Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park are two of the most unique and exciting national parks in the United States. These two parks have a lot to offer visitors, and are both located in areas of incredible natural beauty. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, these parks are sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
Denali is located in the heart of Alaska and is home to the tallest mountain in North America, Mount Denali. This park is a true wilderness experience, offering visitors a chance to see some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. From glaciers to tundra, and from wild animals to stunning sunsets, Denali is a must-see for anyone looking for an adventure.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the other hand, is located in the northern part of California and is home to one of the most active volcanic areas in the world. With its bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and explosive geysers, Lassen is a true geological wonder. Whether you are a fan of geology or just love exploring the great outdoors, Lassen is a park that you won’t soon forget.
Hiking Trails in Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors, but their hiking experiences are different. In Denali, the main attraction is Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America. The park offers a range of hikes, from easy nature walks to challenging backpacking trips. For those looking for a moderate hike, the Savage River Loop is a great option, offering breathtaking views of the landscape and wildlife. On the other hand, the hardest hike in the park is the Mount McKinley climb, which requires technical skills, experience, and endurance.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the other hand, offers a unique hiking experience due to its volcanic features. The park is home to several types of volcanic formations, including steam vents, mud pots, and boiling pools. The easiest hike in the park is the Bumpass Hell Trail, which is a 3-mile round trip trail that leads to one of the largest hydrothermal areas in the park. The hardest hike in the park is the Lassen Peak Trail, which is a strenuous 8-mile round trip hike to the top of the park’s most famous volcano. The trail offers panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness and is a popular destination for experienced hikers.
In conclusion, both Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park offer unique hiking experiences for visitors. While Denali is known for its high peaks and challenging hikes, Lassen Volcanic National Park is famous for its volcanic features and unique hiking trails. Regardless of your hiking abilities, both parks offer something for everyone, from easy nature walks to challenging backpacking trips.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Denali National Park & Preserve
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mount Healy Overlook Trail | 6920.162 | 507.7968 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Horseshoe Lake Trail | 3379.614 | 119.7864 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Triple Lakes Trail | 29772.79 | 1124.712 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
Bison Gulch | 11265.38 | 1178.9664 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
Rock Creek Trail | 7081.096 | 287.7312 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Taiga Trail | 2574.944 | 62.7888 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
McKinley Station Trail | 4667.086 | 113.9952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Mount Thorofare Ridge Loop | 6598.294 | 507.7968 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
McKinley Bar Trail | 7402.964 | 295.9608 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Tiaga Loop and Horseshoe Lake Trail to Beaver Dam | 4828.02 | 158.8008 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lassen Peak | 8207.634 | 599.8464 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Kings Creek Falls Trail | 4345.218 | 143.8656 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Cinder Cone Nature Trail | 7724.832 | 317.9064 | Hard | loop | 5 |
Brokeoff Mountain Trail | 12230.984 | 786.9936 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Mill Creek Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 237.744 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Manzanita Lake Loop | 3057.746 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Devil’s Kitchen Trail | 7402.964 | 187.7568 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Chaos Crags Trail | 6437.36 | 301.752 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Cluster Lakes Loop Trail | 16737.136 | 451.7136 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Boiling Springs Lake Loop Trail | 3701.482 | 75.8952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park are both home to unique and diverse wildlife. At Denali, visitors have the chance to see a variety of animals, including grizzly bears, caribou, moose, wolves, and Dall sheep. The park is also a popular destination for birdwatching, with species such as the willow ptarmigan, the common raven, and the bald eagle commonly seen.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is also known for its diverse wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, mule deer, and the rare Sierra Nevada red fox. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the mountain bluebird, the American dipper, and the Clark’s nutcracker. In addition to wildlife, visitors can also observe the unique geothermal activity that the park is known for, including bubbling mud pots, steam vents, and fumaroles.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to observe wildlife in their natural habitats and experience the beauty of the great outdoors. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or just looking for a peaceful escape from the city, Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park are both excellent choices for your next adventure.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Denali National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic 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 |
Hermit Thrush | Great Blue Heron |
American Kestrel | Hermit Thrush |
Bald Eagle | American Kestrel |
Song Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
European Starling | Song Sparrow |
Northern Pintail | European Starling |
American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
Green-Winged Teal | American Wigeon |
Swainson’s Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
Denali National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
---|---|
Coyote | American Beaver |
American Beaver | Muskrat |
Muskrat | Bobcat |
Little Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
Black Bear | Raccoon |
Porcupine | Black Bear |
Red Fox | Silver-Haired Bat |
Mink | Hoary Bat |
Wolf | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Short-Tailed Weasel | Mountain Lion |
Snowshoe Hare | Mink |
River Otter | Mule Deer |
Common Shrew | Gray Fox |
Water Shrew | Wolf |
Red Squirrel | Long-Eared Myotis |
Montane Shrew | Snowshoe Hare |
Lynx | Fringed Myotis |
Wolverine | Western Harvest Mouse |
American Marten | Yuma Myotis |
Northern Flying Squirrel | Bighorn Sheep |
Grizzly Bear | Montane Shrew |
Meadow Vole | Long-Tailed Vole |
Moose | Ringtail |
Least Weasel | Virginia Opossum |
Pygmy Shrew | Wolverine |
Fish
Denali National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
---|---|
Longnose Sucker | Redband Trout |
Lake Trout | Brook Trout |
Northern Pike | Brown Trout |
Burbot | Fathead Minnow |
Coho Salmon | Golden Shiner |
Chinook Salmon | Silver Salmon |
Slimy Sculpin | King Salmon |
Chum Salmon | Mottled Sculpin |
Dolly Varden | Speckled Dace |
Arctic Grayling | Brown Bullhead |
Amphibians
Denali National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
---|---|
Wood Frog | Bullfrog |
Reptiles
Denali National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
---|---|
Gopher Snake | |
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
Racer | |
Western Rattlesnake | |
Ring-Necked Snake | |
Sagebrush Lizard | |
Common Garter Snake | |
Common Kingsnake | |
Rubber Boa | |
Striped Whipsnake | |
Western Whiptail | |
Western Skink | |
Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
Denali National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
---|---|
Orange Sulphur | |
Painted Lady | |
Monarch Butterfly | |
American Painted Lady | |
Common Checkered-Skipper | |
Honey Bee | |
Buckeye | |
Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve in Alaska is home to the tallest peak in North America, Mount Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), which rises 20,310 feet above sea level. The park also features glaciers, tundra, and wildlife, including grizzly bears and caribou. Visitors can take bus tours into the park’s interior or hike in the backcountry for a chance to see the stunning mountain views and wildlife.
Lassen Volcanic National Park in California is known for its volcanic activity and geothermal features, including steam vents, mud pots, and hot springs. The park is also home to several peaks, including Lassen Peak, which last erupted in 1915. Visitors can hike or take a scenic drive to see these amazing geological wonders, as well as pine forests, alpine lakes, and meadows filled with wildflowers.
Things To-Do and Activities in Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a wide range of activities and sights for visitors, but they are unique in the experiences they provide.
Denali National Park & Preserve is known for its stunning views of the Alaskan wilderness, including the highest peak in North America, Mount Denali. Visitors can go on scenic drives, wildlife viewing tours, and even flightseeing tours to get a bird’s eye view of the park and its surroundings. The park also offers a variety of camping options, from backcountry camping to RV camping.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the other hand, is known for its collection of volcanic features, including steam vents, mud pots, and hot springs. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the park’s volcanic history, or hike to the summit of Lassen Peak for panoramic views of the park and beyond. The park also offers camping, as well as opportunities for fishing, boating, and stargazing.
Both parks offer a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities, but the experiences they provide are quite different. Denali National Park & Preserve is ideal for those who are looking for a true wilderness experience, while Lassen Volcanic National Park is perfect for those interested in the unique volcanic features and the scenic beauty of the park.
Best Time to Visit Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park are two beautiful national parks located in the United States. The seasonal weather in each park greatly affects the best time to visit each park. In Denali National Park, the summer months of June to August are warm, with temperatures ranging from 40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter months are extremely cold with temperatures ranging from -20 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lassen Volcanic National Park has a similar climate to Denali, with warm summers and cold winters. However, Lassen also experiences volcanic activity, which can affect the weather in the park. During the summer months, temperatures can range from 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while the winter months can range from 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Visitors can expect snow in the winter months, making it a great destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
The best time to visit Denali National Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park is open for visitors. This is the best time to explore the park’s vast wilderness, take guided tours, and see the park’s wildlife. Winter months are best for visitors who enjoy winter sports, such as skiing and snowmobiling.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is also best visited during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park is accessible. During the winter, visitors can enjoy the park’s winter sports, such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. Regardless of the season, both Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park offer visitors the chance to experience some of the best wilderness and landscapes in the United States.
Family Friendliness of Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park are both popular destinations for families. However, each park offers a unique experience that may appeal more to families with children of different ages and interests.
Denali is known for its stunning wilderness, abundant wildlife, and opportunities for outdoor adventure. With a range of activities like hiking, backpacking, and bus tours, there’s something for families of all ages. However, the park’s remote location and lack of developed facilities may make it less appealing to families with young children or those looking for more comfort and convenience.
Lassen Volcanic, on the other hand, is a great choice for families seeking a more relaxed, low-key adventure. The park is home to a variety of geothermal features, including bubbling mud pots, hot springs, and steam vents, that are sure to fascinate kids. Plus, the park’s compact size and well-developed network of trails make it easy to explore with kids of all ages.
In conclusion, while both Denali and Lassen offer unique and rewarding experiences for families, the best choice will depend on your family’s interests and comfort level. If you’re looking for a remote wilderness adventure, Denali is the place to go, but if you’re seeking a more relaxed, easy-going experience, Lassen Volcanic might be the better choice.