North Rim reopening at Black Canyon of the Gunnison

If you plan to visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in August, you’re in luck! The North Rim is slated to reopen later this week.

Cause of closure

On the morning of July 10, 2025, a series of lightning strikes ignited wildfires. Both the North and South Rims of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park were affected.

The rapid fire spread forced park staff to evacuate visitors and shutter all rim drives, campgrounds, and trails “until further notice.” Crews have worked for more than two weeks to contain the blaze.

Reopening

Great news for RVers: The North Rim is scheduled to reopen on July 30, 2025. From that date forward, you can access all primary North Rim overlooks, trails, and the North Rim Campground.

Park rangers will staff the North Rim Ranger Station daily from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to provide information, issue wilderness permits, and answer any questions.

North Rim’s highlights

The North Rim is prized for its rugged solitude and dramatic inner‑canyon routes. Key features include:

• Five scenic overlooks are accessible by vehicle. Don’t miss the Painted Wall View for sunset panoramas.

• Deadhorse Trail’s 4-mile round‑trip route will take you through serviceberry and Gambel oak thickets.

• Primitive access into the inner canyon wilderness requires permits. You can get them at the ranger station.

• Ranger‑led programs resume with emphasis on geology and dark‑sky astronomy. (This park has International Dark Sky Park status.)

Note: Most access roads are gravel, and the final 7 miles into the North Rim require extra caution. Low‑suspension or long RVs may have difficulty.

Campground details

The North Rim Campground will reopen with 13 first‑come, first‑served sites. Each campsite is limited to vehicles under 22 feet in length and there are no hookups.

RVers should plan for:

• Self‑contained water: A single water fill‑up station exists at the ranger station. All potable water is trucked in, so use it sparingly.

• Vault toilets only: Pack biodegradable soap and follow Leave No Trace principles.

• No reservations: Arrive early or at midweek to secure a spot.

South Rim

While RVers congregate on the North Rim, the South Rim remains closed “due to firefighting activity” from the July 10 blaze.

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• The American spirit lives on at Colorado rodeos; there’s still time to go!

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