Red Rock Canyon Permit: Quota, Dates and Route
Red Rock Canyon permits are booked by advance reservation in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The route covers 3.5 miles.
This guide covers the Black Canyon Red Rock Canyon Wilderness permit.
8
People Per Day
$10 permit reservation fee
Permit Cost
1-2 nights
Duration
3.5 miles
Distance
1,300'
Elevation Gain
About Red Rock Canyon
The gentlest way to the Gunnison River inside the park, and the smallest quota. Eight people a day, four permits, two nights maximum.
The Red Rock Canyon route
- Distance
- 3.5 miles
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Elevation gain
- 1,300 ft
- High point
- 6,822 ft
- Low point
- 5,481 ft
- Trip length
- 1-2 nights
- Difficulty
- moderate
Starts at Red Rock Canyon parking area
Western Colorado. Nearest town: Montrose
Points along the route
- Red Rock Canyon parking areaMile 0, 6,822 ft
- TrailheadMile 1, 6,721 ft
- Creek crossingsMile 2, 6,546 ft
- Poison ivy sectionMile 2.5, 6,206 ft
- Gunnison River campsitesMile 3.5, 5,481 ft
Red Rock Canyon permit detailsandAll Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park permits
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Pro Tips
Four permits a day means this is the hardest permit in the park to get and the emptiest canyon once you have it.
Check the USGS gauge for Gunnison River flow below the Gunnison Tunnel before you drive out. Spring melt can make the river unapproachable.
Long pants. The poison ivy on the lower third is shoulder high in places.
Print the permit within 7 days of your start date, and know that printing locks it against changes.
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Red Rock Canyon permit?
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Red Rock Canyon permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Red Rock Canyon?
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Late August through October. Snowmelt can make fishing and even approaching the river impossible earlier in the reservation season, and flooding is possible from mid-May to mid-July.
How long is the Red Rock Canyon route?
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The route is 3.5 miles, as an out-and-back. Plan on 1-2 nights.
How difficult is the Red Rock Canyon route?
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Anglers and hikers who want to reach the Gunnison River without downclimbing a scree gully, and who do not mind wet feet.
Where does the Red Rock Canyon route start?
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Red Rock Canyon parking area.
What gear do I need for the Red Rock Canyon route?
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Essential gear includes: One liter of water per person for each hour of hiking, plus treatment for river water, Shoes you can soak, because the route crosses the creek repeatedly, Long pants for the poison ivy sections, WAG bag or another human waste containment system, Colorado fishing license if anyone 16 or older in your group plans to fish.
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