Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are two of America’s most breathtaking national parks. Both parks offer visitors a chance to experience the raw beauty of nature, but in very different ways. Black Canyon of the Gunnison offers visitors a chance to explore the depths of a steep and narrow canyon, while Glacier Bay offers visitors a chance to witness the power of glaciers and the stunning landscapes they have carved. Imagine standing at the edge of a 2,700-foot deep canyon, staring into the abyss as the Gunnison River roars below, or imagine sailing through a fjord surrounded by towering glaciers, watching as chunks of ice calve into the sea. These are the kinds of experiences that await visitors to these two national parks. If you’re looking for an adventure that will leave you in awe, then Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are must-see destinations.
Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are both national parks that offer a wide range of hiking trails for visitors. However, the two parks have very different landscapes and hiking experiences.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers several hiking trails that range from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry routes. The park is known for its steep and narrow canyons, and the trails offer spectacular views of the canyon and its unique rock formations. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Rim Rock Trail, which is a 0.5-mile paved trail that offers views of the canyon and the Gunnison River, and the Chasm View Nature Trail, which is a 0.3-mile paved trail that offers views of Painted Wall and the Gunnison River. On the other hand, the most strenuous hike in the park is the Warner Point Trail, which is a 7.5-mile round trip hike that takes you to the top of the canyon and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, offers a variety of hiking trails that take visitors through the rugged and beautiful wilderness of the park. The park is known for its glaciers, fjords, and diverse wildlife. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Bartlett Cove Trail, which is a 1.5-mile round trip hike that takes you through the forest to Bartlett Cove, and the Forest Trail, which is a 2.5-mile round trip hike that takes you through the forest and offers views of the bay. On the other hand, the most strenuous hike in the park is the East Arm Trail, which is a 14-mile round trip hike that takes you through the wilderness and offers views of glaciers, fjords, and wildlife.
In summary, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers several hiking trails that range from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry routes, with spectacular views of the canyon and its unique rock formations, while Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offers a variety of hiking trails that take visitors through the rugged and beautiful wilderness of the park, including glaciers, fjords, and diverse wildlife.
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 Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bartlett Cove Forest Loop Trail | 1770.274 | 33.8328 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Bartlett River Trail | 11104.446 | 266.7 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Bartlet Lake Trail | 9495.106 | 141.732 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Tlingit Trail | 1770.274 | 19.812 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Point Gustavus | 20116.75 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve both offer a wide variety of wildlife for visitors to observe.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is home to a diverse range of animals including mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, black bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. Visitors may also spot a variety of birds such as golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and the American dipper. The park also has a rich plant life that includes ponderosa pine, aspen, and Douglas-fir.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its marine wildlife. Visitors can see whales, porpoises, dolphins, and sea otters swimming in the waters of the bay. The park is also home to a wide variety of seabirds such as bald eagles, puffins, and guillemots. The park also has a rich plant life that includes Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and western red cedar.
Both Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are home to a diverse range of wildlife and plant life, but the wildlife that can be observed in these two parks are vastly different as one park is a desert environment and the other is a marine and coastal park. The park’s visitors can enjoy observing different animals, birds, and plants depending on what they are interested in.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay 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 | Glacier Bay 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 | 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 | Northern Pintail |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Wigeon |
| American Pipit | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Little Brown Bat |
| Big Brown Bat | Deer Mouse |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | House Mouse |
| Raccoon | Mountain Lion |
| Black Bear | Mink |
| Porcupine | Mule Deer |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Gray Wolf |
| Hoary Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | Snowshoe Hare |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | River Otter |
| House Mouse | Masked Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Water Shrew |
| American Mink | Red Squirrel |
| Mule Deer | Montane Shrew |
| Common Gray Fox | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Lynx |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Wolverine |
| American Badger | Marten |
| California Myotis | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Snowshoe Hare | Grizzly Bear |
Fish
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brook Trout |
| Long-Nose Sucker | Longnose Sucker |
| Northern Pike | Lake Trout |
| Mottled Sculpin | Northern Pike |
| Speckled Dace | Burbot |
| Silver Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Glacier Bay 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 | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander |
Beautiful Landscapes in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park: The park is known for its steep and narrow canyons, carved by the Gunnison River. The most famous landscape is the Black Canyon, which is over 2,700 feet deep and only 40 feet wide at its narrowest point. Other popular landscapes include the Painted Wall, the highest sheer cliff in Colorado, and the North Rim, which offers views of the canyon from a different perspective.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve: The park is known for its glaciers, fjords, and stunning landscapes. The most famous landscape is the Glacier Bay, a huge bay filled with glaciers, which is a spectacular sight to see. Visitors can also see the Margerie Glacier, which is the most active glacier in the park and is known for the large chunks of ice that calve into the bay. Other popular landscapes include the John Hopkins Inlet, an arm of the bay that offers great views of glaciers and the Fairweather Mountain Range.
Both Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer visitors a chance to see some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is known for its steep and narrow canyons, while Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is known for its glaciers, fjords, and stunning mountain ranges. Visitors to both parks will be able to see a wide variety of natural wonders, and the different seasons bring different perspectives and experiences to these beautiful places.
Things To-Do and Activities in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer a wide variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its hiking and backpacking trails. Visitors can hike along the rim of the canyon, or venture down into the canyon to explore the steep, rugged terrain. The park also offers rock climbing opportunities for those looking for a more challenging adventure. Fishing is also a popular activity in the park, with the Gunnison River providing a great spot to catch trout.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its breathtaking scenery and opportunities for marine wildlife viewing. Visitors can take a cruise or kayak trip through the bay to see glaciers, fjords, and the diverse marine wildlife. The park also offers hiking trails, including the popular Glacier Bay Lodge Trail, which leads to stunning views of the bay. Fishing is also a popular activity, with the park’s rivers and streams providing great spots to catch salmon.
Both Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer a wide variety of activities for visitors, but the most popular activities are different as one park is known for its rugged terrain and the other for its marine and coastal activities. Visitors can choose from a range of activities depending on their interests and preferences.
Best Time to Visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are both national parks that offer a wide range of recreational activities, but they have very different weather patterns that affect when is the best time of year to visit each park.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in western Colorado and has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The park experiences high temperatures during the summer months, with average highs in the 80s and 90s. The park also receives very little precipitation during the summer, making it a great time to visit for hiking and sightseeing. Fall and spring are also great times to visit, with milder temperatures and less crowds. However, the park can experience snowfall and freezing temperatures during the winter, making it difficult to access some of the park’s facilities and trails.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and has a subarctic climate with cool summers and cold winters. The park experiences mild temperatures during the summer months, with average highs in the 50s and 60s. The park also receives a significant amount of precipitation during the summer, with rain and fog being common. The summer months are also the best time to visit the park for wildlife viewing and boating activities. Fall and spring are also great times to visit, with milder temperatures and less crowds. However, the park can experience heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures during the winter, making it difficult to access some of the park’s facilities and trails.
In summary, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is best visited during the summer and fall, with milder temperatures and less crowds, while Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is best visited during the summer, with milder temperatures and the best time to view wildlife and boating activities.
Family Friendliness of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are both great options for families looking for outdoor adventures, however, the type of activities that each park offers may make one more suitable for a family trip than the other.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. The park has several easy and short hikes that are suitable for children, such as the Rim Rock Trail and the Chasm View Nature Trail. Visitors can also take a scenic drive along the South Rim Road and stop at various overlooks for stunning views of the canyon. The park also has picnic areas where families can enjoy a meal together.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, offers many opportunities for outdoor adventures, but it is a more challenging park for families with children. The park is primarily known for its glaciers and wild backcountry, and most of the activities require a high level of physical fitness and backcountry experience. The park has several guided boat tours that take visitors to see the glaciers and wildlife, but these are not suitable for children under the age of 5.
In summary, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is a better option for families with children as it offers a variety of easy and short hikes, scenic drives and picnic areas that children can enjoy. Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a more challenging park, with activities that are more suitable for older children and adults who are physically fit.