The South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park will reopen Monday after being closed for more than a month following the South Rim fire that started July 10.
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, officials said. The South Rim will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. when the entrance gate will lock.
The East Portal and South Rim campgrounds remain closed after being destroyed by the fire. Trails and some roads in the area will remain closed.
The visitor center was saved by firefighters after lightning started fires on both sides of the national park. The South Rim fire burned 4,232 acres.
A park spokesperson said Friday two fire engines remain on scene looking for hot spots, but total containment remains at only 52% because steep areas of the canyon where the fire went can’t be confirmed as contained. It could be until the first snowfall that the fire is considered 100% contained, the spokesperson said.
The North Rim of the park reopened July 30 and has returned to normal operations as no structures or campgrounds were lost to that fire, which was quickly extinguished within a day.
“The South Rim Drive will open in stages as park employees complete repairs, and closures will be rescinded as developed areas are determined safe, by Superintendent’s authority. Burned land areas will remain closed,” park officials said in a news release.