Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are two vastly different national parks located on opposite sides of the country, but both offer unique and awe-inspiring experiences for visitors. Acadia, located on the rugged coast of Maine, offers breathtaking ocean views and hiking trails through lush forests and rocky peaks. New River Gorge, located in West Virginia, offers a completely different landscape with dramatic cliffs, deep canyons, and world-renowned whitewater rafting. If you’re looking for a coastal escape or an adventure in the mountains, both of these parks have something to offer. Whether you’re a hiker, a nature lover, or an adrenaline junkie, the natural beauty and activities at Acadia and New River Gorge are sure to leave a lasting impression. Keep reading to learn more about these two incredible national parks and discover which one is the perfect fit for your next outdoor excursion.
Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, each with its own unique set of challenges and rewards.
Acadia National Park is known for its rugged coastal landscape and offers over 120 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Jordan Pond Path, which is a 3-mile round-trip hike that offers views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains. Another easy hike is the Precipice Trail, which is a 1.4-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors to the top of Champlain Mountain. For those looking for more of a challenge, the park offers hikes like the Precipice Trail, a challenging hike that takes visitors to the top of Champlain Mountain, or the Jordan Pond Shore Trail, a 3-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors to the top of Sargent Mountain.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve also offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Endless Wall Trail, which is a 2-mile round-trip hike that offers views of the New River and the surrounding landscape. Another easy hike is the Long Point Trail, which is a 2-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors to the top of Long Point for views of the New River and the surrounding mountains. For those looking for more of a challenge, the park offers hikes like the Kaymoor Trail, which is a strenuous hike that takes visitors to the top of Kaymoor for views of the New River and the surrounding landscape, or the Endless Wall Trail, a strenuous hike that takes visitors to the top of the Endless Wall for views of the New River and the surrounding landscape.
Overall, both Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offer visitors a wide variety of hiking trails to choose from, whether it’s easy hikes with beautiful views or more strenuous hikes that offer a challenging workout. While both parks offer different type of landscapes, the visitors should consider their preference and the season before choosing which park to visit. Acadia National Park offers a mix of coastal and mountain landscapes, while New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers a mix of forest and river landscapes.
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 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tolmie Peak Trail | 8851.37 | 463.9056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Skyline Trail | 8529.502 | 535.8384 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Comet and Christine Falls | 6920.162 | 610.8192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Camp Muir Route Via Skyline Trail | 13518.456 | 1403.9088 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail | 15127.796 | 780.8976 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Naches Peak Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 193.8528 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spray Park Trail to Mount Pleasant | 11104.446 | 635.8128 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Fremont Lookout Trail | 9012.304 | 348.996 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Pinnacle Peak Saddle Trail | 3862.416 | 321.8688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Summerland Trail | 13196.588 | 655.9296 | Moderate | out and back | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are both known for their diverse wildlife and rich natural ecosystems. Depending on your interests and the time of year you visit, you may have the opportunity to see a wide variety of animals, birds, and plants.
At Acadia National Park, some of the most commonly seen animals include:
– White-tailed deer: These are commonly seen throughout the park, especially in the early morning and late evening.
– Moose: These large mammals are occasionally seen in the park, particularly in the more remote areas.
– Black bear: These are not very common, but they are present in the park and are often seen in the more remote areas.
– Puffins: These colorful birds are known to nest on several islands off the coast of the park and can be seen during the summer months.
– Seals: Harbor seals are known to haul out on the rocks around the park and can be spotted during the summer and fall.
At New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, some of the most commonly seen animals include:
– White-tailed deer: These are commonly seen throughout the park, especially in the early morning and late evening.
– Black bear: These are relatively common in the park, particularly in the more remote areas.
– Raccoons: These omnivorous mammals are commonly found throughout the park and are known to scavenge for food in campgrounds and picnic areas.
– Hawks and eagles: These birds of prey are often seen soaring over the park and can be spotted during the warmer months of the year.
– Trout: The New River is home to a variety of fish species, including rainbow, brown, and brook trout, which can be caught by fishing enthusiasts.
Both Parks also have a diverse plant life, with Acadia showcasing the Northern forest and its hardwood and coniferous trees such as maple, beech, spruce and fir. New River Gorge on the other hand is home to a mix of hardwood forest, hemlock and rhododendron.
Overall, both parks offer a wide variety of wildlife and natural resources to explore. Whether you’re interested in seeing large mammals, birds of prey, or aquatic life, these parks have something for everyone. It is important to note that while these animals may be commonly seen, sightings cannot be guaranteed as wildlife behavior and patterns are unpredictable.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Acadia National Park | New River Gorge National Park and 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 | Great Horned Owl |
| American Robin | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Great Horned Owl | Barn Swallow |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Savannah Sparrow |
| Northern Flicker | Great Blue Heron |
| Merlin | Hermit Thrush |
| Barn Swallow | European Starling |
| Savannah Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
| Great Blue Heron | American Wigeon |
| Hermit Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Kestrel | American Pipit |
| Bald Eagle | Killdeer |
| Song Sparrow | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
| European Starling | Hairy Woodpecker |
| Northern Pintail | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
| American Wigeon | White-Crowned Sparrow |
| Green-Winged Teal | Northern Shoveler |
Mammals
| Acadia National Park | New River Gorge National Park and 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 |
| Cross Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| New York Weasel | House Mouse |
| House Mouse | Mountain Lion |
| Mink | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Gray Wolf | Wolf |
| Bonaparte’s Weasel | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Varying Hare | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Masked Shrew | Ermine |
| Water Shrew | California Myotis |
| Red Squirrel | Snowshoe Hare |
| Virginia Deer | North American River Otter |
| Canada Lynx | Masked Shrew |
Fish
| Acadia National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Native Brook Trout | Eastern Brook Trout |
| Loch Leven Brown Trout | Brown Trout |
| Largemouth Bass | Coho Salmon |
| Fathead Minnow | Chinook Salmon |
| Golden Shiner | Mottled Sculpin |
| Togue | Slimy Sculpin |
| Threespine Stickleback | Threespine Stickleback |
| Creek Chub | Kokanee |
| Brown Bullhead | Pink Salmon |
| Smallmouth Bass | Dolly Varden |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Amphibians
| Acadia National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Leopard Frog | Tiger Salamander |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Acadia National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Ringneck Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Eastern Garter Snake | Common Garter Snake |
| Milk Snake | Rubber Boa |
Insects
| Acadia National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Acadia National Park is known for its rugged coastlines, with granite cliffs and rocky shores. The park also has several peaks, the highest of which is Cadillac Mountain, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. Other popular landscapes in the park include Jordan Pond, a serene mountain lake, and the Precipice Trail, a challenging hike with stunning views of the ocean. Additionally, the park features a variety of hiking trails that lead through dense forests, past sparkling streams, and along the rocky coastline.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its dramatic cliffs, deep canyons, and world-renowned whitewater rafting. The New River is the centerpiece of the park, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the thrill of the rapids. The park also features several overlooks, including the Grandview Overlook, which offers a panoramic view of the gorge and the New River. Other popular landscapes in the park include the Endless Wall Trail, a challenging hike that follows the rim of the gorge, and the Cunard-Kaymoor Trail, which offers visitors a chance to explore the ruins of an old coal mining town.
Both parks offer a unique and stunning landscapes for visitors to explore, but the landscapes of Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are vastly different from one another.
Things To-Do and Activities in Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but the types of activities that visitors can enjoy at each park are quite different.
Acadia National Park is known for its hiking trails, with over 120 miles of trails that range from easy to strenuous. Some of the most popular hikes in the park include the Precipice Trail, which is considered one of the most challenging hikes in the park and offers stunning views of the ocean, and the Jordan Pond Path, a more moderate hike that takes visitors around Jordan Pond and offers views of the surrounding mountains. In addition to hiking, visitors can also enjoy rock climbing, mountain biking, and horseback riding in the park.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its whitewater rafting and rock climbing. The New River is considered one of the best whitewater rafting destinations in the eastern United States, with rapids ranging from mild to challenging. The park also has over 1,400 climbing routes, making it one of the most popular climbing destinations in the eastern United States. Other popular activities in the park include hiking, fishing, and camping.
Both parks offer a diverse range of activities for visitors to enjoy, but the activities that are popular at Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are quite different from one another. While Acadia is more popular for hiking, New River Gorge is more famous for rock climbing and whitewater rafting.
Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are both known for their unique seasonal weather patterns that can greatly affect the best time of year to visit each park.
Acadia National Park, located in the state of Maine, has a relatively cool and damp climate. Summer temperatures typically range from the mid-60s to low 70s, while winter temperatures can drop to the single digits. The park is known for its heavy rainfall, with the most rain falling in the months of September and October. Despite this, the summer months are still considered the best time to visit, as the park’s many hiking trails and scenic drives are open and the weather is mild. The fall season is also a popular time to visit as the park’s foliage turns brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow.
On the other hand, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, located in West Virginia, has a milder climate. Summer temperatures can reach the mid-80s, and winter temperatures can drop to the low 20s. The park is known for its heavy rainfall and snowfall, with the most precipitation falling in the months of June and July. The park is also known for its high humidity, which can make summertime temperatures feel even warmer. The best time to visit New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is in the fall and spring, when temperatures are cooler and more comfortable for outdoor activities. The fall season also offers beautiful foliage colors, and spring offers blooming wildflowers.
Both Parks offer a different experience depending on the season you choose to visit, it’s important to consider the weather and what activities you plan on doing when deciding on the best time to visit.
Family Friendliness of Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Both Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are great options for families looking for an outdoor adventure. Both parks offer a wide range of activities that are suitable for children of all ages.
Acadia National Park offers many family-friendly hiking trails, such as the Jordan Pond Path and the Precipice Trail. The park also features a variety of educational programs, such as ranger-led tours and campfire programs. Additionally, there are many picnic areas, playgrounds and Ranger station to visit in the park.
On the other hand, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers a variety of activities that are perfect for children, such as fishing, swimming, and exploring the park’s many caves. The park also features a number of educational programs, including ranger-led hikes, presentations, and campfire programs. The park also offers to rent a bike for children and adult to explore the park.
Both parks are also home to many picnic areas, playgrounds, and campgrounds, which are perfect for families looking to spend a day or a weekend in the great outdoors.
In conclusion, both Acadia National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are great options for families looking for an outdoor adventure. Both parks offer a wide range of activities that are suitable for children of all ages, including hiking, swimming, and educational programs. The decision of which park to visit depends on the specific interests and preferences of the family, but both parks offer a great family-friendly experience.