Reservation6/10
Red Rock Canyon
The gentlest way to the Gunnison River inside the park, and the smallest quota. ...
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ReservationBackpackingHigh Demand
Black Canyon South Rim Wilderness Permit
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
One permit, one route, one entry date. Pick Gunnison or Warner, drop up to 2,722 feet of loose scree to the river, and camp at the bottom for up to three nights.
“Descend a mile and a half of loose gully to a river almost nobody stands beside, in a canyon where the walls go up 2,000 feet on both sides of your tent.”
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Be notified instantly when Black Canyon South Rim permits become available due to cancellations.
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Black Canyon South Rim Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh7/10
SeasonMay 1 - October 31
Cost$6 reservation fee + $4 per person
Max Group Size4 people
Black Canyon South Rim Permit Facts
- As of August 2026, Black Canyon South Rim in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, National Parks requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Black Canyon South Rim is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Black Canyon South Rim runs May 1 through October 31.
- The Black Canyon South Rim route covers 2.75 miles with 2,722 feet of elevation gain with rated expert.
- Cancelled Black Canyon South Rim 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 Level7/10
LocationWestern Colorado
Pro Tips
- •Do not print or download the permit until you are sure. Printing issues it, and after that no changes, cancellations or refunds are possible.
- •The Tomichi Route is closed to all use until further notice after the 2025 South Rim Fire. Gunnison and Warner remain open.
- •Turn around and look behind you on the way down. Rangers say memorizing trees and boulders is the difference between a clean exit and getting off route.
- •Winter permits are walk-up at the South Rim Visitor Center under the same daily quotas, which is the easiest way into this canyon.
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
2.75 miles
Elevation Gain
2,722 ft
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1-3 nights
Difficulty
ExpertHighlights
- •Daily caps of 15 on Gunnison, 23 on Warner and 9 on Tomichi
- •Routes of 1 to 2.75 miles with vertical drops from 1,800 to 2,722 feet
- •No maintained or marked trail anywhere in the inner canyon
- •Round trips that typically take 4 to 8 hours, before you add a camp
- •The Tomichi Route closed to all use until further notice after the 2025 South Rim Fire
Best Time to Visit
May through October, which is the reservation season. Most South Rim routes are snow-covered from November to April, when permits switch to first-come first-served at the visitor center.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Loose dirt and rock on steep gullies, where a slip has real consequences
- !Getting off route on the way up, which the park calls a common issue
- !Inner canyon temperatures 5 to 10F warmer than the rim, and heat exhaustion as the most common injury
- !Rescue that takes many hours to over a day to mobilize, so you must be prepared for self-rescue and unplanned overnights
- !A river that is swift, cold and deep, and not recommended for swimming or wading
- !Poison ivy and snow cover from November to April on most South Rim routes
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
Snow clearing off the routes through May, with high water in the river.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Cool descending temperatures
- +First reservation window opens April 1
Challenges
- !Lingering snow and ice in the gullies
- !High, fast river
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand4/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill3/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk4/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation4/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment4/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Scramblers comfortable on steep loose ground who can find their own way back up an unmarked gully.
Recommended Experience
Prior off-trail scrambling with a loaded pack. The park asks you to review route info and talk to a ranger if you have not done these before.
Not Recommended For
Anyone uneasy on loose rock, anyone who has not scrambled with a pack, and anyone expecting a trail.
About This Permit
Black Canyon issues wilderness permits for South Rim routes only. The North Rim is not available online. These are not trails: the Park Service describes primitive, rugged, very strenuous routes that follow very steep gullies and rock chutes of loose dirt and rock, unmarked from top to bottom.
Each route has its own daily cap. Recreation.gov publishes Gunnison at 15, Tomichi at 9 and Warner at 23. Maximum group size is 4 and the maximum stay is 3 nights. Peak season runs May 1 through October 31 with reservations only, opening in two windows: April 1 for trips from May 1 to July 31, and July 1 for the rest of the season, both at 8:00 am Mountain Time. From November 1 through April 30 permits are first-come first-served outside the South Rim Visitor Center under the same daily quotas.
The Experience
Why It Matters
There are no maintained or marked trails into the inner canyon of the Black Canyon. What the Park Service issues here is permission to scramble down a gully to the Gunnison River, and the daily caps are tiny: 15 people on the Gunnison Route, 23 on Warner. It is one of the smallest wilderness quotas in the National Park System.
The Route
The Gunnison Route starts at the South Rim Visitor Center and follows the Oak Flat Trail for a third of a mile before the switchbacks stop pretending to be a trail. It is 1.5 miles and a 1,800 foot vertical drop, with a chain to hold on to in the steepest section, and it is the most used way in.
The Warner Route is the long one. It leaves the Warner Point Nature Trail past marker 13 and covers 2.75 miles with a 2,722 foot vertical drop, which is the biggest descent on the South Rim and the reason it holds the largest daily quota at 23.
The Tomichi Route is 1 mile and 1,960 feet from a start about 100 yards south of the Tomichi Point overlook. It is closed to all use until further notice because of the 2025 South Rim Fire. Camping at the base of your route is allowed for up to three nights.
The Feeling
Going down is intuitive. Coming back up is where people get lost, which is why rangers tell you to keep turning around and memorizing trees and boulders on the way down. At the bottom the river is loud, cold and green, the walls block most of the sky, and the sun shows up for a couple of hours and then leaves.
Trailhead Information
South Rim Visitor Center (Gunnison Route)
8,000 ft elevationStart of the Gunnison Route. 1.5 miles and 1,800 vertical feet to the river.
Restrooms
Water on site
Weak Signal
Before you rely on this water
Water at the visitor center in season. The only water below the rim is the Gunnison River itself, and everything from it needs filtering.
Parking
Visitor center lot. Display your permit number on the dashboard.
Getting There
Colorado Highway 347 north from US Highway 50, about 6 miles to the South Rim entrance.
Nearest Services
Montrose, about 15 miles southwest, has everything.
High Point (Warner Route)
Start of the Warner Route via the Warner Point Nature Trail. 2.75 miles and 2,722 vertical feet.
Restrooms
No water
No Service
Before you rely on this water
No water at High Point. Carry 4 liters per person per day, which is what the park recommends for these routes.
Parking
Lot at the end of South Rim Road at High Point.
Getting There
Drive to the end of South Rim Road. Closed in winter beyond the visitor center.
Nearest Services
Montrose.
Rules & Regulations
- •Reservations cover South Rim routes only. North Rim permits are not available online
- •Maximum group size is 4 and the maximum stay is 3 nights
- •You must watch the wilderness route orientation video and the route specific video before your trip
- •Printing or downloading your permit issues it. After that no modifications, cancellations or refunds are possible
- •Open fires, pets, livestock, hunting, wood cutting, drones and bicycles are prohibited
- •Disposal of solid human waste is prohibited within 100 feet of the Gunnison River high water mark, so carry a WAG bag
- •Commercial use including guided fishing, hiking or camping is prohibited in the inner canyon zone
- •Display the permit number on your vehicle dashboard
Gear Checklist
Required
- 4 liters of water per person per day, or a filter and the plan to reach the river
- Gloves. The gullies are loose rock and you will use your hands
- Boots with real tread for descending scree with a pack
- WAG bag or another solid waste containment system
- Headlamp, since these routes take longer than people expect
Recommended
- Bear-proof canister, which the park highly recommends because bears are active much of the year
- Helmet for rockfall in the gullies, especially with a party above you
- Traction devices for the November through April season, when the routes are usually snow-covered
- Trekking poles for the ascent
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Black Canyon South Rim
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Key Landmarks
↑
2,722ft
Gain↓
2,722ft
Loss⛰️
2,722ft
High📏
2.8mi
Distance📐
17%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•7 landmarks
Landmarks (7)
Safety & Planning
Black Canyon South Rim FAQ
How do I get a Black Canyon wilderness permit?
Reserve on Recreation.gov permit 4675344 during the May 1 to October 31 season. Reservations open in two windows at 8:00 am Mountain Time: April 1 for trips from May 1 to July 31, and July 1 for the rest of the season. From November 1 through April 30 permits are first-come first-served outside the South Rim Visitor Center.
How many Black Canyon wilderness permits are issued per day?
Recreation.gov publishes a maximum number of hikers per day per route: Gunnison 15, Tomichi 9 and Warner 23. Maximum group size is 4 and the maximum stay is 3 nights.
Is the Tomichi Route open on a Black Canyon wilderness permit?
No. Recreation.gov states that due to the effects of the 2025 South Rim Fire, the Tomichi route is closed to all use until further notice. The Gunnison and Warner routes remain open under the same conditions and reservation system.
How hard are the Black Canyon wilderness routes?
The Park Service describes them as primitive, rugged and very strenuous, following steep gullies and rock chutes of loose dirt and rock with no maintained or marked trail. Round trips typically take 4 to 8 hours. Warner drops 2,722 feet in 2.75 miles and Gunnison drops 1,800 feet in 1.5 miles.
How much does a Black Canyon wilderness permit cost?
A $6 reservation fee plus $4 per person. The park's $30 vehicle entrance fee is required separately and is valid for 7 days.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
Questions
Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Sunrise light reaches the top third of the opposite wall first and then walks down it. From the bottom it is the only warm light you get.
Best Light
The inner canyon is in shadow most of the day, which is the picture. Shoot the walls, not the sky.
Beat the Crowds
Warner is nearly twice as long as Gunnison and holds the largest quota, which means it is the least likely to feel occupied.
Classic Shots
- 📍The Gunnison River from river level with both walls closing overhead
- 📍Painted Wall from Chasm View on the rim before you drop in
- 📍The chain section of the Gunnison Route
- 📍A tent on the riverside boulders with 2,000 feet of rock above it
Can't Get a Black Canyon South Rim Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Black Canyon Red Rock Canyon
Easier AlternativeThe same river on the same permit system by a gentler 3.5 mile route that drops 1,300 feet instead of 2,722.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Far easier walking, but only 8 people per day and a maximum of two nights.
Great Sand Dunes backcountry
Same AreaColorado backcountry two hours east with at-large camping and a much larger daily cap.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
No scrambling and no route finding, but no river either.
Rocky Mountain wilderness camping
Similar ExperienceColorado alpine backcountry with real trails and far more sites.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Much easier terrain and much harder to get in summer.
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