Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Wind Cave National Park are both unique and spectacular national parks that offer visitors a chance to experience the beauty and wonder of nature in different ways. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, located in western Colorado, is known for its deep and dramatic gorge carved by the Gunnison River, offering breathtaking views and challenging hikes. Wind Cave National Park, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is known for its underground cave system, featuring rare boxwork formations and diverse wildlife. Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, and are perfect for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. If you’re trying to decide between these two amazing parks, read on to find out more about what each has to offer and make your choice.
Hiking Trails in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Wind Cave National Park are both known for their unique and challenging hiking trails. The Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park offers a variety of trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. The easiest hikes include the South Rim Road, which is a scenic drive that offers several overlooks of the canyon, and the North Rim Road, which is a dirt road that offers several overlooks of the canyon as well. The strenuous hikes include the Warner Point Nature Trail and the Gunnison River Trail. These trails offer spectacular views of the canyon, but they are steep and rocky, and require a good level of fitness.
On the other hand, Wind Cave National Park offers a variety of hiking trails that range from easy to moderate. The easiest hikes include the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail, which is a 0.5-mile loop that offers views of the prairie and the cave entrance. The moderate hikes include the Elk Mountain Nature Trail, which is a 2.5-mile loop that offers views of the prairie and the cave entrance. The strenuous hikes include the Wind Cave Canyon Trail, which is a 2-mile hike that offers views of the canyon and the cave entrance. This trail is steep and rocky, and requires a good level of fitness. Both parks offer different landscapes and different types of hiking trails. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park offers spectacular views of the canyon, while Wind Cave National Park offers views of the prairie and the cave entrance.
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 Wind Cave National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, black bears, mountain lions, and a variety of birds such as golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and turkey vultures. The park also has a variety of plant life, including pinion and juniper trees, sagebrush, and wildflowers.
Wind Cave National Park, on the other hand, is home to a unique mix of wildlife such as bison, pronghorn, elk, and coyotes. In addition, the park has a variety of birds such as the western meadowlark, the mountain bluebird, and the golden eagle. The park also has diverse plant life, including ponderosa pine, aspen, and grassland prairies.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Wind Cave National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Wind Cave 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 | Wind Cave 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 | Weasels |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Mountain Lion |
| American Mink | Mink |
| Mule Deer | Mule Deer |
| Common Gray Fox | Wolf |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| American Badger | Badger |
| California Myotis | Ermine |
| Snowshoe Hare | Fringed Myotis |
Fish
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | Fathead Minnow |
| Long-Nose Sucker | Long Nose Dace |
| Northern Pike | Black Bullhead |
| Mottled Sculpin | Creek Chub |
| Speckled Dace |
Reptiles
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Bull Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Racer |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Western Rattlesnake |
| Milksnake | Common Garter Snake |
| Striped Whipsnake | Milksnake |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard |
Amphibians
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| Woodhouses Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfer | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary |
Beautiful Landscapes in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Wind Cave National Park are both home to some truly spectacular natural landscapes that are sure to take your breath away. At Black Canyon Of The Gunnison, visitors can marvel at the sheer depth and beauty of the canyon, carved by the Gunnison River over millions of years. The park offers stunning views of the canyon from various overlooks and trails, including the popular Rim Rock Trail. At Wind Cave National Park, visitors can explore one of the longest and most complex caves systems in the world. The cave is known for its intricate boxwork formations, made of thin blades of calcite. Above ground, the park also offers visitors the chance to see bison, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep, as well as hike on the park’s many trails that offer scenic views of the surrounding prairie. Both parks are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want to experience the beauty of nature and discover unique landscapes.
Things To-Do and Activities in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Wind Cave National Park offer a wide range of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy.
At Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, the most popular activities include hiking, rock climbing, and sightseeing. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, including the strenuous Gunnison Route and the more moderate Rim Rock Trail. Rock climbing is also popular in the park, with routes ranging from beginner to expert. Visitors can also take scenic drives, such as the South Rim Road, to enjoy the park’s breathtaking views.
At Wind Cave National Park, the most popular activities include cave tours, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to one of the longest and most complex caves in the world, and visitors can take guided tours to explore the cave’s intricate passageways and unique formations. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails, including the moderate Rankin Ridge Nature Trail and the strenuous Highland Creek Trail. Wildlife viewing is also popular in the park, with the chance to see bison, pronghorn, elk, and other species.
Both Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Wind Cave National Park offer a wide variety of activities and natural wonders that will appeal to different interests and abilities.
Best Time to Visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Wind Cave National Park are both located in the western part of the United States and have vastly different weather patterns. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, located in Colorado, has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The best time to visit the park is in the spring and fall, when temperatures are milder and the park’s wildflowers and fall foliage are at their peak. In contrast, Wind Cave National Park, located in South Dakota, has a more continental climate with cool summers and cold winters. The best time to visit the park is in the summer when temperatures are milder, and the park’s bison and prairie dogs are active. Both parks receive a considerable amount of snowfall during the winter, which can make some of the hiking trails and roads inaccessible. If you are planning to visit either park, it is best to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable visit.
Family Friendliness of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Wind Cave National Park are both great options for families, but each park offers a different type of experience.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a rugged and remote park that is known for its steep and dramatic canyon walls. The park offers a variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous, making it a great option for families with children of all ages. The park also has a visitors center and ranger-led programs that can be fun for kids to learn about the park’s geology and wildlife.
On the other hand, Wind Cave National Park is known for its underground cave systems and offers visitors the chance to explore one of the longest and most complex cave systems in the world. The park also has a variety of hiking trails, including some that are suitable for children, and ranger-led cave tours that are suitable for families with children. The park also has a visitor center and an interactive exhibit that can be an enjoyable way to learn about the park’s geology and wildlife.
Ultimately, both parks offer unique experiences and different types of outdoor activities, so it will depend on what type of experience your family is looking for. If your family is interested in exploring rugged canyons and hiking, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park might be a better option. If your family is interested in learning about caves and underground systems, Wind Cave National Park might be a better option.