This Was Colorado's Least Visited National Park in Colorado in 2023

While Colorado’s national parks saw more than 5.4 million visits in 2023, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park saw a fraction of those crowds, according to the National Park Service. This hidden gem on Colorado’s western slope saw just 357,069 visitors across the year, making it the state’s least crowded national park. Near the town of Montrose, Black Canyon treats visitors to jaw-dropping views down sheer, multi-colored canyon walls to the Gunnison River below that some say rival those of the Grand Canyon. Read on to learn more about Colorado’s least visited national park.

How Many People Visited Colorado’s National Parks in 2023?

On the other side of the state, Rocky Mountain National Park saw more than 4 million visitors last year, even with a summer timed entry reservation system in place. Yet, Black Canyon remained uncrowded. Even Colorado’s other two smaller parks, Great Sand Dunes and Mesa Verde, saw monthly summer visitation hovering near or above 100,000. In Black Canyon the busiest month–July–saw just 53,534 visits. In the winter months, the park saw as few as 5,500 visits per month. If you’re looking for a spot in ever-popular Colorado to find that sense of seclusion, Black Canyon is it.

2023 Colorado National Parks Visitation Numbers

1. Rocky Mountain: 4,115,837
2. Great Sand Dunes: 512,219
3. Mesa Verde: 505,194
4. Black Canyon of the Gunnison: 357,069

Things to do at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Located just half an hour from the bustling town of Montrose along Highway 50, Black Canyon of the Gunnison’s South Rim is an easy detour for folks driving to the picturesque mountain towns of Telluride or Ouray, but is often overlooked. There, you’ll find a dozen stunning viewpoints that look down 2,000 dizzying feet to the Gunnison River below. A campground and hiking trails also can be found at the South Rim. Venture down East Portal Road’s 16% grade to get to the river where another campground and Gold Medal Waters await to fish in. If you’re feeling intrepid, you can even pick up a free permit to hike from the South Rim to the river on one of several steep, unmaintained trails. While summer is the best season to visit, you’ll still find plenty to do in winter, including cross-country skiing groomed park roads. Even more remote, the canyon’s North Rim, which is a two hour drive from the South Rim, also offers gorgeous vistas, beautiful hiking trails and an impressive sense of solitude. Fewer than 11,000 of Black Canyon’s visitors made it to the North Rim last year.

If the promise of uncrowded trails has you ready to plan a trip in 2024, check out our weekend itinerary and our favorite road trip that hits two more of Colorado’s least-crowded national parks along with Black Canyon: Great Sand Dunes and Mesa Verde.