MONTROSE, Colo. — The National Park Service announced that the South Rim Road at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will reopen Friday, August 29, restoring full public access to the park’s main scenic drive and visitor facilities following this summer’s South Rim Fire.
The 7.3-mile South Rim Road, which runs from the entrance station to High Point, will once again allow visitors to reach all 12 overlooks along the route. The visitor center and park store will also resume daily hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and several trails, including the Rim Rock Trail to Tomichi Point and the Warner Point Trail, will reopen. The park will also lift nighttime closures, returning to 24-hour access.
Wilderness routes in Warner and Red Rock Canyon will be available to reservation-holders through Recreation.gov.
However, some areas remain closed due to fire damage. The South Rim Campground, East Portal Road and Campground, and several trails and wilderness routes are still off-limits. Burned areas are also closed under a superintendent’s order, with officials citing risks from unstable trees, rockfall, and hidden ash pockets. Violating closures could result in citations.
“Closures are in place to ensure visitor safety and to allow park staff to repair damage after the South Rim Fire,” park officials said in a statement.
On the North Rim, operations have returned to normal. The ranger station is open as staff are available, and all trails, overlooks, and the campground remain accessible.
For visitors seeking alternative recreation, officials pointed to Curecanti National Recreation Area, located east of Black Canyon, which offers camping, hiking, and water-based activities and shares similar geology and ecology.
More information on the South Rim Fire and current conditions is available on the park’s website.
