The Complete Guide to Wheelchair Accessibility at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
As someone who is on a quest to visit as many national parks as possible, I definitely had to check out Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park during my cross-country road trip to Wyoming. Spoiler alert… It was incredible! Now, I’m giving you my guide to the wheelchair accessibility at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park so you can plan your own visit.
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Where is Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park?
This national park is in southwest Colorado. The closest towns are Montrose, which is by the south rim, and Crawford, which is near the north rim of the canyon. It is about a 5-hour drive from Denver and 5 1/2 hours from Colorado Springs. If you are coming from Utah, it’s about 3 hours away from Moab.
Is Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Wheelchair Accessible?
While no national park has perfect accessibility, I found the wheelchair accessibility at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to be fairly good. I got to get incredible views from many of the overlooks and felt like I got to experience much of what the park had to offer. Keep reading for more information on accessible drives, overlooks, and amenities.
Is Black Canyon of the Gunnison Worth Visiting?
As one of the lesser visited national parks which is somewhat secluded from major cities and attractions, you may be wondering whether Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is worth visiting. It is absolutely worth the trek to get there and experience this gorgeous canyon! Pictures do not do it justice and the canyon is one that makes you feel tiny. You won’t regret your visit!
How to Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
You can choose to visit the park as part of a road trip, like I did, and visit as part of a cross-country trip. Or you can fly into either Colorado or Utah and rent a vehicle for a shorter road trip. This latter option is great if you only have a week for your vacation.
If flying to visit the park, the closest airports are Montrose Regional Airport, which is about 15 miles away, Grand Junction Regional Airport, 78 miles away, or Denver International Airport. If you are hoping to combine the Colorado National Monument and/or Dinosaur National Monument to your trip, then the Grand Junction Airport is a good option.
Flying into Denver would allow you to easily add Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Springs, and Great Sand Dunes National Park to your itinerary. There are endless possibilities of the other sites you could see when you visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
When to Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
The park is beautiful during all the seasons, however, visiting in winter may mean snow and road closures. Summer will be the hottest month to visit with spring and fall bringing more bearable temperatures. The good news is, this is a hidden gem in the grand scheme of the national park system so no matter when you choose to come, crowds shouldn’t be horrible.
How Long to Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Deciding how much time to spend at the park will depend on what you want to do. It is possible to visit the north and south rims in a day along with a drive to the bottom of the canyon, but you will need to start early and dedicate the full day to your visit.
If you would like a slower-paced time here, I recommend two days. If you only choose to see one rim (which would be a shame) then you could manage to spend 1/2 a day at the park.
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Where to Stay When Visiting the Park
There are no hotels or lodges within the park, so unless you are camping, you will need to stay in a nearby town. There are very limited services in Crawford, so wheelchair users looking to stay in a hotel have the most options in Montrose or Gunnison. Hotel prices are shown for one night, and you can adjust the dates for your trip.
Hotels Near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Stay Wise Inns of Montrose
This hotel is 17 miles away from the park and offers free breakfast and Wi-Fi. The ADA room features a king bed, roll-in shower with a portable shower chair and grab bars near the toilet and in the shower.
Super 8 by Wyndham Montrose
Located a little closer to the park, this hotel also has free breakfast and Wi-Fi with the addition of free parking. There are also barbecue facilities on site and this hotel is pet friendly. The king size ADA room has a roll-in shower with portable bench, and grab bars in the bathroom.
Comfort Inn & Suites Gunnison-Crested Butte
Offering free breakfast and parking, this is a good alternative to staying in the town of Montrose. Rooms have a small fridge and microwave. ADA rooms have the option of one queen or two queen beds and an adapted bathroom.
RV Parks Near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Riverbend RV Park & Cabins
While the cabins are not ADA accessible, they may work for people with limited mobility. There is also an RV park that has sites with waterfront views. Sites are compacted dirt and gravel. Electric sites are available. This park is located in Montrose, Colorado.
Iron Creek Campground/Crawford State Park
This campground is where I stayed during my visit. It had mountain views and was near the north rim of the park. There are two designated ADA sites here with concrete pads, a picnic table which had easy access and electric hook-ups.
South Rim Campground
Located within the national park in the south rim, this campground has some sites with electric hook-ups and two ADA sites. Restrooms are available. Services are very limited as there is no dump station, store, or ice available. Be bear aware and keep food safely secured inside or in special provided food storage lockers. Reservations can be made from May to September on the park’s website.
Wheelchair Accessible Scenic Drives in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
There are three scenic drives within the park, and each varies in accessibility and scenery. I’ll let you know what to expect on each drive, where the accessible overlooks are as well as other important information.
North Rim
This is a dirt road that runs parallel to the canyon. There is no designated parking at any of the overlooks, however it is not a busy area so people with mobility problems shouldn’t have an issue. There are accessible vault toilets, but they have a couple in lip to access them. No water stations are available, so come prepared.
Many of the views can be seen right from your vehicle as you make the drive. There are also two accessible overlooks where wheelchair users can get out for a closer look. These are big island view and kneeling camel.
The north rim drive highlights the depth of the canyon with sheer drop-offs. There are safety railings in place.
South Rim
Out of the three drives, this is the most popular (but crowds are still manageable). This is a paved road with an official visitor’s center, truly accessible restrooms, and overlooks have handicapped parking. There are some short dirt trails that lead to the viewing areas. Picnic spots are also available.
There are more accessible overlooks on this side vs. the north rim for more chances to get out of the vehicle. The wheelchair-accessible overlooks are:
East Portal Rd to the Bottom of the Canyon
This is a paved road with steep grades and winding switchbacks that lead to the bottom of the canyon. Vehicles over 22′ are not permitted. Once the road has descended, it runs parallel to the river and offers incredible views looking back up.
The drive does not take long, and it is worth going to see the park from a new perspective.
Is it Worth Visiting the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?
While the south rim of the park is by far more popular than the north rim, I recommend visiting both. Each gives a unique perspective of the canyon and offers amazing views. You will also find the north rim less crowded than the south, making it feel at times like you have the whole place to yourself.
Tips for Visiting
Download the Gypsy App
The Gypsy App is my go-to guide when visiting national parks. It’s like having your own private tour. Cell service and Wi-Fi are very limited, so make sure you download the Gypsy App and your tour of Black Canyon of the Gunnison before your trip. This guide does not rely on cell service, data, or Wi-Fi to conduct its tours, which are interesting and informative.
Bring Snacks and a Picnic
There are some snacks and drinks available at the visitor’s center, but no real food service within either section of the park. Make sure to bring plenty of drinks, snacks, and even a picnic with you to enjoy during your time at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Picnic tables are available for you to use and often have great scenery for you to enjoy during your meal.
Be Mindful of Elevation
The canyon rims average about 8,000 ft above sea level. This altitude can make the sun feel more intense, and lead to dehydration faster than normal. Use sunscreen and drink more than normal. Be aware of the signs of altitude sickness and allow yourself more time than usual to do regular tasks.
Factor in Driving Times
You will want to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the scenic drives along the rims, however, you will also need to factor in driving times between the north and south rims as there is no bridge over the canyon. Allow 2-3 hours to get from one rim to the other. As I mentioned before, it is definitely worth the drive to do both sides of the canyon as they are both beautiful.
Visit the Park at Night as Well
Whether you are staying in or near the park, make sure to venture out after dark. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is considered a dark park, which means that there is no light pollution, and is a wonderful place to watch the stars. Even if you do not have a telescope, you’ll be able to gaze up at the sky for a fantastic view of the stars.
Get Your Access Pass
When you are a US citizen and permanently disabled, you qualify for an Access Pass. This pass will allow you free entry to the national parks and other national sites for your lifetime. You can obtain one of these passes by getting a note from your doctor stating that you are disabled (it does not need to have your diagnosis) and bringing it to a national park or submitting it through the mail. For more information about the Access Pass, check out this post.
Plan Ahead
While this isn’t one of the busiest national parks, it will still be important to plan ahead. Accessible rooms and campsites are limited, so make sure to reserve them as soon as you know your travel dates. This will give you the best options when choosing where you will stay.
Click here for more tips on planning your next national park trip.
Packing List for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Although days can get very hot, early mornings and late evenings can be cool. Bring layers so you are prepared for different temperatures. As mentioned before, dehydration can happen easily, so bring plenty of water and snacks to help sustain you during your trip. Here are my recommendations:
➡️ Check out my post on national park essentials for more ideas on what to pack.
Wheelchair Accessibility at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Recap
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has good wheelchair accessibility with plenty of scenic views and nearby lodging. Visiting the park will leave you awe-inspired and glad you came. So, if you are in Colorado, make sure to add this park to your bucket list!
➡️ Looking for a national park gift to remember your trip? Make sure to read my post for plenty of ideas.
