Acadia National Park and White Sands National Park are two of the most diverse and unique national parks in the United States. These two parks are a study in contrasts, offering visitors two vastly different experiences. Acadia National Park, located on the rugged coast of Maine, is known for its towering granite peaks, pristine lakes, and dense forests. White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is located in the desert of New Mexico and is known for its otherworldly landscapes of white gypsum sand dunes. Whether you’re a nature lover, an outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for a unique and beautiful place to visit, these two parks are sure to impress. In this article, we will take a closer look at these two parks and compare the landscapes, activities, and weather to help you decide which park is the perfect destination for your next adventure.
Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park and White Sands National Park
Acadia National Park in Maine and White Sands National Park in New Mexico are both known for their unique and diverse hiking trails.
Acadia National Park offers a wide range of hiking options, from easy, scenic walks to challenging, steep trails. Some of the easiest hikes include the Jordan Pond Path, which is a 3-mile round trip hike that offers beautiful views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains. Another easy hike is the Precipice Trail, which is a 1-mile round trip hike that offers stunning views of the park’s rugged coastline. For more experienced hikers, the park offers challenging trails like the Precipice Trail and the Jordan Pond Path.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, offers a completely different type of hiking experience. The park’s main attraction is the stunning white sand dunes that cover the park’s landscape. The park’s hiking trails range from easy to moderate and offer visitors the chance to explore the dunes and the surrounding desert landscape. Some popular trails include the Interdune Boardwalk, which is a short and easy hike that takes visitors through the dunes, and the Alkali Flat Trail, which is a moderate hike that takes visitors to the top of the dunes for panoramic views.
Both parks offer unique and beautiful hiking experiences, but the type of hiking experience and the level of difficulty may vary greatly. Acadia National Park is known for its rugged coastline, mountains and challenging trails, while White Sands National Park is known for its unique white sand dunes and more moderate hiking trails. Both parks offer something for hikers of all levels, but hikers looking for a more challenging experience may want to visit Acadia National Park while those looking for a more easy-going hike may want to visit White Sands National Park.
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 White Sands National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 6 |
Wildlife in Acadia National Park and White Sands National Park
Acadia National Park and White Sands National Park are vastly different in terms of the wildlife that can be seen.
Acadia National Park is located in Maine and is known for its diverse wildlife. Visitors to the park can expect to see a variety of animals such as black bears, moose, white-tailed deer, and foxes. The park is also home to a variety of bird species including the peregrine falcon, the bald eagle, and the scarlet tanager. The park is also home to a variety of plant species including wildflowers, ferns, and mosses.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is located in New Mexico and is known for its unique white sand dunes. The park is home to a variety of animals such as pronghorn, mule deer, and desert cottontail rabbits. The park is also home to a variety of bird species including the roadrunner, the Gambel’s quail, and the white-tailed hawk. The park is also home to a variety of plants species such as the creosote bush, the ocotillo, and the yucca.
In terms of family-friendly, Acadia National Park is a great option for families as it offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, as well as educational programs for children. White Sands National Park is also a great option for families, but it is a different experience as it is a desert environment and it’s famous for the white sand dunes and the recreational activities such as hiking, picnicking, and sand sledding.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Acadia National Park and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Acadia National Park | White Sands 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 | White Sands 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 | Common Gray Fox |
Varying Hare | Plains Wolf |
Masked Shrew | American Badger |
Water Shrew | Ermine |
Red Squirrel | Snowshoe Hare |
Virginia Deer | River Otter |
Canada Lynx | Masked Shrew |
Fish
Acadia National Park | White Sands National Park |
---|---|
Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
Native Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
Loch Leven Brown Trout | Green Sunfish |
Largemouth Bass | Bluegill |
Fathead Minnow | Fathead Minnow |
Golden Shiner | Golden Shiner |
Togue | Lake Trout |
Threespine Stickleback | Northern Pike |
Creek Chub | Ellpout |
Brown Bullhead | Mottled Sculpin |
Smallmouth Bass | Slimy Sculpin |
Longnose Dace | |
Black Crappie | |
Black Bullhead | |
Creek Chub | |
Brown Bullhead | |
Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
Acadia National Park | White Sands National Park |
---|---|
Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
Bullfrog | Wood Frog |
Wood Frog |
Reptiles
Acadia National Park | White Sands National Park |
---|---|
Ringneck Snake | |
Eastern Garter Snake | |
Milk Snake |
Beautiful Landscapes in Acadia National Park and White Sands National Park
Acadia National Park is located on the coast of Maine and is known for its rugged coastline and beautiful mountain ranges. Some of the most famous landscapes in the park include Cadillac Mountain, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area, and Jordan Pond, a serene body of water surrounded by mountains. Other natural features that can be seen during a visit to the park include Thunder Hole, a rocky inlet where waves crash against the shore, and the Precipice Trail, a challenging hike with stunning views of the coast.
White Sands National Park is located in New Mexico and is known for its white sand dunes, which are formed from gypsum crystals. The park’s most famous landscape is the dune field, which covers over 275 square miles. Visitors can hike, picnic, and even sled on the dunes. Other natural features include the Interdune Boardwalk, a short trail that allows visitors to experience the unique ecosystem of the dunes, and the Alkali Flat Trail, which offers views of the Tularosa Basin and the Sacramento Mountains.
Things To-Do and Activities in Acadia National Park and White Sands National Park
Acadia National Park and White Sands National Park are both popular tourist destinations, but they offer very different experiences.
Acadia National Park, located on the coast of Maine, is known for its rugged coastline, hiking trails, and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the most popular activities at Acadia include hiking on the Precipice Trail, exploring the Jordan Pond, and taking a drive on the Park Loop Road. Visitors can also enjoy kayaking, camping, and wildlife watching.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is known for its vast expanse of white gypsum sand dunes. The park’s main attraction is the dunes themselves, which visitors can explore by hiking, sledding, or taking a guided sunset stroll. Other popular activities include ranger-led programs, stargazing, and picnicking. Visitors can also enjoy wildlife watching, camping, and photography.
In terms of family-friendliness, both parks are suitable for families. However, White Sands is more accessible for children as it is wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly. The park offers ranger-led programs and activities that are tailored to children’s interests.
In terms of wildlife, both parks offer different experiences. At Acadia, visitors can see a variety of animals such as white-tailed deer, foxes, black bears, moose, and beaver. The park is also home to a wide variety of birds, including the peregrine falcon and the bald eagle. White Sands, on the other hand, is home to a variety of animals such as pronghorn, bighorn sheep, roadrunners, and kit foxes, as well as a diverse array of plants and cacti.
Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park and White Sands National Park
Acadia National Park, located on the coast of Maine, and White Sands National Park, located in the desert of New Mexico, offer vastly different experiences when it comes to seasonal weather.
Acadia National Park experiences four distinct seasons, with spring being the mildest and fall being the most colorful. Summers are typically warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to mid-70s. Fall brings cooler temperatures and the chance to see the park’s famous fall foliage. Winter can be quite cold, with heavy snowfall and subzero temperatures. The best time to visit Acadia National Park is during the late spring, summer, and early fall.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, experiences hot summers and mild winters. The park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert and temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. Winter temperatures are mild, ranging from the mid-50s to low 60s, with occasional snowfall. The park’s famous white sand dunes are best experienced during the cooler months of the year, from fall to spring. The summer months can be too hot for many visitors to enjoy the park.
Each park offers a unique experience, but the best time to visit Acadia National Park is during the late spring, summer, and early fall, while the best time to visit White Sands National Park is during the cooler months of fall to spring.
Family Friendliness of Acadia National Park and White Sands National Park
Acadia National Park and White Sands National Park are both family-friendly national parks, but each park offers a unique experience for families.
Acadia National Park is located in Maine and offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for families. The park has a number of easy hiking trails that are suitable for children, such as the Jordan Pond Nature Trail, which offers stunning views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains. The park also has a number of educational programs and ranger-led activities that are tailored to families with children. Additionally, the park has a number of picnic areas and campgrounds that are perfect for families.
White Sands National Park is located in New Mexico and offers a unique experience for families with its beautiful white sand dunes. The park has a number of easy hiking trails that are suitable for children, such as the Interdune Boardwalk, which offers stunning views of the white sand dunes. The park also offers ranger-led programs and educational activities that are tailored to families with children. Additionally, the park has a number of picnic areas and campgrounds that are perfect for families.
Both parks are great for families but the type of activity and nature experience is different. While Acadia offers a mix of mountains, forest, lakes and coastal views, White Sands offers a unique experience in the desert with its white dunes. Both parks have different best time of the year to visit, with Acadia being more pleasant during the summer and fall while White Sands has more comfortable temperatures during the spring and fall. Ultimately, the best park to visit with children will depend on the preferences of your family and what type of outdoor experience you’re looking for.