Places › National Parks › Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Wildlife in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Here’s what naturalists are spotting in Black Canyon of the Gunnison right now - pulled live from recent research-grade observations. Browse by group, explore the map, and identify what you find with Huck.

2,980
recent observations
30
species listed
20
plants
4
mammals
4
birds

Naturalists have logged 2,980 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The most frequently seen is the Brittle Pricklypear, with 281 recorded sightings.

Plants account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (20 of the species listed here), followed by mammals (4).

🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist

Most-observed species in Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Brittle Pricklypear
Opuntia fragilis
281 observations · iNaturalist
Gambel Oak
Quercus gambelii
187 observations
Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza sagittata
174 observations
Plateau Fence Lizard
Sceloporus tristichus
170 observations
Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany
Cercocarpus montanus
161 observations · iNaturalist
Gunnison's Mariposa Lily
Calochortus gunnisonii
155 observations · iNaturalist
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Callospermophilus lateralis
150 observations
Hooker's Onion
Allium acuminatum
147 observations · iNaturalist
Sulfur Buckwheat
Eriogonum umbellatum
134 observations
Kingcup Cactus
Echinocereus triglochidiatus
133 observations
Colorado Pinyon
Pinus edulis
110 observations
Creeping Mahonia
Berberis repens
102 observations · iNaturalist
Longleaf Phlox
Phlox longifolia
85 observations
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
76 observations
Spotted Towhee
Pipilo maculatus
75 observations
Eastern Collared Lizard
Crotaphytus collaris
71 observations
Dusky Grouse
Dendragapus obscurus
65 observations
Utah Juniper
Juniperus osteosperma
65 observations · iNaturalist
Green-tailed Towhee
Pipilo chlorurus
61 observations
Dwarf Yucca
Yucca harrimaniae
60 observations · iNaturalist
Cliff Fendlerbush
Fendlera rupicola
58 observations · iNaturalist
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma woodhouseii
58 observations
Tall Western Groundsel
Senecio integerrimus
56 observations · iNaturalist
Rock Squirrel
Otospermophilus variegatus
53 observations
Scarlet Gilia
Ipomopsis aggregata
52 observations
Big Sagebrush
Artemisia tridentata
52 observations
Bighorn Sheep
Ovis canadensis
51 observations
Douglas-fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
47 observations
Curved Buckwheat
Eriogonum arcuatum
46 observations · iNaturalist
Ballhead Waterleaf
Hydrophyllum capitatum
45 observations · iNaturalist

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

Get rare-sighting alerts for Black Canyon of the Gunnison

We’ll email you when an uncommon or rare species is spotted here. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

More wildlife near Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Exploring Black Canyon of the Gunnison?

Take Huck with you. Identify any wildlife you find in seconds, and watch the live map of what is being spotted in Black Canyon of the Gunnison right now.

Get Huck

Exploring Black Canyon of the Gunnison? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what naturalists are finding - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.