Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park are two vastly different parks located on opposite sides of the country, offering unique and awe-inspiring experiences for visitors. Black Canyon of the Gunnison, located in Colorado, is known for its dramatic and steep canyon walls that drop over 2,000 feet, making it one of the deepest and most spectacular canyons in the country. On the other hand, Olympic National Park in Washington State offers a diverse landscape that includes rainforests, rugged coastline, and snow-capped mountains, making it one of the most diverse parks in the country. Both parks offer a chance to connect with nature and escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, but in different ways. If you’re looking for a rugged and dramatic adventure or a peaceful and serene escape, both Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park are must-see destinations that will leave you in awe and wanting more.
Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park are both known for their stunning natural beauty and offer visitors a wide range of hiking trails to explore. However, the trails at each park offer a slightly different experience.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers a variety of hiking trails that vary in difficulty, but the majority of trails are considered moderate to difficult. The park’s most popular hike is the Rim Rock Nature Trail, which is a moderate hike that offers visitors breathtaking views of the canyon. The park also offers several backcountry trails that lead visitors into the depths of the canyon, such as the Gunnison Route, which is considered one of the most challenging hikes in the park. The hike requires scrambling over large boulders, and visitors should be prepared for steep and rugged terrain.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, offers a wide range of hiking trails that vary in difficulty. The park’s most popular hike is the Hurricane Ridge Trail, which is a moderate hike that offers visitors breathtaking views of the park’s rugged peaks and glaciers. The park also offers several easy hikes, such as the Sol Duc Falls Trail and the Hoh Rainforest Nature Trail, which provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the park’s lush rainforests and cascading waterfalls. On the other hand, the park offers several challenging hikes such as the High Divide Loop and the Seven Lakes Basin, which are considered strenuous hikes that require visitors to be prepared for steep and rugged terrain.
Overall, both Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park offer visitors a wide range of hiking trails to explore. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its challenging and rugged hikes, while Olympic National Park is known for its wide range of hiking trails that vary in difficulty, from easy to strenuous hikes. Both park offer unique and spectacular experiences, it depends on the type of hike that visitors are looking for.
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 Olympic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge | 4988.954 | 242.9256 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Storm King | 6276.426 | 638.8608 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail | 2574.944 | 77.724 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh Rain Forest Hall of Moss | 1609.34 | 23.7744 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Marymere Falls Trail | 2735.878 | 90.8304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh River Trail | 52786.352 | 1558.7472 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| High Divide – Seven Lakes Basin Loop | 30577.46 | 1617.8784 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Ruby Beach | 2253.076 | 20.7264 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Staircase Rapids Loop | 3379.614 | 64.9224 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spruce Railroad Trail: Lake Crescent | 18024.608 | 131.9784 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park are both home to a wide variety of wildlife. In Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, visitors may see animals such as bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, black bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and turkey vultures. The park’s vegetation is primarily made up of pinion-juniper and ponderosa pine forests.
In contrast, Olympic National Park is known for its diverse ecosystems, which include temperate rainforests, alpine meadows, and rocky coastline. Visitors to the park may see animals such as black bears, mountain goats, elk, and marmots. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including eagles, owls, and seabirds. The park’s vegetation is diverse and includes old-growth forests, wildflowers, and ferns.
Both parks offer great opportunities to see wildlife and plants in their natural habitats. However, Olympic National Park offers a wider variety of ecosystems and wildlife to observe, making it a great destination for those interested in observing a wide range of species.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Olympic 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 | Barn Swallow |
| Barn Swallow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Pipit | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| 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 | Red Fox |
| Hoary Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | House Mouse |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Wolf |
| House Mouse | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Mountain Lion | Long-Eared Myotis |
| American Mink | California Myotis |
| Mule Deer | Snowshoe Rabbit |
| Common Gray Fox | North American River Otter |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Fringe-Tailed Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Masked Shrew |
| American Badger | Water Shrew |
| California Myotis | Western Big-Eared Bat |
| Snowshoe Hare | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
Fish
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Steelhead/Rainbow Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brook Trout |
| Long-Nose Sucker | Largemouth Bass |
| Northern Pike | Salish Sucker |
| Mottled Sculpin | Coho Salmon |
| Speckled Dace | Chinook Salmon |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Common Garter Snake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Rubber Boa |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Western Fence Lizard |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard |
Amphibians
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Bullfrog |
| Tiger Salamander |
Insects
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee |
Beautiful Landscapes in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park are both known for their stunning landscapes and natural wonders. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is home to the steep and narrow Black Canyon, which is carved by the Gunnison River and offers breathtaking views of the deep and dark gorge. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, camping, and rock climbing in the park. Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is known for its diverse landscapes, including the rugged Pacific coastline, lush rainforests, and snowcapped peaks. The park is home to the Olympic Mountains, which offer excellent hiking and backpacking opportunities, as well as the beautiful Hoh Rainforest and the Elwha River. Both parks offer a wide range of outdoor activities, from hiking and camping to wildlife viewing and photography. Both parks are popular among nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, and are sure to leave visitors with lasting memories of their visit.
Things To-Do and Activities in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife, but the types of animals and plants commonly seen in each park differ.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is known for its diverse bird population, including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and the black canyon swallow. It is also home to a variety of mammals, such as mule deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of reptiles and amphibians, such as the western rattlesnake and the canyon tree frog. The park is also home to a variety of wildflowers and other plants, including the black canyon penstemon, the black canyon cactus, and the black canyon wild rose.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is home to a wider variety of wildlife, including black bears, mountain goats, and elk. The park also has a diverse bird population, including the marbled murrelet and the spotted owl. The park is also home to a variety of amphibians and reptiles, such as the rough-skinned newt and the western skink. The park is also home to a wide variety of wildflowers and other plants, including the Olympic mariposa lily, the Olympic columbine, and the Olympic huckleberry.
As for the most popular activities, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is known for its hiking, camping, fishing, and rock climbing. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, including the South Rim Road, which offers spectacular views of the canyon and is a great hike for families. Additionally, the park offers a variety of camping options, including backpacking and car camping. Fishing is also a popular activity in the park, as the Gunnison River is home to a variety of fish species, such as rainbow trout and brown trout.
Olympic National Park is known for its hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. The park offers a wide variety of hiking trails, including the popular Hurricane Ridge, which offers spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains. Additionally, the park offers a variety of camping options, including backpacking and car camping. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity in the park, as visitors can see a wide variety of animals, such as black bears and elk.
Both parks are family friendly and offer a variety of activities that are suitable for children. In Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, the easy South Rim Road hike is a great option for families and the park also offers Ranger-led programs that are often geared towards children. Olympic National Park offers many family-friendly hikes, and the Hurricane Ridge visitor center has an interactive exhibit that is great for children.
Best Time to Visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park are both located in the western United States and offer visitors a wide range of seasonal weather conditions. However, the weather at each park can vary greatly depending on the time of year.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in western Colorado and experiences a semi-arid climate. The park’s summers are generally hot and dry, with temperatures averaging in the mid-90s Fahrenheit. The park’s winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures averaging in the low 20s Fahrenheit. Due to the park’s high elevation, visitors should be prepared for sudden weather changes, and snowfall can occur any time of the year. The best time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is during the months of May through September, when the weather is mild, and the park’s trails are accessible.
Olympic National Park is located in western Washington and experiences a temperate maritime climate. The park’s summers are generally mild, with temperatures averaging in the mid-70s Fahrenheit. The park’s winters are mild, with temperatures averaging in the low 40s Fahrenheit. The park is known for its high rainfall, and visitors should be prepared for rain during any time of the year. The best time to visit Olympic National Park is during the months of June through September, when the park’s trails are generally snow-free and the weather is mild.
Overall, both Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park offer visitors a wide range of weather conditions, but the best time to visit each park can vary depending on the season. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is best visited during the months of May through September, when the weather is mild, and the park’s trails are accessible, while Olympic National Park is best visited during the months of June through September, when the park’s trails are generally snow-free and the weather is mild.
Family Friendliness of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Olympic National Park both offer unique and beautiful landscapes that appeal to visitors of all ages, but they have different types of activities and amenities that make them better suited for different types of travelers.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a great destination for families that enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. The park offers a variety of trails that range from easy to strenuous, providing something for every skill level. The park also has a campground for overnight stays. However, it lacks some of the amenities that may be more appealing to families with younger children, such as playgrounds or visitor centers with interactive exhibits.
On the other hand, Olympic National Park is a great destination for families that are looking for a more diverse range of activities. The park offers hiking trails, beaches, and a variety of campsites for overnight stays, as well as visitor centers with interactive exhibits and ranger-led programs. The park also has a variety of picnic areas and playgrounds that are perfect for families with younger children.
In conclusion, both parks are family-friendly, but Olympic National Park is a better option for families with younger children looking for a more diverse range of activities, while Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a great destination for families that enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.