Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Grand Teton National Park are both natural wonders that offer visitors a chance to experience the beauty and grandeur of the American wilderness. While both parks are known for their awe-inspiring landscapes, they have their own unique charm and offer different experiences to visitors. Whether you’re a nature lover, an outdoor enthusiast or simply looking for a scenic getaway, these two parks are sure to leave a lasting impression. From the steep, sheer walls of Black Canyon to the majestic peaks of Grand Teton, these parks offer a wide range of activities and attractions that will appeal to all ages and interests. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the similarities and differences between Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Grand Teton National Park, and help you decide which one to visit on your next trip.
Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Grand Teton National Park both offer a wide range of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy. The hiking trails at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park are known for their steep terrain and breathtaking views of the canyon. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Rim Rock Trail, which is a 2-mile round trip hike that offers panoramic views of the canyon, and the South Rim Road, which is a scenic drive that takes visitors along the rim of the canyon.
On the other hand, Grand Teton National Park is known for its alpine scenery and challenging hikes. Some of the park’s most popular hikes include the Teton Crest Trail, which is a 40-mile backpacking trail that takes hikers through the heart of the Teton Range, and the Paintbrush Canyon Trail, which is a strenuous hike that leads to the summit of Cascade Canyon.
For more family friendly hikes, in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, the park offers the North Vista Trail which is a 2.5 miles round trip hike that offers great views of the canyon and the Gunnison River. While in Grand Teton National Park, the park offers the Jenny Lake Trail which is a 2.5 miles round trip hike that goes around the lake and offers great views of the Teton mountain range.
Overall, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park offers more strenuous and challenging hikes, while Grand Teton National Park offers a mix of easy and moderate hikes for visitors of all skill levels. If traveling with children, Grand Teton National Park is a better option for families as it offers easy hikes that are suitable for children and also offers more options.
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 Grand Teton National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade Canyon Trail | 15610.598 | 343.8144 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Jenny Lake Trail | 12391.918 | 221.8944 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Taggart Lake Loop | 6598.294 | 130.7592 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Delta Lake via Amphitheater Lake Trail | 14484.06 | 709.8792 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes Trail | 14323.126 | 896.7216 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Hidden Falls Trail | 7885.766 | 179.832 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Phelps Lake Trail | 11265.38 | 220.98 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Lake Solitude Trail | 25749.44 | 803.7576 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| String Lake Trail | 5954.558 | 79.8576 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake Loop | 9656.04 | 231.9528 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Grand Teton National Park are both known for their diverse wildlife populations.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is home to a variety of animals such as bighorn sheep, mule deer, mountain lions, and golden eagles. The park also has a diverse array of bird species, including the American dipper, the black rosy-finch, and the white-throated swift. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of plant species, including the prickly pear cactus and the yucca.
Grand Teton National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife species, including elk, bison, moose, bears, wolves, and mountain lions. The park is also known for its bird watching opportunities, with species such as trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, and ospreys commonly seen. The park also has a diverse array of plant species, including wildflowers, grasses, and trees such as the lodgepole pine, the Douglas fir, and the aspen.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife, but Grand Teton National Park might be considered more attractive for wildlife viewing because it has a wider variety of species such as bears and wolves. However, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is also a great place to spot wildlife and birds.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Grand Teton National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Grand Teton 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 | Northern Pintail |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Wigeon |
| American Pipit | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Grand Teton 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 | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | Mountain Lion |
| Mountain Lion | Mink |
| American Mink | Mule Deer |
| Mule Deer | Wolf |
| Common Gray Fox | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Badger |
| American Badger | Ermine |
| California Myotis | California Myotis |
| Snowshoe Hare | Snowshoe Hare |
Fish
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Redband Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brook Trout |
| Long-Nose Sucker | Brown Trout |
| Northern Pike | Lake Trout |
| Mottled Sculpin | Mottled Sculpin |
| Speckled Dace | Longnose Dace |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Gopher Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Rubber Boa |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard |
Amphibians
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander |
Beautiful Landscapes in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is known for its deep and steep canyons formed by the Gunnison River. The park’s most famous landscape is the Black Canyon, which is a narrow and steep gorge that is over 2,700 feet deep. Visitors can hike to the bottom of the canyon, take a boat tour, or simply admire the view from the rim.
On the other hand, Grand Teton National Park is known for its majestic mountain range and its stunning valleys and lakes. The most famous landscape at the park is the Teton Range, which is a 40-mile-long mountain range that includes the Grand Teton, the highest peak in the range at 13,775 feet. Visitors can hike to the top of the Grand Teton, take a boat tour on Jenny Lake, or simply enjoy the view from the park’s many overlooks.
Things To-Do and Activities in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Grand Teton National Park are both known for their spectacular natural beauty and abundance of outdoor activities. Both parks offer a wide range of activities that are popular with visitors.
At Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, hiking is one of the most popular activities. The park features several hiking trails that range in difficulty, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. Visitors can also take in the stunning views of the canyon from the rim, or take a ranger-led program to learn more about the park’s natural and cultural history. Fishing is also a popular activity in the park, with the Gunnison River and its tributaries offering excellent fishing opportunities for trout, smallmouth bass, and other species.
At Grand Teton National Park, hiking and backpacking are also popular activities, with the park’s rugged mountains and beautiful alpine landscapes providing a challenging and rewarding experience for hikers of all skill levels. Visitors can also take a scenic drive through the park, go wildlife viewing, or take a boat tour of the park’s lakes and rivers. Fishing and camping are also popular activities in the park, with the park’s many lakes and streams offering excellent fishing opportunities for cutthroat trout and other species.
Both parks are great options for families, but Grand Teton National Park may be more suitable for families with children as it offers more activities and options for different ages and interests such as ranger-led programs, scenic drives, boat tours, and more. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, on the other hand, is more suitable for families who enjoy hiking and fishing.
Best Time to Visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Grand Teton National Park have very different seasonal weather patterns. 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 best time to visit the park is in the spring and fall when the temperatures are milder and the wildflowers are in bloom. The summer months can be quite hot, with temperatures reaching over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter is the least popular time to visit the park due to the cold temperatures and snow, making many of the park’s facilities and roads closed.
Grand Teton National Park, on the other hand, is located in northwest Wyoming and has a more temperate climate with cool summers and cold winters. The park is known for its beautiful autumn foliage, making fall a popular time to visit. The summer months are also a popular time to visit, with mild temperatures and long days making it perfect for hiking and camping. The park’s facilities and roads are open throughout the year, but the winter is not a popular time to visit due to the colder temperatures and snow, making many of the park’s trails and roads inaccessible.
In summary, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is best visited in spring and fall, while Grand Teton National Park is best visited in the summer and fall. If you’re traveling with children, Grand Teton National Park is a better option due to the milder weather and the many family-friendly activities available throughout the year.
Family Friendliness of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Grand Teton National Park are both great options for families, but they offer different experiences. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park offers a unique opportunity to explore the depths of the canyon and learn about its geologic history. There are several easy hikes, including the Rim Rock Trail, which offers great views of the canyon. However, the park may not have as many family-friendly activities as other parks.
Grand Teton National Park, on the other hand, offers a wide range of activities for families. There are easy hikes, like the Jenny Lake Trail, that offer beautiful views of the Teton Range and the lake. There are also ranger-led programs, wildlife viewing opportunities, and scenic drives that are perfect for families. Additionally, the park’s proximity to the town of Jackson Hole offers a variety of family-friendly restaurants and accommodations. Overall, Grand Teton National Park may be a better option for families looking for a variety of activities and amenities.