Black Canyon of the Gunnison South Rim Campground

Sunlit Black Canyon of the Gunnison cliff face as seen from the South Rim
Recycling and trash disposal options available in South Rim Campground
One of South Rim Campground's electric sites
South Rim Campground standard non-electric site
A campsite at South Rim Campground showing the firepit and picnic table.

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly

Available sites

84 total sites

About Black Canyon of the Gunnison South Rim Campground

A camping trip to the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park makes for a beautiful getaway for sightseeing, stargazing, and hiking. The park protects the most dramatic section of the Gunnison River Canyon; no other canyon in North America combines the narrow opening, sheer walls, and startling depths of Black Canyon.

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 14 to Dec 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

84 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ A001, Loop: Loop A Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ A002, Loop: Loop A Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ A003, Loop: Loop A Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ A004, Loop: Loop A Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ A005, Loop: Loop A Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ A006, Loop: Loop A Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 A007, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 22 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 A008, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 14 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 A009, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 13 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 A010, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 14 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 A011, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 14 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 A012, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 16 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 A013, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 18 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 A014, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 11 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 A015, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 12 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 A016, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 15 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 A017, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 14 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 A018, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 11 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 A019, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 12 ft wide · Gravel
⛺ A020, Loop: Loop A Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 A021, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 12 ft wide · Paved
🚐 A022, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 17 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 A023, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 16 ft wide · Gravel
⛺ A024, Loop: Loop A Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ A025, Loop: Loop A Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 A026, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 12 ft wide · Gravel
⛺ A027, Loop: Loop A Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 A028, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 9 ft wide · Gravel
⛺ A029, Loop: Loop A Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 A030, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 12 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 A031, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 16 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 A034, Loop: Loop A RV
Pet Friendly · 10 ft wide · Gravel
🚐 B001, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 22 × 12 ft
🚐 B002, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 70 × 10 ft
🚐 B003, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 33 × 30 ft
🚐 B004, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 42 × 11 ft
🚐 B005, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 52 × 12 ft
🚐 B006, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 38 × 20 ft
🚐 B007, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 B008, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 B009, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 B011, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 B012, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 B013, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 B014, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 B015, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 B016, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 B017, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 B018, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 B019, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 B020, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 B021, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 B022, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 B023, Loop: Loop B RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
⛺ C001, Loop: Loop C Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 C003, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 20 ft · Gravel
🚐 C005, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · 42 × 18 ft · Gravel
🚐 C006, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · 45 × 15 ft · Gravel
🚐 C007, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C008, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C009, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C010, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C011, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C012, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C013, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C014, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C015, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C016, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C017, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C018, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C019, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C020, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C021, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C022, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C023, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C024, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C025, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C026, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C027, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C028, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C029, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C030, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C031, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 C032, Loop: Loop C RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Pull-through

Reviews (685)

What Guests Are Saying

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison South Rim Campground offers breathtaking views and a peaceful environment, making it a great spot for camping. Many reviewers praised the cleanliness of the facilities and the helpfulness of the camp host, as well as the accessibility of restrooms and water. However, recent wildfires have led to some sites being less than ideal, with limited shade and closeness of campsites, which affected some visitors' experiences. Overall, it remains a beautiful destination worth visiting despite the challenges.

Review Summary

4.3
685 reviews
5
58.5%
401
4
26.3%
180
3
9.1%
62
2
3.2%
22
1
2.9%
20

Rebecca M

Verified

August 1, 2023 • Stayed at: A028, Loop: Loop A

4

Pleasant campground. Dense shrubby vegetation creates nice visual (if not auditory) separation between sites. Pit toilets were in reasonable condition. Recycling facilities inadequate.

Molly G

Verified

August 1, 2023 • Stayed at: A027, Loop: Loop A

4

Good tent site, saw mule deer quite often in the campground. Bathrooms could have been a little cleaner. Access to water is limited; no dish cleaning.

Fran K

Verified

July 30, 2023 • Stayed at: A028, Loop: Loop A

5

My trip was short but I loved waking up for sunrise and driving on the road from the South Rim Visitor Center. You can stop at each viewpoint that’s a short walk from your car. You can’t beat the colors created in the morning light. Well worth the visit.

Kristi L

Verified

July 28, 2023 • Stayed at: A018, Loop: Loop A

4

The park was beautiful! We did all the hikes off of the South Rim drive as well as getting a wilderness permit and doing the Gunnison Route, which was an incredible (and hard) experience. We also drove the East Portal Road - go easy on the brakes and down shift when descending! But pretty incredible drive.

Kathleen O

Verified

July 27, 2023 • Stayed at: B022, Loop: Loop B

4

The Black Canyon is spectacular. The campgrounds do offer electric hookups which is nice. Campgrounds are on he small size, but perfect for tents or small campers.

jeremiah j

Verified

July 26, 2023 • Stayed at: C003, Loop: Loop C

2

We tent camped at a number of NPS campgrounds this July, and in comparison Gunnison made the bottom of the list. The hosts were wonderful, but it's a busy busy campground. Though the sites look secluded the sounds carries from all over the whole campground, so you can hear everything all night. There's no real running water for washing dishes, but then there's not a good place to dispose of any grey water you may create. The water they do have is brought in so quite limited. We'd grown used to water, and flush as opposed to pit toilets at all of the other NPS campsites. Though not a big deal, it was less than ideal in comparison. Really though, the major issue isn't as much about the camping as the visitor center. Not enough parking for a place that is both the main information hub AND the start of some trail heads. This resulted in a number of people angrily double parking and blocking in others. None of this is to say that it wasn't worth it, but you will want to get your expectations in check. On the good side, the trail to the visitor center from the campground goes right along the edge of the canyon and is gorgeous. While the view of the stars at night was one of the most specataular we saw.

Alwin F

Verified

July 26, 2023 • Stayed at: B018, Loop: Loop B

5

Nice spot with a tent pad. Has some shade. Bit far walk to the restrooms.

James P

Verified

July 26, 2023 • Stayed at: B003, Loop: Loop B

5

Great camp host made experience very nice.

John K

Verified

July 26, 2023 • Stayed at: B008, Loop: Loop B

2

The camp ground space needed to have the weeds and grasses cut back to privide more shade and space for campers. Out of the 5 campgrounds that we stayed in this summer, this was the only place that did not live up what was expected.

Rick M

Verified

July 24, 2023 • Stayed at: A001, Loop: Loop A

5

We camped in Loop A, right next to the Amphitheater. We got to hear Ranger Kyle speak about Black Canyon, and learned quite a bit! Then we stayed for a night sky tour, and got to see many consellations. our campsite was terrific, and we really enjoyed the NP!

Location & Directions for Black Canyon of the Gunnison South Rim Campground

10346 Hwy. 347, Montrose, CO 81401 United States

Elevation: 2,518 ft

Getting There

The park is located approximately 250 mi (249.8 mi) southwest of Denver. The South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is 15 mi (14.9 mi) east of Montrose, CO, via U.S. Hwy 50 and CO Hwy 347.

Nearest town

Montrose, CO - 14 mi

About 22 min to downtown

Highway access

The campground is accessible via U.S. Highway 50 and Colorado Highway 347, located approximately 15 miles west of Montrose, CO.

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check out time

11AM

General

  • There are no water hookups or dump station at South Rim Campground.
  • Cell phone reception is unreliable in the area. 
  • Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers
  • This is a high elevation facility (8,000 feet/2438m). Learn how to "Take it Easy at Altitude" and more on the park's Safety web page. 
  • Weather varies greatly from the canyon rim to the canyon floor; bring appropriate clothing
  • Generator use is not permitted.
  • There is NO wood collection or firewood sales in the park. Don't Move Firewood : Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. 

Nearby Campgrounds


Last updated: October 19, 2026

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Explore Montrose, CO

Population: 21,044

Nearby larger city

Grand Junction, CO

Approx. 59 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 5,807 ft

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