Park Comparison

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison vs Petrified Forest

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.

Petrified Forest

Twenty-eight miles of road through technicolor badlands where 225-million-year-old trees turned to stone sprawl wider than cars.

At a Glance

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison Petrified Forest
Crowd Level Moderate Crowds Moderate Crowds
Best Month April October
Location CO AZ
Size 48.1 sq mi 146 sq mi
Visitors (2024) 336K 559K

The Crowd Picture

Petrified Forest draws roughly 1.7x more visitors than Black Canyon Of The Gunnison, but how crowded a park feels depends on more than raw numbers.

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.

Petrified Forest

Petrified Forest welcomes 559K visitors annually across 146 square miles — about 3,831 visitors per square mile. Congestion is moderate, peaking in June. A long comfortable season helps spread crowds across 6 months.

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
Petrified Forest
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 30 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

Petrified Forest Top Activities

  • photography 9/10
  • scenic driving 8/10
  • stargazing 8/10
  • hiking 7/10
  • bird watching 7/10

Camping

Campgrounds
✓ 116 sites vs 0 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
  • Are an adventure seeker looking for thrills
  • Want more camping options (116 sites vs 0)
or

Choose Petrified Forest if you...

  • Want to experience Blue Mesa Trail
  • Love petrified wood and painted desert landscapes
  • Prefer AZ's region and climate

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison or Petrified Forest?

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

Is Black Canyon Of The Gunnison or Petrified Forest more crowded?

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison has a congestion index of 5.3/10 and receives 336K visitors per year. Petrified Forest scores 4.9/10 with 559K annual visitors. Petrified Forest is the quieter option.

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

The best month to visit Black Canyon Of The Gunnison is April, while Petrified Forest is best visited in October. 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 Petrified Forest?

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison has 32 trail miles and Petrified Forest has 30. Both parks offer strong hiking options.

Read More

Full guide to Black Canyon Of The Gunnison → Full guide to Petrified Forest →