Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both unique and fascinating national parks that offer visitors a wide range of experiences. While Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its steep and narrow gorge that is carved by the Gunnison River, Petrified Forest National Park is known for its colorful and otherworldly landscapes of petrified wood and ancient ruins. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes in the United States, but in very different ways. If you’re looking for an adventure that combines natural beauty, geological wonders, and a touch of history, then these two parks are must-see destinations that you won’t want to miss!
Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer very different hiking experiences. Black Canyon is known for its steep, rugged terrain, with narrow canyons and steep cliffs that offer a challenging hike for experienced hikers. The park has a variety of trails, including the Gunnison Route, which is considered one of the most difficult hikes in the park, and the South Rim Trail, which offers a more moderate hike with breathtaking views of the canyon.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is known for its vast expanses of colorful badlands, with trails that offer a more leisurely hike. The park has a variety of trails, including the Crystal Forest Trail, which takes visitors through a forest of petrified wood and ends at a viewpoint overlooking the colorful badlands. The park also offers the Long Logs Trail, which is an easy hike that takes visitors through a field of colorful petrified logs.
In terms of difficulty, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park has more challenging hikes, while Petrified Forest National Park offers a more moderate hiking experience. Both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes, but Black Canyon is better suited for experienced hikers looking for a challenge, while Petrified Forest is a great option for families and visitors looking for a more relaxed hike.
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 Petrified Forest National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Mesa Trail | 1448.406 | 32.9184 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Crystal Forest Trail | 1448.406 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Painted Desert Rim Trail | 1770.274 | 11.8872 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Petrified Forest Scenic Drive | 46027.124 | 297.7896 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
Giant Logs Trail | 965.604 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Onyx Bridge Trail | 7402.964 | 134.7216 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail | 3379.614 | 24.9936 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Puerco Pueblo Trail | 482.802 | 2.7432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Devil’s Playground Loop | 12070.05 | 144.78 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Old Jasper Forest Road | 4184.284 | 53.9496 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is known for its diverse wildlife, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons. Visitors may also spot black bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. The park is home to several species of reptiles and amphibians, including the western terrestrial garter snake and the northern leopard frog. The park’s vegetation is primarily made up of piñon-juniper woodlands, sagebrush, and Gambel oak.
Petrified Forest National Park is known for its abundant fossilized wood, as well as the colorful badlands. Wildlife in the park includes pronghorn, mule deer, elk, and coyotes. The park is also home to a diverse array of birds, including the greater roadrunner, golden eagle, and peregrine falcon. The park’s vegetation is primarily made up of desert shrubs, such as creosote bush, Mormon tea, and yucca. Visitors may also see a wide variety of cacti, including cholla, prickly pear, and saguaro.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Petrified Forest National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Petrified Forest 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 | Petrified Forest National Park |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
Muskrat | Bobcat |
Big Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
Bobcat | Little Brown Bat |
Striped Skunk | Deer Mouse |
Little Brown Bat | Raccoon |
Deer Mouse | Black Bear |
Raccoon | Porcupine |
Black Bear | Silver-Haired Bat |
Porcupine | Hoary Bat |
Silver-Haired Bat | Red Fox |
Hoary Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Red Fox | Mountain Lion |
Long-Tailed Weasel | Mule Deer |
House Mouse | Gray Fox |
Mountain Lion | Wolf |
American Mink | Long-Legged Myotis |
Mule Deer | Badger |
Common Gray Fox | California Myotis |
Long-Legged Myotis | Fringed Myotis |
Long-Eared Myotis | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
American Badger | Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
California Myotis | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
Snowshoe Hare | Western Harvest Mouse |
Fish
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
---|---|
Rainbow Trout | |
Brown Trout | |
Long-Nose Sucker | |
Northern Pike | |
Mottled Sculpin | |
Speckled Dace |
Reptiles
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
---|---|
Gophersnake | Gopher Snake |
Terrestrial Gartersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
Common Sagebrush Lizard | Western Rattlesnake |
Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Sagebrush Lizard |
Milksnake | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
Striped Whipsnake | Side-Blotched Lizard |
Tree Lizard | Common Kingsnake |
Eastern Collared Lizard | Nightsnake |
Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
Milksnake | |
Striped Whipsnake | |
Southwestern Black-Headed Snake | |
Eastern Collared Lizard | |
Eastern Fence Lizard | |
Glossy Snake |
Amphibians
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Petrified Forest 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 Petrified Forest National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both known for their unique and beautiful landscapes that offer visitors a wide range of natural wonders to explore.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its steep and narrow gorge that is carved by the Gunnison River. The park’s most famous landscape is the Black Canyon itself, which offers visitors the opportunity to see the dramatic and awe-inspiring cliffs that rise up to 2,700 feet from the river below. The park also offers visitors the opportunity to explore a variety of hiking trails that offer breathtaking views of the canyon, including the Rim Rock Trail and the North Vista Trail.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is known for its colorful and otherworldly landscapes of petrified wood and ancient ruins. The park’s most famous landscape is the Petrified Forest, which is made up of colorful petrified logs that have been preserved for millions of years. Visitors can also explore the park’s Painted Desert, which features colorful badlands, and the Blue Mesa, which is known for its striking blue and purple hues. The park also offers visitors the opportunity to explore ancient ruins, including the Puebloan village of Puerco Pueblo.
Both Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer visitors a wide range of natural wonders to explore, from awe-inspiring canyons to otherworldly landscapes of petrified wood and ancient ruins. Whether you’re looking for a rugged outdoor adventure or a more leisurely exploration of nature’s beauty, these two parks have something for everyone.
Things To-Do and Activities in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both popular national parks in the United States, but they offer different experiences and activities for visitors.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its steep, narrow canyon and challenging hiking trails. Visitors can hike along the Rim Rock Trail, the North Vista Trail, or the South Rim Road for breathtaking views of the canyon. The park also offers rock climbing, fishing, and camping opportunities.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is known for its colorful badlands and petrified wood. Visitors can hike along the Crystal Forest Trail, the Giant Logs Trail, or the Long Logs Trail to see the petrified wood up close. The park also offers scenic drives, ranger-led tours, and backcountry camping opportunities. The park also offers a glimpse into the ancient civilization who lived in the area many years ago.
Both parks are great for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, but the activities available and the type of scenery offered are quite different. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is best for those who enjoy hiking and climbing, while Petrified Forest National Park is best for those who want to see ancient history and colorful badlands.
Best Time to Visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Petrified Forest National Park have vastly different weather patterns, which affects the best time of year to visit each park. 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 park receives very little precipitation and is generally dry, with the best time to visit being during the spring and fall when temperatures are more moderate. The park is open year-round, but some roads and trails may be closed due to snow in the winter.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is located in northeastern Arizona and has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park receives very little precipitation and is generally dry, with the best time to visit being during the fall and spring when temperatures are more moderate. The park is open year-round, but some roads and trails may be closed due to snow in the winter. The summer months can be quite hot, with temperatures often reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making it less ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. Overall, the best time to visit Petrified Forest National Park is between September and November, when the weather is mild and the fall colors are at their peak.
Family Friendliness of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both family-friendly, but in different ways. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and fishing, that are suitable for families with older children. The park’s challenging hiking trails and steep drop-offs may not be suitable for very young children. Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, offers a more leisurely experience, with many short and easy hikes, as well as a scenic drive through the park. The park’s main attraction is the petrified wood, which can be seen along the hiking trails and in the park’s museum. This makes it a great option for families with younger children. Both parks also offer educational programs, making them great options for families who want to learn about the natural and cultural history of the area.