Are you torn between visiting the red rock wonder of Arches National Park or the towering sand dunes of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve? Both of these parks are unique and offer visitors a chance to experience some of the most spectacular landscapes in the western United States. Imagine standing in awe of the towering red rock arches in Arches National Park or feeling the grit of the sand under your feet as you hike to the top of the tallest dune in North America at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. The choice may be difficult, but one thing is for sure, you won’t be disappointed with either option. Whether you’re looking for a desert adventure or a mountain and sand oasis, these parks have it all. So grab your hiking boots, pack your sunscreen and get ready for an unforgettable journey as we dive into the comparison of Arches National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve.
Hiking Trails in Arches National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are both popular tourist destinations known for their unique natural beauty and hiking opportunities. Both parks offer a wide range of hiking trails, but there are some key differences between the types of hikes that are available at each park.
Arches National Park, located in Utah, is known for its more than 2,000 natural stone arches, and as such, hiking is one of the most popular activities. The park has many trails that are suitable for visitors of all abilities, such as the short and easy hike to Delicate Arch, which offers a great view of the famous arch, as well as the Park Avenue and Balanced Rock trails, which take visitors through some of the park’s most iconic rock formations. The park also has more challenging hikes, such as the Devils Garden Trail, which features steep rock scrambles and long sections of uneven terrain, and the Fiery Furnace hike, which requires visitors to navigate a maze of narrow canyons and fins.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, located in Colorado, is known for its sand dunes and its diverse wildlife, and as such, outdoor activities are very popular. The park has many trails that are suitable for visitors of all abilities, such as the Medano Creek Trail, which is an easy hike that takes visitors through a beautiful stream, and the Star Dune Trail, which is a moderate hike that offers great views of the surrounding sand dunes. The park also has more challenging hikes, such as the High Dune and Mosca Pass trails, which are steep and strenuous and require a good level of fitness and stamina.
Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy, but the trails at Arches National Park are known for their unique rock formations and challenging terrain, while the trails at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are known for their beautiful sand dunes and unique wildlife. Both parks are spectacular, and whichever you choose, you will not be disappointed with the natural beauty and hiking opportunities they offer.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Arches National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delicate Arch Trail | 4988.954 | 186.8424 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Devils Garden Loop Trail with 7 Arches | 12070.05 | 325.8312 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Double Arch Trail | 804.67 | 9.7536 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Fiery Furnace and Surprise Arch | 2735.878 | 132.8928 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Landscape Arch Trail | 3057.746 | 78.9432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail | 1931.208 | 51.816 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Balanced Rock Loop Trail | 482.802 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Park Avenue Trail | 2896.812 | 90.8304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Sand Dune Arch Trail | 482.802 | 32.9184 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Wolfe Ranch and Petroglyph Trail | 804.67 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Dune Trail | 4828.02 | 191.7192 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Mosca Pass Trail | 10299.776 | 444.7032 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dunes Trail from Pinyon Flats | 7242.03 | 290.7792 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Sand Dunes Loop Trail | 8046.7 | 225.8568 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Upper Sand Creek Lake Trail | 11909.116 | 598.932 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Medano Lake Trail | 12713.786 | 697.992 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Montville Nature Trail | 804.67 | 26.8224 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Dunes Overlook Sand Ramp Trail | 2414.01 | 80.772 | Moderate | out and back | 3.5 |
| Little Medano Creek Trail to Medano Lake | 40394.434 | 1079.9064 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Wellington Ditch Trail | 2896.812 | 47.8536 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Arches National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are both unique national parks that offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife.
Arches National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including several species of mammals, reptiles, and birds. Some of the most commonly seen mammals in the park include desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, and coyotes. The park is also home to several species of lizards and snakes, including the desert horned lizard and the western whiptail. Visitors to the park may also have the opportunity to see a variety of birds, including the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, and the common raven. Additionally, the park is home to a diverse array of plants, including cacti, yucca, and wildflowers.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including several species of mammals, reptiles, and birds. Some of the most commonly seen mammals in the park include pronghorn, mule deer, and bighorn sheep. The park is also home to several species of lizards and snakes, including the prairie rattlesnake and the Great Basin collared lizard. Visitors to the park may also have the opportunity to see a variety of birds, including the golden eagle, mountain bluebird, and the white-tailed ptarmigan. Additionally, the park is home to a diverse array of plants, including sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and cacti.
In conclusion, both Arches National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are home to a wide variety of wildlife, including mammals, reptiles, birds, and plants. Arches National Park is known for its desert bighorn sheep, lizards and snakes, and wildflowers. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is known for its pronghorn, bighorn sheep, lizards and snakes, and sagebrush. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a diverse array of wildlife and plants, making them great destinations for nature enthusiasts and wildlife watchers.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Arches National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Arches National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & 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 | 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
| Arches National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & 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 |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | Mule Deer |
| Mountain Lion | Gray Fox |
| American Mink | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Mule Deer | Long-Eared Bat |
| Common Gray Fox | Badger |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Ermine |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Snowshoe Hare |
| American Badger | Masked Shrew |
| California Myotis | Water Shrew |
| Northern River Otter | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
Reptiles
| Arches National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Bull Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Eastern Racer | Western Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Greater Short-Horned Lizards |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Milksnake |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard |
Amphibians
| Arches National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| American Bullfrog | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Plains Spadefoot |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Arches National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Brook Trout |
| Green Sunfish | German Brown Trout |
| Bluegill | Cutthroat Trout |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Common Carp | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead |
Beautiful Landscapes in Arches National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are both known for their unique and beautiful landscapes.
Arches National Park, located in Utah, is known for its more than 2,000 natural stone arches, as well as its towering red rock formations, canyons, and desert landscapes. Some of the most famous landscapes at Arches National Park include Delicate Arch, which is one of the most iconic and recognizable arches in the park, as well as Park Avenue, which is a narrow canyon with towering red rock walls on either side, and Balanced Rock, which is a massive rock formation that appears to be precariously balanced on a small base.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, located in Colorado, is known for its spectacular sand dunes, as well as its diverse wildlife and mountain ranges. Some of the most famous landscapes at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve include the Great Sand Dunes, which are the tallest dunes in North America, as well as the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, which provide a stunning backdrop for the dunes, and Medano Creek, which is a stream that runs through the park and is a popular spot for swimming and splashing in the water.
Both parks offer a variety of beautiful landscapes and natural features for visitors to enjoy, but the landscapes at Arches National Park are known for its natural stone arches and towering red rock formations, while the landscapes at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are known for its spectacular sand dunes and diverse wildlife. Both parks are spectacular, and whichever you choose, you will not be disappointed with the natural beauty they offer.
Things To-Do and Activities in Arches National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are both popular national parks that offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy.
At Arches National Park, some of the most popular activities include hiking, rock climbing, and sightseeing. The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, as well as towering red rock formations, canyons, and desert landscapes. Visitors can take short, easy hikes to see some of the park’s most famous arches, such as Delicate Arch, or more strenuous hikes to explore the park’s backcountry. Rock climbing is also popular at Arches National Park, and the park offers a variety of routes for climbers of all skill levels. The park is also a great place to simply drive through, stop at the viewpoints and take in the views of the natural arches, spires, and balanced rocks.
At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, some of the most popular activities include hiking, sandboarding, and stargazing. The park’s most famous feature is the Great Sand Dunes, which are the tallest dunes in North America and offer a unique and challenging hiking experience. Visitors can also rent sandboards and sleds to slide down the dunes. The park also offers a variety of other hiking trails that take visitors through the park’s diverse wilderness, including the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Medano Creek. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is also known for its dark skies, making it a popular spot for stargazing and night photography.
Both Arches National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy, but the activities at Arches National Park are more focused on hiking, rock climbing, and sightseeing, while the activities at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are more focused on hiking, sandboarding, and stargazing. Both parks offer a unique experience and whichever you choose, you will not be disappointed.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park, located in eastern Utah, has a desert climate with hot summers and cool winters. The park receives very little precipitation, with most of it falling in the form of occasional thunderstorms during the summer months. Daytime temperatures in the summer can reach well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a very hot and dry season to visit. The best time of year to visit Arches National Park is during the spring or fall, when temperatures are more moderate and the park is less crowded.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, located in southern Colorado, also has a desert climate but with colder winters and cooler summers than Arches National Park. The park receives very little precipitation, with most of it falling as snow during the winter months. Daytime temperatures in the summer can reach into the 80s and low 90s Fahrenheit, making it a comfortable season to visit. The best time of year to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is during the summer, when the sand dunes are accessible for hiking and the temperatures are not too hot.
In summary, Arches National Park is best visited in spring or fall for the moderate temperatures and fewer crowds, whereas Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is best visited in the summer for the comfortable temperatures and accessibility of the dunes.
Family Friendliness of Arches National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Both Arches National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are family-friendly destinations, but they offer different types of experiences that may appeal to different families.
Arches National Park is known for its spectacular natural rock formations and arches, many of which can be accessed via short, easy hikes. The park also offers a variety of ranger-led programs for children and families, such as guided hikes and junior ranger activities. There are also picnic areas and campgrounds within the park. However, the park’s landscape can be challenging and some of the trails can be steep and rocky, making it less suitable for very young children or those with limited mobility.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is known for its vast sand dunes, which are the tallest in North America and offer a unique and exciting playground for children. The park also offers ranger-led programs and a junior ranger program, as well as hiking and sand sledding opportunities. There are also picnic areas and campgrounds within the park. However, the park’s landscape can be challenging too, some of the sand dunes are steep and the park can get quite hot during the summer months, so it may not be suitable for very young children or those with limited mobility.
In summary, Arches National Park is better for families who want to experience the beauty of natural rock formations, but may not be as suitable for very young children or those with limited mobility. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is better for families who want to experience the unique and exciting playground of the sand dunes, but may not be as suitable for very young children or those with limited mobility.