North River Route
You'll need to cross the Gunnison River to hike this inner-canyon route.
Plan Around North River Route
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
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.
North River Route Details
You'll need to cross the Gunnison River to hike this inner-canyon route. Start at the East Portal Campground, where you'll find a small boat launch near the backcountry registration board on the west side. Paddle across the river here to begin the two-mile hike downstream to the cliff at Flat Rock Rapids scrambling over a ridge at Deadhorse Gulch along the way.
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
2 miles
Estimated time
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around North River Route
Compare nearby parks around North River Route when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around North River Route
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond North River Route while the map context is still fresh.
0.2 mi away
East Portal Campground
Located just outside of the park boundaries, East Portal Campground has 15 campsites, vault toilets, and drinking water.
1.4 mi away
Devil's Backbone Route
Despite the menacing name, Devil's Backbone is one of most pleasant ways of experiencing the Gunnison River -- no steep slopes required!
1.6 mi away
Crystal Dam
Crystal Dam is the newest dam on the Gunnison, standing at 323 feet tall.
2.5 mi away
South Rim Campground
In Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park there's only one campground open year round: South Rim Campground.
2.5 mi away
Rim Rock Nature Trail
The Rim Rock Nature Trail is a self-guided hike along the south rim of Black Canyon to the Tomichi Point overlook.
