Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are two of the most breathtaking national parks in the United States. While they may seem vastly different, both parks offer visitors a chance to experience the raw beauty and power of nature. Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a place where the earth has been sculpted by the forces of water and time, creating a deep and narrow canyon that is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. On the other hand, Gates of the Arctic is where the earth is still being shaped by the forces of nature, with rugged mountains and wild rivers that are home to an abundance of wildlife. Both parks offer visitors a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with the natural world. Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike or a peaceful stroll, these parks offer something for everyone. So, if you’re looking for an adventure that will leave you breathless, Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Gates of the Arctic are the perfect destinations.
Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, but they offer vastly different landscapes and experiences.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park offers a variety of hiking trails, including the Rim Rock Trail, which offers panoramic views of the canyon and the surrounding landscape. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails that lead to the bottom of the canyon, including the Gunnison River Trail, which offers views of the Gunnison River and the narrowest part of the canyon, known as the “Narrows.” The park also offers some challenging hiking trails, such as the Warner Point Nature Trail, which offers a strenuous hike along the rim of the canyon.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, offers a wilderness experience with backpacking and hiking trails. The park is known for its rugged and remote terrain and visitors will have to be self-sufficient and prepared for the challenges of backcountry wilderness. There are no designated trails in the park, and visitors will have to navigate through the wilderness with a map and compass. The park is home to the Brooks Range, which offers some of the most challenging hiking in the park with steep inclines and rocky terrain.
In summary, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park offers a variety of hiking trails with stunning views of the canyon and the surrounding landscape. Some of the trails can be challenging, but the park also offers easier trails for visitors. While Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve offers a wilderness experience with no designated trails, it is home to the Brooks Range which offers some of the most challenging hiking in the park with steep inclines and rocky terrain. It’s important for visitors to be self-sufficient and prepared for the challenges of backcountry wilderness when planning to hike in the park.
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 Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shark Valley Trail | 25427.572 | 6.7056 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Anhinga Trail | 2414.01 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook Trail | 321.868 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Gumbo Limbo Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Long Pine Key Trail | 24944.77 | 0 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mahogany Hammock Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Everglades Coastal Prairie Trail | 27358.78 | 4.8768 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Pinelands Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Everglades National Park East Entrance to Flamingo Scenic Route | 58258.108 | 7.9248 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Nine Mile Pond | 8851.37 | 0 | Easy | loop | 5 |
Wildlife in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park: Wildlife in the park includes mammals such as bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, black bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. The park is also home to many bird species, including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and turkey vultures. Additionally, the park is home to many reptiles and amphibians, such as the collared lizard, the western rattlesnake, and the canyon treefrog.
Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve: Wildlife in the park includes mammals such as grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, moose, caribou, musk oxen, and wolverines. The park is also home to many bird species, such as the rough-legged hawk, the gyrfalcon, and the tundra swan. Additionally, the park is home to many fish species, such as arctic grayling, arctic char, and salmon.
Both parks offer a diverse range of wildlife, but they are quite different. Black Canyon of the Gunnison is known for its bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, and other mammals, as well as its bird species. Meanwhile, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is known for its grizzly bears, wolves, musk oxen, and other mammals, as well as its bird species. Visitors to both parks can expect to see a variety of animals, birds, and plants, but the specific species will depend on the time of year and the specific location within the park.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | Hermit Thrush |
| Hermit Thrush | American Kestrel |
| American Kestrel | Bald Eagle |
| Bald Eagle | Northern Pintail |
| Song Sparrow | American Wigeon |
| European Starling | Green-Winged Teal |
| Northern Pintail | American Pipit |
| American Wigeon | Swainson’s Thrush |
| Green-Winged Teal | Hairy Woodpecker |
| American Pipit | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Mammals
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Black Bear |
| Bobcat | Porcupine |
| Striped Skunk | Red Fox |
| Little Brown Bat | Mink |
| Deer Mouse | Wolf |
| Raccoon | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Black Bear | Varying Hare |
| Porcupine | River Otter |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Common Shrew |
| Hoary Bat | Red Squirrel |
| Red Fox | Montane Shrew |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Lynx |
| House Mouse | Wolverine |
| Mountain Lion | American Marten |
| American Mink | Grizzly Bear |
| Mule Deer | Meadow Vole |
| Common Gray Fox | Moose |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Least Weasel |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Pygmy Shrew |
| American Badger | Northern Bog Lemming |
| California Myotis | |
| Snowshoe Hare |
Fish
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brown Trout | Lake Trout |
| Long-Nose Sucker | Northern Pike |
| Northern Pike | Eelpout |
| Mottled Sculpin | King Salmon |
| Speckled Dace | Slimy Sculpin |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard |
Amphibians
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander |
Beautiful Landscapes in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both known for their spectacular natural landscapes.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is named for its steep and narrow canyon, which is considered one of the deepest and most dramatic in North America. The park features a unique combination of natural features including steep cliffs, rugged terrain, and dark colored rock formations. The canyon offers breathtaking views of the Gunnison River, which has carved its way through the narrow and steep walls of the canyon. Visitors can also see the Painted Wall, which is the tallest cliff in Colorado, standing at 2,250 feet. The park also offers several overlooks and viewpoints such as the Painted Wall View, the Chasm View Nature Trail, and the North Vista Trail, which offer panoramic views of the canyon and its unique rock formations.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is located in the Arctic region of Alaska and is known for its spectacular mountain landscapes, rugged wilderness, and remote wilderness. The park is home to the Brooks Range, which is a mountain range that runs through northern Alaska and the park. The Brooks Range is known for its stunning views, including rugged peaks, glaciers, and alpine tundra. Visitors can see spectacular views of the mountains and valleys by hiking or backpacking through the park. The park also offers opportunities to see wildlife such as caribou, grizzly bears, and wolves. The park is also home to several rivers and creeks, which offer opportunities for fishing and rafting.
In summary, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its steep and narrow canyon, unique rock formations, and spectacular views of the Gunnison River, while Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is known for its spectacular mountain landscapes, rugged wilderness, remote wilderness, and opportunities to see wildlife. Both parks offer unique and breathtaking landscapes that visitors can enjoy during their visit to the park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park: The most popular activities at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park include hiking, rock climbing, camping, and sightseeing. The park’s main attraction is the Black Canyon, a deep and narrow canyon that offers a range of hiking trails, including the popular South Rim Road and the North Rim Road. The park also offers several campgrounds, as well as a number of picnic areas. Visitors can also take a scenic drive along the South Rim Road, which offers stunning views of the canyon.
Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve: The most popular activities at Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve include backpacking, hiking, and camping. The park is known for its rugged wilderness and offers visitors the opportunity to explore remote areas of the Alaskan Arctic. The park has no roads or trails, so visitors must be self-sufficient and experienced in backcountry travel. However, the park does offer several designated wilderness campsites that can be used by hikers and backpackers. Additionally, visitors can also enjoy wildlife viewing and bird watching.
Both parks offer a range of outdoor activities for visitors, but the types of activities are quite different. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its hiking, rock climbing, camping, and sightseeing, while Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is known for its backpacking, hiking, and camping in a remote wilderness area. Both parks offer a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with the natural world, but visitors should be prepared for different challenges depending on the park they choose.
Best Time to Visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve both have vastly different weather patterns, and the best time to visit each park will depend on the type of experience you are looking for and your personal preferences.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is located in western Colorado and has a semi-arid climate. Summer temperatures can reach over 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) during the day, but the park is often much cooler in the evenings. The best time to visit the park is from late spring to early fall, when the temperatures are more comfortable and the park’s wildflowers are in bloom.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in northern Alaska and has a subarctic climate. The park has long, cold winters with temperatures dropping below -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 degrees Celsius) and short, cool summers with temperatures reaching around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius). The best time to visit the park is during the summer months of June, July, and August, when the park has the most daylight and the temperatures are warmer. The park is closed to visitors during the winter months due to extreme temperatures and dangerous conditions.
In summary, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is best visited during the late spring to early fall, when the temperatures are more comfortable and the park’s wildflowers are in bloom. While Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is best visited during the summer months of June, July, and August, when the park has the most daylight and the temperatures are warmer. It’s important to keep in mind that Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is closed to visitors during the winter months due to extreme temperatures and dangerous conditions.
Family Friendliness of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both beautiful and unique national parks, but they offer very different experiences for families.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a great option for families who are looking for a more traditional national park experience. The park offers several easy and short trails, such as the Chasm View Nature Trail, that are suitable for families with children. The park also offers ranger-led programs, educational exhibits, and visitor centers where families can learn more about the park’s natural and cultural history. The park also has campground areas where families can spend the night and have a picnic, and many amenities and facilities are available.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a more remote and rugged wilderness park that may not be as suitable for families with young children. The park is located in the Arctic region of Alaska, and it offers very limited facilities and amenities. Visitors need to be prepared for extreme weather conditions and be self-sufficient. There are no roads or trails in the park, and visitors must rely on backpacking and wilderness camping. The park’s remote location also means that it may be difficult to access emergency medical care in case of an injury.
In summary, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a great option for families looking for a more traditional national park experience, with several easy and short trails, ranger-led programs, and visitor centers, amenities and facilities, while Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is a more remote and rugged wilderness park, not suitable for families with young children, visitors need to be prepared for extreme weather conditions and be self-sufficient. The park’s remote location also means that it may be difficult to access emergency medical care in case of an injury.