Park Comparison

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison vs Haleakalā

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.

Haleakalā

A dormant volcano where you stand above the clouds at 10,000 feet, then descend through alpine desert to rainforest in a single morning.

At a Glance

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison Haleakalā
Crowd Level Moderate Crowds Very Crowded
Best Month April July
Location CO HI
Size 48.1 sq mi 45.5 sq mi
Visitors (2024) 336K 732K

The Crowd Picture

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

Haleakalā

Haleakalā welcomes 732K visitors annually across 45.5 square miles — about 16,098 visitors per square mile. Congestion is intense, peaking in May. A long comfortable season helps spread crowds across 12 months.

Verdict

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison is dramatically less congested than Haleakalā — 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
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F
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A
M
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A
S
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D
Haleakalā
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Low Moderate High Peak Best month

Trails & Activities

Total Trails
✓ 32 mi vs 29.2 mi

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison 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

Haleakalā Top Activities

  • photography 10/10
  • hiking 9/10
  • scenic driving 9/10
  • backpacking 8/10
  • stargazing 8/10

Camping

Campgrounds
✓ 116 sites vs 28 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
  • Are looking for world-class kayaking canoeing
  • Want more camping options (116 sites vs 28)
or

Choose Haleakalā if you...

  • Want to experience Haleakalā Crater
  • Are looking for great backpacking
  • Love volcano and crater landscapes

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison has a congestion index of 5.3/10 and receives 336K visitors per year. Haleakalā scores 8.4/10 with 732K annual visitors. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison is the quieter option.

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

The best month to visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison is April, while Haleakalā is best visited in July. 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 Haleakalā?

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison has 32 trail miles and Haleakalā has 29. Both parks offer strong hiking options.

Read More

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