Park Comparison

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison vs Bryce Canyon

Two iconic parks, different strengths. Here's how they stack up.

Updated

The Quick Take

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison

Gunnison River carved North America's steepest gorge through 1.7-billion-year-old rock, with 2,000-foot walls that trap the sun.

Bryce Canyon

Earth's densest hoodoo forest where the Navajo Loop drops you between orange spires so narrow you'll touch both walls at 8,000 feet.

At a Glance

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison Bryce Canyon
Crowd Level Moderate Crowds Very Crowded
Best Month April May
Location CO UT
Size 48.1 sq mi 56 sq mi
Visitors (2024) 336K 2.5M

The Crowd Picture

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison sees less than half the visitors Bryce Canyon gets, which translates to a noticeably different crowd experience on trails and at viewpoints.

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison welcomes 336K visitors annually across 48.1 square miles — about 6,983 visitors per square mile. Congestion is high, peaking in July.

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon welcomes 2.5M visitors annually across 56 square miles — about 44,608 visitors per square mile. Congestion is intense, peaking in September. A long comfortable season helps spread crowds across 7 months.

Verdict

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison is dramatically less congested than Bryce Canyon — you'll feel the difference on every trail.

When to Go

Click any month to see how conditions compare side-by-side.

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bryce Canyon
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Low Moderate High Peak Best month

Trails & Activities

Total Trails
32 mi vs ✓ 60 mi

Bryce Canyon National Park has more trail mileage for exploration.

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison Top Activities

  • kayaking canoeing 9/10
  • photography 9/10
  • hiking 8/10
  • rock climbing 8/10
  • scenic driving 8/10

Bryce Canyon Top Activities

  • photography 10/10
  • stargazing 10/10
  • hiking 9/10
  • scenic driving 9/10
  • bird watching 8/10

Camping

Campgrounds
116 sites vs ✓ 199 sites

Bryce Canyon National Park offers significantly more camping options.

The Bottom Line

Choose Black Canyon Of The Gunnison if you...

  • Want to experience Gunnison River
  • Are looking for world-class kayaking canoeing
  • Are an adventure seeker looking for thrills
or

Choose Bryce Canyon if you...

  • Want to experience Hoodoos
  • Are looking for world-class stargazing
  • Want more trail options (60 miles vs 32)

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison or Bryce Canyon?

It depends on what you're looking for. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison is known for Gunnison River, while Bryce Canyon is known for Hoodoos. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison is less crowded, making it the better pick if solitude matters to you.

Is Black Canyon Of The Gunnison or Bryce Canyon more crowded?

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison has a congestion index of 5.3/10 and receives 336K visitors per year. Bryce Canyon scores 8.7/10 with 2.5M annual visitors. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison is the quieter option.

When is the best time to visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison vs Bryce Canyon?

The best month to visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison is April, while Bryce Canyon is best visited in May. The different peak seasons mean you could visit one in spring and the other in fall.

Which has better hiking, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison or Bryce Canyon?

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison has 32 trail miles and Bryce Canyon has 60. Bryce Canyon offers significantly more trail variety.

Read More

Full guide to Black Canyon Of The Gunnison → Full guide to Bryce Canyon →