THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
East Portal Road, managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, will reopen on Saturday, September 19, 2026, by 8:00 a.m. The road was closed on September 14 following forecasts of significant rainfall in the region, which increased the risk of mudslides.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service has selected Tobin Roop as superintendent of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area. Roop brings 24 years of National Park Service experience in leadership, resource management, park operations, partnerships and major project management.
Official NPS sourceThanks to recent significant rainfall, the Stage 1 Fire Restriction Order for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area will be lifted effective Friday, September 18, 2026, at 12:01 a.m.
Official NPS sourceDue to ongoing adverse weather conditions, East Portal Road in Curecanti National Recreation Area is temporarily closed for public safety.
Official NPS sourceEast Portal Road, managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, will open tomorrow September 4, 2026, by 8:00 am. It closed on July 16, 2026, after a significant mudslide. Crews have been working to clear roadways, culverts, drainages, and visitor use areas.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service invites you to discover your local day and night skies at the 2026 Black Canyon Curecanti AstroFest. Minimal light pollution and expansive public lands result in wonderful clear days and dark night skies at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area and. Come celebrate the skies above at the annual astronomy festival.
Official NPS sourceBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will return to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions at 12:01 AM on Friday, August 28, 2026. The restrictions are in alignment with multiple state and federal partners in order to reduce the risk of fire in the region. Curecanti National Recreation Area returned to Stage 1 fire restrictions at 12:01 AM on Friday, August 21, 2026.
Official NPS sourceAround 5 p.m. on July 16, 2026, a thunderstorm dropped significant rainfall at Curecanti National Recreation Area, triggering at least three major mudslides on the East Portal Road. Extensive debris washed down from drainages above the roadway, covering significant lengths of the roadway with up to six feet of boulders, rocks, and mud. Debris also covered the entire East Portal campground and much of the East Portal picnic area.
Official NPS sourceBlack Canyon and Curecanti will move to Stage 2 fire restrictions at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The restrictions are in alignment with multiple state and federal partners in order to reduce the risk of fire in the region.
Official NPS sourceBlack Canyon and Curecanti will move to Stage 1 fire restrictions at 12:01 AM on Thursday, June 18, 2026. The restrictions are in alignment with multiple state and federal partners in order to reduce the risk of fire in the region.
Official NPS sourceThe Oak Flat and Uplands Trails are now open to the public at the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park after being closed since July 10, 2025.
Official NPS sourceAs summer comes to an end, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will transition to winter operations. Check the park websites for operational hours, closures, and current conditions before your trip.
Official NPS sourceBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area are in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective September 5 at 12:01 am.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service invites you to discover your local day and night skies at the 2025 Black Canyon AstroFest. Minimal light pollution and expansive public lands result in wonderful clear days and dark night skies at Curecanti National Recreation Area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Official NPS sourceOn Friday, August 29, 2025, the South Rim Road in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will open to the public. Visitors will be able to drive the entire South Rim Road, access all the park overlooks, and experience the visitor center and park store.
Official NPS sourceOn August 18th, 2025, Park staff will re-open the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to the public. Visitors will be able to drive the South Rim Road to the visitor center, access Tomichi and Gunnison Point overlooks, and visit the park store. Visitors can see for themselves the forces of nature and the mosaic of burned and unburned vegetation. The hours of operation on the South Rim will be 7:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. The entrance gate will lock at 6:00 pm.
Official NPS sourceBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area are in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions effective August 14 at 12:01 am.
Official NPS sourcePark staff will open the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to the public on July 30, 2025. Visitors will be able to access trails, overlooks, and the North Rim Campground.
Official NPS sourceThe South Rim Wildfire, which was ignited by lightning strikes on July 10, 2025, remains active within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The park is coordinating with federal, state, and local partners to manage fire activity and to assess potential post-fire impacts. The park remains closed to visitors until further notice.
Official NPS sourceOn the morning of July 10, 2025, lightning strikes ignited wildfires on both the North Rim and South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Visitors and staff were safely evacuated, and the park is closed until further notice.
Official NPS sourceOn the morning of July 10, 2025, lightning strikes ignited wildfires on both the North Rim and South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Visitors and staff have been evacuated and the park is closed until further notice.
Official NPS sourceStarting July 7, 2025, roadwork will occur at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The project will involve chip sealing, patching, and micro-sealing roadways at several locations in the park. This important project will improve and preserve roadways which benefit the visitor experience.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public input on the Grazing Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (GrMP/EA) for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area, under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Official NPS source