Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park are both stunning national parks, but they offer vastly different experiences for visitors. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is located in Western Colorado and is known for its breathtaking canyons and rugged terrain. Visitors can hike through the park’s many trails, take in the stunning views from the rim, and even go white-water rafting on the Gunnison River.
Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and is known for its vast wilderness and incredible wildlife. The park is home to caribou, grizzly bears, wolves, and many other species. Visitors can explore the park on foot or by boat and take in the awe-inspiring landscape. The park also features the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, which is one of the largest active dune fields in the Arctic. Both of these parks offer a different type of adventure, but both are worth visiting. If you’re looking for a rugged, canyon adventure, head to Black Canyon of the Gunnison. But if you want to explore the Arctic wilderness and see Arctic wildlife, Kobuk Valley is the place to go.
Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore. However, the types of trails and the difficulty level of the hikes at each park are quite different.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has several trails that vary in difficulty, from easy nature walks to more strenuous backcountry treks. Some of the easiest hikes at the park include the Chasm View Nature Trail, which is a 0.5-mile trail that offers great views of the canyon, and the South Rim Road, which is a scenic drive that provides access to several overlooks. For more advanced hikers, the park offers the Gunnison Route, which is a strenuous hike that drops 1,800 feet into the canyon.
Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is a relatively remote park that is known for its dunes and valleys. The park has one main trail, the Kobuk Valley Overlook Trail which is 2.8 miles long and is considered to be of moderate difficulty. The trail offers views of the park’s sand dunes and the Kobuk River. The park also offers backpacking opportunities and visitors can explore the park on foot, but it’s important to note that the park is relatively remote and it may not be as accessible as other national parks.
In summary, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers a wide variety of hiking trails that vary in difficulty, from easy nature walks to more strenuous backcountry treks, while Kobuk Valley National Park offers a single moderate difficulty trail that allows visitors to explore the park’s sand dunes and the Kobuk River. If you are looking for a more diverse hiking options, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park may be more suitable, while if you’re looking for a remote and peaceful destination, Kobuk Valley National Park may be the right choice.
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 Kobuk Valley National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, black bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. Visitors to the park can also spot a variety of bird species such as the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, and the common raven. The park also boasts a diverse range of plant life, including wildflowers, aspen, and Douglas fir.
Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is home to a different set of wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, wolves, and wolverines. The park is also home to a large number of migratory birds, including the tundra swan, bald eagle, and the peregrine falcon. The park is also home to a number of plant species, including cotton grass, willow, and dwarf birch.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide range of wildlife and plants in their natural habitats, but the species found in each park are quite different. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison is home to more mammals, while Kobuk Valley is home to more migratory birds.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Kobuk Valley 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 | Northern Flicker |
Northern Flicker | Merlin |
Merlin | Savannah Sparrow |
Barn Swallow | American Kestrel |
Great Blue Heron | Bald Eagle |
Hermit Thrush | Northern Pintail |
American Kestrel | American Wigeon |
Bald Eagle | Green-Winged Teal |
Song Sparrow | American Pipit |
European Starling | Swainson’s Thrush |
Northern Pintail | White-Crowned Sparrow |
American Wigeon | Northern Shoveler |
Green-Winged Teal | Golden Eagle |
American Pipit | Rough-Legged Hawk |
Mammals
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Kobuk Valley 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 | Snowshoe 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 | Moose |
Common Gray Fox | Least Weasel |
Long-Legged Myotis | Pygmy Shrew |
Long-Eared Myotis | Northern Bog Lemming |
American Badger | |
California Myotis | |
Snowshoe Hare |
Fish
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Kobuk Valley National Park |
---|---|
Rainbow Trout | Longnose Sucker |
Brown Trout | Lake Trout |
Long-Nose Sucker | Northern Pike |
Northern Pike | Burbot |
Mottled Sculpin | Coho Salmon |
Speckled Dace | King Salmon |
Slimy Sculpin | |
Alaskan Stickleback | |
Pink Salmon | |
Chum Salmon | |
Dolly Varden | |
Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Kobuk Valley 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 | Kobuk Valley National Park |
---|---|
Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
Tiger Salamander |
Beautiful Landscapes in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is known for its deep and narrow canyons. The park’s main feature is the Black Canyon, which is a steep-sided canyon that was carved by the Gunnison River. The canyon is 2,700 feet deep in some places and only 40 feet wide at its narrowest point. Visitors can take in the stunning views of the canyon from several overlooks throughout the park, including the Painted Wall and the Chasm View. The park also has several hiking trails that take visitors to the rim of the canyon and even down to the river.
Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is known for its vast wilderness and incredible wildlife. The park is home to caribou, grizzly bears, wolves, and many other species. Visitors can explore the park on foot or by boat and take in the awe-inspiring landscape. The park also features the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, which is one of the largest active dune fields in the Arctic. The sand dunes are located in the middle of the boreal forest and are a unique feature of the park. Visitors can hike to the top of the dunes and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness.
Things To-Do and Activities in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park are two vastly different parks that offer unique experiences for visitors.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is known for its dramatic and steep canyon walls that drop 2,700 feet. Visitors can hike along the rim of the canyon, take a scenic drive, or even go rock climbing. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, elk, and black bears.
Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is known for its remote wilderness and vast sand dunes. The park is home to the largest caribou herd in Alaska and visitors can take guided tours to see them. The park is also a popular spot for rafting and kayaking on the Kobuk River. The best time to visit is during the summer months, when the river is navigable.
When it comes to activities, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is better suited for visitors who enjoy hiking, climbing, and wildlife viewing. Kobuk Valley National Park is better suited for visitors who enjoy remote wilderness, river rafting, and wildlife viewing.
Both parks offer unique experiences and it really depends on what type of activities and scenery you are looking for when choosing which park to visit.
Best Time to Visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park are two vastly different national parks in terms of weather and climate. Black Canyon of the Gunnison 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 during the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and the park is less crowded. During the summer, temperatures can reach over 90 degrees Fahrenheit and there is little shade available on the trails, making it difficult to hike during the hottest parts of the day. Winter is also a challenging time to visit the park due to snow and ice on the trails, as well as the park’s high elevation.
Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is located in northern Alaska and has a subarctic climate. The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the summer months of June through August. During this time, the park is accessible by foot, boat, or small aircraft and visitors can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, and fishing. However, it should be noted that even during the summer months, temperatures can range from below freezing at night to the low 50s during the day and it can be quite wet due to the park’s location in the Arctic.
In summary, the best time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is during the spring and fall, while the best time to visit Kobuk Valley National Park is during the summer months. It’s important to keep in mind that both parks have challenging weather conditions and visitors should come prepared with the right gear and clothing.
Family Friendliness of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park have different experiences to offer for families with children.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park offers a variety of family-friendly activities that allow children to explore and learn about the natural environment. The park features several easy hiking trails, such as the Warner Point Nature Trail and the Rim Rock Nature Trail, that offer great views of the canyon and are suitable for children of all ages. The park also has a visitor center that provides educational exhibits and ranger-led programs that are tailored to children.
Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is a remote wilderness area that is less developed and accessible. The park offers opportunities for backpacking and wilderness camping, but it can be challenging for families with young children. The park also does not have any visitor centers or ranger-led programs for children.
In summary, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is more family-friendly and offers more educational opportunities for children than Kobuk Valley National Park.