Park Comparison

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison vs Canyonlands

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.

Canyonlands

Four districts carved by the Colorado River—from Island in the Sky's overlooks to The Maze's backcountry spanning canyons larger than LA.

At a Glance

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison Canyonlands
Crowd Level Moderate Crowds Moderate Crowds
Best Month April April
Location CO UT
Size 48.1 sq mi 527.5 sq mi
Visitors (2024) 336K 818K

The Crowd Picture

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison sees less than half the visitors Canyonlands 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.

Canyonlands

Canyonlands welcomes 818K visitors annually across 527.5 square miles — about 1,552 visitors per square mile. Congestion is high, peaking in May.

Verdict

Congestion is comparable at both parks — the better choice depends on when you go, not where.

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
Canyonlands
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 ✓ 85 mi

Canyonlands 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

Canyonlands Top Activities

  • photography 10/10
  • hiking 9/10
  • backpacking 9/10
  • canyoneering 9/10
  • kayaking canoeing 9/10

Camping

Campgrounds
✓ 116 sites vs 41 sites

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park offers significantly more camping options.

The Bottom Line

Choose Black Canyon Of The Gunnison if you...

  • Want to experience Gunnison River
  • Want more camping options (116 sites vs 41)
  • Love canyon and river landscapes
or

Choose Canyonlands if you...

  • Want to experience Grand Viewpoint
  • Are looking for world-class backpacking
  • Want more trail options (85 miles vs 32)

Frequently Asked Questions

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

It depends on what you're looking for. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison is known for Gunnison River, while Canyonlands is known for Grand Viewpoint. 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 Canyonlands more crowded?

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison has a congestion index of 5.3/10 and receives 336K visitors per year. Canyonlands scores 5.4/10 with 818K annual visitors. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison is the quieter option.

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

The best month to visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison is April, while Canyonlands is best visited in April. Since both peak at the same time, plan well in advance.

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

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison has 32 trail miles and Canyonlands has 85. Canyonlands offers significantly more trail variety.

Read More

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