Warner Point

From the High Point parking area at the end of the South Rim Drive, the Warner Point Nature Trail leads out to the overlook, a walk of roughly a mile and a half round trip. The trail rolls gently through pinyon-juniper woodland and past sagebrush, with interpretive signs explaining the natural history of the canyon and its rim.

It has some short ups and downs rather than being flat, so sturdy shoes and a little energy are helpful, but it is well within reach of most visitors. The trail ends at Warner Point, where the land falls away into the canyon and the wide views open up.

Warner Point is the highest of the South Rim overlooks, and from it the canyon plunges toward the Gunnison River in the deepest section of the gorge. Beyond the canyon, the view stretches across the valley to the San Juan Mountains to the south and the West Elk Mountains to the east, a broad panorama that few of the roadside overlooks can match.

The quiet setting at the end of the road makes it a peaceful place to linger. As everywhere along the rim, the edges are sheer, so stay back from the drop-offs and keep children close. The South Rim Drive and its trails are generally open spring through fall and close with winter snow.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Warner Point is an overlook at the far western end of the South Rim Drive in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado, reached by the Warner Point Nature Trail from the High Point parking area. It is the highest of the South Rim overlooks, and from it the views sweep down into the deepest part of the canyon and out across the surrounding country to the distant San Juan and West Elk mountains. Because it lies at the end of the road and requires a short walk, it is often quieter than the drive-up viewpoints, offering a peaceful finale to a trip along the rim. The interpretive nature trail that leads to it makes the walk itself part of the experience.

The Warner Point Nature Trail is about 1.5 miles round trip, starting from the High Point parking area at the end of the South Rim Drive and leading out to the Warner Point overlook. The trail is not flat: it rolls through pinyon-juniper woodland and sagebrush with some short ups and downs, so sturdy shoes and a little energy are helpful, though it remains within reach of most reasonably active visitors. Along the way, interpretive signs describe the plants, animals, and geology of the canyon country, making the walk educational as well as scenic. Allow around an hour or a bit more for the round trip, and bring water, especially on warm days, since there is limited shade.

From Warner Point, the highest overlook on the South Rim, you get some of the broadest views in Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The canyon drops away toward the Gunnison River in the deepest part of the gorge, and beyond the canyon the view opens across the valley to distant mountain ranges, the San Juan Mountains to the south and the West Elk Mountains to the east. This combination of deep canyon and far-reaching mountain vistas gives Warner Point a more panoramic feel than the roadside overlooks, which focus mainly on the gorge itself. The quiet, end-of-the-road setting adds to the sense of a grand, sweeping finale to a visit along the rim.

For many visitors, yes, Warner Point is worth the short walk. While the drive-up overlooks along the South Rim require little effort, the roughly 1.5-mile round-trip Warner Point Nature Trail rewards you with the highest overlook in the park, broad panoramic views combining the deep canyon with distant mountain ranges, and a quieter, less crowded experience at the end of the road. The interpretive trail also teaches you about the natural history of the canyon country along the way. If you enjoy a short hike and want a peaceful, sweeping finale to your rim visit, Warner Point is a rewarding choice. If you have limited mobility or time, the many drive-up overlooks still offer spectacular views with little walking.