Colorado · Hiking

Black Canyon

16.1 mi
round trip
1,945 ft
climb
12,016 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Black Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Rio Grande National Forest. It doesn't name Black Canyon, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Rio Grande National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Black Canyon is a hard hike of about 16 miles in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, managed by the Bureau of Land Management's San Luis Valley Field Office. The route crosses the Saguache Ranger District of the Rio Grande National Forest, and it climbs from about 10,188 feet to about 12,016 feet, a total gain of roughly 1,945 feet over the out-and-back course. Bikes are not allowed on this trail, which is natural surface. The climb is a single stretch from the lower to the upper end of the canyon. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically June and September, when a nearby weather station records typical averages in the low to mid 70s °F. Winter brings typical averages below zero. Electric Peak is about 1.5 miles away, and Steel Canyon is about 2.3 miles away. Valley View Hot Springs and the Hot Springs mountain biking trails are both about 2.4 miles from the canyon.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.