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Gunnison Route
The Gunnison Route is the inner canyon route most taken on the South Rim, but it is by no means easy.
Plan Around Gunnison Route
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Gunnison Route Details
The Gunnison Route is the inner-canyon route most taken on the South Rim, but it is by no means easy. Still, this is the suggested route if you're hiking the inner-canyon for the first time. To reach the trail, follow the Oak Flat Trail from the South Rim Visitor Center down the first switchbacks to the sign, "River Access Permit Required," marking the beginning of the inner-canyon trail, and carefully start walking down. There is a heavy metal chain secured into the canyon wall about a third of the way down the trail, and you'll need to hang on to it as if it was a technical climbing rope; the trail from here is mainly scree and dirt until the trail levels out on a small hill above the river. Follow the rock cairns to the riverside. An outhouse and a few campsites are situated a few minutes upstream.
Difficulty
High
Distance
3 miles
Estimated time
6 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Gunnison Route
Compare nearby parks around Gunnison Route when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Gunnison Route
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Gunnison Route while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Oak Flat Loop
The Oak Flat Loop allows hikers to climb below the South Rim without having to commit to long, river-bound trails.
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Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Carved over a span of two million years by the Gunnison River, the Black Canyon in western Colorado is a "vertical wilderness."
0.0 mi away
South Rim Visitor Center
The South Rim Visitor Center is open daily, year-round and provides exhibits on the park's flora, fauna, geology, and history.
0.1 mi away
Gunnison Point Overlook
Perched over a long, gentle curve in the Gunnison River, Gunnison Point offers some spectacular views of the canyon.
0.2 mi away
Uplands Trail
Although the Uplands Trail doesn't have any big canyon views, it is nonetheless a pretty, quiet hike through the higher elevations of Black Canyon.
