Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.6/5
Based on 8 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour worth booking?
Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour is a 2-hour experience in Telluride, United States, from $17 per person. It scores 58 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.6/5 rating across 8 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 58 / 100
- Rating
- 3.6/5 (8)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $17 per person
Marvel at the awe-inspiring depths of Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado with this self-guided driving tour. This drive features stunning views along the canyon’s south rim, from Gunnison Point to Chasm View and th
What you get
About this experience
Marvel at the awe-inspiring depths of Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado with this self-guided driving tour. This drive features stunning views along the canyon’s south rim, from Gunnison Point to Chasm View and the breathtaking Painted Wall. Along the way, you’ll discover how the canyon formed and hear dramatic tales of those who have tried and failed to navigate its tumultuous waters over the years. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
What's included
Included
- Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
- Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
- Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
- Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
- Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
- Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
- One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
- Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
- Self-guided audio tour through our easy-to-use mobile app.
- Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.
Not included
- Self-guided tour — no live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.
What you'll see and do
Are you wondering where this spot gets its fearsome name? Well, some say the pegmatite on this part of the Painted Wall looks like a dragon! Note: The tour is over 12 miles long, with more than 34 audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours per tour to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
10 minutes here
The park's Entrance Station is just ahead. Once you’re through, continue driving straight along the Rim Drive.
Pass by without stopping
Tomichi Point
Once you’ve parked, walk over to the overlook and enjoy the view. Listen to the stories in the Learn More to hear more about the view you’re seeing and how it came to be.
Pass by without stopping
Pulpit Rock Overlook
Into the parking area ahead and follow the trail to the overlook. This easy trail takes only two minutes and offers a great view of the Gunnison River.
Pass by without stopping
At over 8,000 feet high, it’s the highest elevation on the park’s south rim. So get those cameras ready!
10 minutes here
This half-mile loop is directly across from the infamous Narrows that spelled the end for Kolb and Pelton and many others. Be sure to make the easy 15-minute over to the edge if you want to see the spot where they met with disaster.
Pass by without stopping
Our next story is actually behind the Visitor Center. When you’re ready, exit the car and walk through the building.
Pass by without stopping
Gunnison and his troops came here to secure a railroad route in the 1850s. Everything was going swimmingly—until Gunnison got to the canyon we’ll soon see.
30 minutes here
This easy, half-mile trail ends at an overlook straight over the raging whitewater of the Gunnison.
10 minutes here
Chasm View Trail
Here, we can access two vistas. The first is right next to the turnout: Chasm View. The trail to Chasm View is only a couple hundred feet, but it’s steep! I’d definitely recommend trying it. It’s also a great spot for watching rock climbers hang on the north wall of the canyon.
10 minutes here
Painted Wall
Igneous intrusions happen when hot magma is injected into rock, but doesn’t form enough pressure to burst out. Instead, it gets stuck in the crevices and hardens. These intrusions formed over a billion years ago.
10 minutes here
The trail to this overlook is an easy one - is just under half a mile and takes about 15 minutes to complete. Along the way, you’ll see plenty of Gambel oaks, which hang out on the canyon rim. It’s also a great place to spot wildflowers in the spring! If you decide to visit, keep an eye out for those lignotubers I mentioned earlier.
10 minutes here
Sunset View is just ahead. Turn into the parking lot on our right and follow the very short path to the overlook. This is a must-see, even if it’s not sunset time yet!
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Telluride
Begin from 13973 CO-347, Montrose, CO 81401, USA. After booking the tour, search your emails and texts for "audio tour". Your tour is VALID FOREVER, so follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Guide With Action
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- NOTE: Some areas of the park, including South Rim Road, have reopened since the 2025 South Rim Fire. Do not enter any closed or burned areas until further notice, and check current park updates before visiting.
- Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
- Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
- At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
- Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
- Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
- More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
- Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
- Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
- Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
- Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 8 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
8 verified traveler reviews for Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Well Done
Very in good. Even offline and no cell coverage, GPS tracked us and started and stopped as we drove, pulled into overlooks, walked out special cites. We were pleased with the information, the stories. It made our trip all the more interesting and meaningful.
Response from the operator: Dan, I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed my Black Canyon of the Gunnison GPS Driving Audio Tour. It’s wonderful to know the GPS worked smoothly even without cell service and that the tour automatically followed along as you drove, stopped at overlooks, and explored special sites. If you're planning to explore more of Colorado, check out my Ultimate Colorado Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tours, featuring Rocky Mountain National Park, the Million Dollar Highway, Garden of the Gods, and more. Happy travels!
via Viator
Dissatisfied!
This was an absolute failure for us. We never received the log in information as stated and the trip did not start as stated when we arrived at the starting point. A complete waste of money.
Response from the operator: Mary, I’m sorry to hear this didn’t work out for you. After booking, an email with all the setup details is sent instantly; however, it may sometimes end up in the spam folder. I wasn’t able to locate your booking, so please reach out to me directly. I’d love to help get the tour working for you, offer a replacement for a different location, or process a refund—whatever suits you best.
via Tripadvisor
Great Education on the Area
Totally unexpected and amazing to see. The driving guide was great! The guide gives you the history and knowledge about the characters involved in the history.
Response from the operator: Angela, I'm thrilled you enjoyed my Black Canyon of the Gunnison Self-Guided Driving Tour. It’s such a dramatic place, and I’m glad the audio added to the experience with history and stories of the people behind it. If you're planning to explore more of Colorado, check out my Ultimate Colorado Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tours, featuring Rocky Mountain National Park, the Million Dollar Highway, Garden of the Gods, and more. Happy travels!
via Tripadvisor
Don’t waste your money on this App
First, this app did not work at all on the east portal road. Second, it could not find the starting point for south rim road from visitors center. The strangest thing is once we found the starting point for South rim it worked pretty well. On the return trip it was all screwed up. The owner/coder of this app needs to learn from Shaka Guide
Response from the operator: Sandra, I'm sorry to hear about your trouble with the app. Once the app and tour are downloaded and previewed beforehand, you need to launch it at the starting point, and the app will even guide you to the starting point if you're unsure. My support team is always here to help, so don't hesitate to reach out if you encounter any issues. The tour is valid for a year, so you've got plenty of time to complete it. Feel free to email me if you have any other questions!
via Viator
Wonderful Tour Experience
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is an absolute must see and this self guided driving audio tour is the best way to experience this location. The ease of using the app was wonderful, stopping where we wanted and continuing to drive past the areas we didn't care to explore. We look forward to our next self-guided driving audio tour.
Response from the operator: Bob, I'm thrilled you enjoyed my Black Canyon of the Gunnison tour and appreciated the ease of using the app to explore at your own pace. I'm glad you're looking forward to trying more of my tours. For more adventures, check out my Tour of 25+ National Parks, featuring engaging audio guides at parks like Yellowstone and Glacier, designed for freedom and discovery. Happy travels!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 58
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Telluride.
How much does Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour cost?
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Prices start at $17 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Telluride usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Telluride is not rushed.
Is Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.6/5 across 8 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Telluride, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour?
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Around 3 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Telluride can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Telluride and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Telluride within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Telluride?
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Telluride, CO packs its best experiences into walkable neighborhoods, local food, and day trips nearby. Outty ranks every bookable tour and activity in Telluride by rating quality, review depth, booking demand and value, so you can see the standouts before you book. On Outty we rank every Telluride experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Telluride Via Ferrata - Private Trip, Telluride 1 Day Rafting Trip with Lunch - San Miguel River, Telluride Morning Half Day Rafting Trip - San Miguel River. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Telluride?
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Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Telluride, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Telluride?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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