3 Easy Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the United States. It’s got mountain views, rivers, waterfalls, old-growth forests, and meadows of wildflowers in the summer months. To say I was ecstatic to visit for the first time would be an understatement. However, this turned out to be a very interesting trip to plan and taught me some valuable lessons. One month before the trip, my wife tore her ACL hiking. I spent so many hours planning and like that, I had to shift plans. Credit to my amazing wife, she still wanted to go to Mount Rainier as planned and make the best out of it. Would I like this to be a full blown guide of the park? Of course. But stuff happens and guess what? Trips always work out. Our trip consisted of lots of driving through the park over 3 days and as many easy walks as possible as my wife was still able to put some pressure on her leg (she had surgery the week we came back). And, we still had an absolutely amazing time. The park is so big that we barely covered it. Sticking to the easier things to do in the park, I realized not every trip has to be insanely packed and hiking crazy to enjoy it. National Parks are for everyone. You don’t need to even hike too much if at all to enjoy it. I saw so many families and many elderly enjoying the park. For me, that is what it is about and I hope to be in my 70s-80s enjoying National Parks still. With that said, we were able to find some easier hikes with amazing views.

Some brief info on the park. Mount Rainier National Park is about 2-3 hours from Seattle based on the entrance you choose and a good 3 hours from Portland, OR. The best time to go to the park would likely be July to October. I would lean toward August or September but it really is a gamble. It was only clear and sunny one day when I visited and the other 2 days were cloudy, rainy, & foggy, and Mount Rainier was covered by the clouds. The park is huge and has 5 main sections: Longmire, Paradise, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, and Carbon River/Mowich. Paradise is the most common and has the main park visitor center. Always make sure to check for closures and weather. For instance, one of the hikes I will be recommending, Grove of the Patriarchs, is currently closed for the rest of 2022. 

As stated above, the Nationals Parks are really built for everyone these days. There is so much to see and you don’t need to do long or difficult hikes to get incredible views. If you want to get the best experience out of Mount Rainier National, here are 3 easy hikes that will be quick and fulfilling. Plus, a bonus viewpoint that may be one of the coolest areas to photograph in the park.

Myrtle Falls via Skyline Trail

Distance: 0.8 miles Trail Type: Out & Back

Getting to Myrtle Falls is a simple out & back from the Paradise parking area. Starting at the Skyline Trail on the paved portion heading east for about 0.4 miles and then crossing a small footbridge over Edith Creek Basin. Take a left off the path for the Myrtle Falls viewpoint. This is one of the popular waterfalls in the park standing at 60 feet with Mount Rainier standing tall in the background. This short hike is mostly all paved with little incline so this is for all ages and families looking to get amazing views.

Nisqually Vista Trail

Distance: 1.1 miles Trail Type: Loop

The Nisqually Vista Trail, located in the lower Paradise parking lot by the Henry Jackson Visitor Center, offers stunning mountain views and the trail is filled with wildflowers. There are several lookouts to view Mount Rainier, the Nisqually River, and potentially the lower reaches of the Nisqually Glacier. There is not much elevation to this trail and is one of the only paved trails in the park. This is another family friendly option and strollers are welcome starting from the upper Paradise parking lot, which has ramps to access trails. 

Grove of the Patriarchs Trail

Distance: 1.1 miles Trail Type: Out & Back

The one word I felt walking along the Grove of the Patriarchs Trail was enchanted. Walking through the forest, the bright green color everywhere, all the moss, and of course the massive trees! This short hike is located on the Southeast section of Mount Rainier National Park. The trail meanders along the Ohanapecosh River that takes you to a suspension bridge to a small island destination. Here you will be surrounded by Douglas-firs, silver fir, hemlock, and Western red cedar trees. Some of the large trees can be 40-50 feet in diameter and over 300 feet tall. A very unique and breathtaking trail that is very flat for all ages to explore in the park.

Bonus: Reflection Lake

Another easy to access destination with amazing views is Reflection Lake. Located off Steven Canyon Rd, a few miles from the Paradise turnoff, just a short walk from the car is a perfect photography opportunity of Mount Rainier reflecting in the water. A great spot for sunset or sunrise. There are connecting hiking trails around the lake but all is needed is a view off the road. Definitely a bucket list stop in Mount Rainier National Park. My personal favorite of my trip even with the cloudy weather.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every chance I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

SEE OTHER POSTS IN ARCHIVE

Archive

• CO 2
• CT 14
• Canada 1
• Donuts 7
• Hike 50
• Hiking 50
• Iceland 2
• MA 1
• MO 3
• NH 3
• NY 11
• National Parks 6
• PA 2
• TN 3
• Travel 24
• US 26
• UT 1
• VT 1
• WY 1

RECOMMENDED POSTS

RECENT POSTS

See the latest on Instagram and follow @HIKINGFORDONUTS

Acadia National Park Guide - Best Things to do

Acadia National Park is located along the rocky coastline of Maine and is the only major national park in the northeast. The beauty of the rugged coastline along with the variety of ponds, lakes, forests, and granite peaks are home to some stunning visuals. And, of course, a hiker’s dream with unique and exciting hiking trails that offer breathtaking views or easy strolls along the coastal paths. I can’t believe I waited so long to visit. My national park philosophy is the closer it is, the more opportunities I would have to visit. Thus, I put off Acadia. It took a major life change from a global pandemic for me to make the time to drive up to Acadia. My wife and I decided to take a long weekend trip and visit last October to check out some of the fall foliage. With only a few days to explore, we had an action packed itinerary and were able to enjoy lots of what Acadia National Park has to offer. This guide is based on what we did. However, there is additional info that will give you the tools you need to plan a short or long trip along with some practical tips.

View fullsize

Beehive Trail Summit views

About Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park comprises 3 regions: Mount Desert Island (MDI), Schoodic Peninsula, and Isle au Haut. The majority of the park is located on Mount Desert Island and is the easiest to access from Bar Harbor, the main town where tourists stay. Schoodic Peninsula is the area to visit if you want to get away from the crowds and is about an hour ride from Bar Harbor. Isle au Haut is a remote island only accessible by ferry. It takes a full day to visit Isle au Haut from Mount Desert Island.

The park costs are $30 per car, $25 per motorbike, and $15 per individual coming in on foot, valid for 7 days.  Acadia National Park is open year round, however, roads and visitor centers close from late fall to spring.

Travel tip: Stop at the visitor center and get a map. Talk to some rangers to get info on hikes or destinations within the park.

How to Get to Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is found in Maine’s Mount Desert Island, off the east coast of Maine. The closest city to Acadia National Park is Bar Harbor. 

Car: This is the most convenient way to get to the park. And, in my opinion, the best way to travel so you can go wherever you want within the park at your leisure. It is approximately a five-hour drive from Boston, Massachusetts, a three-hour drive from Portland, Maine, and an eight-hour drive from New York City.

Flying: The closest airports to Acadia are as follows:

• Hancock County/Bar Harbor Airport (BHB)- 8 miles

• Bangor International Airport (BGR)- 50 miles

• Portland International Jetport (PWM)- 173 miles

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)- 274 miles

Travel Tip: If you can not find parking or do not want to have a car, there is a park shuttle that runs during peak season. The shuttle includes stops in Bar Harbor, Hulls Cove Visitor Center, and various places in the park.

When to Visit Acadia National Park

The best time to visit Acadia National Park is in the fall, specifically September and October. This is when the park's gorgeous fall foliage is at full display. This is also one of the busiest times to visit but it is well worth the views and leaf peeping experience. 

Summer is a good time to visit but this is the peak season. In addition, there is a higher volume of mosquitoes and ticks. Spring is another good option. Be wary, the weather can change quickly any time due to the park’s far north, coastal location. This can range from rainy to extreme fog to super hot or very cold. Winter is the least favorable option due to shorter days, road closures, facility closings and it’s very cold.

Travel Tip: Currently, during the covid pandemic, this has caused a huge spike in visitors to the U.S. national parks, especially Acadia. Expect the park to be busy, with the exception of winter, as this is the place to go if you are within 8-10 hours driving distance.

View fullsize

Foggy fall foliage at Jordan Pond

Best Things to do in Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is full of many options for casual tourists, hikers, bikers, climbers, and photographers while visiting. Planning all you want to do can be hard but also the fun part. Here are some recommendations from our long weekend trip.

View fullsize

Views of the The Bowl from Champlain Mountain Trail

Watch the Sunrise or Sunset at Cadillac Mountain

Cadillac Mountain is the first place in the US to view the sunrise and the highest peak on Mount Desert Island. The sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean was a bucket list item for myself but even if you are only able to catch the sunset, the view is breathtaking. This was definitely worth the 3:30am wake up call.

View fullsize

Cadillac Mountain Sunrise

By far, this is the most popular area of the park. Parking is very limited so I recommend getting there at least an hour before sunrise. Once you drive to the top and park, you can just walk around the summit and look for a place to watch. No hiking is involved. However, there is a 0.3 miles trail at the top if you choose to do so. The weather can impact your experience. We dealt with quite a bit of fog all weekend. Due to the higher elevation, fog could block the views. However, the weather decided to cooperate and the skies were clear. And, we were able to see an amazing sunrise. 

**IMPORTANT INFO**: This area of the park, you will now need reservations. The National Park Service has implemented a reservation system late-May through mid-October to cut down on traffic on Cadillac Mountain Summit Road. You can find details here on how to make a reservation.

Travel Tip: The top of Cadillac Mountain can be very windy and temperatures are much colder. Pack layers to stay warm and hand warmers, if applicable. Also, we brought head lamps to find a spot to watch since it was dark.

Go Hiking

The hiking trails in Acadia National Park can vary in difficulty, length, and elevation. There is something for all levels of hikers. 

Some of the appeal to the hikes in Acadia is the excitement and thrill. There are a large number of trails with ladders and metal rungs. Similar to a via ferrata, you can hike along narrow ledges and climb up sheer rock faces with the help of metal rungs. Hikes that feature iron rungs and cliff walks include the Precipice Trail, the Beehive Trail, the Jordan Cliffs Trail, and the Beech Cliff Ladder Trail. However, if this is not for you, there are plenty of other hikes to choose from. 

Starting with the easier hikes in the park, we did the Jordan Pond Loop, which is a 3.4 mile stroll around the Jordan Pond. Combining this with the Bubbles hike is an option. Check out my guide here on the Jordan Pond Loop Trail here. 

View fullsize

Jordan Pond and the Bubbles

Other easier hiking trails include: Ocean Path (up to 4 miles or less), South Bubble (1.5m), & Cadillac Mountain Summit Loop (0.3m).

The Gorham Mountain Trail is a good option for a moderate hike. About 1.8 miles with some steep sections. Unfortunately, we were met with nothing but fog at the top. It was a fun hike but no views to show for. 

Other moderately strenuous hikes include: Pemetic Mountain (6m), Penobscot and Sargent Mountains (5m) and North Bubble and Conners Nubble (3.5m).

Let’s get crazy. Of course, we had to do the Beehive Trail. Aside from Cadillac Mountain, this is probably the next popular attraction and the most popular hike. This thrilling hike heads up to a steep mountain that features a section with narrow cliff edges, iron rungs to climb up and several handrails for exposed rock scrambling. This spectacular peak overlooks Sand Beach from the northwest. This hike can be very crowded and there can be a log jam using the iron rungs to climb. This hike is very dangerous so please take your time. If you have a fear of heights, this is not for you.

View fullsize

Hiking the Beehive

Due to the shorter time we had to explore, we included The Bowl and Champlain Mountain summit to this hike as well. They can be done separately but make sense to include. Adding these additional trails brought the hike to about 5 miles. The views were amazing. For more specific info on hiking directions, check out my guide here.

View fullsize

Views from the Champlain Mountain Summit

Additional intense hikes to be deemed as difficult options include: Precipice Trail, the Jordan Cliffs Trail, and the Beech Cliff Ladder Trail.

Travel Tip #1: Weather can shift your plans. Be prepared with additional activities or hikes. It might be too foggy for views or the rain might make hiking dangerous. For instance, any hike with iron rungs, I would not suggest to attempt on a rainy day. 

Travel Tip #2: If attempting the Beehive Trail, get there early for parking. The Sand Beach parking lot is where you park and fills up very fast.

Drive along Park Loop Road

Park Loop Road is a 27 mile loop that takes you to all the popular destinations in the park. The loop starts at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center. This scenic drive is a great start to an Acadia trip with some viewpoints and turnouts. Some sections can be very narrow and mostly one-way. The most notable stops along the way include:

• Sand Beach

• Thunder Hole

• Otter Cliff

• Jordan Pond

• Cadillac Mountain (reservation needed)

Travel Tip: Be sure to grab a park map to plan your stops. Since the majority of the road is one way, you can not turn around if you miss something.

Sand Beach

Located on Park Loop Road, it is worth the time to stop at Sand Beach. From here you can hop on the Ocean Path Trail that is an easy walk along the eastern coastline. The trail is 2 miles round trip to Thunder Hole and 4 miles round trip to Otter Point. How far you go is up to you. You could stroll along like us and make some detours to the rocks & turn around.

Travel Tip: The main parking lot to Sand Beach is the biggest in the park. However, this is parking for all the trails listed for Sand Beach and located right across from the start of the Beehive Trail. We found parking around 8am. And, by 9-10am, the lot was full. Getting to popular parking earlier is always the best bet.

Thunder Hole

Thunder Hole is a natural inlet where you can watch waves come crashing against the rocks, creating a thunderous sound. These thunderous crashes are very dependent on the tide. Calm waves or low tide may offer an anticlimactic experience. We are able to hear the crashing noises but nothing too crazy as far as the water height.

Travel Tip: If possible, per research online, the best time to go is about two hours before high tide. Check out the tide charts here.

Jordan Pond House

The Jordan Pond House has been open since the 1890s and is famous for their delicious popovers. We stopped for lunch and other items on the menu as well were delicious. Get the blueberry lemonade, you won’t regret it. 

Famous popover and Blueberry Lemonade

Not only is there great food, but there are great views as well. This restaurant is located at the shore of Jordan Pond, where you can take in the views of the North and South Bubbles in the distance. Also, this is where the Jordan Pond Loop Trail can be accessed.

Travel Tip: Parking is tough midday here. There is a small lot at the restaurant and then another bigger lot down the road. However, it is still not enough. We found better success after the lunch crowd after 2pm to enjoy a late lunch post hike. Also, their hours change by season so I would research before you go.

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

On the west side of the park, the most popular destination is the Bar Harbor Head Lighthouse. The amazing views of the rocky coastline along with the lighthouse is about as Maine as it gets. And, this setting is what brings so many tourists and photographers to visit. Upon arriving, there is a very, tiny parking lot. Sunset is the best time to come but the absolute busiest time. You will need to get there a few hours before sunset to get a spot. There is a path to the right where you can walk right up to the lighthouse. However, if you want that coastal view, there is a path to the left at the end of the parking lot that takes you down to the rocks. 

Sunset at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Travel Tip: Based on my experience, it was about as busy as going to Costco on a Saturday afternoon on a holiday weekend. We got there an hour or so before sunset on a Saturday. Cars were lined up on the narrow road in a log jam and park rangers were turning cars away. I did see people parking even down the road up to almost a mile and walking to it. My wife stayed in the car & I ran down to the path. When I got down to the rocks, there were so many people, it was hard to get a good view. I had to leap rock to rock and ask for people to move out the way to get a picture (politely of course because there was some yelling going on over pictures!). I would suggest going off peak hours or on a weekday if possible. 

Schoodic Peninsula and Isle au Haut

We did not get a chance to visit but I would have looked into these other areas of the park if we had more time. Schoodic Point is another great area to see beautiful views of the coastline, with far less of crowds. And remember, Isle Au Haut is only accessible by ferry. Please note that they limit the number of visitors allowed in the Isle au Haut section to protect the environment, so I would suggest stopping by the Hulls Cove Visitor Center to plan ahead.

Carriage Roads

There are 45 miles of car-free carriage roads that run through the park. Here you will find hikers, bikers, and horses along the crushed rock surfaces. There are multiple access points and just another option to enjoy nature in the park.

Explore Bar Harbor

The town of Bar Harbor may be the one of the most exciting towns in the U.S near a National Park. There is so much to do here. This small town is full of great restaurants, bars, and unique shops. Everything is within walking distance and a very safe environment. Also, there are spectacular views of the harbor. 

Where to Stay

There are numerous accommodations to stay near Acadia National Park. Airbnbs, bed & breakfasts, and hotels are plenty on Mount Desert Island. Bar Harbor is the closest town with the most going on. If you want to stay a bit farther away from the crowds, there are options in the Northeast Harbor, Bass Harbor, or Southwest Harbor. And, there are campgrounds as well such as: Blackwoods, Seawall, Schoodic Woods, and Duck Harbor Campgrounds. 

We stayed at the Island Place, which was affordable and convenient. Walking distance to food and 15 minute ride to the park. Some other options include the Bar Harbor Quality Inn, Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, Bar Harbor Inn & Spa, Shore Path Cottage, and The Elmhurst Inn.

Where to Eat

If you follow this website, you know it’s about travel, hiking, and food. All about finding the good spots to eat and you know I found where to get donuts. With that said, we actually only ate out a few times and packed snacks & lunch (Hannaford’s is right in the center of town in Bar Harbor). We went to Side Street Cafe for dinner, which is very popular. The wait was pretty long but it was an excellent meal. If you want lobster, this is the place. We actually got lobster stew and it was fantastic. For breakfast, we stopped at 2 Cats for some baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, and donuts! Also, they have pretty funny cat puns at all their signs.

Other recommendations based on research to try include: Havana, Atlantic Brewing Company, Jeanine’s Great Maine Breakfast, Docksider, Rosalie’s Pizza, Mount Desert Island Ice Cream, C-Ray Lobster, & Rose Eden Lobster.

If you have any further questions about planning your trip to Acadia National Park, please post in the comment box below.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every chance I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

SEE OTHER POSTS IN ARCHIVE

Archive

• CO 2
• CT 14
• Canada 1
• Donuts 7
• Hike 50
• Hiking 50
• Iceland 2
• MA 1
• MO 3
• NH 3
• NY 11
• National Parks 6
• PA 2
• TN 3
• Travel 24
• US 26
• UT 1
• VT 1
• WY 1

RECOMMENDED POSTS

RECENT POSTS

See the latest on Instagram and follow @HIKINGFORDONUTS

How to Hike The Beehive Trail, The Bowl, & Champlain Mountain, Acadia National Park

Trail Description: This hike climbs The Beehive via cliffs and iron rungs that leads to The Bowl (a pond), and then climbs up to the summit of Champlain Mountain. There are amazing views from the summits and various spots on the trail.

Trail Info:

Where: Bar Harbor, ME, Acadia National Park Distance: 4.9 miles (5-6 hours) Difficulty: Strenuous Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Mountains, Water, Pond, Cliffs, Summit

How to get there:

Sand Beach Parking lot in Acadia National Park. There are restrooms here. In addition, there is beach access and other hiking trails. 

Directions to Parking Lot

Hiking Tips

• If you have a fear of heights, the Beehive Trail is not recommended for you.

• If it has rained recently and the trail is very wet, I would recommend not including the steep climb portion of the Beehive Trail on that day.

• Be sure to take this loop trail counter-clockwise. You do not want to climb down the irons rungs nor clog up traffic.

• This is the one of the most popular hikes. It will be very busy, start early!

View fullsize

The Hike

The Beehive loop hike at Acadia National Park is probably #1 on most tourists' itinerary. This is a short and steep hike with some exhilarating but dangerous sections using iron rungs to climb up the side of the mountain. The hike is not for the faint of heart. The experience alone makes this a bucket list adventure. So, of course, it was one of my top priorities visiting Acadia for the first time. My wife and I went for a few days last fall. Due to time constraints, I needed to ensure I got the best bang for my buck. Luckily, The Beehive trail intersects with the Bowl which connects to the trail that summits Champlain Mountain. Now, you could do all 3 of these separately but this was a no brainer. This allowed my wife and I to see more amazing views in the allotted time we had. 

The trailhead is located on the opposite side of the street, about 100 yards across from the Sand Beach parking lot. From the parking lot, start heading on the gravel path to the right of the parking lot entrance as you walk up to Park Loop Road. Cross the road and the trailhead for the Bowl Trail will be right there. Just follow the crowd! The trail is flat but rocky to start. After 0.2m turn right onto the Beehive Trail where Bowl Trail goes straight. Follow the blue blazed trail.

View fullsize

This is where the climbing begins. First are the short staircases. Then, there are a few narrow ledges with sheer drops. Followed by climbing iron rungs used to assist in the ascent up the vertical rocks. All completely exposed. You have some options here if you are not comfortable going up the Beehive Trail using the iron rungs. There is an option to access The Beehive from the backside or skip it entirely and choose to head to The Bowl. I enjoyed this as it was challenging and thrilling. And, the views were awesome. However, it is not to be taken lightly. It is dangerous. Take your time and be thoughtful to your fellow hikers. This part of the hike is relatively short.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

At around 0.6m, we reached the summit of the Beehive Trail and enjoyed some amazing views of Sand Beach and Great Head. The hard work is worth it!

View fullsize

View fullsize

Continuing on the blue blazed trail, go straight through an intersection where a connecting trail leaves left. At 0.9m, this is where we reached the shore of a pond, known as The Bowl.

View fullsize

Follow the path with the wooden boards on the left along the shoreline for 0.1m to split in the trail. The Bowl goes left and Champlain South Ridge Trail will veer to the right. Take the right and follow Champlain South Ridge Trail. The sign indicates 1.6m to Champlain Mountain from here. There is an amazing view of The Bowl as you hike higher up the mountain.

View fullsize

View fullsize

Be weary of the blue markings along the trail and follow the cairns. There are more spectacular views at the summit of Champlain Mountain. This summit is less hectic than the Beehive so this is a good spot to have a snack and relax.

View fullsize

After soaking in the views, retrace your steps down to The Bowl. There are four paths leaving the summit, ensure you are heading the direction you came up. Once you get down to The Bowl intersection, bear right away from the pond and take the rest of the trail back to Park Loop Road for about 0.8m. You will pass two trails on the right leading up to Gorham Mountain and two trails on the left heading to the Beehive. Just keep going straight at all intersections. 

This will lead you back to where you started. As mentioned above, we decided to combine all three trails so we can see more. I would highly recommend this particular loop in this fashion. Lots of great views. Amazing hike. The Beehive hype is real. Bucket list checked off.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every chance I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

SEE OTHER POSTS IN ARCHIVE

Archive

• CO 2
• CT 14
• Canada 1
• Donuts 7
• Hike 50
• Hiking 50
• Iceland 2
• MA 1
• MO 3
• NH 3
• NY 11
• National Parks 6
• PA 2
• TN 3
• Travel 24
• US 26
• UT 1
• VT 1
• WY 1

RECOMMENDED POSTS

RECENT POSTS

See the latest on Instagram and follow @HIKINGFORDONUTS

24 Hours in the Black Canyon at the Gunnison National Park

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is one of the least known national parks and that is a travesty. I admit, I wasn’t too familiar with this park myself.  Located in western Colorado, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison did not gain National Park status until 1999, making it the second youngest national park in the U.S. The Black Canyon is named so because the walls are often covered in shadows making them appear black. These steep walls were formed over 1.7 billion years ago. Another awesome note on this park is that it contains 12 out of the 48 mile-long canyon of the Gunnison River.

For most national park or outdoors enthusiast, you want to experience as much as possible in your travels. Planning trips can be difficult and offer time restraints. Exploring most national parks you need anywhere from 3 days to two weeks. On my recent Colorado road trip, I planned for one day at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. There is a North and South Rim. This guide will be for the South Rim only. This rim is more developed and accessible. Can you explore the entire South Rim in 24 hours? The answer is yes. The best time to visit is April to November. We stayed in Montrose, which is about 15 minutes from the park. The downtown is pretty cool. Oh, and there is an amazing donut shop, Montrose Donut and Deli Shop. The best donuts I had in Colorado. Get the biscuit donut. I digress…..

View fullsize

The South Rim is comprised of a modest 7 mile loop with 12 spectacular overlooks.  I suggest to stop at each overlook. A lot of the overlooks do require walking a short trail but nothing strenuous. I would not miss out on Painted Wall, Cedar Point and Sunset View.  There are multiple hikes on the South Rim. I went out of my way to do them all and to be honest, if you are stressing for time, skip the hikes. If camping is your thing, there are campgrounds here.  Lastly, do NOT leave the park without driving down East Portal Road. I cannot recommend that enough. There is no crowd concern at this park. I counted maybe 30 people on a Friday in mid-May. I read the peak of the visitors stroll through in July. There are even less visitors on the North Rim, which is a 3 hour drive from the South Rim. However, the views are even more dramatic from the North Rim. The scenic driving was amazing. This park should be way more popular. The views were ridiculous. One of the best experiences I had in a national park. Here’s my guide to the South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

How to get there

Black Canyon’s South Rim is about 14 miles from Montrose and 63 miles from Gunnison. To get there from Montrose, travel 7 miles north on CO Highway 347 from the intersection with U.S. Highway 50 east of the city.

Viewpoints (South Rim)

The first viewpoint that visitors will see entering the park is Tomichi Point. This is right off the side of the road, no hiking needed.  The second viewpoint, Gunnison Point, is located right behind the visitor center. A short path down some steps leads views of the canyon facing northwards. The view is more vivid than Tomichi Point and there is sneak peak of the ravine.

View fullsize

Tomichi Point

View fullsize

Gunnison Point

The next viewpoint is about two miles down the road at Pulpit Rock Overlook. There is a 134 yard trail leading to this area. The canyon really opens here with the river in view as it curves around a 90 degree bend. Cross Fissure View offers a different a unique look at the canyon. The river is not visible and most of the canyon is hidden. There is a view of overlapping ridges and crevasses from multiple angles. This viewpoint is a 357 yard walk.

View fullsize

Pulpit Rock

View fullsize

Cross Fissures

Rock Point is a less traveled path at 294 yards.  The longer the path the less visitors you will see. Devils Lookout is the longest path at 607 yards. This path goes right the edge of the rims for great views including the river and the valley. Both this and Rock Point lie above the narrowest part of the entire canyon.

View fullsize

Rock Point

View fullsize

Devil's Lookout

Chasm View is one of those jaw dropping views. This is a very short path off the road above the steepest part of the whole canyon.  Painted Wall View is almost adjacent to Chasm View. This may be the most well-known viewpoint.  Painted Wall is the highest cliff in Colorado at 2,250 feet and a half mile across. 

View fullsize

Chasm View

View fullsize

Painted Wall

Every viewpoint from here on is a must see. Cedar Point is a 303 yard path overlooking the lower canyon.  This is a spectacular view as you can see 1.5 miles of the river, flowing rapids, and some greenery below. Next up, Dragon Point offers very similar views. The widening ravine enclosing colorful waters of the river. This can be reached by a path of 300 yards.

View fullsize

Cedar Point

View fullsize

Dragon Point

Sunset View was one of my favorites. This is the westernmost viewpoint along the South Rim road. There is large parking area along with restrooms and picnic tables. This a great place to soak in amazing views of the canyon. This is the longest stretch of V shaped canyon. The last viewpoint is another mile down the road, High Point.  There’s not much to this but you have to pass this in order to turn around and head back. 

View fullsize

Sunset View

View fullsize

High Point

The Hikes (South Rim)

At the end of South Rim road, there is a parking lot where the Warner Point Trail begins. This a 1.5 mile out and back that takes you to the furthest overlook on the South Rim.  The trail starts flat with views of green fields 1,000 feet above Bostwick Park. The trail begins to climb slowly then drops and ascends again before reaching the final viewpoint. This overlook offers stunning views of the San Juan Mountains, West Elk Mountains, Uncompahgre Valley, and the canyon. If you choose a hike in the South Rim, this would be the one I suggest.

View fullsize

Warner Point

The Oak Flat Loop begins by the visit center.  The trail is narrow and traverses down a steep slope. This offers a peek at the landscape below the canyon’s rim. This is the most challenging hike in the South Rim with steep uphill and downhill portions. In total, the loop is 2 miles.

Rim Rock Nature Trail starts at the visit center or the Campground Loop C entrance. You can even hop on this trail from Tomichi Point. This relatively flat hike takes you along the rim of the canyon for views of the Gunnison River and sheer walls of the gorge below. This can be between 1-2 miles.

View fullsize

Oak Flat Loop

View fullsize

Rim Rock Trail

East Portal Road River Access

Located right at the entrance/exit to the park, you will see the access for East Portal Road. This is a 5 mile road with a significant decline (16% grade) with hairpin turns taking your car to the base of Black Canyon. This is the only way to get down into the canyon. Once arriving at the bottom, the views from down below are gorgeous.  The picturesque surroundings of the beautiful lake and the cliff walls of the canyon from up above are majestic. By far the coolest experience I had in the park. I was just in awe. I read a lot of things online and it made it sound dramatic and dangerous to drive down. Any car/van can handle it. Vehicles with an overall length (including trailer) greater than 22 feet are prohibited. Trailers may be left unhitched and left at a parking area at the campground entrance. This road is closed in the winter. Just be smart about driving down. It took us about 30 minutes. This is a bucket list type event. Don’t chicken out!

View fullsize

The drive down into the canyon.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every change I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

SEE OTHER POSTS IN ARCHIVE

Archive

• CO 2
• CT 14
• Canada 1
• Donuts 7
• Hike 50
• Hiking 50
• Iceland 2
• MA 1
• MO 3
• NH 3
• NY 11
• National Parks 6
• PA 2
• TN 3
• Travel 24
• US 26
• UT 1
• VT 1
• WY 1

RECOMMENDED POSTS

RECENT POSTS

See the latest on Instagram and follow @HIKINGFORDONUTS