Located a few miles east of Montrose, Colorado, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a true gem for any nature enthusiast. This park offers the Disabled Traveler the opportunity to immerse themselves in the wonders of nature, as they witness the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America.
Nestled in southwest Colorado, this beautiful national park distinguishes itself from the Grand Canyon with its unique characteristics. The canyon is notably steeper and narrower, providing visitors with closer, more intimate views compared to the expansive vistas of the Grand Canyon. Furthermore, the park’s remote location means there are fewer visitors, offering a more serene and less crowded experience compared to more popular parks. The breathtaking views of the sheer canyon walls and the wild river flowing at the bottom of the deep crevice canyon create an unforgettable experience for all who visit. It’s worth noting that to witness the canyon in full sunlight, visitors should plan their visit during a narrow time frame when the sun is directly overhead, owing to the steepness of the canyon. This limited exposure to sunlight also contributes to the park’s name, the Black Canyon.
The park is divided between the north and south rims, each offering its own unique experience. The South Rim boasts a scenic drive that is less than 10 miles long, with several stops for viewing the canyon. Here, visitors can find the visitor center, which features displays and a small gift shop. It’s essential to note that there are no dining facilities within the park, and only vault toilets are available, so visitors should plan accordingly. The South Rim’s road is paved and well-maintained, ensuring ease of access for all visitors. On the other hand, the North Rim, while offering a similarly well-maintained drive, features an unpaved road, with the pavement ending 6 miles before reaching the northern side.
For the Disabled Traveler in wheelchairs or with limited mobility, the South Rim scenic drive offers accessible stops at Tomichi Point, the visitor center, Pulpit Rock, Chasm View, and Sunset View. Providing ample time for exploration, it is recommended to allocate a minimum of 2 hours, and ideally 3 to 4 hours to fully appreciate the wonders of the park.
It’s worth highlighting the significance of ensuring accessibility in outdoor spaces, as it allows more people to enjoy and engage with these natural environments. Providing detailed information about the terrain and accessibility options enables individuals to make informed decisions about their visits, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and diverse outdoor community.
During our visit, we explored the South Rim Scenic Drive, which features a series of overlooks along Rim Drive Road. The following is a list of the overlooks along Rim Drive Road and a description of their accessibility for the Disabled Traveler.
Tomichi Point Overlook. This is the first overlook on the South Rim Drive. This overlook is wheelchair accessible, providing a generous parking area complete with two designated handicapped parking spaces for added convenience. The Disabled Traveler will appreciate the accessibility features, including a wheelchair-friendly path to the overlook itself. Additionally, an accessible vault toilet situated in the parking area helps ensure that essential facilities are within reach for all visitors.
South Rim Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible. There is a vault toilet located in the parking lot. There is a wheelchair accessible porch behind the Visitor Center where the Disabled Traveler can view the canyon. The South Rim Visitor Center offers a range of services and amenities tailored to meet the needs of all visitors, ensuring an inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone. In addition to wheelchair accessibility, the Visitor Center provides information and assistance for visitors with disabilities, as well as resources for those seeking to explore the natural wonders of the canyon in a way that accommodates their specific needs. The presence of a wheelchair accessible porch allows individuals with mobility challenges to fully appreciate the breathtaking views of the canyon, enhancing the overall accessibility and enjoyment of this iconic site.
Gunnison Point Overlook. Is a striking destination for visitors to the South Rim. Although the path leading to the overlook commences at the South Rim Visitor Center, it’s important to note that the path is not wheelchair accessible and may present challenges for the Disabled Traveler with limited mobility. The trail descends approximately 100 feet from the visitor center and incorporates numerous stairs, rendering it fairly strenuous for individuals with mobility constraints. Moreover, the overlook itself features an uneven, rocky surface, which further underscores the potential challenges for those with limited mobility.
Gunnison Point Overlook
Pulpit Rock Overlook. The overlook is wheelchair accessible, the path to the overlook is hard packed rock and dirt. The parking area has handicapped parking and there is aa accessible vault toilet across the street from the parking area. The walk to the second overlook at Pulpit Rock is 134 yards on an unpaved trail. The second overlook is not wheelchair accessible with stairs along the path, there is only a slight drop in elevation and should not be too tough for those with limited mobility.
Pulpit Rock Overlook
Cross Fissures Overlook. The trail to the overlook is not wheelchair accessible. The walk to the overlook is 357 yards on an unpaved trail. The trail has a few stairs and minimum rocky terrain, the Disabled Traveler with limited mobility can make it to the overlook on the right. The overlook to the left has about a dozen rock stairs down to the overlook from the trail.
Cross Fissures Overlook
Rock Point Overlook. The trail to the overlook is not wheelchair accessible. The walk to the overlook is 294 yards on an unpaved trail. The trail has a few rock stairs and minimum rocky terrain, the Disabled Traveler with limited mobility can make it to the overlook.
Rock Point Overlook
Devil’s Lookout Overlook. The trail to the overlook is not wheelchair accessible. The walk to the overlook is 607 yards on an unpaved trail. Despite the rocky terrain, the trail is navigable for the Disabled Traveler with limited mobility, providing access to the captivating overlook. Once at the overlook, the uneven, rocky surface adds to the rugged charm of the area, offering a true sense of wilderness and adventure.
Devil’s Lookout Overlook
Chasm View Overlook. The trail to the overlook is wheelchair accessible, the path to the overlook is about 100 yards on hard packed rock and dirt. The parking area has handicapped parking. The closer overlook (about 40 yards) is not wheelchair accessible as there are rock stairs along the path for a drop in elevation of about 15 feet. The wheelchair accessible path is longer, but the path is smooth and there are no stairs along the path to the further overlook. So, the Disabled Traveler with mobility challenges can still enjoy the breathtaking views without any obstacles hindering their experience. This accessibility initiative ensures that the beauty of the overlook is open to as many people as possible.
Chasm View Overlook
Painted Wall Overlook. The trail to the overlook is not wheelchair accessible. The walk to the overlook is 200 yards on an unpaved trail. The trail has a few rock stairs and minimum rocky terrain, the Disabled Traveler with limited mobility can make it to the overlook. The overlook itself has an uneven, rocky surface.
Cedar Point Overlook. The trail to the overlook is not wheelchair accessible. The walk to the overlook is 303 yards on an unpaved trail. The trail has a few rock stairs and minimum rocky terrain, the Disabled Traveler with limited mobility can make it to the overlook. The overlook itself has an uneven, rocky surface.
Cedar Point Overlook
Dragon Point Overlook. The trail to the overlook is not wheelchair accessible. The walk to the overlook is 100 yards on an unpaved trail. The trail has a few stairs close to the overlook and minimum rocky terrain, the Disabled Traveler with limited mobility can make it to the overlook. The overlook itself has an uneven, rocky surface.
Sunset View Overlook is a truly enchanting spot offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The overlook has been designed with accessibility in mind, featuring a wheelchair-friendly path and conveniently located handicapped parking. The presence of a vault toilet adds to the convenience, ensuring that all visitors can fully enjoy the experience.
While the first overlook provides a seamless and inclusive experience, the second overlook offers a different but equally rewarding adventure. Though not wheelchair accessible, the relatively short walk to the second overlook presents an opportunity for the Disabled Traveler with limited mobility to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area. The slight drop in elevation, coupled with a series of rock stairs along the path, is still manageable for the Disabled Traveler with limited mobility. Once at the overlook, the rugged, uneven surface only adds to the untamed charm of the surroundings.
Whether choosing the accessible path to the first overlook or venturing to the second overlook for a slightly more challenging experience, Sunset View Overlook caters to a diverse range of visitors, ensuring that everyone can partake in the awe-inspiring views and serene atmosphere that make this destination truly special.
Sunset View Overlook
High Point Overlook. The overlook is wheelchair accessible; the view is from the parking area. The parking area has handicapped parking and there is a vault toilet in the parking area. There are also picnic tables in the parking area.
High Point Overlook
It is my hope that the information provided in this article is truly valuable, especially for the Disabled Traveler planning a visit to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. It’s crucial to ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to the necessary resources and guidance to make their trip enjoyable and seamless. By including specific details regarding accessibility, facilities, and any considerations related to the disabled traveler, this content aids in creating a more inclusive and welcoming experience for all visitors. It serves as a reminder of the importance of allowing everyone to appreciate the natural beauty and wonders of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
The Disabled Traveler 