Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gateway Arch National Park are two vastly different national parks that offer unique experiences for visitors. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in western Colorado and is known for its deep and narrow gorge, carved by the Gunnison River. The park offers visitors the opportunity to hike along the rim of the canyon, or even to the bottom of the canyon, and see the steep cliffs and unique rock formations that make it one of the most spectacular canyons in the world.
On the other hand, Gateway Arch National Park is located in St. Louis, Missouri, and is home to the Gateway Arch, a 630-foot-tall monument that serves as a symbol of the nation’s westward expansion. The park also offers visitors the opportunity to take a tram to the top of the arch and enjoy the breathtaking views of the city. The park also offers a museum that tells the story of America’s westward expansion, and the role of the Gateway City, St Louis, in that history.
Whether you’re looking for a rugged outdoor adventure or a more urban experience, these two parks have something to offer everyone. So pack your bags and get ready to explore two of America’s most unique national parks.
Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park: The park offers several hiking trails that vary in difficulty. The easiest hike is the South Rim Road, which is a scenic drive that offers several pullouts with views of the canyon. For a more moderate hike, visitors can take the Warner Point Nature Trail, which is a 2.5-mile round-trip hike with a moderate elevation gain. The park’s most challenging hike is the North Vista Trail, which is a strenuous 8.5-mile round-trip hike that descends 2,250 feet into the canyon.
Gateway Arch National Park: The park has several hiking trails that are relatively easy, one of them is the Riverfront Trail, which is a 1.4-mile paved trail that takes visitors along the Mississippi River. For a more moderate hike, visitors can take the Old Courthouse and Gateway Arch grounds trail, a 2-mile long trail that takes visitors through the park’s historic landmarks, and offers views of the Gateway Arch. The park doesn’t have any challenging hikes, the trails are mostly easy and well-maintained, suitable for visitors of all ages and fitness levels.
Both Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gateway Arch National Park offer hiking trails for visitors, but the nature of the trails and the level of difficulty are quite different. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its challenging hikes with steep elevation changes, while Gateway Arch National Park is known for its easy and well-maintained trails that offer a chance to explore the park’s historic landmarks and scenic views of the Mississippi River. Both parks offer a chance to get out and explore the natural world, but visitors should be prepared for different challenges depending on the park they choose.
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 Gateway Arch National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Riverfront Trail | 34439.876 | 109.728 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Jefferson National Expansion Memorial | 2574.944 | 20.7264 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Wildlife in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gateway Arch National Park are both beautiful and unique national parks, but they offer very different wildlife experiences.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, black bears, mountain lions, and many species of birds, such as golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and great horned owls. The park also has a variety of reptiles, such as lizards and snakes, and a diverse array of fish in the Gunnison River. The park’s varied landscape, including canyons, cliffs, and forests, provides habitats for many different species.
Gateway Arch National Park, on the other hand, is located in an urban area and has a different set of wildlife than Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The park is home to some species of birds, such as the American Goldfinch, and it is also home to a few mammals, such as the Eastern Gray Squirrel, Muskrat and raccoons. There are also a few species of reptiles and fish in the Mississippi River, but the park’s wildlife is not as diverse as Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
In summary, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers a diverse array of wildlife, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, black bears, mountain lions, and many species of birds, reptiles, and fish, while Gateway Arch National Park is located in an urban area and has a different set of wildlife, such as species of birds and a few mammals, reptiles and fish in the Mississippi River, but the park’s wildlife is not as diverse as Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gateway Arch National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Gateway Arch 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 | 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 | Gateway Arch National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Gateway Arch National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Gateway Arch National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Gateway Arch National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander |
Beautiful Landscapes in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its deep and narrow gorge, carved by the Gunnison River. The park offers visitors the opportunity to hike along the rim of the canyon and see the steep cliffs, unique rock formations and the beautiful views of the canyon. The park also has several overlooks that offer panoramic views of the canyon, including Painted Wall View, which offers a view of the highest vertical cliff in North America, the Painted Wall. Additionally, the park has several hiking trails that lead to the bottom of the canyon, such as the Warner Point Nature Trail which offers a view of the Gunnison River.
On the other hand, Gateway Arch National Park is home to the Gateway Arch, a 630-foot-tall monument that serves as a symbol of the nation’s westward expansion. Visitors can take a tram to the top of the arch and enjoy the breathtaking views of the city, the Mississippi River and the Illinois side. The park also has a museum that tells the story of America’s westward expansion, and the role of the Gateway City, St Louis, in that history. Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful landscaped grounds of the park, which include the Luther Ely Smith Square and the Old Courthouse, which was the site of the famous Dred Scott case.
In summary, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers visitors the opportunity to hike along the rim of the canyon, and see the steep cliffs, unique rock formations, and the beautiful views of the canyon. Gateway Arch National Park is home to the Gateway Arch, a 630-foot-tall monument that serves as a symbol of the nation’s westward expansion, visitors can take a tram to the top of the arch and enjoy the breathtaking views of the city, the Mississippi River and the Illinois side, and also enjoy the beautiful landscaped grounds of the park, which include the Luther Ely Smith Square and the Old Courthouse.
Things To-Do and Activities in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gateway Arch National Park are both popular national parks, but they offer very different activities for visitors.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its rugged beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. Some of the most popular activities at the park include hiking, camping, rock climbing, and fishing. The park’s hiking trails range from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry routes, and they offer stunning views of the canyon and its unique rock formations. Camping is also a popular activity, with several campgrounds available for visitors. Rock climbing is also allowed in designated areas of the park, with routes for both experienced and novice climbers. Fishing in the Gunnison River is also a popular activity, with several species of fish found in the river.
Gateway Arch National Park, on the other hand, is more of an urban park and offers a different set of activities for visitors. The park is home to the Gateway Arch, which is the most popular attraction in the park. Visitors can take a tram to the top of the arch for a panoramic view of the city of St. Louis. Additionally, the park offers boat and riverboat tours of the Mississippi River, and the Old Courthouse, which has been a National Historic Landmark since 1960, is located in the park and is open for tours. The park also has a museum and a film that tells the story of the Gateway Arch and the history of the city.
In summary, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its rugged beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, rock climbing, and fishing, while Gateway Arch National Park is more of an urban park and offers activities such as visiting Gateway Arch, boat and riverboat tours of the Mississippi River, tours of the Old Courthouse, a museum, and a film that tells the story of the Gateway Arch and the history of the city.
Best Time to Visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park: The park experiences a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions throughout the year. Summer is the most popular time to visit, with temperatures averaging in the 80s Fahrenheit during the day and dropping to the 40s at night. Winter can be harsh, with temperatures dropping well below freezing and heavy snowfall. Spring and fall offer milder temperatures and less crowded conditions.
Gateway Arch National Park: The park experiences four distinct seasons, with hot summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures can reach up to 90°F, and it can be humid, making it the least popular time to visit the park. Spring and fall are milder and more comfortable, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Winter can be cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing and snowfall possible.
Both Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gateway Arch National Park offer visitors the chance to experience different seasons, but the weather can be quite different depending on the time of year. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its harsh winters, while Gateway Arch National Park is known for its hot summers. Spring and fall are the best times to visit both parks, as the weather is milder and less crowded. Visitors should be prepared for different weather conditions depending on the park they choose and the time of year they visit.
Family Friendliness of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gateway Arch National Park are both family-friendly, but in different ways.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers a variety of outdoor activities for families to enjoy together such as hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. The park has several easy and short hiking trails that are perfect for families with young children, such as the Rim Rock Nature Trail and the South Rim Road. The park also has picnic areas and campgrounds where families can enjoy a meal together. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of wildlife such as mule deer, bighorn sheep, and golden eagles, making it a great place for wildlife viewing.
On the other hand, Gateway Arch National Park is more urban and is perfect for families who are interested in history and architecture. The park is home to the Gateway Arch, a 630-foot-tall monument that serves as a symbol of the nation’s westward expansion. Visitors can take a tram to the top of the arch and enjoy the breathtaking views of the city. The park also has a museum that tells the story of America’s westward expansion, and the role of the Gateway City, St Louis, in that history, with interactive exhibits that children can enjoy. Additionally, the park offers visitors the opportunity to take a boat tour of the Mississippi River and learn about its history and the role it played in America’s westward expansion.
In summary, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers a variety of outdoor activities for families to enjoy together such as hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Gateway Arch National Park is more urban and is perfect for families who are interested in history and architecture, with the Gateway Arch, a 630-foot-tall monument, interactive exhibits and boat tours of the Mississippi River. Both parks offer unique and different experiences for families, so it depends on what your family is interested in.