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South Rim Road to open Friday at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

By August 28, 2025 | updated 3 months ago

Photo_20250710_Smoke Rim Rd_000068 (2).jpeg

Smoke billows from the South Rim fire the day it broke out on July 10. 



Courtesy of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park


After being closed since July 10 due to the South Rim fire, South Rim Road in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will open to the public on Friday, the national park said in a statement Thursday.

The South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park reopened to the public on Aug. 18.

According to the national park, visitors will be able to drive the entire South Rim Drive, access all the park overlooks, and experience the visitor center and park store.

Visitors can see for themselves the forces of nature and the mosaic of burned and unburned vegetation. The park will also return to being open 24 hours a day with no nighttime closure.

South Rim fire, Aug. 2

Portions of the South Rim fire received heavy wind, hail and lightning the afternoon of Thursday, July 31, 2025. The fire has burned 4,232 acres and is at 52% containment. 



Courtesy of South Rim Fire Information Facebook


Starting Friday the following areas will be open:

  • The entire South Rim Road (7.3 miles (11.7 km) one-way) from the entrance station to High Point.
  • The visitor center and park store from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
  • All 12 viewpoints off the South Rim Road.
  • Rim Rock Trail from the visitor center to Tomichi Point (0.25 miles (0.4 km) one-way) and Warner Point Trail (0.75 miles (1.2 km) one-way).
  • Warner wilderness route and Red Rock Canyon wilderness route will also open for reservation-holders through www.recreation.gov.

The following will remain closed until further notice:

  • East Portal Campground and East Portal Road.
  • The South Rim Campground.
  • All trails and wilderness routes accessed from the South Rim and East Portal that are not listed above.

Information about the burned areas:

  • Entering closed trails and routes and burned areas is prohibited by superintendent’s order.
  • Entering burned areas in the canyon is prohibited primarily due to the extreme safety risk from dead and downed trees and rock fall. Within all burned areas, root systems and sharp stubs create trip hazards, and pockets of ash can cause unstable footing.
  • Closures are in place to ensure visitor safety and to allow park staff to repair damage after the South Rim Fire. Failure to comply with closures is a violation and can result in citations.

Park operations have returned to normal on the North Rim. The ranger station is open as staff is available.

The campground, trails, and overlooks remain open and accessible, and all North Rim trails and wilderness routes are open.

Hiking, camping, and other recreational opportunities are available at Curecanti National Recreation Area, located to the east of Black Canyon. Curecanti is co-managed with Black Canyon and shares similar geology, ecology, and recreational opportunities.

(Contact Denver Gazette Digital Strategist Jonathan Ingraham at jonathan.ingraham@denvergazette.com or on X at @Skingraham.)

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Jonathan Ingraham

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