Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are two of the most iconic national parks in the United States. While they are located on opposite sides of the country and have vastly different landscapes, both parks offer visitors the opportunity to experience the raw beauty of nature. Big Bend National Park, located in Texas, is known for its rugged desert terrain, while Denali National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is famous for its towering peaks and vast wilderness. Both parks offer visitors a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse themselves in the natural world. Whether you’re an avid hiker or just looking for a peaceful place to relax, Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are two of the most spectacular places to visit. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to explore the wild and untamed beauty of these two incredible national parks.
Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve both offer a wide variety of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy. Both parks offer both easy and strenuous hikes, but the types of hikes and landscapes you’ll experience at each park are quite different.
At Big Bend National Park, the hiking trails range from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. Some of the most popular hikes include the Lost Mine Trail, which offers panoramic views of the Chisos Mountains, and the South Rim Trail, which provides a challenging hike with spectacular views of the park’s rugged desert landscape. For those looking for a more strenuous hike, the Outer Mountain Loop Trail is a challenging, backcountry trek that takes hikers through the park’s rugged Chisos Mountains.
On the other hand, Denali National Park & Preserve offers a wide range of hiking options, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. The park’s most popular hike is the Mount Healy Overlook Trail, which offers great views of the park’s highest mountain, Denali. Other popular hikes include the Savage River Trail, which takes hikers through the park’s subalpine tundra, and the Stony Hill Trail, which provides a more strenuous hike with great views of the park’s rugged landscape. The park also has several backcountry trails that provide a more challenging and remote experience for hikers.
In summary, both Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve have a variety of hiking trails to choose from, but the type of hikes and landscapes you’ll experience at each park will be quite different. Big Bend National Park offers a more desert-like environment with rugged mountains and Denali National Park & Preserve offers a more mountainous and subalpine environment with the opportunity to view Denali.
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 Denali National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Healy Overlook Trail | 6920.162 | 507.7968 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Horseshoe Lake Trail | 3379.614 | 119.7864 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Triple Lakes Trail | 29772.79 | 1124.712 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bison Gulch | 11265.38 | 1178.9664 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rock Creek Trail | 7081.096 | 287.7312 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Taiga Trail | 2574.944 | 62.7888 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| McKinley Station Trail | 4667.086 | 113.9952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mount Thorofare Ridge Loop | 6598.294 | 507.7968 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| McKinley Bar Trail | 7402.964 | 295.9608 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Tiaga Loop and Horseshoe Lake Trail to Beaver Dam | 4828.02 | 158.8008 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are both home to a diverse array of wildlife. In Big Bend, visitors can expect to see a wide variety of desert animals, such as javelinas, roadrunners, and snakes. The park is also home to a number of bird species, including golden eagles, roadrunners, and peregrine falcons. The Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem also supports many different cacti and succulents, as well as desert grasses and shrubs.
Denali National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its abundant wildlife, especially large mammals such as grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, moose, and caribou. Visitors can also see many bird species, such as the golden eagle, gyrfalcon, and ptarmigan. The park also has a diverse range of plant life, including spruce, willow, and birch trees, as well as a variety of wildflowers.
In terms of family-friendliness, both parks offer different experiences for families with children. Big Bend can be hot during the summer months, and some of the hikes may be too strenuous for young children. However, it offers a lot of educational opportunities and beautiful views. Denali National Park, on the other hand, is a great place to visit if you’re traveling with children who are interested in wildlife and the natural world. It offers ranger-led programs and educational opportunities that can be enjoyed by all ages. The park’s infrastructure is also more developed than Big Bend, and has more services, amenities and activities.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Big Bend National Park | Denali 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 | 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 | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Big Bend National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Deer Mouse | Red Fox |
| Raccoon | Mink |
| Black Bear | Wolf |
| Porcupine | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Hoary Bat | River Otter |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Common Shrew |
| House Mouse | Water Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Red Squirrel |
| Mule Deer | Montane Shrew |
| Common Gray Fox | Lynx |
| Gray Wolf | Wolverine |
| Long-Legged Myotis | American Marten |
| American Badger | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| California Myotis | Grizzly Bear |
| Fringed Myotis | Meadow Vole |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Moose |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Least Weasel |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Pygmy Shrew |
Reptiles
| Big Bend National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Sonoran Gophersnake | |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Desert Kingsnake | |
| Texas Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard 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 | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Barred Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Southwestern Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Big Bend National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Longnose Sucker |
| Green Sunfish | Lake Trout |
| Bluegill | Northern Pike |
| Fathead Minnow | Burbot |
| Common Carp | Coho Salmon |
| Longnose Dace | Chinook Salmon |
| Yellow Bullhead | Slimy Sculpin |
| Channel Catfish | Chum Salmon |
| Mosquitofish | Dolly Varden |
| Arctic Grayling |
Beautiful Landscapes in Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are both incredibly diverse and beautiful parks with a wide range of landscapes that are sure to take your breath away. Big Bend is located in the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas and is home to a diverse array of landscapes, including towering mountains, rugged canyons, and flowing rivers. The park is known for its impressive rock formations, including the Chisos Mountains, which offer some of the best views in the park. Visitors can also enjoy hiking along the Rio Grande, which winds through the park, and exploring the many hot springs and geysers in the area.
Denali National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is home to the highest peak in North America, Mount Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley) which is the focal point of the park. The park is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, and caribou. Visitors can also enjoy hiking and backpacking through the park’s many trails, as well as taking guided tours to get an up-close look at the park’s spectacular wildlife and landscape. The park is also famous for the beautiful autumn colors of the tundra when the leaves of the shrubs and trees change color.
Both parks offer visitors an opportunity to experience some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the United States and are a must-see for nature lovers.
Things To-Do and Activities in Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve both offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. At Big Bend, some of the most popular activities include hiking, camping, and backpacking through the park’s diverse landscapes of desert, mountains, and canyons. Visitors also enjoy taking scenic drives, river rafting, and stargazing.
At Denali National Park & Preserve, visitors can take bus tours to see the park’s vast wilderness, including the 20,310-foot Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), the highest peak in North America. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity, with visitors often spotting grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, and Dall sheep. Hiking and backpacking are also popular in the park, with a number of trails to choose from, ranging from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. Visitors also enjoy fishing and river rafting in the park.
Both parks have good family-friendly options, but Denali National Park & Preserve is more challenging for families with small children. The park is remote and rugged, with limited services and facilities, and it can be difficult for young children to navigate the park’s terrain. Big Bend National Park is more accessible and has more facilities, making it a better option for families with young children.
Best Time to Visit Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are both vast wilderness areas with very different climates. Big Bend National Park, located in the southwestern United States, has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The best time to visit is from October to May, as temperatures can reach above 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. On the other hand, Denali National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short summers. The best time to visit is from June to September, as this is when the park is most accessible and the weather is at its mildest.
Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, but the difficulty and type of terrain vary greatly. Big Bend National Park has a mix of easy, moderate, and strenuous trails that take visitors through desert landscapes, canyons, and mountain ranges. Some popular hikes in the park include the Chisos Basin Trail, Santa Elena Canyon Trail, and the South Rim Trail.
Denali National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, has a more rugged and remote terrain, with a greater variety of strenuous hikes. The park’s backcountry trails offer visitors the chance to explore the vast wilderness and spot wildlife, such as grizzly bears, moose, and caribou. Some popular hikes in the park include the Savage River Trail, the Stony Hill Trail, and the Polychrome Pass Trail.
Overall, both Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve offer visitors the chance to explore unique and diverse natural landscapes, but the best time to visit and type of activities depend on the climate and terrain of each park.
Family Friendliness of Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Big Bend National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are both great destinations for families, but they offer very different experiences. Big Bend National Park is located in the desert of West Texas and offers a wide range of outdoor activities for families, including hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. The park is also home to several historic sites, including the remains of an old mining town. The park’s many trails offer stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape, and there are also several ranger-led programs and guided tours available.
Denali National Park & Preserve is located in the interior of Alaska and is famous for its rugged mountain ranges, glaciers, and abundant wildlife. The park’s main attraction is the 20,310-foot Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), which is North America’s highest peak. The park offers a wide range of activities for families, including hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. There are also several ranger-led programs and guided tours available, including bus tours that provide a great way to explore the park’s interior.
Overall, both parks are great destinations for families, but Big Bend is likely a better choice for those looking for a more traditional national park experience, with a wide variety of outdoor activities and scenic views. On the other hand, Denali National Park & Preserve offers a more remote wilderness experience and is ideal for families who are looking for an adventure and to see unique wildlife and landscapes.