Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Pinnacles National Park are both hidden gems that offer visitors the opportunity to explore some of the most unique and beautiful landscapes in the United States. While Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its steep and narrow gorge that is carved by the Gunnison River, Pinnacles National Park is known for its towering rock spires and rich biodiversity. Both parks offer visitors the chance to explore a wide range of outdoor activities, from hiking and rock climbing to wildlife watching and stargazing. Whether you’re looking for a rugged outdoor adventure or a more leisurely exploration of nature’s beauty, these two parks are sure to leave you in awe and make you want to come back for more!
Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Pinnacles National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Pinnacles National Park both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park has a number of trails that offer stunning views of the canyon, including the Rim Rock and Warner Point Nature trails, which are considered to be easy hikes. The park also has several more strenuous trails such as the South Rim and North Rim trails, which offer more challenging hikes and spectacular views of the canyon.
Pinnacles National Park has a diverse trail system that features easy hikes such as the Bear Gulch Cave and Balconies Cave trails, as well as more strenuous hikes such as the High Peaks Trail and the Condor Gulch Trail. The park is known for its unique rock formations and offers a variety of hiking experiences including a climb through caves, a hike to the summit of a volcano, and a walk through chaparral.
Both parks offer a variety of hiking experiences, with Black Canyon of The Gunnison National Park’s focus being on the Canyon and Pinnacles National Park’s focus being on the rock formations. Both Parks offer an easy and challenging hike, and it depends on what you are looking for in terms of difficulty and scenery.
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 Pinnacles National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condor Gulch Trail to High Peaks Trail Loop | 8690.436 | 484.9368 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Old Pinnacles Trail Loop | 15288.73 | 527.9136 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Bear Gulch Day Use Area to Reservoir via Rim Trail | 2896.812 | 134.7216 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| High Peaks Trail | 10138.842 | 539.8008 | Very Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| High Peaks & Balconies Cave Loop Trail | 12713.786 | 549.8592 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Moses Spring Trail to Bear Gulch Reservoir | 1770.274 | 96.9264 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies | 8207.634 | 150.876 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Balconies Trail | 13196.588 | 592.836 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Juniper Canyon Trail to High Peaks | 5793.624 | 383.7432 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Balconies Cave Trail | 4184.284 | 121.92 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Pinnacles National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Pinnacles National Park are home to a diverse array of wildlife.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is home to a variety of mammals, including deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and black bears. Visitors may also spot smaller mammals such as marmots, rock squirrels, and chipmunks. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and American dippers. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles and amphibians, including lizards, snakes and the Western toad.
Pinnacles National Park also has a diverse array of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, and bobcats. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and peregrine falcons. Visitors can also spot bats and several species of owls at night. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles, including the Western fence lizard, gopher snake, and the California mountain kingsnake. The park is also home to a variety of plants, including chaparral, oak woodland, and riparian habitats.
In summary, both Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Pinnacles National Park are home to a diverse array of wildlife, with a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, and plants commonly seen. Visitors to both parks have a great chance to spot many different species of wildlife during their visit.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Pinnacles National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Pinnacles 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 | 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 |
| Great Blue Heron | Hermit Thrush |
| Hermit Thrush | American Kestrel |
| American Kestrel | Bald Eagle |
| Bald Eagle | Song Sparrow |
| Song Sparrow | European Starling |
| European Starling | Swainson’s Thrush |
| Northern Pintail | Killdeer |
| American Wigeon | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
| Green-Winged Teal | Hairy Woodpecker |
| American Pipit | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Mammals
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Pinnacles 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 | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Raccoon | Hoary Bat |
| Black Bear | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Porcupine | House Mouse |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Puma |
| Hoary Bat | Mule Deer |
| Red Fox | Gray Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Legged Myotis |
| House Mouse | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Mountain Lion | North American Badger |
| American Mink | California Myotis |
| Mule Deer | Fringed Myotis |
| Common Gray Fox | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Townsends’ Big-Eared Bat |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Western Harvest Mouse |
| American Badger | Western Small-Footed Bat |
| California Myotis | Yuma Myotis |
| Snowshoe Hare | Pallid Bat |
Fish
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Pinnacles National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Brown Trout | Fathead Minnow |
| Long-Nose Sucker | Threespine Stickleback |
| Northern Pike | Mosquitofish |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Speckled Dace |
Reptiles
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Pinnacles National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Gophersnake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Yellow-Bellied Racer |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Ringneck Snake |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Milksnake | Common Gartersnake |
| Striped Whipsnake | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Tree Lizard | California Kingsnake |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | Rubber Boa |
| Night Snake | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Western Skink | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Pinnacles National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Bullfrog |
| Tiger Salamander |
Insects
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Pinnacles National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch | |
| American Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Buckeye | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Pinnacles National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is renowned for its steep, dark, and narrow canyons carved by the Gunnison River. The park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, rock climbing, and fishing. The most famous landscapes at the park include the Painted Wall, the tallest cliff in Colorado at 2,250 feet, and the Gunnison River which flows through the park’s dramatic and steep canyons.
Pinnacles National Park, on the other hand, features towering spires, deep canyons, and unique rock formations. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including the endangered California Condor. The most famous landscapes at Pinnacles National Park include the Bear Gulch Cave, a limestone cave that offers a cool respite from the heat and the High Peaks, which offer spectacular views of the surrounding area. Visitors can also enjoy hiking and rock climbing in the park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Pinnacles National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park:
-Hiking: There are several hiking trails that offer stunning views of the canyon and the Gunnison River.
-Ranger-led programs: Park rangers lead educational programs and guided tours to help visitors learn more about the park’s geology, history, and wildlife.
-Rafting and kayaking: The Gunnison River provides opportunities for recreational rafting and kayaking.
-Rock climbing: The park offers several challenging rock climbing routes for experienced climbers.
Pinnacles National Park:
-Hiking: The park offers a variety of hiking trails, from easy nature walks to challenging climbs.
-Rock climbing: The park is known for its unique rock formations and offers a variety of climbing routes for all skill levels.
-Camping: The park offers several campgrounds for visitors to spend the night.
-Wildlife watching: The park is home to many different species of animals, including the California Condor.
Both parks offer recreational activities such as hiking and rock climbing for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the park. Pinnacles National Park also has camping facilities and wildlife watching opportunities. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has ranger-led programs and opportunities for rafting and kayaking along the Gunnison River.
Best Time to Visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Pinnacles National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Pinnacles National Park have very different seasonal weather patterns, which affects the best time to visit each park. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in western Colorado and has hot summers and cold winters. The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the spring and fall when temperatures are more moderate. During the summer, temperatures can reach over 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the park can be quite crowded. The winter months can bring snow and ice, making some park roads and trails impassable.
Pinnacles National Park, on the other hand, is located in central California and has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. The park is also open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the spring and fall when temperatures are more moderate. The summer months can be very hot with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The park is also very dry, so it is important to bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen. The winter months can be mild, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s, but the park can be quite foggy and visibility can be limited.
Family Friendliness of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Pinnacles National Park
Both Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Pinnacles National Park are family-friendly and offer activities that children can enjoy. However, Pinnacles National Park is generally considered more family-friendly, and offers more activities that are suitable for children.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park:
-Hiking: There are several hiking trails that offer stunning views of the canyon and the Gunnison River. However, some of the trails are steep and may be challenging for young children.
-Ranger-led programs: Park rangers lead educational programs and guided tours that may be interesting for children.
-Rafting and kayaking: The Gunnison River provides opportunities for recreational rafting and kayaking, but these activities may not be suitable for young children.
-Rock climbing: The park offers several challenging rock climbing routes for experienced climbers, not suitable for children.
Pinnacles National Park:
-Hiking: The park offers a variety of hiking trails, from easy nature walks to challenging climbs. Many of the trails are relatively easy and suitable for children.
-Rock climbing: The park is known for its unique rock formations and offers a variety of climbing routes for all skill levels, including easier routes that children can enjoy.
-Camping: The park offers several campgrounds for visitors to spend the night, which can be a fun experience for children.
-Wildlife watching: The park is home to many different species of animals, including the California Condor, which can be exciting for children to see.
In summary, Pinnacles National Park may be more suitable for families traveling with children due to its variety of easy hiking trails and rock climbing routes, as well as camping and wildlife watching opportunities. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, while also family-friendly, may have more challenging trails and activities for children.