Photo: John Manard, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Some canyons are wide and colorful. This one is narrow, dark and almost straight down, with walls so steep that parts of the floor get only minutes of sun a day. The Gunnison River has cut about half a mile into some of the oldest rock in Colorado, and you can stand at the rim and watch it churn far below. Most of the views are a short walk from your car along the South Rim Road. For the adventurous, steep unmarked routes drop all the way to the river with a wilderness permit.
TRAILS
1 OF 7
Warner Point Nature Trail
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
1.5 mi
Elevation gain
200 ft
South Rim · High Point — The best trail on the South Rim. It follows a ridge out to the end of the road, with the canyon dropping away on one side and views of the San Juan Mountains and the farm valleys around Montrose on the other. At the point, the river is more than 2,000 feet below you. Pick up the trail guide at the trailhead to learn the plants along the way.
Photo: John Manard, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
2 OF 7
Painted Wall View and Cedar Point
Difficulty
Easy
Length
0.4 mi
Elevation gain
Minimal
South Rim · Painted Wall View — The Painted Wall is the tallest cliff in Colorado, and pale bands of rock streak its dark face like brush strokes. A short paved path from the parking area leads to the main viewpoint. Then walk the short Cedar Point Nature Trail next door for two more overlooks straight down to the river. Late afternoon light shows the stripes best.
Photo: NPS/Lisa Lynch, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
3 OF 7
Rim Rock Trail
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
1.8 mi
Elevation gain
100 ft
South Rim · South Rim Visitor Center — A rocky rim walk that links the visitor center with the campground, passing open views into the gorge and peeks of the river. It has some stairs and steep drop-offs, so keep a close hand on kids. Leashed pets are allowed here, which isn't true of most park trails. Add the Uplands Trail to come back a different way through the oak brush.
Photo: NPS Photo, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
4 OF 7
Oak Flat Loop
Difficulty
Hard
Length
1.6 mi loop
Elevation gain
400 ft
South Rim · South Rim Visitor Center — The only maintained trail that dips below the rim. It drops through Gambel oak, then into a cool pocket of Douglas fir and aspen with views up and down the canyon. It's short but steep, and the climb back out at 8,000 feet feels longer than it looks. Don't follow the side path marked for wilderness permits; that's the Gunnison Route.
Photo: NPS/Zach Schierl, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
5 OF 7
North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
3.2 mi
Elevation gain
300 ft
North Rim · North Rim Ranger Station — The North Rim's best walk, through pinyon and juniper to Exclamation Point, which looks straight into the narrowest, deepest part of the gorge. Strong hikers can keep going and climb about 840 feet more to the top of Green Mountain, for about 7 miles round trip. The North Rim sees a fraction of the South Rim's visitors. The road in is gravel and closes in winter.
⚠︎ North Rim Road is seasonal, usually May to mid-November.
Photo: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
6 OF 7
Chasm View Nature Trail
Difficulty
Easy
Length
0.3 mi loop
Elevation gain
Minimal
North Rim · North Rim Campground — A quick loop from the North Rim campground to a viewpoint above the canyon at its narrowest, where the walls are only about 1,100 feet apart at the rim. You look across at the Painted Wall and down to the river. It's an easy sunset stroll if you're camping. Stay behind the railings; the edge is sheer.
Photo: John Manard, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
7 OF 7
Gunnison Route
Difficulty
Strenuous
Length
3 mi
Elevation gain
1,800 ft
Inner Canyon · South Rim Visitor Center — The most-used way to the river, and still one of the steepest hikes in any national park. The unmarked route plunges down a loose gully, with an 80-foot chain to hold on a slick section about a third of the way down. At the bottom you get the roar of the river and walls rising straight up on both sides. Plan two hours down and two or three back up, wear long pants for the poison ivy, and carry plenty of water.
Distances are round trip unless noted, from NPS.gov and rounded. Trails, permits and road openings change; always check nps.gov before you go. Trail write-ups by Nova Bound.