018, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site C019, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
