Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park may not be located in the same region of the country, but they both offer visitors a chance to explore some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the United States. From the rugged desert terrain of Big Bend to the snow-capped peaks and ancient bristlecone pines of Great Basin, these two parks offer vastly different experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking for a rugged backpacking adventure or a leisurely stroll through a beautiful alpine landscape, these parks have something for everyone. So pack your bags, grab your hiking boots, and get ready to explore two of America’s most breathtaking national parks.
Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park
Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park are both popular destinations for hikers, but the types of hiking trails offered at each park vary.
Big Bend National Park offers over 150 miles of trails, ranging from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry hikes. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail, which is a 0.5-mile loop that takes visitors through the park’s desert ecosystem. The Lost Mine Trail is a 4.8-mile hike that takes visitors to the summit of the Chisos Mountains and offers spectacular views of the surrounding desert. The park also offers some of the most challenging hikes like the South Rim Trail, which is a 14-mile hike that takes visitors to the summit of the Chisos Mountains and offers a strenuous hike with steep elevation gain.
Great Basin National Park offers a variety of trails, ranging from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry hikes. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Bristlecone Pine Trail, which is a 0.3-mile hike that takes visitors to the ancient Bristlecone Pine trees. The park also offers some of the most challenging hikes like the Baker Lake Trail, which is a 14-mile hike that takes visitors to the beautiful Baker Lake and offers a strenuous hike with steep elevation gain. Another challenging hike is the Wheeler Peak Trail, which is a 8.5-mile hike that takes visitors to the summit of the 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak, the highest point in the park.
In summary, Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park both offer a wide range of hiking trails, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry hikes. Both parks offer challenging hikes like the South Rim Trail and the Baker Lake trail in Big Bend National Park and the Wheeler Peak trail in Great Basin National Park, but also offer easy hikes like the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail and the Bristlecone Pine Trail.
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 Great Basin National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeler Peak Trail via Stella Lake Trail | 13196.588 | 885.7488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Bristlecone Pine Glacier Trail | 7242.03 | 322.7832 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Alpine Lakes Trail | 4345.218 | 142.9512 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Lehman Cave | 643.736 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Bristlecone and Alpine Lakes Loop | 8529.502 | 308.7624 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive | 37497.622 | 1175.9184 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Baker Lake Trail | 16737.136 | 813.816 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Teresa Lake | 2414.01 | 92.964 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Baker Lake-Johnson Lake Loop | 20760.486 | 1330.7568 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Lexington Arch Trail | 4667.086 | 340.7664 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park
Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife. At Big Bend, visitors may see animals such as desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, black bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including golden eagles, roadrunners, and peregrine falcons. Additionally, Big Bend is known for its diverse plant life, including cacti, yucca, and agave.
Great Basin National Park, on the other hand, is known for its alpine and subalpine habitats, and as a result, the wildlife found there is quite different from that of Big Bend. Visitors to Great Basin may see animals such as bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and elk. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including golden eagles, great gray owls, and peregrine falcons. Additionally, Great Basin is known for its coniferous forests and aspen groves, as well as its wildflowers in summer and fall.
Both parks are great for wildlife viewing and offer unique and diverse experiences. Big Bend is a great destination for those interested in desert wildlife, while Great Basin is a great destination for those interested in alpine and subalpine wildlife.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Big Bend National Park | Great Basin 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
| Big Bend National Park | Great Basin 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 | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Fox |
| House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mountain Lion | House Mouse |
| Mule Deer | Lion |
| Common Gray Fox | Mink |
| Gray Wolf | Mule Deer |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Gray Fox |
| American Badger | Gray Wolf |
| California Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Fringed Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Badger |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Ermine |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Californis Myotis |
Reptiles
| Big Bend National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Sonoran Gophersnake | Racer |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Rubber Boa |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Desert Kingsnake | Eastern Collared Lizard |
| Texas Nightsnake | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Long-Nosed Snake |
| Mexican Milksnake | Desert Spiny Lizard |
| Central Texas Whipsnake | Western Fence Lizard |
| 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 | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Barred Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| American Bullfrog | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Southwestern Woodhouse’s Toad | Red-Spotted Toad |
| Red-Spotted Toad | Canyon Treefrog |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Big Bend National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Brown Trout |
| Fathead Minnow | Mottled Sculpin |
| Common Carp | Speckled Dace |
| Longnose Dace | Cutthroat Trout |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Mosquitofish |
Insects
| Big Bend National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park
Big Bend National Park, located in Texas, is known for its rugged terrain and diverse landscapes. Visitors can see the Chisos Mountains, which rise out of the desert floor, as well as the Santa Elena Canyon, which towers 1,500 feet above the Rio Grande. The park also features hot springs, cacti-studded deserts, and an array of wildlife. On the other hand, Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, is home to the 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak, the highest point in the park. Visitors can also see ancient Bristlecone Pine trees, limestone caverns, and alpine lakes. The park also offers a variety of hiking and camping opportunities, as well as stargazing opportunities in the night sky. Both Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park offer visitors the chance to explore unique and diverse landscapes, but in very different ways.
Things To-Do and Activities in Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park
Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park are both known for their diverse landscapes and outdoor activities. Both parks offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy, but there are some key differences in what people love to do when visiting these parks.
At Big Bend National Park, one of the most popular activities is hiking. The park features over 150 miles of trails that offer stunning views of the Chisos Mountains, Santa Elena Canyon, and the Rio Grande River. The park also offers camping, backpacking, and river trips for those who want to explore the park more deeply. Another popular activity at Big Bend is stargazing, as the park has some of the darkest night skies in the country.
On the other hand, Great Basin National Park is known for its cave system, which is the most extensive in the country. Visitors can explore the Lehman Caves, which are home to over 300 different types of formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails that lead to high alpine lakes, ancient Bristlecone Pine forests, and some of the most remote wilderness in the lower 48 states. The park also offers ranger-led programs, including ranger-led cave tours, star parties, and backcountry permits for overnight camping.
Both Big Bend and Great Basin National Parks are great options for visitors who love the outdoors and want to explore a wide range of landscapes. However, if you’re looking for a park that is more focused on hiking and backpacking, Big Bend is the better option. If you’re interested in exploring caves and learning more about geology, Great Basin is the better choice.
Best Time to Visit Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park
Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park are both located in the western United States and have distinct seasonal weather patterns that can affect when is the best time to visit the park.
Big Bend National Park is located in southwestern Texas and has a desert climate, which means that it can be extremely hot during the summer months with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are mild with temperatures around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the best time to visit the park. Spring and fall are also pleasant with temperatures in the 70s and 80s. Rainfall is rare and occurs mostly during the summer months, with the occasional flash flood.
Great Basin National Park is located in eastern Nevada, and it has a high desert climate. The summers can be hot with temperatures reaching into the 90s, while winters can be cold with temperatures dropping below freezing. Spring and fall are the best time to visit the park with mild temperatures and comfortable weather. The park also receives snowfall during the winter months, which makes it ideal for winter sports like skiing and snowshoeing.
In summary, the best time to visit Big Bend National Park is during the winter months when temperatures are mild, while the best time to visit Great Basin National Park is during the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and comfortable. The high temperatures in the summer and cold temperatures in the winter may make it less pleasant to visit the park during those months. Additionally, visitors should keep in mind that Great Basin National Park offers winter activities like skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months.
Family Friendliness of Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park
Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park are both popular destinations for families looking to experience the great outdoors. Both parks offer a wide range of activities and natural wonders for visitors to explore.
Big Bend National Park is located in Texas and is known for its rugged beauty and diverse wildlife. Visitors can hike through the Chisos Mountains, raft the Rio Grande, or take a scenic drive through the park. The park also offers a variety of ranger-led programs and activities for families, such as bird watching, stargazing, and campfire programs.
Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, is known for its ancient bristlecone pine trees, limestone caves, and stunning views of the night sky. The park offers several easy hiking trails that are suitable for families, such as the Bristlecone Trail, and the park also offers ranger-led cave tours. In addition, the park has several campground options and picnic areas for families to enjoy.
Both Big Bend National Park and Great Basin National Park offer unique and diverse landscapes and activities that families can enjoy. However, Big Bend National Park may be slightly more family-friendly due to its wider range of ranger-led programs and activities, as well as more developed facilities.