https://www.nps.gov/blca News releases from Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park. en-us https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/stage-1-fire-restrictions.htm Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:00:00 EST Black Canyon and Curecanti will move to Stage 1 fire restrictions at 12:01 AM on Thursday, June 18, 2026. The restrictions are in alignment with multiple state and federal partners in order to reduce the risk of fire in the region. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/stage-1-fire-restrictions.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/trails-opening-at-black-canyon.htm Thu, 20 Nov 2025 10:24:00 EST The Oak Flat and Uplands Trails are now open to the public at the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park after being closed since July 10, 2025. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/trails-opening-at-black-canyon.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-winter-operations-2025-2026.htm Wed, 17 Sep 2025 20:00:00 EST As summer comes to an end, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will transition to winter operations. Check the park websites for operational hours, closures, and current conditions before your trip. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-winter-operations-2025-2026.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-and-curecanti-move-to-stage-1-fire-restrictions.htm Thu, 04 Sep 2025 10:08:00 EST Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area are in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective September 5 at 12:01 am. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-and-curecanti-move-to-stage-1-fire-restrictions.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-astrofest-2025.htm Wed, 03 Sep 2025 10:15:00 EST The National Park Service invites you to discover your local day and night skies at the 2025 Black Canyon AstroFest. Minimal light pollution and expansive public lands result in wonderful clear days and dark night skies at Curecanti National Recreation Area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-astrofest-2025.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/south-rim-of-black-canyon-to-open-south-rim-road.htm Thu, 28 Aug 2025 04:12:00 EST On Friday, August 29, 2025, the South Rim Road in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will open to the public. Visitors will be able to drive the entire South Rim Road, access all the park overlooks, and experience the visitor center and park store. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/south-rim-of-black-canyon-to-open-south-rim-road.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/south-rim-of-black-canyon-to-open.htm Thu, 14 Aug 2025 07:39:00 EST On August 18th, 2025, Park staff will re-open the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to the public. Visitors will be able to drive the South Rim Road to the visitor center, access Tomichi and Gunnison Point overlooks, and visit the park store. Visitors can see for themselves the forces of nature and the mosaic of burned and unburned vegetation. The hours of operation on the South Rim will be 7:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. The entrance gate will lock at 6:00 pm. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/south-rim-of-black-canyon-to-open.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-and-curecanti-move-to-stage-2-fire-restrictions.htm Wed, 13 Aug 2025 11:39:00 EST Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area are in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions effective August 14 at 12:01 am. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-and-curecanti-move-to-stage-2-fire-restrictions.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/north-rim-of-black-canyon-to-open.htm Fri, 25 Jul 2025 07:51:00 EST Park staff will open the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to the public on July 30, 2025. Visitors will be able to access trails, overlooks, and the North Rim Campground. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/north-rim-of-black-canyon-to-open.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/south-rim-fire-response-update.htm Thu, 24 Jul 2025 08:54:00 EST The South Rim Wildfire, which was ignited by lightning strikes on July 10, 2025, remains active within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The park is coordinating with federal, state, and local partners to manage fire activity and to assess potential post-fire impacts. The park remains closed to visitors until further notice. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/south-rim-fire-response-update.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/status-of-black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park.htm Fri, 18 Jul 2025 03:06:00 EST On the morning of July 10, 2025, lightning strikes ignited wildfires on both the North Rim and South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Visitors and staff were safely evacuated, and the park is closed until further notice. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/status-of-black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/wildfires-close-black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park.htm Thu, 10 Jul 2025 10:35:00 EST On the morning of July 10, 2025, lightning strikes ignited wildfires on both the North Rim and South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Visitors and staff have been evacuated and the park is closed until further notice. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/wildfires-close-black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/roadwork-at-black-canyon.htm Thu, 03 Jul 2025 11:08:00 EST Starting July 7, 2025, roadwork will occur at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The project will involve chip sealing, patching, and micro-sealing roadways at several locations in the park. This important project will improve and preserve roadways which benefit the visitor experience. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/roadwork-at-black-canyon.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/nps-seeks-public-input-on-grazing-management-at-black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park-and-curecanti-national-recreational-area.htm Thu, 22 May 2025 10:29:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public input on the Grazing Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (GrMP/EA) for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area, under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/nps-seeks-public-input-on-grazing-management-at-black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park-and-curecanti-national-recreational-area.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-national-park-missing-person-recovery.htm Wed, 16 Apr 2025 10:57:00 EST On April 13, 2025, US Park Rangers conducted an operation to recover the human remains that were located in a remote and highly technical area within the wilderness area at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The remains were recently confirmed to be those of Jordan Marsters. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-national-park-missing-person-recovery.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-moves-cashless-fee-collection.htm Mon, 14 Apr 2025 08:56:00 EST Effective immediately, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will transition to a fully cashless fee system and only accept mobile or electronic payments for entrance, camping, and permit fees. Transition to electronic payment is safer, reduces transaction times, allows for reservations and prepayment, and improves accountability. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-moves-cashless-fee-collection.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-park-missing-person-update.htm Tue, 18 Mar 2025 05:21:00 EST Park Rangers and a member of the Black Canyon Search and Rescue Team located human remains within a remote and highly technical area to access within the wilderness area at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-park-missing-person-update.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/national-park-service-and-montrose-county-sheriff-s-office-conducts-search-for-missing-man-at-black-canyon.htm Mon, 24 Feb 2025 11:29:00 EST Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park staff and the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office staff are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing person. Jordan Marsters is a 31-year-old male who resides in Denver, Colorado. Marsters was traveling through Grand Junction on February 11 and in Montrose on February 12. His last known locations were in Montrose on February 12 and 13 and at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park on the morning of February 13 at approximately 7:20 am. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/national-park-service-and-montrose-county-sheriff-s-office-conducts-search-for-missing-man-at-black-canyon.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park-opens-comment-period-for-amphitheater-rehabilitation-project.htm Fri, 10 Jan 2025 03:22:00 EST On January 10, 2025, the National Park Service (NPS) will begin a 30-day public comment period for an amphitheater rehabilitation project. The amphitheater is located on the south rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (BLCA), immediately east of the South Rim Campground. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park-opens-comment-period-for-amphitheater-rehabilitation-project.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/fire-management-plan-public-commenting.htm Tue, 07 Jan 2025 02:54:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing a fire management plan (FMP) and its associated environmental assessment (EA) for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (BLCA) and Curecanti National Recreation Area (CURE). The NPS is seeking public input on the plan’s EA from January 7, 2025, through February 6, 2025. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/fire-management-plan-public-commenting.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/fee-increases-approved-for-black-canyon-and-curecanti.htm Mon, 25 Nov 2024 06:07:00 EST MONTROSE, Colo. – The National Park Service (NPS) proposed this summer to charge fees for wilderness permits on the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and increase group campsite fees for Curecanti National Recreation Area. Park managers sought public comment on the fee changes in July. Comments were reviewed and the fee increase was approved in November. The proposed fee changes will take effect in January 2025. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/fee-increases-approved-for-black-canyon-and-curecanti.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/winter-operations-at-black-canyon.htm Sun, 20 Oct 2024 04:26:00 EST As winter approaches, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will see changes to operations. Winter is a peaceful time to visit the park with less noise and traffic. Visitors should be prepared for changes in operations. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/winter-operations-at-black-canyon.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park-celebrates-25-years.htm Fri, 04 Oct 2024 10:39:00 EST Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park celebrates 25 years as a national park this year. While first proclaimed as a national monument on March 2, 1933, by President Herbert Hoover, it was redesignated as a national park on October 21, 1999, by Congress and signed into law by President William Clinton. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park-celebrates-25-years.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/fire-management-plan-for-black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park-and-curecanti-national-recreation-area.htm Tue, 03 Sep 2024 04:46:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) invites public input in the development of a fire management plan (FMP) and its environmental assessment (EA) for the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and the Curecanti National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/fire-management-plan-for-black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park-and-curecanti-national-recreation-area.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-regional-astrofest-september-5-to-7-2024.htm Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:40:00 EST Come celebrate the starry night skies of Black Canyon at Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Curecanti National Recreation Area. The region’s annual astronomy festival, known as AstroFest, will take place Thursday in Montrose, Friday at Black Canyon, and Saturday at Curecanti. This event connects us to the dark skies of the region and provides the opportunity to look through telescopes, learn about wildlife, and appreciate dark skies. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-regional-astrofest-september-5-to-7-2024.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/nps-seeks-public-input-on-grazing-at-black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-and-curecanti.htm Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:36:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) invites public input in the development of a Grazing Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area, under the National Environmental Policy Act. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/nps-seeks-public-input-on-grazing-at-black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-and-curecanti.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/proposed-fee-changes-black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park-and-curecanti-national-recreation-area.htm Fri, 28 Jun 2024 05:19:00 EST MONTROSE, Colo. – The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing to charge fees for wilderness permits on the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and increase group campsite fees for Curecanti National Recreation Area. Park managers are seeking public comment on the fee changes. The proposed fee changes would take effect in January 2025. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/proposed-fee-changes-black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park-and-curecanti-national-recreation-area.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/roads-opening-at-black-canyon.htm Thu, 11 Apr 2024 13:18:00 EST Two roads at Black Canyon closed in winter will open for the season on the morning of Friday, April 12, 2024. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/roads-opening-at-black-canyon.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/friends-of-black-canyon-invite-interested-parties-to-gather.htm Wed, 27 Mar 2024 13:19:00 EST Montrose, Colo. – The Friends of the Black Canyon group is welcoming like-minded park advocates to a meeting on Tuesday, April 16 in Montrose. This local non-profit seeks to enhance the connection between the local community and the national parks through support park activities, projects, fundraising, and advocacy. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/friends-of-black-canyon-invite-interested-parties-to-gather.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/road-improvement-projects-to-impact-black-canyon.htm Thu, 22 Feb 2024 12:30:00 EST Road improvement projects at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will begin in 2024 and continue through 2025. These much-needed improvements will create significant impacts in accessing the park. Visitors should plan on delays of up to 30 minutes during their visit and a significantly reduced number of parking spots available. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/road-improvement-projects-to-impact-black-canyon.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/friends-of-black-canyon.htm Sat, 17 Feb 2024 03:45:00 EST Have a passion for national parks and public lands? Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area would love some Friends! The non-profit Friends of the Black Canyon group is welcoming like-minded park advocates to a gathering. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/friends-of-black-canyon.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-and-curecanti-fees-will-increase-in-january-2024.htm Wed, 29 Nov 2023 04:40:00 EST Beginning January 1, 2024, Black Canyon National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area will increase camping and boat launch fees. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-and-curecanti-fees-will-increase-in-january-2024.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/injured-climber-rescued-off-great-white-wall-route-at-black-canyon.htm Tue, 12 Sep 2023 05:12:00 EST At approximately 10:30 am on Monday September 11, 2023, National Park Service (NPS) law enforcement received a 911 call of a rock climber who had sustained a fall on the Great White Wall climbing route on the North Rim of Black Canyon. The Black Canyon Search and Rescue (SAR) team and the Western Colorado University SAR team joined to respond. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/injured-climber-rescued-off-great-white-wall-route-at-black-canyon.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/celebrate-dark-skies-at-astrofest-2023-on-september-14-through-16.htm Fri, 25 Aug 2023 06:45:00 EST MONTROSE, Colo. – The National Park Service (NPS) is excited to join with numerous partners to celebrate the region’s dark skies at the 2023 AstroFest. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/celebrate-dark-skies-at-astrofest-2023-on-september-14-through-16.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-and-curecanti-seek-public-comment-on-proposed-fee-changes.htm Wed, 16 Aug 2023 04:08:00 EST GUNNISON, Colo. – The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking the public’s comment on changes to campground and boating fee increases under consideration for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area. The proposed changes would take effect in January 2024. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/black-canyon-and-curecanti-seek-public-comment-on-proposed-fee-changes.htm https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/red-rock-canyon-wilderness-use-permits-available-online-with-www-recreation-gov.htm Wed, 15 Mar 2023 07:29:00 EST Beginning Friday, April 14, 2023, reservations for Red Rock Canyon Wilderness use permits in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will be available online at www.recreation.gov. https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/news/red-rock-canyon-wilderness-use-permits-available-online-with-www-recreation-gov.htm