Are you ready to explore two of the most unique and breathtaking national parks in the country? Look no further than Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Great Basin National Park. These two parks offer a diverse array of landscapes and activities, from the narrow and steep canyons of Black Canyon to the ancient bristlecone pines and Lehman Caves of Great Basin. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a first-time park-goer, these parks will leave you in awe of the natural beauty and wonder of our country. So pack your bags, grab your hiking boots, and get ready to discover the stunning landscapes and hidden gems of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Great Basin National Park.
Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Great Basin National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Great Basin National Park offer a diverse range of hiking trails for visitors to explore. The Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is known for its steep and challenging trails that offer stunning views of the canyon. The most famous hike in the park is the Gunnison Route, which is considered one of the most difficult hikes in the park, but offers an unparalleled view of the canyon. Other challenging hikes include the Chasm View Nature Trail, which takes hikers to the edge of the canyon, and the Warner Point Nature Trail, which offers a panoramic view of the canyon.
On the other hand, Great Basin National Park offers more moderate hiking trails for visitors to enjoy. The park is home to several peaks, including the 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak, which is the highest peak in the park and offers a challenging but rewarding hike to the summit. The Bristlecone Pine Trail, which is a 1.2-mile round-trip hike, is also a popular trail that takes visitors through a grove of ancient bristlecone pines. The park also offers several easy hikes such as the Lehman Caves trail and the Glacier trail, which are great options for families traveling with children.
In summary, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park offers a more challenging hiking experience, with steep and strenuous trails, while Great Basin National Park offers a more moderate hiking experience with a mix of challenging and easy hikes.
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 Great Basin National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeler Peak Trail via Stella Lake Trail | 13196.588 | 885.7488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Bristlecone Pine Glacier Trail | 7242.03 | 322.7832 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Alpine Lakes Trail | 4345.218 | 142.9512 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Lehman Cave | 643.736 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Bristlecone and Alpine Lakes Loop | 8529.502 | 308.7624 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive | 37497.622 | 1175.9184 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Baker Lake Trail | 16737.136 | 813.816 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Teresa Lake | 2414.01 | 92.964 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Baker Lake-Johnson Lake Loop | 20760.486 | 1330.7568 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Lexington Arch Trail | 4667.086 | 340.7664 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Great Basin National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mountain lions, black bears, and elk. The park is also known for its birdwatching opportunities, with species such as golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and turkey vultures commonly seen. The park is home to many species of plants, including Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and aspen trees.
Great Basin National Park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn. The park is also known for its bat population, with several species of bats including the Townsend’s big-eared bat, and the western small-footed bat. The park also has a rich bird population, with species such as the great grey owl, mountain bluebird, and the white-headed woodpecker. Plants at the park include sagebrush, pinyon pine, and juniper trees.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Great Basin National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Great Basin 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 | Great Basin 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 | Porcupine |
| Porcupine | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Red Fox |
| Red Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | House Mouse |
| House Mouse | Lion |
| Mountain Lion | Mink |
| American Mink | Mule Deer |
| Mule Deer | Gray Fox |
| Common Gray Fox | Gray Wolf |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| American Badger | Badger |
| California Myotis | Ermine |
| Snowshoe Hare | Californis Myotis |
Fish
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brook Trout |
| Long-Nose Sucker | Brown Trout |
| Northern Pike | Mottled Sculpin |
| Mottled Sculpin | Speckled Dace |
| Speckled Dace | Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Racer |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Rubber Boa |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Milksnake | Eastern Collared Lizard |
| Striped Whipsnake | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Tree Lizard | Long-Nosed Snake |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | Desert Spiny Lizard |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Tiger Salamander |
| Tiger Salamander | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Insects
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Great Basin National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is known for its spectacular and steep cliffs, towering rock formations, and deep, dark canyons. The park’s main feature is the Black Canyon, which is a narrow and steep-sided gorge that is up to 2,700 feet deep and only 40 feet wide at its narrowest point. Visitors can hike down to the bottom of the canyon and witness the power of the Gunnison River as it carves its way through the rock. The park also offers a variety of scenic overlooks that provide breathtaking views of the canyon and the surrounding landscape.
Great Basin National Park, on the other hand, is known for its rugged mountains, dense forests, and alpine lakes. The park is home to the 13,063-foot-high Wheeler Peak, which is the second highest peak in Nevada. Visitors can hike to the summit and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The park also features the ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, which is home to some of the oldest living trees in the world. The park also offers a variety of other activities such as camping, stargazing, and wildlife viewing.
Both parks offer a diverse and unique natural landscapes that are sure to leave an impression on visitors. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is more ideal for visitors who are looking for a more dramatic and rugged landscape, while Great Basin National Park is more ideal for visitors who are looking for a more diverse landscape with a mix of mountains, forests, and alpine lakes.
Things To-Do and Activities in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Great Basin National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Great Basin National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. However, the types of activities and experiences offered at the two parks are quite different.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is known for its steep and narrow canyon, offering activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and scenic drives. The park’s most popular hike is the South Rim Trail, which provides breathtaking views of the canyon and the Gunnison River. The park also offers ranger-led programs and stargazing opportunities.
On the other hand, Great Basin National Park is known for its diverse landscape, including alpine forests, limestone caverns, and ancient bristlecone pine trees. The park’s most popular hike is the Wheeler Peak Trail, which offers a strenuous hike to the summit of the park’s highest peak. The park also offers ranger-led programs, cave tours, and stargazing opportunities.
In terms of family-friendliness, both parks offer a range of activities that are suitable for different ages and abilities. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park has shorter and easier hikes suitable for children, while Great Basin National Park offers a range of activities that are suitable for families such as cave tours, scenic drives and ranger-led programs.
In summary, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is best for those looking for a more strenuous outdoor experience with spectacular views of the canyon, while Great Basin National Park is best for those who want to explore a diverse landscape with a variety of activities.
Best Time to Visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Great Basin National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Great Basin National Park are both known for their striking natural beauty, but the weather and hiking trails in these two parks are quite different.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is located in Western Colorado, and the weather here is characterized by hot summers and cold winters. The best time to visit is during the spring or fall when the temperatures are milder and there are fewer crowds. The park is home to several challenging hikes, including the strenuous South Rim hike that takes you to the edge of the canyon, and the strenuous Gunnison Route hike that descends into the canyon.
Great Basin National Park, on the other hand, is located in Eastern Nevada and it’s known for its high elevations and alpine climate. The park features Wheeler Peak, which at 13,063 feet is the second-highest point in Nevada. The park is open all year round, but the best time to visit is during the summer when the snow has melted, and the wildflowers are in bloom. The park offers many hiking trails that vary in difficulty, including the strenuous Bristlecone Trail, which takes you to the ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, and the strenuous Wheeler Peak Summit Trail, which takes you to the summit of Wheeler Peak.
In summary, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is great for visitors looking for challenging hikes and dramatic canyon views, while Great Basin National Park is ideal for visitors seeking alpine adventures, and breathtaking views from high elevations. Both parks are great options for visitors looking to explore the great outdoors, but they offer a different experience.
Family Friendliness of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Great Basin National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Great Basin National Park both offer a variety of activities that can be enjoyed by families, but they are quite different in terms of their family-friendly offerings.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is known for its deep and narrow canyons, steep cliffs, and rugged terrain. There are several hiking trails that offer stunning views of the canyon, but they can be challenging for young children. The park also offers ranger-led programs and educational activities that can be enjoyed by families.
Great Basin National Park, on the other hand, is more family-friendly in terms of its hiking and outdoor activities. The park is home to a variety of landscapes, including alpine forests, meadows, and mountain peaks. There are several easy hiking trails that wind through these landscapes, making it a great destination for families with young children. The park also offers ranger-led programs, campfire talks, and other educational activities that can be enjoyed by families.
Overall, Great Basin National Park would be a better choice for families traveling with young children. It offers a variety of easy hiking trails and educational activities that can be enjoyed by all ages. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is more suitable for families with older children or those looking for a more challenging outdoor experience.