“It is not the depth of the canyon that takes your breath away. It’s how close the sky feels to the edge.”
Black Canyon doesn’t rise. It opens like a crack in the Earth that someone forgot to seal. Its cliffs are sharp, its shadows deep, and its river far too wild to tame. Even sunlight struggles to reach the canyon floor.
This place is a contradiction. Violent in its geology. Silent in its mood. “It’s beautiful in a way that feels almost impossible.
With this self-guided audio tour, you’ll ride the rim of this impossible canyon, hearing how water, stone, and time clashed for millions of years to carve something this extreme. Along the way, voices from history return – geologists, explorers, and dreamers who underestimated what they found.
You’ll pass overlooks that hang over the void, rock walls veined with lightning-like streaks, and quiet spots where the river still rages out of sight. The Painted Wall looms high above it all, scarred and surreal.
Every stop reveals something new– a color where there should be a shadow. Trees grow where nothing should grow. Views that tilt your sense of scale.
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Know Before You Go
Note:
- Overall status: The park is open with limited services during the federal shutdown.
- Roads open: South Rim Drive, North Rim Road, and East Portal Road are open. Expect intermittent delays from road work on the South Rim.
- Closures still in effect (post-fire): South Rim Campground, East Portal Campground, and some trails/wilderness routes remain closed until further notice.
- For all road closure updates and more, please visit the National Park Service website.
Just a heads-up: This park does not ease you in gently. But if you like your beauty with an edge, you’re in the right place.
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Where To Start?
We recommend Starting From: 13972 CO-347, Montrose, CO 81401, USA
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good Wi-Fi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
The park is famous for its dramatic and incredibly steep-walled canyon carved by the Gunnison River. It boasts impressive depths, sheer cliffs, and stunning dark rock formations.
The most common way is by car. The South Rim is about a 15-minute drive east of Montrose via US Highway 50 and State Highway 347. The North Rim is accessed via a winding, unpaved road (County Road 90) off of Highway 92, and it takes about an hour and 15 minutes from Crawford.
Popular overlooks include:
- Tomichi Point: The first overlook with great views.
- Painted Wall View: Offers a fantastic view of the canyon’s most striking painted rock formations.
- Cedar Point Nature Trail: Leads to overlooks with views of the inner canyon and the Gunnison River.
- Dragon Point and Gunnison Point: Located near the visitor center with excellent panoramic views.
Both rims offer unique perspectives. The South Rim is open year-round and has more facilities, including the visitor center, overlooks, and campgrounds. The North Rim is more remote, offers a different angle of the canyon, and has fewer facilities; it’s typically open from late spring to mid-fall.
Pets are allowed in developed areas, on roads, and in campgrounds, but they must be kept on a leash. They are not permitted on trails or in the inner canyon.
The South Rim is open year-round, but services are limited in the off-season. The North Rim is typically open from late spring to mid-fall, depending on snow conditions. The East Portal Road is also subject to seasonal closures. For more information visit National Park Services’s official website.
Explore 200+ Tours
Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours. Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free. Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Tours are valid forever. Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators. At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace. Offline use: No cell signal or Wi-Fi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction. Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, get travel tips, hear narrated guides, and see hidden gems. Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks. Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route. Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station. 