1-2 Hours
Drive East Portal Road
Curecanti National Recreation Area
East Portal Road is a windy, steep scenic road down to the Gunnison River. East Portal is within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but only accessible from within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Vehicles over 22 feet are prohibited on the East Portal Road.
The East Portal Road is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. The road is paved and two-way, but windy and steep. Vehicles over 22 feet are prohibited on the East Portal Road. In a few places, the road is a 16% grade; vehicles should be in low gear on the road to avoid burning out the brakes. The road is closed in winter, typically from November to April. Allow 1-2 hours for a leisurely tour.
Tags
Scenic DrivingDamsGeologyRiver and RiparianRock Landscapes and FeaturesTrailsRoads, Routes and HighwaysTunnelseast portalcurecantiBlack Canyongunnison riverBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkCurecanti National Recreation Areascenic drives
Visitor Photos
No visitor photos yet
Details
Duration
1-2 Hours
Duration Details
Allow 1-2 hours for a leisurely tour.
Fees Apply
No
Seasons
Spring, Summer, Fall
Time of Day
Day, Dawn, Dusk
Accessibility
East Portal Road is an accessible way to take in the scenic views of Black Canyon and Gunnison River. Parking areas are gravel and there is one wheelchair accessible vault toilet.
Pets
Yes — Pets are prohibited downstream from the East Portal Campground. They are permitted on leash elsewhere in East Portal. Leashes should be a maximum of six feet in length. Owners are responsible for their pet's behavior and may receive fines if their animal creates problems with wildlife and/or other visitors. Do not leave your pet unattended in a vehicle or campsite. Interior temperatures of vehicles rise within minutes and pets can quickly overheat and die, even with the windows cracked.
Reservations
No
Location
East Portal Road