“Discover two of America’s most diverse and stunning national parks: Crater Lake and Great Sand Dunes. While one boasts a serene and crystal-clear crater lake surrounded by towering cliffs, the other showcases rolling waves of golden sand dunes, seemingly endless in their expanse. Whether you’re seeking adventure or a peaceful escape, these two parks offer a unique experience unlike any other. So, grab your hiking boots, camera, and sense of wonder, as we embark on a journey to explore these two natural marvels.”
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake and Great Sand Dunes National Parks offer unique hiking experiences with varying levels of difficulty. Crater Lake has trails with breathtaking views of the lake and mountains, including the easy Rim Village Walk, a half-mile paved trail with lake views, and the strenuous Garfield Peak Trail, a 7-mile hike with a 1,300 ft elevation gain. Great Sand Dunes offers hikes through its surreal sand dunes, like the easy Dunes Boardwalk, a short trail with up-close views of the dunes, and the challenging High Dune, a 3-mile hike to the park’s tallest dune with a steep ascent. Both parks offer diverse hiking opportunities for visitors seeking different levels of difficulty and exposure to breathtaking natural beauty.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Garfield Peak Trail | 5471.756 | 325.8312 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Cleetwood Cove Trail | 3379.614 | 189.8904 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
The Watchman Peak Trail | 2574.944 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Mount Scott Trail | 6759.228 | 383.7432 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Discovery Point Trail | 6437.36 | 278.892 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Plaikni Falls Trail | 3218.68 | 40.8432 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Wizard Island Trail | 3701.482 | 228.9048 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Sun Notch Trail | 1287.472 | 38.7096 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Pinnacles Valley Trail | 1126.538 | 11.8872 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Mazama Village to Rim Village at Crater Lake | 13357.522 | 530.9616 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
High Dune Trail | 4828.02 | 191.7192 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Mosca Pass Trail | 10299.776 | 444.7032 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Dunes Trail from Pinyon Flats | 7242.03 | 290.7792 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Sand Dunes Loop Trail | 8046.7 | 225.8568 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Upper Sand Creek Lake Trail | 11909.116 | 598.932 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
Medano Lake Trail | 12713.786 | 697.992 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Montville Nature Trail | 804.67 | 26.8224 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Dunes Overlook Sand Ramp Trail | 2414.01 | 80.772 | Moderate | out and back | 3.5 |
Little Medano Creek Trail to Medano Lake | 40394.434 | 1079.9064 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Wellington Ditch Trail | 2896.812 | 47.8536 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake NP in Oregon has abundant wildlife including black bears, deer, and a variety of bird species such as bald eagles, Clark’s nutcrackers, and common ravens. The mix of conifer forests, subalpine meadows, and volcanic landscapes support diverse plant life including wildflowers, ferns, and shrubs.
Great Sand Dunes NP&P in Colorado boasts unique wildlife adapted to desert conditions like pronghorns, bighorn sheep, and the endangered Baird’s sparrow. The park is home to a rich bird population including golden eagles, mountain plovers, and horned larks. The vegetation is varied and includes yucca, sagebrush, and pinyon pines.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Crater Lake National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
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 |
Bald Eagle | American Kestrel |
Song Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
European Starling | Song Sparrow |
Northern Pintail | European Starling |
American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
American Pipit | American Wigeon |
Swainson’s Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
Crater Lake National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
American Beaver | American Beaver |
Muskrat | Muskrat |
Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
Bobcat | Bobcat |
Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
Raccoon | Raccoon |
Black Bear | Black Bear |
Porcupine | Porcupine |
Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
Red Fox | Red Fox |
Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
House Mouse | Mule Deer |
Mountain Lion | Gray Fox |
Mink | Long-Legged Myotis |
Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Long-Eared Bat |
Gray Fox | Badger |
Wolf | Ermine |
Long-Legged Myotis | Snowshoe Hare |
Long-Eared Myotis | Masked Shrew |
American Badger | Water Shrew |
Ermine | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
Fish
Crater Lake National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Rainbow Trout | Brook Trout |
Brook Trout | German Brown Trout |
Brown Trout | Cutthroat Trout |
Lake Trout | |
Silver Salmon | |
Kokanee Salmon | |
Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
Crater Lake National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Western Terestrial Garter Snake | Bull Snake |
Racer | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
Sagebrush Lizard | Western Prairie Rattlesnake |
Common Garter Snake | Greater Short-Horned Lizards |
Rubber Boa | Milksnake |
Western Skink | Eastern Fence Lizard |
Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
Crater Lake National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
Tiger Salamander | |
Woodhouse’s Toad | |
Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
Crater Lake National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Orange Sulphur | |
Painted Lady | |
Red Admiral | |
Honey Bee | |
Purplish Copper | |
Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake Nat’l Park features a deep blue lake formed by volcanic eruption, offering views from rim hikes & boat tours. Great Sand Dunes Nat’l Park & Preserve boasts the tallest sand dunes in N. America, reachable by hiking/sporting activities. Park also showcases unique ecosystems like grasslands, wetlands, & forests.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park boasts a pristine blue lake, surrounded by scenic drives, vista points, and lush forests for hiking. It also offers boat tours and a range of accommodations, from camping to lodges. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is famous for its towering sand dunes, perfect for hiking and sand activities such as sledding. The park also offers backpacking, stargazing and limited camping facilities. Both parks offer educational opportunities through ranger-led programs.
In summary, both Crater Lake and Great Sand Dunes offer unique landscapes for visitors to experience, with Crater Lake offering a serene lake, scenic drives, and lodges, while Great Sand Dunes offers towering sand dunes for hiking, sand activities, and stargazing.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake NP has cold, snowy winters, avg. temperatures 20-40°F (-6 to 4°C), with mild summers, 40-70°F (4-21°C), & occasional storms. Best time to visit is Jul-Sep for comfortable weather & less snow. Great Sand Dunes NP&P has hot summers, 80-90°F (27-32°C), & mild to cold winters, 10-40°F (-12 to 4°C) with little precipitation, most in spring/summer. Best time to visit Apr-Jun or Sep-Nov for mild weather & fewer visitors.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park offers serene nature walks, picnics and views of its calm waters, while Great Sand Dunes has towering dunes for sandboarding, sledding and challenging hikes. For families, Great Sand Dunes may offer more excitement and interactive opportunities.