About East Portal Campground — Black Canyon Gunnison NP
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of Colorado's most dramatic and least-visited national parks. The
canyon drops 2,722 feet at its deepest point — steeper than anything else in North America. East Portal puts you
at the canyon bottom, beside the Gunnison River for world-class trout fishing.
Highlights
- Access to Gunnison River — Gold Medal trout fishing
- Painted Wall — Colorado's tallest cliff face (2,250 ft)
- Technical climbing on sheer 2,000-foot walls
- Whitewater kayaking on the Gunnison
- Inner canyon hiking by permit
Directions & How to Get There
From Gunnison, CO: Take US-50 E to East Portal Road — the 5-mile descent into the canyon is extremely steep
with sharp switchbacks (RVs and vehicles over 22 ft not recommended). From Montrose: Take US-50 E approximately
7 miles, then the south rim road for the more accessible south rim campground.
Nearby Attractions
- Painted Wall viewpoint (south rim, 4 mi by car)
- Gunnison River (on-site)
- Curecanti National Recreation Area (8 mi west)
- Crested Butte (30 mi)
- Montrose (9 mi)
Insider Tips
- The East Portal road is very steep — check vehicle requirements before descending
- Fishing license required — Gunnison River is Gold Medal fly-fishing water
- Inner canyon climbing requires a free permit from the visitor center
- Combine with Curecanti NRA for blue mesa reservoir activities
Best Time to Visit
Best months: May–October
Season: May–October
Access difficulty: Difficult access (very steep road)
What to Pack for Colorado Camping
- Navigation: downloaded offline maps, compass, and GPS device
- Water: at least 3 liters per person per day (more in desert parks)
- Food: bear canister or use provided bear boxes where required
- Shelter: 3-season tent, rain fly, and ground tarp
- Clothing: moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layer, waterproof shell
- First aid kit: including blister treatment, pain reliever, and any personal medications
- Sun protection: SPF 50 sunscreen, wide-brim hat, UV-blocking sunglasses
- Lighting: headlamp with extra batteries, lantern for camp
- Safety: whistle, emergency bivy, and knowledge of your emergency exit route