The South Rim Road at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park reopened to visitors on August 29 after being closed for more than a month due to the South Rim Fire, which began on July 10. The reopening restores access to a significant portion of the park, though several areas remain closed under superintendent authority for safety reasons.
The park is once again open 24 hours a day, and visitors may explore much of the South Rim. However, the East Portal Road and East Portal Campground, the South Rim Campground, all trails and wilderness routes accessed from the South Rim and East Portal, and all burned areas will remain closed until further notice.
“When vegetation burns, it creates hazards. There are holes in the ground from root systems burning up. There’s stubs, angles, and sticks sticking up that people could hurt themselves on. They’re kicking up the dust and the ash and breathing that in, so it’s just not safe,” said Lori Rome, Chief of Interpretation at the Black Canyon of The Gunnison National Park.
Rome noted that nearly 80 percent of the forests on the South Rim burned, limiting where visitors can go. She encouraged visitors to remain on the developed overlooks for safety.
“I think it means a lot to the local community, to visitors, to national parks to be able to come to the most developed side of the canyon and that’s the South Rim; that’s where we have most of the developed roads and trails, overlooks, the bookstore, the visitor center, and the campgrounds. That’s where all the development was, so to have it closed was hard on folks. Having it open again means, they get to see their glorious national park,” she told KJCT.
Despite the damage, Rome added that signs of natural recovery are already visible, with new plant growth emerging from the burned areas. Rangers also report increased wildlife activity and advise visitors to remain aware while exploring the park.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the reopening of the South Rim is significant as it restores a key regional draw that contributes to visitor traffic, lodging demand, and the broader tourism economy in western Colorado.
Park closures often lead to reduced visitation and spending in nearby campgrounds, RV parks, and hospitality businesses, making the partial reopening an important step toward recovery for both the park and the local tourism sector.
Questions regarding current access and closures can be directed to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.