Mammoth Cave National Park and Olympic National Park are two of the most unique and awe-inspiring national parks in the United States. Both offer breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife and incredible outdoor adventures that are sure to leave a lasting impression on all who visit.
But which of these two parks reigns supreme? If you’re a fan of cave exploration and subterranean wonders, Mammoth Cave might be the way to go. This park is home to the longest known cave system in the world, with over 400 miles of explored tunnels and caverns. With guided tours and spelunking experiences available, visitors can delve deep into the earth and discover the secrets hidden within.
On the other hand, if you’re more of a fan of towering peaks and wild forests, Olympic National Park is the place for you. With over 900,000 acres of wilderness, this park is home to a diverse array of landscapes, from the rugged coastlines to the misty rainforests and Alpine meadows. Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike or a relaxing stroll, Olympic National Park has something for everyone.
Hiking Trails in Mammoth Cave National Park and Olympic National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is home to the world’s longest cave system, with over 400 miles of explored passages. The park offers a range of hiking trails for visitors to explore above ground, offering scenic views and diverse landscapes. One popular trail is the River Styx Spring Trail, a 2.4-mile hike that leads visitors to the entrance of the cave. The trail is considered easy and offers a peaceful stroll through a forested area.
In contrast, Olympic National Park in Washington state is known for its diverse landscapes, including temperate rainforests, subalpine meadows, and rugged coastlines. The park offers a range of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to strenuous backcountry adventures. One of the most popular trails is the Hurricane Ridge Trail, a 3-mile hike offering panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains. The trail is considered moderate and a great option for visitors who want to experience the park’s beauty without a strenuous hike.
For those seeking a challenging hike, both parks offer options. At Mammoth Cave, the Houchins Valley Trail is a strenuous hike that leads visitors through rugged terrain, steep inclines, and diverse landscapes. The trail is 7.5 miles long and considered one of the park’s toughest hikes. At Olympic, the Seven Lakes Basin Trail is a strenuous hike that takes visitors through rugged terrain and steep inclines, offering stunning views of the Olympic Mountains. The trail is 16-miles long and considered one of the park’s most challenging hikes.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Mammoth Cave National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Green River Bluffs Trail | 7242.03 | 169.7736 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Cedar Sink Trail | 2896.812 | 70.7136 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Mammoth Cave National Park Scenic Drive | 17541.806 | 173.736 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
Sinkhole Trail | 3862.416 | 108.8136 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Echo River Spring and Sinkhole Loop | 4988.954 | 122.8344 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Echo River and River Styx Springs Trail | 5471.756 | 129.8448 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Sal Hollow and Buffalo Creek Loop Trail | 8690.436 | 100.8888 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
Dixon Cave Trail Loop | 2414.01 | 83.82 | Easy | loop | 4 |
First Creek Lake Trail | 5793.624 | 158.8008 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
McCoy Hollow Trail | 19794.882 | 434.9496 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Olympic National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge | 4988.954 | 242.9256 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Mount Storm King | 6276.426 | 638.8608 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail | 2574.944 | 77.724 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Hoh Rain Forest Hall of Moss | 1609.34 | 23.7744 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Marymere Falls Trail | 2735.878 | 90.8304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Hoh River Trail | 52786.352 | 1558.7472 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
High Divide – Seven Lakes Basin Loop | 30577.46 | 1617.8784 | Hard | loop | 5 |
Ruby Beach | 2253.076 | 20.7264 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Staircase Rapids Loop | 3379.614 | 64.9224 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Spruce Railroad Trail: Lake Crescent | 18024.608 | 131.9784 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Mammoth Cave National Park and Olympic National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park, located in Kentucky, is home to a unique underground ecosystem and is known for its diverse bat population, including the federally endangered Indiana bat. In addition to bats, visitors may also spot the eastern grey squirrel, white-tailed deer, and the red fox. Above ground, the park also boasts a range of plant species, including the American beech, tulip poplar, and the black oak.
On the other hand, Olympic National Park in Washington state is known for its diverse wildlife, including the Roosevelt elk, black bear, and the Olympic marmot. This park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the bald eagle, the spotted owl, and the common loon. The park’s lush temperate rainforests are a haven for a range of plant species, including the Douglas fir, the western hemlock, and the Sitka spruce.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife in their natural habitats. However, the types of animals, birds, and plants one may see will vary depending on the park they choose to visit. Whether you’re interested in exploring underground caves or hiking through lush rainforests, both Mammoth Cave and Olympic National Parks are worth a visit for any nature lover.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Mammoth Cave National Park and Olympic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Mammoth Cave National Park | Olympic 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 | 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 | American Pipit |
Mammals
Mammoth Cave National Park | Olympic National Park |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
American Beaver | American Beaver |
Muskrat | Muskrat |
Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
Bobcat | Striped Skunk |
Striped Skunk | Little Brown Bat |
Little Brown Bat | Deer Mouse |
Deer Mouse | Raccoon |
Raccoon | Black Bear |
Silver-Haired Bat | Porcupine |
Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
Red Fox | Red Fox |
Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
House Mouse | House Mouse |
Mink | Wolf |
Gray Fox | Long-Legged Myotis |
Western Long-Eared Bat | Long-Eared Myotis |
River Otter | California Myotis |
Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Snowshoe Rabbit |
White-Tailed Deer | North American River Otter |
Virginia Opossum | Fringe-Tailed Myotis |
Meadow Vole | Masked Shrew |
Eastern Red Bat | Water Shrew |
White-Footed Mouse | Western Big-Eared Bat |
Norway Rat | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
Fish
Mammoth Cave National Park | Olympic National Park |
---|---|
Rainbow Trout | Steelhead/Rainbow Trout |
Largemouth Bass | Brook Trout |
Green Sunfish | Largemouth Bass |
Bluegill | Salish Sucker |
Golden Shiner | Coho Salmon |
Common Carp | Chinook Salmon |
Yellow Bullhead | Longnose Dace |
Channel Catfish | Speckled Dace |
Black Crappie | Threespine Stickleback |
Black Bullhead | Sockeye Salmon |
Mosquitofish | Pink Salmon |
Creek Chub | Chum Salmon |
Goldfish | Dolly Varden |
Smallmouth Bass | Cutthroat Trout |
Amphibians
Mammoth Cave National Park | Olympic National Park |
---|---|
Eastern Tiger Salamander | Bullfrog |
Bullfrog | |
Wood Frog |
Reptiles
Mammoth Cave National Park | Olympic National Park |
---|---|
Black Racer | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
Ringneck Snake | Common Garter Snake |
Eastern Garter Snake | Rubber Boa |
Eastern Fence Lizard | Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
Mammoth Cave National Park | Olympic National Park |
---|---|
Orange Sulphur | Honey Bee |
Commom Wood Nymph |
Beautiful Landscapes in Mammoth Cave National Park and Olympic National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is famous for its extensive network of underground caves and tunnels. The park features over 400 miles of mapped caves, making it the longest cave system in the world. Visitors can take guided tours to explore the caves and learn about the unique geological formations and history within the caves.
Olympic National Park in Washington is known for its diverse landscapes, including rugged coastlines, lush rainforests, and snow-capped mountains. The park’s most famous landscape is the Hoh Rainforest, a temperate rainforest located on the western slopes of the Olympic Mountains. This area is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, including the Northern Spotted Owl, Marbled Murrelet, and various species of moss and ferns. The park also features the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, offering breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains and the surrounding wilderness.
Things To-Do and Activities in Mammoth Cave National Park and Olympic National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its extensive cave system, offering a unique underground experience for visitors. Popular activities include cave tours, camping, and fishing in the park’s Green River. On the other hand, Olympic National Park offers a diverse range of landscapes, including the Pacific coastline, temperate rainforests, and alpine meadows. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, as well as kayaking and beachcombing along the coast.
Both parks offer a variety of recreational opportunities, but the main difference is the type of landscape and resulting activities. While Mammoth Cave is all about exploring the underground, Olympic National Park is about immersing yourself in the great outdoors. Whether you prefer a nature hike or a scenic drive, there’s something for everyone at both parks. Visitors looking for a more strenuous adventure may opt for the backcountry trails of Olympic National Park, while those seeking a more relaxed experience can enjoy a leisurely cave tour at Mammoth Cave.
Best Time to Visit Mammoth Cave National Park and Olympic National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park and Olympic National Park are two popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique experiences, but the weather at each park differs significantly.
Mammoth Cave National Park is located in Kentucky and has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures average in the mid 80s, while winter temperatures average in the mid 30s. The park receives moderate rainfall throughout the year, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in the spring and fall. Because of the moderate climate, the park is accessible year-round, although the caves can become quite cool in the winter months.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is located in Washington state and has a more diverse climate. The park is divided into three distinct areas: the coastal strip, the rainforest, and the alpine region. The coastal strip experiences mild temperatures, with average summer temperatures in the mid 60s and winter temperatures in the mid 40s. The rainforest receives up to 140 inches of rainfall each year, making it one of the wettest places in the country. The alpine region is the coldest, with winter temperatures dropping below freezing.
Both parks offer unique experiences and opportunities for outdoor recreation, but the weather at each park affects the best time to visit. Visitors to Mammoth Cave National Park can enjoy the park year-round, while those visiting Olympic National Park should plan their trip during the summer months to avoid the heavy rainfall in the rainforest and cold temperatures in the alpine region.
Family Friendliness of Mammoth Cave National Park and Olympic National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park, located in Kentucky, is a popular destination for families looking for an educational and outdoor experience. With over 400 miles of underground caves to explore, families can take guided tours to learn about the geology, history and wildlife of the park. In addition, there are over 70 miles of hiking trails, horseback riding, and camping opportunities for families to enjoy.
Olympic National Park, located in Washington State, is also a great option for families who enjoy outdoor activities. The park offers a diverse range of landscapes, from the rugged Pacific coastline to the temperate rainforest, providing families with a chance to explore and discover the unique flora and fauna of the region. In addition, there are also opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping.
Both parks offer a great family-friendly experience, but if you are traveling with children, Mammoth Cave National Park may be the better choice. The park’s underground caves offer a unique and educational experience for kids, and the variety of guided tours available cater to different age groups, making it easier for families to find a tour that is suited to their needs. On the other hand, Olympic National Park is better for families who are looking for a more rugged and natural outdoor experience.