Hiking the Warner Point Nature Trail in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Distance: 1.6 miles / 2.6 km
The Warner Point Nature Trail in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is an interpretive trail on the South Rim, named after Mark Warner, a minister in nearby Montrose who was instrumental in the canyon’s preservation as we know it.
Today, the Warner Point Nature Trail is best enjoyed for its beautiful panoramic views at the Warner Point Overlook, and by following along with the trail guide, which can be found at the trailhead or downloaded using the link below.
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Warner Point Nature Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Warner Point Nature Trail is located at High Point, at the very far end of South Rim Road, about 6.0 miles (9.7 km) west of the South Rim Visitor Center.
The parking lot serves as a joint trailhead for not one, but three different trails that all begin at High Point, meaning the parking lot can be busy during the mid-summer travel season.
Google Maps Directions: High Point Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Black Canyon
Black bears are known to be found everywhere from the plateaus along the canyon rim to the steep routes that lead down to the Gunnison River, and everywhere in between.
That being said, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Bear Spray & Holster - If you aren’t flying, don’t rent bear spray! It’s a waste of money. Prepare ahead of time by buying your own, as this may be one of the most important items on this list.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Warner Point Nature Trail
The Warner Point Trail begins at the far end of the High Point parking lot, following a mildly hilly trail with very little overall elevation change from the trailhead to the overlook.
These markers placed along the trail are intended to be used with the Warner Point Nature Trail guide.
However, if trail guides aren’t readily available at the trailhead, you can follow along with the electronic version using the link below.
Download: Warner Point Nature Trail Guide
Sections like this are among the 'steepest' that the Warner Point Trail gets.
I mention this because the entire trail to Warner Point sits well above 8,000 ft. (2,438 m), meaning that some out-of-state visitors may have difficulties hiking at this elevation.
Sun Shirts
If this is your first time in the area, you’re likely unprepared for how strong the sun can be.
For this reason, I recommend picking up a quality, hooded sun shirt if you plan to do any hiking. Protection from the sun cannot be overstated, and in my experience, sunscreen alone has never been enough over a multi-day visit, especially if you’re visiting during the summer season!
Warner Point-Warner Route Junction
This is where the Warner Point Nature Trail splits away from the Warner Route Trail, which is one of seven main routes that descend steeply into Black Canyon.
That being said, wilderness permits are required to hike down the Warner Route Trail or any route into Black Canyon, which is mostly due to safety and accountability concerns, given the steep trail’s inherent risks and difficulty.
In any case, go right at this split to continue to the Warner Point Overlook, about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away.
Read My Separate Post: Warner Route Trail
Warner Point
After 0.8 miles (1.3 km), the trail ends at Warner Point, an east-facing overlook standing roughly 2,600 ft. (792 m) above the Gunnison River below.
That being said, the Warner Point Overlook can make for a great South Rim sunrise hike, as it’s one of the few east-facing trails outside of the easy overlooks, which can be accessed with just a short walk from the road.
Warning
Afternoon thunderstorms in high Mountain West areas, such as this, are a serious concern during the summer monsoon season.
Even if the weather forecast doesn’t predict any storms, I can tell you from personal experience that they may show up out of nowhere and can put you and your entire group in a very dangerous situation.
I say this to emphasize the importance of turning around at the first sign of lightning, thunder, or even heavy cloud buildup. However, if you ever get caught in a storm unsuspectingly, follow the steps linked below to reduce the risk of getting struck.
U.S. Forest Service: Lightning Safety Tips
More Black Canyon Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
Most obviously, be careful around the rim of Black Canyon! It happens all too often at places like this—the Grand Canyon, Angels Landing, etc.—that someone falls in!
On a different note, if you decide to hike into Black Canyon, take it slow, and stagger yourself from the other people in your group and others on the trail, as many of the gullies are filled with loose rock that can be problematic for those below.
Additionally, learn how to identify Poison Ivy, as there is not one area along the Gunnison River where I haven’t seen it.
Finally, be aware that Black Canyon of the Gunnison is Black Bear and mountain lion territory, and while hiking in Black Bear territory usually presents less danger as opposed to grizzlies, hiking with bear spray is never a bad idea. However, it’s really up to your own discretion and comfort level.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official National Park website.
National Park Service: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
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