Reservation7/10
Black Canyon South Rim
One permit, one route, one entry date. Pick Gunnison or Warner, drop up to 2,722...
View Black Canyon South Rim Wilderness Permit permit details and availabilityGet alerted when this permit opens
We watch this permit around the clock. When a cancellation posts, we send you an alert so you can book before the spot is gone. Pro and $12 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute. Free accounts are checked hourly.
Pro scans every minute · free hourlyPRO
SMS and push (Pro)PRO
Fast Lane booking linkPRO
ReservationBackpackingModerate Demand
Black Canyon Red Rock Canyon Wilderness Permit
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
The gentlest way to the Gunnison River inside the park, and the smallest quota. Eight people a day, four permits, two nights maximum.
“Three and a half miles down a creek bed to Gold Medal water on the Gunnison, on a permit that lets eight people a day into the whole canyon.”
Watch the dates you'd take— one alert covers all of them
Red Rock Canyon Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelModerate6/10
SeasonMay 1 - October 31
Cost$10 permit reservation fee
Daily Quota8 people
Max Group Size4 people
Red Rock Canyon Permit Facts
- As of August 2026, Red Rock Canyon in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, National Parks requires a permit issued via reservation.
- The permit season for Red Rock Canyon runs May 1 through October 31.
- The Red Rock Canyon route covers 3.5 miles with 1,300 feet of elevation gain with rated moderate.
- Cancelled Red Rock Canyon permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonMay 1 - October 31
Permit Details
TypeBackpacking
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level6/10
LocationWestern Colorado
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.
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
3.5 miles
Elevation Gain
1,300 ft
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1-2 nights
Difficulty
ModerateHighlights
- •A maximum of 8 users and 4 permits per day for the entire canyon
- •3.5 miles one way with a gradual 1,300 foot drop to the river
- •Numerous stream crossings that can make finding the route a challenge
- •Poison ivy that can be shoulder high along the lower third and the river bank
- •Gold Medal water fishing, with a Colorado license required for anyone 16 and older
Best Time to Visit
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.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Poison ivy prolific along the lower section and the river, shoulder high in some spots
- !An unmarked and unmaintained route with numerous crossings where people lose the line
- !A river that is extremely cold, swift and dangerous. Do not attempt to wade or swim
- !Flooding possible from mid-May to mid-July, so check the USGS gauge below the Gunnison Tunnel before you go
- !No cell service anywhere in the Red Rock Canyon area
- !Water flowing along the trail that may contain harmful bacteria and should not be used
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
When to Go
Peak: May 1 through October 31Shoulder: Late April and early November
Conditions
High water. Depending on snowpack and melt-off, fishing and even approaching the river may not be possible.
Crowd Level
LowAdvantages
- +First reservation window opens April 1
- +Cool walking
Challenges
- !Flooding possible from mid-May
- !River may be unapproachable
- !Poison ivy leafing out
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand3/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill2/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation3/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Anglers and hikers who want to reach the Gunnison River without downclimbing a scree gully, and who do not mind wet feet.
Recommended Experience
Basic route finding. There is no marked trail and the creek crossings hide the line.
Not Recommended For
Anyone highly sensitive to poison ivy, or anyone planning more than two nights.
About This Permit
Red Rock Canyon sits in designated wilderness on the southwest side of Black Canyon of the Gunnison and is reserved separately from the South Rim routes. The route is 3.5 miles one way and drops 1,300 vertical feet to the Gunnison River, gradually rather than by scree gully, which is why anglers use it and why hikers pick it as an alternative to the steeper routes.
The quota is the smallest in the park: a maximum of 8 users per day and 4 permits or groups per day, with a group size limit of 4 and a maximum of 2 nights. Peak season reservations open in two windows at 8:00 am Mountain Time, April 1 for May 1 to July 31 and July 1 for August 1 to October 31. From November through April permits are first-come first-served outside the South Rim Visitor Center.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Every other way into the Black Canyon is a scramble down a scree gully. Red Rock Canyon is a walk. That makes it the anglers' route and the one hikers pick when they want the river without the 2,722 foot descent, and the park protects it with the smallest quota in the park: 8 users and 4 groups per day.
The Route
From the Red Rock Canyon parking area on Bostwick Park Road the route begins on a two-track dirt road for the first mile to the trailhead proper. From there it follows a shallow creek down into the canyon.
The route is 3.5 miles one way and gradually drops 1,300 vertical feet to the Gunnison River. It is not marked and not maintained, and numerous stream crossings can make finding the route a challenge. The lower third is thick with poison ivy, which is the thing people underestimate.
At the river campsites become visible upstream and downstream. Use the smallest site that fits your group and vacate by 11 am on the day you hike out so the next group can find a spot.
The Feeling
The first mile is an old double-track through ranch country and then the canyon takes over. The creek crosses under your boots again and again, poison ivy comes up shoulder high in places, and then the walls open and the Gunnison is right there, wide and green and cold, with campsites scattered up and down the bank.
Trailhead Information
Red Rock Canyon parking area
The only access. Small lot at the end of 5.6 miles of dirt on Bostwick Park Road.
Restrooms
No water
No Service
Before you rely on this water
No water at the trailhead. Bring one liter per person for each hour of hiking or treat Gunnison River water upstream of the canyon route. Do not use the water flowing along the trail, which may contain harmful bacteria.
Parking
One vehicle per group is included with the permit. Display the permit number on the dashboard as your parking pass.
Getting There
From US Highway 50 turn north on State Route 347, drive about 1.8 miles to a flat area with ranches, turn left onto Bostwick Park Road, and follow the dirt road about 5.6 miles to the parking area.
Nearest Services
Montrose, about 30 minutes away.
Rules & Regulations
- •Maximum 8 users per day, maximum 4 permits or groups per day, maximum group size 4
- •Maximum 2 nights per permit, and an individual permit holder may not exceed two nights during the entire peak season from May 1 to July 31
- •Use established camping sites. Camping is prohibited in the parking area and along the trail
- •Permits must be printed or downloaded within 7 days of the trip start date, and once printed no modifications are allowed
- •One vehicle per group, with the permit number displayed on the dashboard
- •Open fires, pets, livestock, hunting, wood cutting, drones and bicycles are prohibited
- •Pack out everything including toilet paper. WAG bags are available at the trailhead
- •Vacate campsites by 11 am on your exit day so the next group can find a site
Gear Checklist
Required
- 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
Recommended
- Poison ivy wash for after the trip
- Bear-resistant food storage, since bears are in the area
- Trekking poles for the creek crossings
- A printed map, because the route is unmarked and unmaintained
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Red Rock Canyon
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
Browse all guidesSome links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Key Landmarks
↑
1,300ft
Gain↓
1,300ft
Loss⛰️
1,300ft
High📏
3.5mi
Distance📐
6%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•5 landmarks
Landmarks (5)
Red Rock Canyon FAQ
How do I get a Red Rock Canyon wilderness permit?
Reserve on Recreation.gov permit 4675335. Reservations open at 8:00 am Mountain Time in two windows: April 1 for trips from May 1 to July 31, and July 1 for August 1 to October 31. From November through April permits are first-come first-served outside the South Rim Visitor Center.
How many Red Rock Canyon permits are issued per day?
Recreation.gov states the maximum number of users per day is 8 and the maximum number of permits or groups per day is 4. Group size is capped at 4 and the maximum stay is 2 nights.
How long is the Red Rock Canyon route?
3.5 miles one way, gradually dropping 1,300 vertical feet to the Gunnison River. The first mile follows a two-track dirt road from the parking lot before the route proper begins.
Do I need a fishing license with a Red Rock Canyon permit?
Yes if you plan to fish. Park regulations and Gold Medal Waters fishing regulations apply, and a valid Colorado state fishing license is required for anyone 16 years old and up.
How much does a Red Rock Canyon wilderness permit cost?
A $10 permit reservation fee. The park's $30 vehicle entrance fee applies to all users of Red Rock Canyon and is valid for 7 days.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
Questions
Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Late light on the canyon walls above the river, when the shadowed inner canyon still has color on top.
Best Light
Overcast days are best down here. Hard sun creates contrast the canyon cannot hold.
Beat the Crowds
With four permits a day this route is never crowded. Weekday nights in September are effectively private.
Classic Shots
- 📍The Gunnison River between the canyon walls from a riverside camp
- 📍Creek crossings framed by red rock in the mid-canyon
- 📍A fly line on Gold Medal water
- 📍Ponderosa on the river bank with the canyon rising behind
Can't Get a Red Rock Canyon Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Black Canyon South Rim routes
Similar ExperienceThe steep way to the same river, on the Gunnison and Warner routes with larger daily caps.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Much harder terrain and a bigger descent, but three nights instead of two and more permits available.
Great Sand Dunes backcountry
Same AreaColorado backcountry two and a half hours east with 20 permits a day instead of four.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
No river and no fishing, but far easier to get.
Rocky Mountain wilderness camping
Similar ExperienceColorado alpine designated sites with a much bigger inventory.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Higher and colder, and busier all summer.
Permit Directory
Browse Backcountry Permits
Find permits for day hikes, overnight backpacking, thru-hikes, canyoneering, and river trips across federal and state lands.
National Park Permits
Day-use, overnight, and wilderness permits at America's crown jewels
California Wilderness Permits
Sierra Nevada, Lost Coast, and backcountry access
Utah & BLM Permits
Red rock canyons, slot canyon permits, and desert wilderness
National Forest & Wilderness Permits
USFS wilderness areas with quota systems
Thru-Hikes & Long Trails
Multi-day point-to-point traverses and epic long-distance trails
River Permits
Multi-day rafting and river access permits
California State Park Permits
Backcountry camping and trail permits
Mountaineering & Summit Permits
High-altitude summit permits and technical climbing routes
Browse Permits by Region
National Parks Permits (63)National Forests & Wilderness Permits (106)Wild & Scenic Rivers Permits (25)Thru-Hikes & Long Trails (20)Mountaineering & Summit Permits (9)California Permits (256)Utah & BLM Permits (124)California State Parks Permits (42)State Parks Permits (26)Utah State Parks Permits (17)