When it comes to national parks, few places can compare to the natural beauty and diversity of Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One boasts rugged deserts and towering peaks, while the other is a lush, mountainous paradise teeming with wildlife and wildflowers. Whether you’re an experienced hiker looking for a challenging trek, or a family seeking a fun-filled vacation, these two parks have something for everyone. From the hot springs of Big Bend to the scenic drives of Great Smoky Mountains, the options for adventure and relaxation are endless. So come along and join us as we take a closer look at the wonders that await at Big Bend and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks.
Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are both well-known for their hiking trails, each offering a unique outdoor experience for visitors.
In Big Bend, hikers can explore the Chisos Mountains and take on challenging trails like the South Rim and Emory Peak, which offer stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape. The park also has a number of backcountry trails that are suitable for experienced hikers and offer a true wilderness experience.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the other hand, is known for its lush and verdant landscape, offering a completely different hiking experience than Big Bend. The park has over 800 miles of trails, including the popular Alum Cave Trail and the strenuous hike to the summit of Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park. The park also has many easy and moderate hikes, like the Laurel Falls trail, which is a short and easy hike to a beautiful 80-foot waterfall.
Both parks offer a diverse range of hiking experiences, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. Big Bend is a great choice for those looking for a rugged and remote wilderness experience, while Great Smoky Mountains National Park is ideal for those looking for a more lush and verdant hiking experience.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lost Mine Trail | 6759.228 | 334.9752 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
South Rim Trail – Boot Springs Trail | 17702.74 | 709.8792 | Hard | loop | 5 |
The Window Trail | 8368.568 | 288.9504 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Emory Peak Trail | 13679.39 | 731.8248 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Santa Elena Canyon Trail | 2414.01 | 185.928 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Balanced Rock Trail | 3057.746 | 70.7136 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Boquillas Canyon Trail | 1931.208 | 69.7992 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Hot Springs Canyon Trail | 8851.37 | 280.7208 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Outer Mountain Loop | 38785.094 | 1739.7984 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Big Bend Hot Springs Trail | 1770.274 | 38.7096 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte | 17219.938 | 916.8384 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Chimney Tops Trail | 5793.624 | 392.8872 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
Rainbow Falls Trail | 8851.37 | 503.8344 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Grotto Falls Trail | 4184.284 | 162.7632 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Laurel Falls Trail | 3862.416 | 120.7008 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Abrams Falls Trail | 7885.766 | 191.7192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail | 1931.208 | 100.8888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail | 13840.324 | 603.8088 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Ramsey Cascades Trail | 13035.654 | 677.8752 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
Peregrine Peak via Alum Cave Bluffs Trail | 6759.228 | 322.7832 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of animals, birds, and plants. However, the wildlife you will see in each park is different due to the different climate and geography of the two parks.
Big Bend National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert and is home to a wide variety of desert animals such as black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and bobcats. The park is also home to a large population of white-tailed deer and mule deer. Visitors can also see a variety of birds including roadrunners, golden eagles, and black hawks. The park is also home to several species of reptiles and amphibians, including lizards, snakes, and frogs.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Appalachian Mountains and is home to a wide variety of animals that are adapted to the forest environment. Visitors can see black bears, white-tailed deer, and a variety of birds such as the Great Smoky Mountain’s national bird, the raven. The park is also home to several species of reptiles and amphibians, including salamanders and frogs. The park also has several species of fish in the park’s many streams, including the brook trout.
In summary, Big Bend National Park is home to a wide variety of desert animals, while Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to a wide variety of animals that are adapted to the forest environment. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a diverse array of wildlife, but the types of animals you will see in each park will be different due to the different climate and geography of the two parks.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Big Bend National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
---|---|
Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
Osprey | Osprey |
Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
Mallard | Mallard |
Canada Goose | Canada Goose |
Lincoln’s Sparrow | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
American Robin | American Robin |
Great Horned Owl | Great Horned Owl |
Red-Tailed Hawk | Red-Tailed Hawk |
Northern Flicker | Northern Flicker |
Merlin | Merlin |
Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
European Starling | European Starling |
Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
Big Bend National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
American Beaver | American Beaver |
Muskrat | Muskrat |
Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
Bobcat | Bobcat |
Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
Deer Mouse | Little Brown Bat |
Raccoon | Deer Mouse |
Black Bear | Raccoon |
Porcupine | Black Bear |
Silver-Haired Bat | Porcupine |
Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
Long-Tailed Weasel | Hoary Bat |
House Mouse | Red Fox |
Mountain Lion | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Mule Deer | House Mouse |
Common Gray Fox | Panther (Mountain Lion) |
Gray Wolf | Mink |
Long-Legged Myotis | Gray Fox |
American Badger | Gray Wolf |
California Myotis | Snowshoe Hare |
Fringed Myotis | River Otter |
Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Masked Shrew |
Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Water Shrew |
Western Harvest Mouse | Red Squirrel |
Reptiles
Big Bend National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
---|---|
Sonoran Gophersnake | |
Prairie Rattlesnake | |
Ring-Necked Snake | |
Common Side-Blotched Lizard | |
Desert Kingsnake | |
Texas Nightsnake | |
Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
Mexican Milksnake | |
Central Texas Whipsnake | |
Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
Big Bend Tree Lizard | |
Eastern Collared Lizard | |
Glossy Snake | |
Long-Nosed Snake | |
Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
Big Bend National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
---|---|
Barred Tiger Salamander | Northern Leopard Frog |
American Bullfrog | American Bullfrog |
Southwestern Woodhouse’s Toad | Wood Frog |
Red-Spotted Toad | |
Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
Big Bend National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
---|---|
Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
Bluegill | Brown Trout |
Fathead Minnow | Largemouth Bass |
Common Carp | Green Sunfish |
Longnose Dace | Bluegill |
Yellow Bullhead | Common Carp |
Channel Catfish | Longnose Dace |
Mosquitofish | Yellow Bullhead |
Channel Catfish | |
Black Crappie | |
Black Bullhead | |
Mosquitofish | |
Creek Chub | |
Goldfish | |
Smallmouth Bass |
Insects
Big Bend National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
---|---|
Orange Sulphur | |
Painted Lady | |
Monarch | |
American Painted Lady | |
Red Admiral | |
Mourning Cloak | |
Cabbage White | |
Silvery Blue | |
Common Checkered Skipper | |
Common Sulphur | |
Honey Bee | |
Variegated Fritillary | |
Buckeye | |
Commom Wood Nymph | |
Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of America’s most beloved national parks, each offering a unique and breathtaking array of natural landscapes for visitors to explore. Big Bend is known for its rugged desert terrain, featuring towering limestone cliffs and canyons, as well as the Rio Grande River which flows through the park. Some of the most famous landscapes at Big Bend include the Chisos Mountains, Santa Elena Canyon, and Boquillas Canyon.
On the other hand, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its lush, verdant forests and rolling blue-green mountains. The park is home to the Great Smoky Mountains, the most biodiverse area in the whole of North America. Some of the most famous landscapes at Great Smoky Mountains include Clingmans Dome, Cades Cove, and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Both parks offer visitors the chance to see spectacular landscapes, but the type of landscapes are vastly different. Visitors to Big Bend will see a desert-like landscapes while visitors to Great Smoky Mountains will see lush green landscapes.
Things To-Do and Activities in Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are both popular national parks that offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. However, the most popular activities at each park differ due to the different climate and geography of the two parks.
Big Bend National Park is known for its outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, and camping. The park has a wide range of hiking trails that vary in difficulty level, and offer visitors the chance to explore the park’s diverse landscape. The park also offers backpacking and camping opportunities in its remote wilderness areas, which allows visitors to experience the park’s remote wilderness areas. Additionally, visitors can also enjoy activities such as bird watching, wildlife viewing, and stargazing.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the other hand, is known for its hiking trails, scenic drives, and historic sites. The park has more than 800 miles of hiking trails, including the famous Appalachian Trail, that offer visitors the chance to explore the park’s diverse landscape, including the beautiful waterfalls, old-growth forests and scenic overlooks. The park also offers a variety of scenic drives, such as the Newfound Gap Road and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail that allow visitors to take in the park’s stunning views. Additionally, the park also has several historic sites, including the Mingus Mill, the Mountain Farm Museum and the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, which offer visitors the chance to learn about the park’s rich cultural history.
In summary, Big Bend National Park is known for its outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, and camping, while Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its hiking trails, scenic drives, and historic sites. Both parks offer visitors a wide range of activities, but the types of activities you can enjoy in each park will be different due to the different climate and geography of the two parks.
Best Time to Visit Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are both incredibly popular national parks that offer visitors a wide variety of outdoor activities and natural wonders to explore. However, the two parks have very different weather patterns, which can affect the best time of year to visit.
Big Bend National Park is located in southwestern Texas and has a desert climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The park’s highest temperatures typically occur during the summer months, with daytime temperatures often reaching above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This can make it challenging for visitors to explore the park during the summer, as the heat can be overwhelming. The best time to visit Big Bend National Park is during the spring or fall when temperatures are milder and the weather is more comfortable for outdoor activities.
On the other hand, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in the southeastern United States and has a humid subtropical climate. The park’s highest temperatures typically occur during the summer months, with daytime temperatures in the mid-80s to low 90s Fahrenheit. The park also experiences a good amount of rainfall throughout the year, which can make the trails and roads muddy and difficult to navigate. The best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is milder and the park is less crowded.
Both Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park have a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, with trails ranging from easy to strenuous. Big Bend National Park is known for its challenging backcountry hikes, including the strenuous Emory Peak trail, which leads to the highest point in the park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the other hand, has a variety of shorter, easier hikes that are great for families and visitors of all ages, such as the Clingmans Dome trail and the Laurel Falls trail.
In summary, while both Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are great destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, the weather and trail difficulty can vary greatly between the two parks. Visitors should consider the time of year and their desired level of difficulty when planning a trip to these two parks.
Family Friendliness of Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are both great options for families looking to explore the great outdoors. Both parks offer a wide range of activities that are suitable for all ages, making them ideal for families with children.
At Big Bend National Park, visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, and stargazing. The park offers more than 150 miles of hiking trails, with options for all skill levels. Families can also take a scenic drive through the park, or float down the Rio Grande River. The park also offers ranger-led activities and programs that are specifically designed for children, such as the Junior Ranger Program.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also a popular destination for families. The park offers a wide range of activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and horseback riding. The park also offers a variety of scenic drives and auto tours, as well as historic sites and museums. The park also offers a range of ranger-led programs and activities, including the Junior Ranger Program.
In terms of family-friendliness, both Big Bend National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park offer a variety of activities that are suitable for all ages. The choice between the two parks will likely come down to personal preference, depending on the types of activities that interest you and your family. Both parks are great options for families looking to explore the great outdoors and create lasting memories.