Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Virgin Islands National Park are two vastly different national parks, each offering unique and unforgettable experiences. On one hand, you have the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, a rugged and remote canyon in Colorado that is home to some of the steepest cliffs and oldest rocks in North America. On the other hand, you have the Virgin Islands National Park, a tropical paradise in the Caribbean that is known for its crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches, and lush vegetation. While these two parks may seem worlds apart, they both offer visitors the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and experience the beauty of nature in its purest form. Whether you’re looking for a rugged adventure or a relaxing beach vacation, these two national parks have something for everyone, and this comparison guide will help you decide which one is the best fit for your next trip.
Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Virgin Islands National Park offer visitors a diverse range of hiking trails to explore.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers hiking trails of varying difficulty levels. The park’s easiest hike is the Rim Rock Nature Trail, a 0.5-mile round-trip trail that offers visitors a chance to see the park’s unique geology and wildlife. The park’s most strenuous hike is the Gunnison Route, a 7.5-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors to the bottom of the Black Canyon. This hike requires a permit and is recommended for experienced hikers. Other popular hikes in the park include the Chasm View Nature Trail, a 1.5-mile round-trip hike that offers stunning views of the Black Canyon, and the North Vista Trail, a 3-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors to the North Rim of the park.
Virgin Islands National Park, on the other hand, offers a variety of hiking trails that take visitors through tropical forests, along white sand beaches, and to historic ruins. The park’s easiest hike is the Annaberg Sugar Plantation Trail, a 0.5-mile trail that takes visitors to the ruins of an 18th-century sugar plantation. The park’s most strenuous hike is the Reef Bay Trail, a 3.5-mile trail that takes visitors through the park’s lush rainforest and offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. Other popular hikes in the park include the Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail, a 1.5-mile trail that takes visitors through a dry tropical forest, and the Maho Bay Trail, a 2.5-mile trail that takes visitors to Maho Bay Beach, one of the park’s most popular swimming spots.
In summary, both Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Virgin Islands National Park offer visitors a variety of hiking trails to explore. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its strenuous hike to the bottom of the Black Canyon and its easy Rim Rock Nature Trail. Virgin Islands National Park offers visitors a chance to explore tropical forest, white sand beaches, and historic ruins through the Annaberg Sugar Plantation Trail or the Reef Bay Trail. Visitors can choose the park depending on their interests and the level of difficulty they want to experience.
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 Virgin Islands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Canyon Trail | 804.67 | 16.764 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Caprock Coulee Loop | 6115.492 | 159.7152 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Painted Canyon Nature Trail | 1770.274 | 78.9432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Petrified Forest Trail | 16415.268 | 253.8984 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Maah Daah Hey Trail | 229009.082 | 4614.9768 | Hard | point to point | 4.5 |
| Lower Paddock Creek Trail | 11587.248 | 127.7112 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Buck Hill Trail | 643.736 | 16.764 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ridgeline Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 33.8328 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Coal Vein Trail | 965.604 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Buckhorn Trail | 19633.948 | 324.9168 | Hard | loop | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Virgin Islands National Park are two very different national parks, with vastly different wildlife and ecosystems.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in the high desert of Colorado and is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including big game animals such as elk, mule deer, and bighorn sheep, as well as smaller mammals such as raccoons, skunks, and squirrels. The park is also home to a variety of birds, including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and a variety of waterfowl that can be found along the Gunnison River. The park is also home to a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians, including lizards, snakes, and frogs.
Virgin Islands National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Caribbean and is home to a wide variety of tropical wildlife, including iguanas, lizards, and a variety of snakes. The park is also home to a wide variety of birds, including parrots, parakeets, and bananaquits, as well as a variety of migratory birds that can be found in the park during the winter months. The park is also home to a wide variety of marine life, including turtles, fish, and a variety of coral and other invertebrates.
In terms of wildlife, Virgin Islands National Park is definitely the more diverse of the two parks, offering visitors the chance to see a wide variety of tropical species, while Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers a more traditional high desert wildlife viewing experience.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Virgin Islands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Virgin Islands 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 | 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 | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Virgin Islands 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 | 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 | Mink |
| American Mink | Mule Deer |
| Mule Deer | Gray Wolf |
| Common Gray Fox | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Badger |
| American Badger | Snowshoe Hare |
| California Myotis | North American River Otter |
| Snowshoe Hare | Masked Shrew |
Fish
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Virgin Islands National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brown Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Long-Nose Sucker | Bluegill |
| Northern Pike | Flathead Minnow |
| Mottled Sculpin | Golden Shiner |
| Speckled Dace | Carp/European Carp |
| Northern Pike | |
| Burbot | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub |
Reptiles
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Virgin Islands National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Bullsnake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Racer |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Rattlesnake |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Milksnake | Common Garter Snake |
| Striped Whipsnake | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard |
Amphibians
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Virgin Islands National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is known for its dramatic and unique landscape. The park’s main feature is the Black Canyon, a steep and narrow gorge that is one of the most dramatic and photogenic canyons in North America. The canyon’s walls are made of dark, ancient rock that is up to 2 billion years old and towers up to 2,700 feet above the Gunnison River. The park offers several overlooks that provide stunning views of the canyon and the river below. Some popular overlooks include Painted Wall, Chasm View, and Gunnison Point.
On the other hand, Virgin Islands National Park is known for its beautiful and diverse landscapes. The park covers about 60% of the island of St. John and offers a variety of natural features such as lush tropical rainforests, white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rocky cliffs. The park is home to several popular beaches such as Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, and Honeymoon Beach that are famous for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The park also offers several hiking trails that lead visitors through the dense tropical rainforests and up to scenic viewpoints such as Ram Head, Bordeaux Mountain, and the Annaberg Plantation.
Things To-Do and Activities in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Virgin Islands National Park offer vastly different activities to visitors, depending on the location, climate and terrain of the park.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in the high desert of Colorado and offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, rock climbing, and fishing. The park is also home to several scenic drives, including the Rim Rock Drive, which offers breathtaking views of the canyon and the Gunnison River. Visitors can also take guided ranger programs to learn about the geology, history, and wildlife of the park.
Virgin Islands National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Caribbean and offers a wide variety of water-based activities, including swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The park is home to several beautiful beaches, including Cinnamon Bay and Trunk Bay, which are popular spots for swimming and sunbathing. Visitors can also take guided boat tours to explore the park’s coral reefs and see a wide variety of marine life. The park also offers hiking trails and camping.
In terms of activities, Virgin Islands National Park is definitely the more water-based and tropical of the two parks, offering visitors the chance to enjoy a wide variety of beach and water activities, while Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers a more traditional high desert outdoor experience with a mix of activities.
Best Time to Visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is located in Colorado and has a semi-arid climate with 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 mild and the park is less crowded. During the summer, temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, making it less comfortable for hiking and other outdoor activities. The park also receives significant snowfall during the winter, making some trails and roads impassable.
Virgin Islands National Park, on the other hand, is located on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands and has a tropical climate with year-round warm temperatures. The park is also open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the winter when the weather is cooler and less humid. During the summer, temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity, making it less comfortable for hiking and other outdoor activities. Additionally, the park is susceptible to hurricanes during the late summer and early fall, which can impact park operations and visitor safety.
Family Friendliness of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Virgin Islands National Park are two very different parks that offer different types of experiences for families. Both parks are great for families that enjoy the outdoors, but depending on your family’s preferences, one park might be more suitable than the other.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a great option for families that enjoy hiking, scenic views, and learning about geology and natural history. The park offers several easy and moderate hikes that are suitable for families with children. The park also has several educational programs and ranger-led activities that are designed for families. However, the park is located in a remote area with limited amenities, so it might not be the best option for families that prefer more developed facilities and services.
Virgin Islands National Park is a great option for families that enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and beach activities. The park offers several beautiful beaches that are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. The park also has several easy and moderate hiking trails that are suitable for families with children. The park also has a visitor center and a museum that offer educational programs and ranger-led activities. However, the park is located on an island, so families will need to plan for transportation and accommodations.
Ultimately, it depends on the preferences of your family. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is great for families that are looking for an outdoor adventure with a focus on natural history, while Virgin Islands National Park is ideal for families that are looking for a tropical beach vacation with a mix of hiking and snorkeling.