Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are two of the most unique and awe-inspiring national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a diverse array of landscapes, activities, and cultural experiences that are sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors. While Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is known for its steep, rugged canyons and striking geologic formations, Mesa Verde National Park is renowned for its ancient cliff dwellings ruins and rich cultural history. Whether you’re a nature lover, history buff, or outdoor enthusiast, these two parks have something to offer everyone. Join us as we explore and compare the highlights of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Mesa Verde National Park, and discover which one is the perfect destination for your next adventure.
Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are both known for their breathtaking landscapes and hiking opportunities. Both parks offer a range of trails for visitors to explore, but the types of trails and difficulty levels vary between the two.
At Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, hikers can explore the steep and narrow gorge of the Gunnison River, with trails ranging from easy to strenuous. The park’s most popular hike is the South Rim Road, a 13-mile road that offers breathtaking views of the canyon. Another popular hike is the North Rim Road, which is a more challenging hike that provides even more spectacular views of the canyon.
Mesa Verde National Park, on the other hand, offers a different type of hiking experience. The park is home to over 4,000 ancient cliff dwellings sites, and many of the trails here lead visitors to these ancient ruins. The park’s most popular hike is the Balcony House Trail, a moderate hike that leads visitors to a cliff dwelling site. Another popular hike is the Spruce Tree House, which is an easy hike that leads visitors to a cliff dwelling site.
Overall, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park offers more strenuous hikes for those looking for a challenge, while Mesa Verde National Park offers a more relaxed hiking experience with the opportunity to explore ancient cliff dwellings sites. Both parks are great options for hikers of all skill levels, but the type of hiking experience you’re looking for will determine which park is the best fit for you.
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 Mesa Verde National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petroglyph Point Trail | 4184.284 | 131.9784 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cliff Palace Loop Trail | 643.736 | 25.908 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Balcony House Loop Trail | 643.736 | 27.7368 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mesa Verde Point Lookout Trail | 3379.614 | 161.8488 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Soda Canyon Overlook Trail | 1931.208 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mesa Verde National Park Scenic Drive | 24140.1 | 797.9664 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Long House Trail | 3379.614 | 86.868 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Step House Trail | 1287.472 | 46.9392 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Knife Edge Trail | 3218.68 | 46.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Prater Ridge Trail | 11748.182 | 311.8104 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Wildlife in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, black bears, mountain lions, and golden eagles. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the peregrine falcon, the common raven, and the red-tailed hawk. The park is also home to a variety of plant species, including piñon pine, juniper, and sagebrush.
Mesa Verde National Park, on the other hand, is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, mule deer, black bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the peregrine falcon, the golden eagle, and the turkey vulture. The park is also home to a variety of plant species, including piñon pine, juniper, and sagebrush. While both parks have similar wildlife and plant species, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is known for its steep and dramatic canyon walls while Mesa Verde National Park is known for its ancient cliff dwellings.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Mesa Verde National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Mesa Verde 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 | Mesa Verde 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 | House Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Mountain Lion |
| American Mink | Mink |
| Mule Deer | Mule Deer |
| Common Gray Fox | Gray Fox |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Wolf |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| American Badger | Long-Eared Myotis |
| California Myotis | Badger |
| Snowshoe Hare | Ermine |
Fish
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | |
| Brown Trout | |
| Long-Nose Sucker | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Speckled Dace |
Reptiles
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Gopher Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Racer |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Western Rattlesnake |
| Milksnake | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Striped Whipsnake | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Tree Lizard | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Nightsnake | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Amphibians
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its deep and steep canyon, which is carved by the Gunnison River. The park is home to some of the most dramatic and unique landscapes in the country, including the Painted Wall, which is the tallest cliff in Colorado at 2,250 feet. Visitors can also see the Black Canyon, which is over 2,700 feet deep and offers a variety of hiking trails, including the challenging Rim Rock Trail, which offers stunning views of the canyon and the river below.
Mesa Verde National Park, on the other hand, is known for its ancient cliff dwellings and the rich cultural history of the Ancestral Pueblo people. The park is home to over 5,000 archaeological sites, including the famous Cliff Palace and Spruce Tree House, which can be visited via ranger-guided tours. Visitors can also enjoy hiking on the park’s many trails, including the Petroglyph Point Trail, which offers a glimpse of the ancient rock art created by the Ancestral Pueblo people. The park also has a number of scenic drives that offer spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, including the Park Point Road, which offers a panoramic view of the entire park.
Both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. Black Canyon of the Gunnison offers a deep and steep canyon, while Mesa Verde offers ancient cliff dwellings and the rich cultural history of the Ancestral Pueblo people. Both parks offer great opportunities for hiking and sightseeing.
Things To-Do and Activities in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. The main activities at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park include hiking, rock climbing, and sightseeing. The park is known for its steep and deep canyon walls, which offer a unique and challenging hiking experience. The park also offers a variety of rock climbing routes for climbers of all skill levels. Visitors can also take a scenic drive along the rim of the canyon to get a panoramic view of the park.
Mesa Verde National Park, on the other hand, is known for its well-preserved cliff dwellings ruins. The park offers a variety of guided tours, including tours of the cliff dwellings ruins and ranger-led tours of the park. Visitors can also hike to the cliff dwellings ruins on their own, but it is important to note that some areas are closed to protect the ruins. Additionally, the park offers a variety of other hiking trails for visitors to explore.
Both of these parks offer a diverse range of activities for visitors to enjoy, with Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offering more rugged outdoor adventures and Mesa Verde National Park offering a more cultural experience.
Best Time to Visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, located in Colorado, has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cool winters. The park receives the most visitors during the summer months of June to August, when temperatures average in the mid-80s Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, and snowfall is common, making winter a less popular time to visit.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, also has a semi-arid climate but with milder summers and cooler winters compared to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The park is open year-round, but the most popular time to visit is during the summer months of June to August, when temperatures average in the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, but the park remains open for visitors.
In terms of weather, both parks are best visited during the summer months, although Mesa Verde National Park is a bit cooler than Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Winter visits to both parks are possible but may be less comfortable due to the colder temperatures.
Family Friendliness of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are both great options for families, but the experiences offered at each park are quite different.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park offers breathtaking views of the deep and steep gorge carved by the Gunnison River. It is a great place for families that enjoy hiking and outdoor activities. The park offers a variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous, and there are also ranger-led programs that are great for kids. Some of the most popular activities at the park include hiking, camping, and fishing.
Mesa Verde National Park, on the other hand, offers a unique look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived in the area for over 700 years. The park is home to the largest concentration of cliff dwellings in North America, and visitors can take guided tours of the cliff dwellings to learn about the people who lived there. The park also has a variety of hiking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Some of the most popular activities at the park include touring the cliff dwellings, hiking, and camping.
Overall, both parks offer a great family-friendly experience. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is better for families that enjoy outdoor activities, while Mesa Verde National Park is better for families that are interested in learning about the history and culture of the Ancestral Pueblo people.