Driving South Rim Drive Road is one of the best things to do in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Along its short distance, you can take your pick between 12 overlooks. This is the easiest and fastest way to get panoramic views of the canyon, see the unique, striated cliffs, and peer down to the Gunnison River.
In this post, get the full details on what to expect along the South Rim Drive Road.
South Rim Drive Road, Black Canyon of the Gunnison
The South Rim Drive Road is 7 miles long. Stretching from Tomichi Point to High Point, you can visit all, or just a few, of the 12 viewpoints.
Some overlooks are located right next to the parking lot, so a few minutes is all you will need to visit them. Other overlooks can sit 1/3 of a mile from the road, so expect to do a little walking.
Below we list each overlook, with photos and information to help you plan your time. There is no reason to stop at all of them, because they get to be repetitive, so Iโll let you know our favorites at the end of this post.
These overlooks are listed in order, starting with Tomichi Point and ending at High Point. All distances are one-way.
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
Tomichi Point
Distance: 10 feet | Time: 5 โ 10 minutes
This viewpoint is located right before you get to the visitor center. From here, you look east along the canyon. This overlook is located on the Rim Rock Trail, so if you have plans to hike this short trail, youโll catch the view from Tomichi Point along the way. The nice thing about this viewpoint is that no walking is necessary. Simply step out of your car and walk a few steps to the viewpoint.
Gunnison Point
Distance: 100 yards | Time: 10 โ 15 minutes
This is one of the best overlooks in Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It is located right next to the Visitor Center. Itโs a short, downhill walk to the viewpoint and the view is incredible. From here, you get panoramic views of the canyon and can look down into the far depths of the canyon.
Pulpit Rock Overlook
Distance: 134 yards | Time: 10 minutes
This is a popular overlook because it gives you a sweeping view of Black Canyon of the Gunnison. From here, you get to appreciate just how narrow and deep this canyon is.
Cross Fissures View
Distance: 357 yards | Time: 15 โ 20 minutes
This viewpoint gives you up a close-up view of fissures of rock within the canyon. It lacks the big, sweeping views you get from other overlooks but we really liked this one. This is a unique viewpoint, with views of the jagged rocks, and it’s also less crowded than some of the other overlooks on this list. Plus, you can take some great photos here (the cover photo for this post was taken here).
Rock Point
Distance: 294 yards | Time: 15 minutes
Honestly, the view from Rock Point is nothing special. From the overlook, you get to see a massive chunk of rock creating a bend in the Gunnison River.
Devils Lookout
Distance: 607 yards | Time: 20 โ 30 minutes
Itโs a long walk to this overlook, about a third of a mile one-way. You get nice views of the canyon but for the amount of walking that you do, I donโt think that this overlook is worth it.
Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.
Chasm View
Distance: 100 yards | Time: 10 minutes
From Chasm View, you get to see canyon at its narrowest point. Along this stretch of Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the rock walls plunge straight down to the Gunnison River.
Painted Wall
Distance: 200 yards | Time: 10 โ 15 minutes
This overlook gives you the best view of the striated walls of the canyon. The Painted Wall is the tallest cliff in Colorado at 2,250 feet.
The light-colored bands are called pegmatite. Over a billion years ago, molten rock squeezed between fissures in the rock, forming these bands.
Cedar Point Nature Trail
Distance: 303 yards | Time: 15 โ 20 minutes
This is one of the best overlooks in Black Canyon of the Gunnison. You can look along the Gunnison River with the steep, canyon walls on either side. Plus, you get to see the amazing, striped walls of the North Rim of the canyon.
Dragon Point
Distance: 100 yards | Time: 10 minutes
This is another great overlook in the park. However, the view is very similar to Cedar Point Nature Trail so I don’t think you need to visit both of them. It’s a shorter walk to get to Dragon Point, so if you only want to visit one of these two viewpoints, I recommend Dragon Point.
Sunset View
Distance: 10 feet | Time: 5 minutes
The nice thing about this overlook is that you donโt have to walk far from your car to see the view. However, itโs not the most thrilling view, so I think this viewpoint is worth skipping. There is a picnic area here, right next to the parking lot, so if you packed lunch, this is a nice place to enjoy your meal, and the view. Itโs also a great place to watch the sunset.
High Point
Distance: 100 yards | Time: 10 minutes
The South Rim Road ends at the parking lot for High Point and Warner Point Nature Trail. From the parking lot, walk a short distance down the Warner Point Trail for the view. Now, you are looking south so you no longer have views of the canyon. Instead, you are looking out over Montrose and the Uncompahgre Valley. This viewpoint is only worth it if you have plans to hike the Warner Point Nature Trail.
Best Views on the South Rim Road
If you only have the time, or the energy, for a handful of viewpoints, here are our six favorites:
- Gunnison Point
- Pulpit Rock
- Cross Fissures View
- Chasm View
- Painted Wall
- Cedar Point Nature Trail or Dragon Point
Before You Go: Important Things to Know
Allow 2 to 3 hours to drive the South Rim Drive Road. With this amount of time, you can visit roughly half of the overlooks. If you want to see all of them, give yourself four hours.
The South Rim Road is closed beyond the Visitor Center in the winter months. Get updates on road conditions on the National Park Service website.
For a full list of things to do on the South Rim, read our post 6 Best Things to do on the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
If you have any questions about driving the South Rim Road in Black Canyon of the Gunnison, let us know in the comment section below.
More Information about Colorado
If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our United States Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips.
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