Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are two of the most spectacular national parks in the United States, offering visitors a chance to explore diverse landscapes and discover the rich cultural history of the American Southwest. While both parks are known for their rugged natural beauty, they offer very different experiences that are sure to delight any outdoor enthusiast. Big Bend is a vast desert wilderness that stretches across the border of Texas and Mexico, and is home to some of the most remote and rugged terrain in the country. Mesa Verde, on the other hand, is a unique park that preserves the ancient cliff dwellings of the Pueblo people, who lived in the area for over 700 years. Both parks offer something for everyone, whether you’re interested in hiking, wildlife watching, or exploring ancient ruins. So, whether you’re an adventure seeker looking for a challenging hike or a history buff eager to learn about the ancient civilization, both Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are must-see destinations that will leave you in awe and make you planning your next trip.
Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park both offer a diverse range of hiking trails for visitors to explore.
Big Bend National Park has over 150 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail and the Santa Elena Canyon trail, which offer visitors the opportunity to explore the park’s unique desert landscape and see the Rio Grande up close. The South Rim trail, on the other hand, offers a more challenging hike with panoramic views of the Chisos Mountains.
Mesa Verde National Park, on the other hand, is known for its ancient cliff dwellings and offers a variety of hiking trails that allow visitors to explore the park’s rich cultural history. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Spruce Tree House Trail and the Balcony House Trail, which are both relatively short and easy. The park also offers more strenuous hikes like the Petroglyph Point Trail and the Prater Ridge Trail, which offer panoramic views of the park’s stunning landscape.
In summary, both Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park offer a variety of hiking trails to suit different skill levels and interests. While Big Bend National Park is known for its remote wilderness and outdoor activities, Mesa Verde National Park is known for its ancient cliff dwellings and cultural history.
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 Mesa Verde National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Petroglyph Point Trail | 4184.284 | 131.9784 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Cliff Palace Loop Trail | 643.736 | 25.908 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Balcony House Loop Trail | 643.736 | 27.7368 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Mesa Verde Point Lookout Trail | 3379.614 | 161.8488 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Soda Canyon Overlook Trail | 1931.208 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Mesa Verde National Park Scenic Drive | 24140.1 | 797.9664 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
Long House Trail | 3379.614 | 86.868 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Step House Trail | 1287.472 | 46.9392 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Knife Edge Trail | 3218.68 | 46.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Prater Ridge Trail | 11748.182 | 311.8104 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Wildlife in Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are both known for their unique and diverse wildlife. Big Bend National Park is home to a wide variety of animals, including black bears, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and over 450 species of birds. Some of the most commonly seen birds in the park include the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, and roadrunner. The park also features a wide variety of plants, including cacti, agave, and yucca.
Mesa Verde National Park is also known for its diverse wildlife, with animals such as elk, deer, and bighorn sheep commonly seen in the park. The park is also home to a variety of birds, including the peregrine falcon, golden eagle, and turkey vulture. Visitors to the park can also spot a variety of lizards, snakes, and other reptiles. The park is also home to a diverse range of plants, with species such as Douglas-fir, Ponderosa pine, and aspen.
In terms of family-friendly, both parks have many options for visitors of all ages and abilities, with Big Bend National Park having a great variety of hiking trails, scenic drives and ranger-led activities. Mesa Verde National Park offers visitors the chance to explore ancient cliff dwellings and take guided tours of the park.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Big Bend National Park | Mesa Verde 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 | Mesa Verde 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 |
American Badger | Gray Fox |
California Myotis | Wolf |
Fringed Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Long-Eared Myotis |
Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Badger |
Western Harvest Mouse | Ermine |
Reptiles
Big Bend National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
---|---|
Sonoran Gophersnake | Gopher Snake |
Prairie Rattlesnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
Ring-Necked Snake | Racer |
Common Side-Blotched Lizard | Western Rattlesnake |
Desert Kingsnake | Ring-Necked Snake |
Texas Nightsnake | Sagebrush Lizard |
Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
Mexican Milksnake | Side-Blotched Lizard |
Central Texas Whipsnake | Nightsnake |
Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | Milksnake |
Big Bend Tree Lizard | Striped Whipsnake |
Eastern Collared Lizard | Tree Lizard |
Glossy Snake | Eastern Collared Lizard |
Long-Nosed Snake | Eastern Fence Lizard |
Desert Spiny Lizard | Glossy Snake |
Amphibians
Big Bend National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
---|---|
Barred Tiger Salamander | Northern Leopard Frog |
American Bullfrog | Tiger Salamander |
Southwestern Woodhouse’s Toad | Woodhouse’s Toad |
Red-Spotted Toad | Red-Spotted Toad |
Canyon Treefrog | Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
Big Bend National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
---|---|
Largemouth Bass | |
Green Sunfish | |
Bluegill | |
Fathead Minnow | |
Common Carp | |
Longnose Dace | |
Yellow Bullhead | |
Channel Catfish | |
Mosquitofish |
Beautiful Landscapes in Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park both offer some of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest.
Big Bend National Park is known for its vast desert wilderness, which stretches across the border of Texas and Mexico. The park is home to several mountain ranges, including the Chisos Mountains, which offer some of the most spectacular views in the park. The park also boasts several overlooks, including the Chisos Basin Overlook and the Santa Elena Canyon Overlook, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Other natural wonders in the park include the Rio Grande, which winds through the park and offers opportunities for rafting and kayaking, and the hot springs, which are a popular spot for visitors looking to relax and soak in the warm waters.
Mesa Verde National Park is known for its ancient cliff dwellings of the Pueblo people, which are preserved for visitors to explore. The park’s most famous landscape is the Cliff Palace, which is the largest cliff dwelling in the park, and offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of the ancient Pueblo people. The park also boasts several other cliff dwellings, including the Spruce Tree House and the Long House, which offer visitors the opportunity to explore and learn more about the ancient civilization. The park is also home to several hiking trails, including the Petroglyph Point Trail and the Prater Ridge Trail, which offer visitors the chance to explore the park’s rugged landscape and take in the stunning views of the surrounding area.
Overall, both Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park offer visitors a chance to explore diverse landscapes and discover the rich cultural history of the American Southwest. The parks are known for their rugged natural beauty and other natural features like mountain ranges, overlooks, waterfalls and other natural wonders that can be seen during a visit to the park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park offer different types of experiences for visitors. Big Bend National Park is known for its rugged backcountry terrain and outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and backpacking. The park’s Chisos Mountains and the Rio Grande provide stunning landscapes for visitors to explore. On the other hand, Mesa Verde National Park is known for its ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings ruins, providing an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the area.
Some of the most popular activities at Big Bend National Park include hiking, camping, and backpacking on its trails, as well as river rafting and kayaking on the Rio Grande. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives, bird watching, and stargazing. Some of the most popular hikes include the Chisos Basin Trail, the South Rim Trail, and the Lost Mine Trail.
At Mesa Verde National Park, visitors can explore the ancient cliff dwellings ruins of the Puebloan people, including the famous Cliff Palace and Spruce Tree House. The park offers ranger-led tours of the cliff dwellings ruins and visitors can also hike the park’s trails for a more in-depth look at the ruins and the surrounding landscape. The park also offers activities such as camping, picnicking, and bird watching.
In terms of family-friendliness, both parks offer a variety of activities suitable for children, but Mesa Verde National Park may be more appealing for families with younger children as it offers guided tours of the cliff dwellings ruins, providing an educational experience for children to learn about the history and culture of the area.
Best Time to Visit Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park have very different seasonal weather patterns, which can greatly affect the best time of year to visit each park.
Big Bend National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas and has a hot and arid climate. Summer temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making it very hot and uncomfortable to visit during this time. Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit the park as temperatures are milder and more comfortable for outdoor activities. However, winter can also be a great time to visit as the temperatures are much cooler and the park is less crowded.
On the other hand, Mesa Verde National Park is located in the high desert of Colorado and has a more moderate climate. Summer temperatures are generally in the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit, making it a great time to visit for outdoor activities. However, the park can be crowded during this time. Spring and fall are also good seasons to visit as the temperatures are mild and the park is less crowded. Winter is also a great time to visit as the park is less crowded and the snow-capped mountains offer a beautiful contrast to the ancient cliff dwellings.
In summary, the best time of year to visit Big Bend National Park is spring and fall, while the best time of year to visit Mesa Verde National Park is summer and winter. Both parks offer different experiences depending on the season, with Big Bend National Park offering a hot and arid desert landscape, and Mesa Verde National Park offering a cool and moderate high desert landscape.
Family Friendliness of Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Both Big Bend National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are family-friendly destinations that offer a variety of activities for visitors of all ages.
Big Bend National Park is a great destination for families who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife watching. The park offers a variety of hiking trails that are suitable for families with children, including the Lost Mine Trail, which is a relatively easy hike with stunning views of the Chisos Mountains, and the Window View Trail, which is a short trail that offers a great view of the park. The park also offers a variety of ranger-led programs for families, including guided hikes, campfire programs, and stargazing. Additionally, the park offers a variety of camping options, including RV and tent camping, which is perfect for families who want to spend the night in the park.
Mesa Verde National Park is also a great destination for families. The park offers a variety of activities and programs that are perfect for families, including guided tours of the ancient cliff dwellings, ranger-led hikes, and educational programs that are designed to teach children about the park’s history and culture. The park’s most famous landmark, Cliff Palace, is a great spot for families to visit and explore, however, keep in mind that visitor can only access the dwelling through guided tours. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails that are suitable for families with children, including the Petroglyph Point Trail and the Prater Ridge Trail, which offer visitors the chance to explore the park’s rugged landscape and take in the stunning views of the surrounding area.
When it comes to which park is better to visit if you’re traveling with children, it really depends on what you and your family are interested in and what type of activities you want to do. Big Bend National Park is perfect for families who enjoy outdoor activities, while Mesa Verde National Park is perfect for families who are interested in history and culture. Both parks are great options for family vacations, and it’s worth considering both options before making your final decision.