Acadia National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are two of the most iconic and unique national parks in the United States. They offer visitors the opportunity to explore vastly different landscapes and experience the rich cultural heritage of America. Acadia National Park, located in Maine, is known for its rugged coastlines, rocky cliffs, and lush forests, while Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, is known for its ancient cliff dwellings and mesa top villages. Both parks are a treasure trove of natural beauty, history and culture, and offer visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the wild and explore the past. Whether you’re an adventure seeker looking for breathtaking views, or a history buff interested in ancient cultures, Acadia National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are sure to impress and inspire. With so much to explore and discover, these two national parks are the perfect destination for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse themselves in nature and culture.
Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Acadia National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are both known for their hiking trails, but the types of trails and the difficulty levels vary.
Acadia National Park, located on the coast of Maine, offers a variety of hiking trails for all skill levels. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Jordan Pond Path, which is a 3-mile round trip trail that offers beautiful views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains. Another easy hike is the Precipice Trail, which is a 1.4-mile round trip trail with steep climbs, but also offers stunning views of the park’s rugged coastline. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the park offers several options, including the Precipice Trail, which is a steep and strenuous hike that requires some basic rock climbing skills, and the Jordan Pond Shore Trail, which is a challenging hike that takes you along the coast.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, offers a variety of hiking trails that range from easy to challenging. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Spruce Tree House Trail, which is a .9-mile round trip trail that takes you to the Spruce Tree House, one of the park’s most well-preserved cliff dwellings. Another easy hike is the Balcony House Trail, which is a .9-mile round trip trail that takes you to the Balcony House, one of the park’s most popular cliff dwellings. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the park offers several options, including the Petroglyph Point Trail, which is a strenuous hike that takes you to the Petroglyph Point, where you can see ancient rock carvings, and the Knife Edge Trail, which is a steep hike that takes you to the top of a mesa with beautiful views of the park.
In summary, Acadia National Park offers a variety of hiking trails for all skill levels, with some of the easiest hikes being the Jordan Pond Path and Precipice Trail and some of the most challenging hikes being the Precipice Trail and Jordan Pond Shore Trail. Mesa Verde National Park also offers a variety of hiking trails, with some of the easiest hikes being the Spruce Tree House Trail and Balcony House Trail, and some of the most challenging hikes being the Petroglyph Point Trail and Knife Edge Trail. Both parks offer the opportunity to explore beautiful natural landscapes and discover the rich cultural history of the area.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Beehive Loop Trail | 2253.076 | 148.7424 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Cadillac North Ridge Trail | 6437.36 | 340.7664 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Jordan Pond Full Loop Trail | 5471.756 | 28.956 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Ocean Path and Gorham Mountain Loop Trail | 4988.954 | 181.9656 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail Loop | 12070.05 | 684.8856 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Precipice, Orange and Black and Champlain North Ridge Trail Loop | 3379.614 | 319.7352 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Ocean Path Trail: Thunder Hole and Monument Cove | 7242.03 | 113.9952 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Great Head Trail (Short Option) | 2574.944 | 91.7448 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| South Bubble Mountain and Jordan Pond Loop | 2253.076 | 149.9616 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cadillac Summit Loop Trail | 482.802 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Mesa Verde National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petroglyph Point Trail | 4184.284 | 131.9784 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cliff Palace Loop Trail | 643.736 | 25.908 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Balcony House Loop Trail | 643.736 | 27.7368 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mesa Verde Point Lookout Trail | 3379.614 | 161.8488 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Soda Canyon Overlook Trail | 1931.208 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mesa Verde National Park Scenic Drive | 24140.1 | 797.9664 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Long House Trail | 3379.614 | 86.868 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Step House Trail | 1287.472 | 46.9392 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Knife Edge Trail | 3218.68 | 46.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Prater Ridge Trail | 11748.182 | 311.8104 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Wildlife in Acadia National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Acadia National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are both known for their diverse wildlife and unique ecosystems.
Acadia National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, moose, black bears, and coyotes. Visitors can also spot a variety of birds, including the peregrine falcon, the osprey, and the bald eagle. The park’s coastal environment also supports a diverse array of marine life, including seals and porpoises. The park’s forests are also home to a variety of plant life, including wild blueberries, ferns, and mosses.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, is home to a variety of animals such as deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. Visitors can also spot a variety of birds, including the American kestrel, the golden eagle, and the turkey vulture. The park’s high desert environment supports a diverse array of plant life, including cacti, yucca, and Joshua trees. The park is also home to many species of animals that are unique to the area, like the Pinyon Jay, the Gray Jay, the White-tailed Prairie Dog and the Abert’s Squirrel.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife and plants. While Acadia National Park is known for its coastal environment and diverse marine life, Mesa Verde National Park is known for its high desert environment and unique species that are specific to the area. Both parks offer visitors a chance to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty and diversity of wildlife and plants.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Acadia National Park and Mesa Verde National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Acadia National Park | Mesa Verde 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
| Acadia National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Cross Fox | Red Fox |
| New York Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mink | Mountain Lion |
| Gray Wolf | Mink |
| Bonaparte’s Weasel | Mule Deer |
| Varying Hare | Gray Fox |
| Masked Shrew | Wolf |
| Water Shrew | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Red Squirrel | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Virginia Deer | Badger |
| Canada Lynx | Ermine |
Fish
| Acadia National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | |
| Native Brook Trout | |
| Loch Leven Brown Trout | |
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| Togue | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Acadia National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Bullfrog | Tiger Salamander |
| Wood Frog | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Acadia National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Ringneck Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Eastern Garter Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Milk Snake | Racer |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Beautiful Landscapes in Acadia National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Acadia National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are both known for their stunning natural landscapes, each with their own unique features.
Acadia National Park, located in Maine, is known for its rugged coastlines and rocky cliffs. The park’s most famous landscape is Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the east coast of the United States, which offers visitors breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The park also boasts a variety of hiking trails, including Precipice Trail, which offers a challenging climb to the top of the mountain, and Jordan Pond Path, which leads visitors to a serene mountain lake. Additionally, the park is home to a number of waterfalls, including Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake, and offers visitors the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife, including black bears, moose, and eagles.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, is known for its ancient cliff dwellings and mesa top villages, built by the Ancestral Puebloans more than 700 years ago. The park’s most famous landscapes are Cliff Palace and Spruce Tree House, two of the largest cliff dwellings in the park, which offer visitors the opportunity to explore these ancient ruins and learn about the culture and history of the Ancestral Puebloans. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails, including the Petroglyph Point Trail, which leads visitors to ancient rock art, and the Park Point Trail, which offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of plants and wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide range of natural wonders, but each park has its own unique landscapes and features that are worth exploring.
Things To-Do and Activities in Acadia National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Acadia National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but they offer different types of activities for visitors to enjoy.
Acadia National Park is known for its hiking and outdoor recreation opportunities. The park has over 120 miles of hiking trails, including the popular Precipice Trail, Jordan Pond Path, and the Precipice Trail. Visitors can also enjoy rock climbing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The park’s coastal location also offers opportunities for sea kayaking, fishing, and bird watching.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, is known for its rich cultural history and opportunities to explore ancient ruins. The park features over 5,000 archaeological sites, including the well-known Cliff Palace, Spruce Tree House, and the Balcony House. Visitors can also hike to the park’s overlooks for stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Camping, picnicking, and ranger-led tours are also popular activities at the park.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities and connect with nature. While Acadia National Park is known for its hiking and outdoor recreation opportunities, Mesa Verde National Park is known for its ancient ruins and cultural history. Both parks offer visitors a chance to explore and appreciate the unique features of the park.
Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Acadia National Park and Mesa Verde National Park have distinct seasonal weather patterns that can affect when is the best time of year to visit each park.
Acadia National Park, located on the coast of Maine, has a cool and temperate climate. The park experiences all four seasons, with summers being mild and comfortable, while winters are cold and snowy. Spring and fall are transitional seasons, with cool temperatures and changing foliage. The best time to visit the park is during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is warm and mild, and the park’s many hiking trails and scenic drives are accessible. The park can be crowded during peak summer months, so those who want to avoid crowds may want to visit in the shoulder seasons of spring or fall.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cool winters. The park’s summers are generally dry and hot with temperatures ranging from 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are generally mild with occasional snowfall. Spring and fall are transitional seasons, with warm days and cool nights. The best time to visit the park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and comfortable, and the park’s hiking trails and archaeological sites are accessible. The park can be crowded during peak summer months, so those who want to avoid crowds may want to visit in the shoulder seasons of spring or fall.
In summary, the best time to visit Acadia National Park is during the summer months, from June to September when the weather is mild and comfortable, while the best time to visit Mesa Verde National Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and comfortable. Both parks can be crowded during peak summer months, so those who want to avoid crowds may want to visit in the shoulder seasons of spring or fall.
Family Friendliness of Acadia National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Acadia National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are both family-friendly destinations that offer visitors a variety of activities and experiences for all ages. However, each park has its own unique features that may make it more suitable for families with children depending on their interests and preferences.
Acadia National Park is known for its rugged coastlines and rocky cliffs, which offer visitors a variety of hiking trails, including the Jordan Pond Path, which is relatively easy and offers stunning views of a mountain lake. The park also offers a number of scenic drives, such as the Park Loop Road, which takes visitors through the park’s most popular sights, and the Park Trolley, which takes visitors on a guided tour of the park. Additionally, the park offers a number of ranger-led activities and programs, such as campfire programs and guided hikes, which are designed to be educational and fun for children.
Mesa Verde National Park is known for its ancient cliff dwellings and mesa top villages, built by the Ancestral Puebloans more than 700 years ago. The park offers visitors a variety of guided tours of the cliff dwellings, including the Cliff Palace and Spruce Tree House, which are both relatively easy and offer visitors the opportunity to explore these ancient ruins and learn about the culture and history of the Ancestral Puebloans. The park also offers a number of ranger-led activities and programs, such as campfire programs and guided hikes, which are designed to be educational and fun for children.
Both parks offer visitors a variety of activities and experiences that are suitable for families with children, but depending on the interests and preferences of your family, one park may be more appealing than the other. Acadia National Park is great for families who enjoy outdoor activities and nature, while Mesa Verde National Park is great for families who enjoy history and culture.