Big Bend National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park are both natural wonders in their own right, but they offer vastly different experiences for visitors. Big Bend, located in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert in Texas, is a hiker’s paradise with rugged trails leading to stunning vistas and hidden canyons. Mammoth Cave, on the other hand, is a subterranean wonderland where visitors can explore a labyrinth of underground caves and passageways. Both parks offer unique and exciting opportunities for adventure and exploration, but for those looking for a contrast of experiences, a trip to both Big Bend and Mammoth Cave is a must. From the scorching heat of the desert to the cool dampness of the caves, these two parks will offer an unforgettable journey for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Big Bend National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park are both known for their hiking trails, offering visitors the opportunity to explore diverse landscapes and natural features.
Big Bend National Park has over 150 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy, short nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail, a 0.5-mile loop that provides a great introduction to the park’s desert environment, and the Santa Elena Canyon Trail, a 1.4-mile round-trip hike that offers stunning views of the Rio Grande. On the other hand, some of the most challenging hikes in the park include the Emory Peak Trail, a 8.4-mile round-trip hike that leads to the highest point in the park, and the Outer Mountain Loop, a strenuous, 30-mile backpacking trail that takes 3-4 days to complete.
Mammoth Cave National Park, is known for its hiking trails and cave exploration. The park’s hiking trails range from easy, paved walkways to strenuous backcountry trails. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Mammoth Cave Railroad Trail, a 2-mile paved trail that follows the route of an old railroad, and the Frozen Niagara Trail, a 1-mile paved trail that takes visitors through a beautiful area of the cave. Some of the most challenging hikes in the park include the Echo River Spring Trail, a 2.5-mile strenuous hike that passes through a beautiful area of the cave, and the Sal Hollow Trail, a 2-mile strenuous hike that leads to an underground stream.
In summary, Big Bend National Park offers a wide range of hiking trails, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks, with the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail and the Santa Elena Canyon Trail as some of the easiest, and Emory Peak Trail and the Outer Mountain Loop as some of the most challenging. Mammoth Cave National Park also offers a variety of hiking trails, from easy paved walkways to strenuous backcountry trails, with the Mammoth Cave Railroad Trail and the Frozen Niagara Trail as some of the easiest, and the Echo River Spring Trail and the Sal Hollow Trail as some of the most challenging.
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 Mammoth Cave National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green River Bluffs Trail | 7242.03 | 169.7736 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cedar Sink Trail | 2896.812 | 70.7136 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mammoth Cave National Park Scenic Drive | 17541.806 | 173.736 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Sinkhole Trail | 3862.416 | 108.8136 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Echo River Spring and Sinkhole Loop | 4988.954 | 122.8344 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Echo River and River Styx Springs Trail | 5471.756 | 129.8448 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Sal Hollow and Buffalo Creek Loop Trail | 8690.436 | 100.8888 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Dixon Cave Trail Loop | 2414.01 | 83.82 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| First Creek Lake Trail | 5793.624 | 158.8008 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| McCoy Hollow Trail | 19794.882 | 434.9496 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Big Bend National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Big Bend National Park and Mammoth Cave 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, located in the Chihuahuan Desert of West Texas, is home to a wide variety of desert animals and plants. Some of the most commonly seen animals in the park include white-tailed deer, javelina, black bears, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep. The park is also home to a wide variety of bird species, including roadrunners, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons. The park’s desert landscape is also home to a wide variety of cacti, yucca, and other desert plants.
On the other hand, Mammoth Cave National Park, located in Kentucky, is known for its underground cave system and the diverse wildlife that lives above ground. The park is home to a wide variety of animals, including white-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, and foxes. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the red-tailed hawk, the pileated woodpecker, and the great horned owl. The park’s above-ground landscape is home to a wide variety of plants, including wildflowers, ferns, and hardwood trees such as oak, hickory, and maple.
In summary, Big Bend National Park is known for its desert animals and plants while Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its cave system and its above-ground wildlife. Both parks offer great opportunities to see a diverse array of wildlife and plants.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Big Bend National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Big Bend National Park | Mammoth Cave 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 | Mammoth Cave 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 | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Mink |
| Mule Deer | Gray Fox |
| Common Gray Fox | Western Long-Eared Bat |
| Gray Wolf | River Otter |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| American Badger | White-Tailed Deer |
| California Myotis | Virginia Opossum |
| Fringed Myotis | Meadow Vole |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Eastern Red Bat |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | White-Footed Mouse |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Norway Rat |
Reptiles
| Big Bend National Park | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Sonoran Gophersnake | Black Racer |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Ringneck Snake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Eastern Garter Snake |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | Eastern Fence 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 | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Barred Tiger Salamander | Eastern Tiger Salamander |
| American Bullfrog | Bullfrog |
| Southwestern Woodhouse’s Toad | Wood Frog |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Big Bend National Park | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Largemouth Bass |
| Bluegill | Green Sunfish |
| Fathead Minnow | Bluegill |
| Common Carp | Golden Shiner |
| Longnose Dace | Common Carp |
| Yellow Bullhead | Yellow Bullhead |
| Channel Catfish | Channel Catfish |
| Mosquitofish | Black Crappie |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Insects
| Big Bend National Park | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Commom Wood Nymph |
Beautiful Landscapes in Big Bend National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Big Bend National Park is famous for its rugged desert landscapes, towering mountains, and vast canyons. The park’s most famous landscape is the Chisos Mountains, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding desert and the Rio Grande. The park also boasts several scenic drives, such as the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and the River Road, which offer panoramic views of the desert and the river. Other natural wonders in the park include the Santa Elena Canyon, a dramatic 1,500-foot-deep canyon carved by the Rio Grande, and the Boquillas Canyon, a picturesque canyon that offers a serene and peaceful environment.
Mammoth Cave National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its underground landscapes. The park’s most famous landscape is the Mammoth Cave itself, which is the longest known cave system in the world. The park offers several cave tours, ranging from easy, family-friendly tours to more challenging, strenuous tours. Visitors can explore the cave’s many passageways, chambers, and underground rivers, and learn about the cave’s geology and history. Above ground, the park offers beautiful hiking trails through the forested hills, like the Echo River Springs Trail, which offers the beautiful views of the river and the park’s wildlife.
Things To-Do and Activities in Big Bend National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Big Bend National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but the types of activities that are popular at each park are quite different.
Big Bend National Park is known for its rugged terrain and remote wilderness, making it a popular destination for hiking, backpacking, and camping. Visitors can explore over 150 miles of hiking trails, including the challenging South Rim trail, which offers panoramic views of the Chisos Mountains. The park also offers opportunities for rock climbing, mountain biking, and river rafting on the Rio Grande.
On the other hand, Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its underground cave system, the longest known cave system in the world. The park offers a variety of cave tours that range in difficulty, from easy, wheelchair-accessible tours to strenuous, multi-day expeditions. Above-ground activities include hiking, fishing, and horseback riding.
In summary, Big Bend National Park is known for its remote wilderness and outdoor activities like hiking, backpacking and camping, while Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its cave system and the different type of cave tours it offers. Both parks offer a diverse range of activities for visitors to enjoy.
Best Time to Visit Big Bend National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Big Bend National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park are located in different regions of the country, and as a result, have very different seasonal weather patterns.
Big Bend National Park, located in western Texas, has a hot and dry desert climate. Summers are extremely hot, with temperatures often reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while winters are mild with temperatures ranging from 40-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit the park, with temperatures in the 80s and 90s during the day, and mild evenings. During the summer, the heat can be oppressive, making it difficult to enjoy outdoor activities during the day, so it’s best to plan your visit for the cooler months.
Mammoth Cave National Park, located in Kentucky, has a humid subtropical climate. Summers are warm and humid with temperatures ranging from 75-90 degrees Fahrenheit, while winters are cool with temperatures ranging from 20-40 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit the park, with mild temperatures and lower humidity, making it more comfortable to explore the caves and hike the trails. The park is open year-round, but the summer months can be quite hot and humid, making it less pleasant to be outside for long periods of time.
In summary, Big Bend National Park has hot and dry desert climate, with the best time to visit being spring and fall, while summers are extremely hot, making it difficult to enjoy outdoor activities. Mammoth Cave National Park has a humid subtropical climate, with the best time to visit being spring and fall, with mild temperatures and lower humidity, making it more comfortable to explore the caves and hike the trails. Summer months can be quite hot and humid, making it less pleasant to be outside for long periods of time.
Family Friendliness of Big Bend National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Big Bend National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park offer vastly different experiences for families looking to enjoy the great outdoors.
Big Bend National Park, located in the Chihuahuan Desert of West Texas, is known for its rugged terrain and diverse landscapes. Families can explore the park’s many hiking trails, which range from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. The park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, bighorn sheep, and over 450 species of birds. The park also offers guided ranger programs, stargazing, and scenic drives, making it a great destination for families looking for an active and educational outdoor experience.
Mammoth Cave National Park, located in Kentucky, is known for its underground caves and karst landscape. The park offers a variety of cave tours for families, ranging from easy, wheelchair-accessible tours to strenuous, wild cave expeditions. Above ground, families can hike the park’s trails, fish and boat in the Green River, and explore the park’s many sinkholes and springs. The park also offers educational ranger programs and campfire talks, making it a great destination for families looking for an educational and unique underground experience.
In terms of family-friendly, Both parks offer a lot of activities for families to enjoy, but the type of activities and experiences offered are quite different. Big Bend National Park is more suited for families looking for outdoor adventure and nature experiences, while Mammoth Cave National Park is more suited for families looking for underground cave exploration and educational experiences.