Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park are two of the most unique and beautiful national parks in the United States. Both parks offer visitors an opportunity to explore diverse landscapes, from the rugged and remote wilderness of Big Bend to the deep blue waters of Crater Lake. If you’re looking for an adventure, these two parks will not disappoint. Imagine hiking through the Chihuahuan Desert of Big Bend and then taking in the stunning views of Crater Lake, a caldera lake formed by the collapse of volcano. Whether you’re a nature lover, outdoor enthusiast, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, these two parks offer something for everyone. Get ready to pack your bags, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready to explore two of America’s most stunning national parks.
Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park
Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park are both known for their stunning natural landscapes and diverse hiking trails. Both parks offer a range of hiking options for visitors of all skill levels.
Big Bend National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert and offers a variety of trails that range from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry hikes. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail and the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail. Both of these trails offer visitors the opportunity to explore the desert landscape and see a wide variety of plants and animals. On the other hand, the strenuous Emory Peak Trail is the highest peak in the park and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding desert and mountains.
Crater Lake National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Cascade Mountains in Oregon. The park is known for its deep blue lake, which is the result of a collapsed volcano. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Rim Trail, which offers a leisurely stroll around the lake’s rim, and the Garfield Peak Trail, which offers great views of the lake. For those looking for a more strenuous hike, the Cleetwood Cove Trail offers a challenging descent to the lake’s shore, and the Watchman Peak Trail offers great views of the surrounding mountains.
In summary, both Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park offer a variety of hiking options for visitors of all skill levels, but the landscape and views are quite different. Big Bend National Park offers the opportunity to explore the desert landscape, while Crater Lake National Park offers the opportunity to explore the mountain landscape.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lost Mine Trail | 6759.228 | 334.9752 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| South Rim Trail – Boot Springs Trail | 17702.74 | 709.8792 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| The Window Trail | 8368.568 | 288.9504 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Emory Peak Trail | 13679.39 | 731.8248 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Santa Elena Canyon Trail | 2414.01 | 185.928 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Balanced Rock Trail | 3057.746 | 70.7136 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boquillas Canyon Trail | 1931.208 | 69.7992 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Hot Springs Canyon Trail | 8851.37 | 280.7208 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Outer Mountain Loop | 38785.094 | 1739.7984 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Big Bend Hot Springs Trail | 1770.274 | 38.7096 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield Peak Trail | 5471.756 | 325.8312 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cleetwood Cove Trail | 3379.614 | 189.8904 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Watchman Peak Trail | 2574.944 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Scott Trail | 6759.228 | 383.7432 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Discovery Point Trail | 6437.36 | 278.892 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Plaikni Falls Trail | 3218.68 | 40.8432 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Wizard Island Trail | 3701.482 | 228.9048 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Sun Notch Trail | 1287.472 | 38.7096 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Pinnacles Valley Trail | 1126.538 | 11.8872 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mazama Village to Rim Village at Crater Lake | 13357.522 | 530.9616 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park
Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park are both known for their diverse wildlife, but the types of animals, birds, and plants that are commonly seen in each park are quite different.
Big Bend National Park is home to a wide variety of animals, including black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, white-tailed deer, and javelinas. The park is also a popular spot for birdwatching, with more than 450 species of birds known to inhabit the area, including the peregrine falcon, golden eagle, and the rare Colima warbler. The park is also home to many species of cacti and other desert plants.
Crater Lake National Park, on the other hand, is known for its abundance of wildlife that is unique to the area. The park is home to many species of fish, including rainbow trout and kokanee salmon, as well as a variety of mammals, including black bears, mountain lions, and the American marten. The park is also a popular spot for birdwatching, with many species of waterfowl, including the common loon and the osprey, as well as many species of songbirds, including the mountain bluebird and the black-capped chickadee. The park is also home to many species of wildflowers and other plants.
Overall, both Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park offer visitors an opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife and plants, but the type of wildlife and plants you will see will depend on the time of year and the specific area of the park you are visiting.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Big Bend National Park | Crater Lake 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 | Bald Eagle |
| Bald Eagle | Song Sparrow |
| Song Sparrow | European Starling |
| European Starling | Northern Pintail |
| Northern Pintail | American Wigeon |
| American Wigeon | American Pipit |
| Green-Winged Teal | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Big Bend National Park | Crater Lake National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Deer Mouse | Little Brown Bat |
| Raccoon | Deer Mouse |
| Black Bear | Raccoon |
| Porcupine | Black Bear |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Porcupine |
| Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Hoary Bat |
| House Mouse | Red Fox |
| Mountain Lion | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mule Deer | House Mouse |
| Common Gray Fox | Mountain Lion |
| Gray Wolf | Mink |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer |
| American Badger | Gray Fox |
| California Myotis | Wolf |
| Fringed Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | American Badger |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Ermine |
Reptiles
| Big Bend National Park | Crater Lake National Park |
|---|---|
| Sonoran Gophersnake | Western Terestrial Garter Snake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Racer |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | Common Garter Snake |
| Desert Kingsnake | Rubber Boa |
| Texas Nightsnake | Western Skink |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Western Fence Lizard |
| Mexican Milksnake | |
| Central Texas Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Big Bend Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Big Bend National Park | Crater Lake National Park |
|---|---|
| Barred Tiger Salamander | Bullfrog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Southwestern Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Big Bend National Park | Crater Lake National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Brown Trout |
| Fathead Minnow | Lake Trout |
| Common Carp | Silver Salmon |
| Longnose Dace | Kokanee Salmon |
| Yellow Bullhead | Cutthroat Trout |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Mosquitofish |
Insects
| Big Bend National Park | Crater Lake National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park
Big Bend National Park is known for its rugged and remote wilderness, with landscapes that include the Chihuahuan Desert, the Rio Grande, and the Chisos Mountains. Some of the most famous landscapes in the park include the Santa Elena Canyon, a 1,500-foot-deep gorge carved by the Rio Grande, and the Chisos Mountains, the only mountain range fully contained within the boundaries of a national park. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives, such as the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, which offers panoramic views of the park’s landscapes.
Crater Lake National Park, on the other hand, is known for its stunning caldera lake, which is the deepest lake in the United States and one of the most pristine in the world. The lake is surrounded by steep cliffs and offers visitors a variety of recreational activities such as hiking, fishing and swimming. Some of the most famous landscapes in the park include the Rim Drive, a 33-mile road that circles the lake and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and forests, and the Pinnacles, a spire-like rock formation that can be seen from the Rim Drive. Visitors can also take a boat tour of the lake, which provides a unique perspective of the park’s landscapes.
Things To-Do and Activities in Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park
Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park are both known for their natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. However, the types of activities and wildlife that can be found at each park are quite different.
At Big Bend National Park, popular activities include hiking, backpacking, camping, and river trips on the Rio Grande. The park is known for its rugged terrain and desert landscapes, and visitors can explore a variety of trails that range from easy, scenic walks to challenging backcountry treks. Some of the most popular hikes include the Chisos Basin Loop, the South Rim Trail, and the Lost Mine Trail. Wildlife that can be seen at the park include black bears, mountain lions, desert bighorn sheep, and a variety of bird species.
Crater Lake National Park, on the other hand, is known for its stunning blue lake, which is the deepest in the United States. The park is a popular destination for hiking, fishing, and sightseeing. Visitors can take a boat tour of the lake, hike to the rim of the caldera, or explore one of the park’s many trails. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, and black bears. Additionally, visitors can see many species of birds, including the American dipper, Steller’s jay, and the Clark’s nutcracker.
In terms of family-friendliness, both parks have easy trails and guided tours, but Crater Lake National Park may have more options for families with children.
Best Time to Visit Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park
Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park are both beautiful national parks located in the western United States, but they have vastly different weather patterns. Big Bend National Park is located in southwestern Texas and has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The best time to visit is during the spring and fall when temperatures are more moderate. On the other hand, Crater Lake National Park is located in southern Oregon and has a much cooler climate with heavy snowfall in the winter and mild summers. The best time to visit Crater Lake is during the summer months when the snow has melted and the weather is mild. Both parks offer unique hiking experiences and beautiful natural landscapes, but the seasonality of the weather should be considered when planning a trip to either park.
Family Friendliness of Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park
Both Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park are family-friendly, but each park offers different experiences and activities that may appeal more to families with children.
Big Bend National Park is a great option for families that enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. The park offers a wide variety of hiking trails that are suitable for families with children, ranging from easy nature walks to more challenging backcountry hikes. Camping is also a popular activity in the park, and there are several campgrounds available for families. The park’s remote wilderness also offers an excellent opportunity for wildlife viewing, with a wide variety of animals such as black bears, mountain lions, and desert bighorn sheep.
Crater Lake National Park is also a great option for families, especially those who enjoy scenic drives and water activities. The park’s famous caldera lake is a highlight for many visitors and offers activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing. The Rim Drive, a 33-mile road that circles the lake, is also a popular activity for families and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. Families can also explore the park’s hiking trails, which range from easy nature walks to more strenuous hikes.
In conclusion, Big Bend National Park and Crater Lake National Park are both family-friendly parks and offer different activities and experiences. Families with children who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing may prefer Big Bend National Park, while families who enjoy scenic drives and water activities may prefer Crater Lake National Park.