Are you torn between exploring the rugged beauty of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park or the lush wilderness of Congaree National Park? Both parks offer unique and breathtaking experiences, but in very different ways. Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a true gem for outdoor enthusiasts, with its steep and narrow gorge carving its way through the western Colorado landscape. It’s a place where you can hike along the rim, fish in the Gunnison River, and take in the awe-inspiring views. On the other hand, Congaree National Park is a natural haven located in South Carolina, where you’ll find a diverse array of wildlife and plant life, as well as opportunities to kayak, paddle, and hike through pristine wilderness. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, both Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Congaree National Parks have something special to offer. Keep reading to find out more about these two unique and captivating parks.
Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Congaree National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Congaree National Park both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy. However, the types of hikes and difficulty levels vary between the two parks.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its steep and challenging hikes. One of the most popular trails in the park is the Rim Rock Trail, which offers a strenuous hike with a steep descent and ascent along the rim of the canyon. The hike is 8.5 miles round trip and takes around 6 hours. Another challenging hike is the South Rim Road, which is a strenuous hike with a steep descent and ascent, and a strenuous hike along the rim of the canyon.
On the other hand, Congaree National Park offers a variety of hikes, including some that are easy and suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities. The Boardwalk Loop is a 2.4-mile hike that takes you through the park’s beautiful old-growth bottomland hardwood forest. It is flat and easy, and takes around 1 hour. The Weston Lake Loop is an easy hike of 2.5 miles that takes you around Weston Lake, and takes around 1 hour.
In contrast, some of the harder hikes in Congaree National Park include the Oak Ridge Trail, a 8.5-mile hike that takes you through the park’s beautiful old-growth bottomland hardwood forest and along the Congaree River. It takes around 5 hours. The Kingsnake Trail, a 7.4-mile hike that takes you through the park’s beautiful old-growth bottomland hardwood forest and along the Congaree River.
In summary, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers challenging and steep hikes, such as Rim Rock Trail and South Rim Road, while Congaree National Park offers a variety of hikes, including easy hikes like Boardwalk Loop and Weston Lake Loop, and harder hikes like Oak Ridge Trail and Kingsnake Trail.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warner Point Nature Trail | 2414.01 | 123.7488 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Oak Flat Loop Trail | 2092.142 | 94.7928 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Gunnison Route Trail | 2896.812 | 542.8488 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Painted Wall View Trail | 321.868 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chasm View Nature Trail | 965.604 | 32.9184 | Easy | loop | 5 |
| Exclamation Point | 4667.086 | 110.9472 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Green Mountain Summit Via North Vista Trail | 10460.71 | 373.9896 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Gunnison Point Overlook | 321.868 | 23.7744 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rim Rock Nature Trail | 2414.01 | 56.9976 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Warner Route | 6759.228 | 924.7632 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boardwalk Loop Trail | 3862.416 | 3.9624 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Weston Lake Loop Trail | 7402.964 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Oakridge Trail | 10138.842 | 5.7912 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Congaree River Trail | 15932.466 | 15.8496 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Kingsnake Trail | 11909.116 | 6.7056 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Congaree Bluff Trail | 3379.614 | 5.7912 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Congaree River Blue Trail | 75317.112 | 1.8288 | Moderate | point to point | 5 |
Wildlife in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Congaree National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Congaree National Park both offer a diverse array of wildlife for visitors to enjoy.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is home to a variety of mammals, such as mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, black bears, and mountain lions. Visitors can also see smaller mammals, such as beavers, muskrats, and marmots. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of birds, including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and great horned owls. The park is also home to a number of reptiles and amphibians, including rattlesnakes, bullsnakes, and the western terrestrial garter snake.
Congaree National Park is also home to a variety of mammals, such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums, and river otters. The park is also home to a variety of birds, including pileated woodpeckers, great egrets, and prothonotary warblers, as well as a variety of reptiles and amphibians. Visitors can also see the American alligator, which is the largest reptile in North America and can be found in the park’s wetlands and swamps.
Both parks are also home to a wide variety of plants, including deciduous and coniferous trees, wildflowers, and ferns. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has a diverse array of plants including Ponderosa Pine, Douglas fir, aspen, and willow. Congaree National Park is home to a wide variety of deciduous trees, including various species of oak, hickory, and sweetgum, as well as a variety of ferns and wildflowers.
Overall, both Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Congaree National Park offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife and plants, from birds and mammals to reptiles and trees.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Congaree National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Congaree National Park |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
| Osprey | Osprey |
| Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
| Mallard | Mallard |
| Canada Goose | Canada Goose |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| American Robin | American Robin |
| Great Horned Owl | Great Horned Owl |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Northern Flicker | Northern Flicker |
| Merlin | Merlin |
| Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
| Great Blue Heron | Savannah Sparrow |
| Hermit Thrush | Great Blue Heron |
| American Kestrel | Hermit Thrush |
| Bald Eagle | American Kestrel |
| Song Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
| European Starling | Song Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | European Starling |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Pipit | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Congaree National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Raccoon |
| Deer Mouse | Black Bear |
| Raccoon | Red Fox |
| Black Bear | Mink |
| Porcupine | Common Gray Fox |
| Silver-Haired Bat | North American River Otter |
| Hoary Bat | White-Tailed Deer |
| Red Fox | Virginia Opossum |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Eastern Red Bat |
| House Mouse | White-Footed Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Eastern Cottontail |
| American Mink | Eastern Fox Squirrel |
| Mule Deer | Eastern Gray Squirrel |
| Common Gray Fox | Feral Hog |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Northern Short-Tailed Shrew |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Least Shrew |
| American Badger | |
| California Myotis | |
| Snowshoe Hare |
Fish
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Congaree National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brown Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Long-Nose Sucker | Bluegill |
| Northern Pike | Golden Shiner |
| Mottled Sculpin | European Carp |
| Speckled Dace | Yellow Bullhead |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Brown Bullhead |
Reptiles
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Congaree National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Racer |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Ringneck Snake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Common Garter Snake |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Common Kingsnake |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard |
Amphibians
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Congaree National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander |
Insects
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Congaree National Park |
|---|---|
| Alfalfa Sulphur | |
| Monarch | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage Butterfly | |
| Checkered Skipper | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Congaree National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Congaree National Park both offer visitors the opportunity to see some truly spectacular landscapes and natural features.
At Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, one of the most famous landscapes is the Black Canyon itself. The canyon’s steep and narrow walls, carved by the Gunnison River, drop 2,250 feet from the rim to the river below. Visitors can hike along the rim, taking in the breathtaking views of the canyon and the Gunnison River. Other popular landscapes at the park include the Painted Wall, the highest sheer cliff in North America, and the Chasm View, which offers a panoramic view of the canyon.
Congaree National Park is famous for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, which is home to a diverse array of wildlife and plant life. Visitors can hike along the boardwalks and trails that wind through the forest, taking in the towering trees, lush vegetation, and diverse wildlife. The park is also home to Congaree River, which offers visitors the opportunity to kayak, paddle, or fish. The park has several overlooks, such as the Weston Lake Overlook, which offers a panoramic view of the park.
In summary, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is famous for its steep and narrow gorge, the Black Canyon, and other natural features like the Painted Wall and the Chasm View, while Congaree National Park is famous for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, Congaree River and different overlooks like Weston Lake Overlook, where visitors can see diverse wildlife, plants, and enjoy different activities like kayaking, paddling and hiking.
Things To-Do and Activities in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Congaree National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Congaree National Park offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, but they are quite different in terms of the types of activities and experiences that are offered.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its hiking and backpacking opportunities. The park’s most popular trails include the Rim Rock Trail, the Warner Point Nature Trail, and the Gunnison Gorge Trail. Visitors can also enjoy rock climbing, fishing, and camping in the park.
In contrast, Congaree National Park is known for its hiking, canoeing, and kayaking opportunities. The park’s most popular trails include the Boardwalk Loop, Weston Lake Loop, and the Oak Ridge Trail. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, camping, and bird watching in the park. Additionally, Congaree National Park is one of the few places in the world where you can hike through a “old growth” forest, where the trees are hundreds of years old and have never been cut down.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is ideal for visitors who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and climbing, while Congaree National Park is ideal for visitors who enjoy activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and bird watching in a unique old growth forest. Both parks offer opportunities to enjoy nature and the great outdoors, but they offer different types of experiences and activities.
Best Time to Visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Congaree National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Congaree National Park are located in different regions of the United States, and therefore have different seasonal weather patterns. This affects when the best time of year to visit each park is.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in Colorado, and the weather can be quite extreme, with high temperatures in the summer and freezing temperatures in the winter. The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the spring and fall when the weather is milder and the crowds are smaller. During the summer, temperatures can reach into the 90s Fahrenheit, making hiking and other outdoor activities difficult, while in the winter, heavy snowfall can make some of the trails and roads impassable.
On the other hand, Congaree National Park is located in South Carolina, and the weather is typically warm and humid. The park is also open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the fall and winter when the temperature is cooler and the humidity is lower. The park can be quite hot and humid during the summer, making outdoor activities less comfortable. The park is less crowded during the winter, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery without the heat and humidity.
In summary, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is best visited during the spring and fall when the weather is milder, while Congaree National Park is best visited during the fall and winter when the temperature is cooler and the humidity is lower. The summer months can be quite extreme at Black Canyon and quite hot and humid in Congaree, making outdoor activities less comfortable.
Family Friendliness of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Congaree National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Congaree National Park are both great options for families looking to enjoy the outdoors, but they offer different types of experiences that may appeal to different ages and interests.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a great option for families with older children who are interested in hiking, fishing, and sightseeing. The park offers several short and easy hikes along the rim, such as the Warner Point Nature Trail, which is a half-mile hike to a viewpoint overlooking the canyon. The park also offers several fishing spots along the Gunnison River. However, the park does not offer many activities for younger children and the hikes may be too strenuous for very young children.
On the other hand, Congaree National Park is a great option for families with younger children as it offers a wide range of activities that are suitable for all ages. The park has several boardwalks and trails that wind through the old-growth forest, which are easy to navigate and perfect for families with strollers. The park also offers kayaking and paddling on Congaree River, which is a fun activity for families to enjoy together. Additionally, the park has a Junior Ranger program that is a great way for children to learn about the park’s natural and cultural resources.
In summary, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is better suited for families with older children who are interested in hiking, fishing, and sightseeing, while Congaree National Park is better suited for families with younger children as it offers a wide range of activities that are suitable for all ages, like hiking, kayaking and learning through Junior Ranger program.