East Portal Campground is located within Curecanti National Recreation Area,
but is adjacent to and only accessible from Black Canyon National Park ($30
entrance fee). This small campground is located at the bottom of the canyon
along the Gunnison River, shaded by box elder trees. The campground is closed
in winter. East Portal Road is closed to vehicles in winter but open to
pedestrians and cyclists. The Bureau of Reclamation determines when East
Portal Road closes. Elevation: 6526 feet (1989 m).

East Portal Campground is located within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but is adjacent to and only accessible from Black Canyon National Park ($30 entrance fee). This small campground is located at the bottom of the canyon along the Gunnison River, shaded by box elder trees. The campground is closed in winter.  East Portal Road is closed to vehicles in winter but open to pedestrians and cyclists. The Bureau of Reclamation determines when East Portal Road closes. Elevation: 6526 feet (1989 m).

Ten of the 15 sites are walk-in tent sites.

East Portal Campground - Walk-in sites

Five out of the fifteen sites have vehicle access.

East Portal Campground  - Sites with vehicle access

East Portal Campground

## Overview

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.

## Recreation

Take one of many spectacular hiking trails such as the Oak Flat Loop Trail and
watch for birds like the black-billed magpie.  

In summer, catch an evening educational program in the campground
amphitheater.

Winter activities include snowshoeing on Rim Rock Trail or go cross country
skiing on South Rim Drive (South Rim Campground is first-come, first-served in
winter).

## Facilities

Campsites are open year round, but drinking water is only available mid-May
through mid-October. Electric hookups are in Loop B and available year around.

## Natural Features

Perched on the South Rim of the Black Canyon, this campground is surrounded by
scrub oak forests and sits atop ancient hard rocks. Deer, grouse, bears, and
bobcats are known to frequent the area.

## Nearby Attractions

Visit the Cimarron Canyon Rail Exhibit to see railcars and the last remaining
railroad trestle on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison route. Head upstream to
Curecanti National Recreation Area to enjoy water recreation on Colorado's
largest reservoir.

<h2>Overview</h2>
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.<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>Take one of many spectacular <a href="https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/hikingtrails.htm" rel="nofollow">hiking trails</a> such as the Oak Flat Loop Trail and watch for <a href="https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/nature/birds.htm" rel="nofollow">birds</a> like the black-billed magpie.  <br></p>
<p>In summer, catch an evening educational program in the campground amphitheater.   </p>
<p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/winteractivities.htm" rel="nofollow">Winter activities</a>  include snowshoeing on Rim Rock Trail or go cross country skiing on South Rim Drive (South Rim Campground is first-come, first-served in winter).</p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>Campsites are open year round, but drinking water is only available mid-May through mid-October. Electric hookups are in Loop B and available year around.</p>
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
Perched on the South Rim of the Black Canyon, this campground is surrounded by scrub oak forests and sits atop ancient hard rocks. 
Deer, grouse, bears, and bobcats are known to frequent the area. 
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p>Visit the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/historyculture/cimcanyonexhibit.htm" rel="nofollow">Cimarron Canyon Rail Exhibit</a>  to see railcars and the last remaining railroad trestle on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison route. Head upstream to Curecanti National Recreation Area to enjoy water recreation on Colorado's largest reservoir.</p>

There is an additional $6 electricity attribute fee for Standard Electric
sites.

Sunlit Black Canyon of the Gunnison cliff face as seen from the South Rim

South Rim Campground standard non-electric site

One of South Rim Campground's electric sites

Signs seen at water spigots within the South Rim Campground

Recycling and trash disposal options available in South Rim Campground

South Rim Campground Registration Kiosk

One of two pit toilets available in South Rim Loop A

Water spigot available in South Rim Loop B

A campsite at South Rim Campground showing the firepit and picnic table.

Park visitors admire the view of Black Canyon of the Gunnison's high cliff walls at Gunnison Point.

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison South Rim Campground

Due to wildfire damage, there is no set date to reopen Loops B & C at the
South Rim Campground in 2026. Please visit the park website's Current
Conditions page for more information and rehabilitation status updates.

## Overview

Official NPS North Rim Website

The North Rim campground is remote and has 13 sites dispersed among pinyon and
juniper trees. Sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Elevation:
7767 ft (2367.4 m). The ranger station is open intermittently in the summer
and closed in the winter. In the summer, maps and newspapers are available on
the ranger station porch. The ranger station also has a self-pay station for
the park entrance fee and a self-registration kiosk for wilderness permits.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/northrim.htm" rel="nofollow">Official NPS North Rim Website</a> </p>
<p>The North Rim campground is remote and has 13 sites dispersed among pinyon and juniper trees. Sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Elevation: 7767 ft (2367.4 m). The ranger station is open intermittently in the summer and closed in the winter. In the summer, maps and newspapers are available on the ranger station porch. The ranger station also has a self-pay station for the park entrance fee and a self-registration kiosk for wilderness permits.</p>

All campsites at North Rim are first-come, first-served. This campground uses
Scan & Pay to accept on-site payment through the Recreation.gov mobile app.
Download the app ahead of your visit to arrive ready!

A view of the canyon from from Chasm View Nature Trail

A view of the canyon from from Chasm View Nature Trail, framed by juniper and pinyon

Tents under the shade of pinyon pines at North Rim Campground

A picnic table between two tents, one blue and one yellow, under the shade of pinyon pines

The Gunnison River seen from The Narrows View

The Gunnison River deep in the Black Canyon, seen from The Narrows View

A view of the canyon from from Chasm View Nature Trail framed by juniper and pinyon

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison North Rim Campground

Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of
time. Come see some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires
in North America. Forces of nature and the Gunnison River sculpted this canyon
over two million years. The result is a vertical wilderness of rock, water,
and sky.

Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time. Come see some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Forces of nature and the Gunnison River sculpted this canyon over two million years. The result is a vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky.

East Portal Campground

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Nearby Campgrounds

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison South Rim Campground

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison North Rim Campground