Black Canyon of the Gunnison is so deep, steep and narrow that it’s dark at most hours of the day. The Colorado canyon is certainly something else. But where to stay near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park for the best experience?
Montrose is the conventional place to stay near Black Canyon of the Gunnison. In addition, the tiny towns Crawford and Hotchkiss provide Black Canyon hotels at the more remote North Rim.
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Jump to
- Montrose – South Rim
- Crawford & Hotchkiss – North Rim
Montrose
From Montrose, it’s only 13 miles (21 km) to the Black Canyon South Rim Entrance Station. No other option for where to stay near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park gives you as great access to the popular South Rim.
You only have a 20-minute drive from the town’s hotels near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to the Colorado park experience. So with little effort, you can go from Black Canyon of the Gunnison hotels in Montrose to the deep, steep and narrow canyon.
The town Montrose also offers good Black Canyon of the Gunnison lodging for the more remote North Rim. From Montrose, it’s 65 miles (105 km) and 1.5 hours by car to the North Rim Ranger Station. Just pay attention to that Black Canyon of the Gunnison North Rim is closed during the snowy months of the year.
Montrose is not a large city, but it has all the Black Canyon of the Gunnison hotels and restaurants that you need for a comfortable time exploring the area. Many of the big hotel chains provide hotels near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Montrose.
In short, Montrose is the best place to stay near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park if you want the ultimate South Rim access. But if you prefer to be closer to the more remote North Rim, you should look towards the other options for where to stay near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
- Distance: 13 mi / 21 km
- Driving time: ≈ 20 min
- Pick Montrose for: South Rim.
Favorite location. For good reason, Montrose is the conventional option for where to stay near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The town offers both great comfort and smooth park access.
Best hotels in Montrose
Hampton Inn
Montrose’s Hampton Inn offers great lodging near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The hotel has comfortable rooms and appreciated facilities, including swimming pool and hot tub. It’s the best place to stay near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park if you want the whole package.
Super 8
Super 8 by Wyndham Montrose is a more simple yet popular option for where to stay near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. At the Black Canyon hotel, you conveniently stay near the park without breaking the bank.

Crawford & Hotchkiss
Crawford and Hotchkiss are tiny towns with lodging closer to Black Canyon of the Gunnison North Rim. From Crawford, it’s just 13 miles (21 km) to the Black Canyon North Rim Ranger Station. And from Hotchkiss, it’s 24 miles (39 km) to the same ranger station.
In 25 minutes, you get from Black Canyon of the Gunnison hotels in Crawford to the Colorado canyon. From accommodations in Hotchkiss, it’s 40 minutes to the North Rim Ranger Station.
Both Crawford and Hotchkiss are tiny towns with just small selections of Black Canyon of the Gunnison lodging. But they do provide Black Canyon of the Gunnison accommodation with the best possible access to the North Rim.
To sum up, Crawford and Hotchkiss are tiny towns that offer Black Canyon of the Gunnison hotels at North Rim. Still, Montrose is the obvious option for where to stay near Black Canyon of the Gunnison if you prefer the comforts of a bigger town and plan to visit both rims.
- Distance: 13-24 mi / 21-39 km
- Driving time: ≈ 25-40 min
- Pick Crawford & Hotchkiss for: North Rim.

Where to stay near Black Canyon of the Gunnison FAQ
Here you find the answers to some frequently asked questions about where to stay near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado.
Montrose is the complete Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park base. In the town area, you find an appreciated selection of hotels, motels and cabins near Black Canyon of the Gunnison. But the tiny towns Crawford and Hotchkiss are other good options for Black Canyon lodging if you prefer to stay closer to the North Rim.
Montrose is the city closest to Black Canyon of the Gunnison South Rim. The town is located 13 miles (21 km) from the Black Canyon South Rim Entrance Station. Crawford is also just 13 miles (21 km) away but from the more remote Black Canyon North Rim Ranger Station.
There are no hotels inside Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. But Montrose, Crawford and Hotchkiss offer Black Canyon of the Gunnison lodging not far from the Colorado park adventure.
It’s 235 miles (378 km) from Colorado Springs to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Driving from Colorado Springs to Black Canyon of the Gunnison takes roughly 4.5 hours.
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