Explore Black Canyon’s stunning vistas with a self-guided audio tour. Discover daring tales and geology at your own pace. Perfect for adventurers.
Explore Black Canyon’s stunning vistas with a self-guided audio tour. Discover daring tales and geology at your own pace. Perfect for adventurers.
- Black Canyon Corner Store - Looking for postcards, fossils, or firewood? This charming, locally owned store has everything you need. Be sure to visit the attached building to admire some breathtaking local photography.
- Rim Rock Trail - Rim Rock Trail is a leisurely 1.7-mile out-and-back path offering breathtaking views of the canyon and river…
- Black Canyon Corner Store - Looking for postcards, fossils, or firewood? This charming, locally owned store has everything you need. Be sure to visit the attached building to admire some breathtaking local photography.
- Rim Rock Trail - Rim Rock Trail is a leisurely 1.7-mile out-and-back path offering breathtaking views of the canyon and river below. It’s an easy hike, perfect for enjoying the scenery without exertion. During warmer months, watch for wildlife and wildflowers—nature’s delightful surprises!
- Tomichi Point - Tomichi Point provides a perfect introduction to Black Canyon of the Gunnison, with panoramic views right at the park’s entrance. Easily accessible, it offers a sweeping perspective of the canyon’s dramatic depths without the need for hiking.
- South Rim Visitor Center - The South Rim Visitor Center is an ideal starting point for your Black Canyon adventure, featuring stunning canyon views from its deck. Inside, discover exhibits on the park’s geology, wildlife, and history, with friendly rangers ready to answer questions and offer trail advice.
- Gunnison Point Overlook Trail - Gunnison Point Trail is a short, 0.2-mile paved path leading to one of the park’s most iconic overlooks, near the visitor center. With easy access and stunning views of the sheer canyon walls plunging into the Gunnison River, it’s perfect for all visitors, including those seeking a quick, family-friendly adventure.
- Gunnison Point - Gunnison Point is a short, flat walk behind the visitor center, offering an unforgettable view straight down into the canyon’s depths. If you do nothing else here, make sure to experience this!
- Oak Flat Trail - This moderate 2-mile trail is perfect for those wanting to spend extra time on and just below the rim. The trail winds through Gambel Oak forest, opening to sweeping canyon vistas.
- Pulpit Rock Overlook - Pulpit Rock Overlook provides a dramatic vantage point where the canyon’s steep, rugged cliffs frame the Gunnison River far below. With easy accessibility and breathtaking views, it’s a must-stop for capturing the raw power and beauty of Black Canyon’s unique geology.
- Cross Fissures View - Cross fissures are vertical cracks and fractures in hard, brittle rock, formed under intense pressure, such as during the Laramide Orogeny. This quick and accessible stop offers a unique perspective on the geological drama of Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
- Rock Point - Rock Point Trail is just over a quarter-mile roundtrip to a canyon jut-out overlooking “The Narrows.” Here, the corridor is the tightest in the canyon, with walls only 40 feet apart at their base!
- Devil’s Lookout Trail - Devil’s Lookout Trail is a half-mile roundtrip offering unbeatable views directly down to the river. It’s also the spot to witness a rare natural phenomenon—the Dragon’s Tongue—that often goes unnoticed by visitors.
- Chasm View Trail - The Chasm View Overlook begins with a quick stroll through the pinyon-juniper forest, rewarding visitors with one of the canyon’s most spectacular views. This overlook sits at the edge of the steepest, narrowest part of the Black Canyon, where cliffs drop a dizzying 1,820 feet to the Gunnison River, separated by just 1,100 feet between walls.
- Painted Wall - The Painted Wall Viewpoint offers a breathtaking look at Colorado’s tallest cliff, rising 2,250 feet above the Gunnison River. Its stunning dark rock face is streaked with pale, pinkish pegmatite bands, creating a “painterly” effect.
- Cedar Point - The Cedar Point Trail is a moderate, short hike—just under half a mile round trip—leading to two beautiful canyon overlooks. These overlooks feature incredible views of the canyon and the Gunnison River winding below, along with fascinating glimpses of the rugged Cedar Cliffs.
- Dragon Point - The walk to the Dragon Point Overlook is a third of a mile roundtrip, offering a great spot for seeing pegmatite and watching the sunset.
- Sunset View - The westernmost viewpoint on the South Rim, this spot lives up to its name, providing a stunning view of the sunset over the canyon.
- High Point - High Point is the highest overlook on the South Rim, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and the distant San Juan Mountains. It’s the perfect spot to conclude your Black Canyon adventure, with a nearby picnic area to relax and enjoy the scenery.
- Warner Point Nature Trail - The Warner Point Nature Trail is a 1.5-mile, moderately difficult round-trip hike offering breathtaking views of Black Canyon, the Gunnison River, and surrounding valleys. This trail winds through pygmy pinyon-juniper forests, with interpretive signs highlighting the area’s unique plants, animals, and geology. Pro-tip: This trail is quite exposed, so consider heading out in the morning or afternoon.
- Warner Point - Warner Point offers a spectacular vantage point at the edge of Black Canyon, showcasing breathtaking views of the Gunnison River and sprawling valleys beyond. It’s the grand finale of the Warner Point Nature Trail, rewarding hikers with some of the park’s most stunning scenery.
- Gunnison East Portal - East Portal Drive is a steep, winding road leading down to the Gunnison River, offering a close-up view of the canyon’s towering walls and lush riverside. At the bottom, discover the historic Gunnison Tunnel, an engineering marvel from 1909 that diverts river water to the Uncompahgre Valley—a testament to human ingenuity in this rugged landscape.

- Tours NEVER expire
- Freedom to explore at your own pace
- Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
- Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
- Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
- Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive
- Tours NEVER expire
- Freedom to explore at your own pace
- Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
- Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
- Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
- Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive
- Private transportation
- Entrance Fees
- Parking Fees
- Meals & Refreshments
- Private transportation
- Entrance Fees
- Parking Fees
- Meals & Refreshments
Discover the breathtaking cliffs and narrow canyons of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park with this self-guided audio driving tour. A friendly narrator will share tales of adventurous explorers, the canyon’s geology, and its wildlife as you drive and listen.
As you travel along the North Rim Scenic Drive, you’ll visit iconic viewpoints such as…
Discover the breathtaking cliffs and narrow canyons of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park with this self-guided audio driving tour. A friendly narrator will share tales of adventurous explorers, the canyon’s geology, and its wildlife as you drive and listen.
As you travel along the North Rim Scenic Drive, you’ll visit iconic viewpoints such as Gunnison Point, Painted Wall View, Chasm View, and Dragon Point. You can also take a break and explore the Rim Rock Trail and Warner Point Nature Trail. For a unique perspective, drive down the dramatic East Portal Road to the river’s edge.
With turn-by-turn directions and captivating stories, you’ll have the freedom to explore at your own pace without missing anything. This tour is ideal for road trippers, families, or anyone looking for an immersive national park experience.
Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours
- Additional Starting Point: Cimmaron - About 5 minutes outside of town, heading west on US-50
- Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.
- Begin Your Journey: • Select Your Tour: Go to the My Stuff tab in the Shaka Guide app to launch the tour. • Start the Tour: Select the tour starting point and follow the GPS instructions. • Follow Shaka Guide: Stick to the suggested route and speed for the best experience.
- Why Choose Our Audio Tour: • Cost-Efficient: One tour for the entire vehicle—no per-person fees! • Ultimate Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume on your schedule. • Convenience: Use the tour any day, over multiple days if needed.
- Top Features: • Hands-Free: The tour works automatically - GPS-activated stories, directions, and music play as you drive for a seamless experience. • Works Offline: No need for continuous wifi or data. • Reliable Support: Get help via call, chat, or email.
- Private and Personalized: • Crowd-Free: Enjoy a private tour with just your group. • Customizable Stops: Pick the stops you want and skip the ones you don’t!
- The Ultimate Guided Tour: • Detailed Itinerary: Includes travel tips and recommendations. • Engaging Narration: Captivating stories and history.
- What Our Users Say: • “A fantastic way to explore! Easy to use and very informative.” • “Loved the flexibility to stop and go as we pleased. Highly recommend!”
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.