News Release

Roads Opening at Black Canyon

Date: April 11, 2024

Montrose, Colo. – Two roads at Black Canyon closed in winter will open for the season on the morning of Friday, April 12, 2024.

The six-mile (9.7 km) section of the South Rim Road between the South Rim Visitor Center and the road’s end at High Point will open to vehicles, providing access to numerous canyon overlooks and picnic areas. Be prepared for lingering snow and mud on some trails and overlooks.

East Portal Road, managed and maintained by the Bureau of Reclamation, will also open to public traffic. Leading into the depths of Black Canyon and the historic East Portal district of Curecanti National Recreation Area, this road is extremely steep and winding. Vehicles longer than 22 feet (6.7 m), including trailers, are prohibited on East Portal Road due to the 16% grade and hairpin curves. Use low gear and conserve brakes on the six-mile (9.7 km) descent.

Major road construction projects continue at Black Canyon throughout 2024. Please use extreme caution and patience while traveling on park roadways, especially during construction. Plan extra time for visiting the park during the roadwork. Crews will be working Monday through Friday in daylight hours, and roads will have alternating one-way traffic. Expect delays up to 30 minutes and greatly-reduced parking.

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About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 429 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve natural resources, local history, and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.