Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park guide · 1 min read
South Rim Drive: Twelve Overlooks to High Point
South Rim Drive is a paved scenic road that follows the canyon rim for seven miles, running from Tomichi Point to High Point.
Along the way are 12 overlooks, and most are reached by a short walk on a trail. Plan for two to three hours if you want to see several of them. If your time is short, Gunnison Point, Chasm View, Painted Wall, and Sunset View are the stops to choose first.
Gunnison Point is where you will find the South Rim Visitor Center, which has exhibits about the canyon. It is a useful place to learn about the canyon before you continue along the rim to the other overlooks.
Tomichi Point and High Point mark the two ends of the route. Pulpit Rock Overlook, Sunset View, and Chasm View are all wheelchair accessible, so they are worth knowing about when you plan your stops.
Chasm View and Painted Wall both appear among the recommended stops for visitors with limited time. From the rim you look down on some of the steepest cliffs in North America, cut into some of the oldest rock on the continent. The Gunnison River and other natural forces carved this canyon over more than two million years, leaving behind sharp, broken spires.
