Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are two of America’s most diverse and breathtaking national parks. On one hand, you have Big Bend, where the vast and rugged Chihuahuan Desert meets the Rio Grande, creating a landscape of towering cliffs, deep canyons, and ancient rock formations. On the other hand, there’s New River Gorge, where the dramatic New River slices through the Appalachian Mountains, creating a playground for adventure seekers with its world-class whitewater, rock climbing, and hiking. Both parks offer unique and unparalleled experiences, making it hard to decide which one to visit first. But if you’re looking for a true adventure of a lifetime, read on to learn more about these two amazing parks and find out which one is the best fit for you.
Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are both popular destinations for hiking and outdoor enthusiasts. Both parks offer a variety of trails that range in difficulty, making them suitable for hikers of all skill levels.
Big Bend National Park offers over 150 miles of hiking trails, including some easy and short hikes such as the Chisos Basin Trail, which is a 1.4-mile loop that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The park also offers some challenging hikes, such as the South Rim Trail, which is a 13-mile hike that takes hikers to the top of the park’s South Rim, offering panoramic views of the park. Another challenging hike is the Emory Peak Trail, which is a 8.4-mile hike that takes hikers to the highest point in the park.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, on the other hand, offers over 80 miles of hiking trails, including some easy hikes such as the Canyon Rim Trail, which is a 2-mile hike that offers stunning views of the New River Gorge. The park also offers some challenging hikes, such as the Long Point Trail, which is a 6-mile hike that takes hikers to the top of the park’s Long Point, offering panoramic views of the park and the New River. Another challenging hike is the Endless Wall Trail, which is a 8-mile hike that takes hikers along the famous Endless Wall, offering some of the best views of the New River Gorge.
Both Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offer visitors a variety of hiking trails that range in difficulty, making them suitable for hikers of all skill levels. While Big Bend National Park is known for its challenging hikes and panoramic views, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is known for its challenging hikes and spectacular views of the New River Gorge. Both parks offer unique experiences and visitors can expect to find different types of activities depending on the time of year and the specific location in the park.
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 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tolmie Peak Trail | 8851.37 | 463.9056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Skyline Trail | 8529.502 | 535.8384 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Comet and Christine Falls | 6920.162 | 610.8192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Camp Muir Route Via Skyline Trail | 13518.456 | 1403.9088 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail | 15127.796 | 780.8976 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Naches Peak Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 193.8528 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spray Park Trail to Mount Pleasant | 11104.446 | 635.8128 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Fremont Lookout Trail | 9012.304 | 348.996 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Pinnacle Peak Saddle Trail | 3862.416 | 321.8688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Summerland Trail | 13196.588 | 655.9296 | Moderate | out and back | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are both known for their diverse wildlife. At Big Bend, visitors may encounter a wide range of animals such as black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, raccoons, and a variety of reptiles and birds. The park is also home to a number of unique animals such as the pronghorn antelope, which is found only in the southwestern United States and Mexico, and the roadrunner, which is the state bird of Texas. Additionally, Big Bend is known for its rich plant life, with over 1,200 species of plants, including cacti, agave, and yucca.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is also known for its diverse wildlife. The park is home to a number of species of mammals, such as black bears, white-tailed deer, and raccoons. Visitors may also encounter various species of reptiles, including copperheads and timber rattlesnakes, as well as a variety of birds, such as the golden eagle and the scarlet tanager. The park also boasts of a diverse range of plants, with over 800 species of plants, including wildflowers, ferns and mosses.
In terms of wildlife, both Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offer visitors a chance to see a variety of unique and diverse animals and plants. However, the type of wildlife and the environments that they are found in are different, Big Bend is located in the desert and New River Gorge is located in a forested mountainous area.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Big Bend National Park | New River Gorge National Park and 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 | Great Horned Owl |
| American Robin | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Great Horned Owl | Barn Swallow |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Savannah Sparrow |
| Northern Flicker | Great Blue Heron |
| Merlin | Hermit Thrush |
| Barn Swallow | European Starling |
| Savannah Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
| Great Blue Heron | American Wigeon |
| Hermit Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Kestrel | American Pipit |
| Bald Eagle | Killdeer |
| Song Sparrow | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
| European Starling | Hairy Woodpecker |
| Northern Pintail | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
| American Wigeon | White-Crowned Sparrow |
| Green-Winged Teal | Northern Shoveler |
Mammals
| Big Bend National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mountain Lion | House Mouse |
| Mule Deer | Mountain Lion |
| Common Gray Fox | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Gray Wolf | Wolf |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| American Badger | Long-Eared Myotis |
| California Myotis | Ermine |
| Fringed Myotis | California Myotis |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | North American River Otter |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
| Big Bend National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Sonoran Gophersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Common Garter Snake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Rubber Boa |
| 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 | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Barred Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Southwestern Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Big Bend National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Eastern Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Brown Trout |
| Fathead Minnow | Coho Salmon |
| Common Carp | Chinook Salmon |
| Longnose Dace | Mottled Sculpin |
| Yellow Bullhead | Slimy Sculpin |
| Channel Catfish | Threespine Stickleback |
| Mosquitofish | Kokanee |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Insects
| Big Bend National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve both offer a wide variety of beautiful landscapes and natural features for visitors to enjoy.
Big Bend National Park is known for its diverse landscape, which includes the Chisos Mountains, the Rio Grande River, and the Chihuahuan Desert. The Chisos Mountains, located in the heart of the park, offer stunning views from the highest point in the park, Emory Peak. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic drive along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive which offers panoramic views of the Chisos Mountains, the Rio Grande and the Chihuahuan Desert. The Rio Grande River, which forms the southern boundary of the park, offers opportunities for rafting and kayaking.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its spectacular views of the New River Gorge, which is considered one of the oldest rivers in the world. The New River Gorge Bridge, located within the park, offers visitors an opportunity to take in the breathtaking views of the gorge. The Endless Wall Trail, which offers a 8-mile hike along the famous Endless Wall, offers some of the best views of the New River Gorge. The park also offers many overlooks and viewpoints, such as the Grandview Point Overlook and the Hawks Nest State Park Overlook, which offer visitors a chance to take in the stunning views of the New River.
Both Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offer visitors a variety of beautiful landscapes and natural features to enjoy, from mountains and deserts to rivers and gorges. Each park has its own unique beauty, and visitors can expect to find different types of landscapes depending on the time of year and the specific location in the park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offer visitors a wide range of outdoor activities to enjoy. Both parks are known for their unique and diverse landscapes, providing visitors with a variety of recreational opportunities.
One of the most popular activities at Big Bend National Park is hiking. The park boasts over 150 miles of trails, including the challenging South Rim and Emory Peak trails. Additionally, the park offers backpacking, horseback riding, and mountain biking opportunities. Many visitors also enjoy visiting the Rio Grande River and taking a scenic drive along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its world-class rock climbing and whitewater rafting. The park’s proximity to the New River offers visitors the opportunity to experience some of the best whitewater in the eastern United States. In addition to these activities, the park offers hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as fishing in the New River. Visitors can also take a scenic drive on the Midland Trail, which offers stunning views of the New River Gorge.
In terms of family-friendliness, both parks offer plenty of opportunities for families to enjoy the outdoors together. Big Bend National Park offers a Junior Ranger program and ranger-led activities, while New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers camping, picnicking, and a visitor center with interactive exhibits.
Overall, Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve both offer unique experiences for visitors. Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike or a thrilling whitewater adventure, both parks have something to offer.
Best Time to Visit Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve both offer unique and diverse wildlife and natural beauty, but the seasonal weather in each park can greatly affect the best time to visit.
Big Bend National Park, located in Texas, has a subtropical desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park is known for its diverse array of wildlife, including desert bighorn sheep, black bears, and a wide variety of bird species. The park is also home to several species of cacti and other desert plants. The best time to visit is fall and spring when the temperatures are milder and the wildlife is more active.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, located in West Virginia, is known for its rugged terrain and beautiful views of the New River. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, black bears, and a wide variety of bird species. The park also has a diverse array of plant life, including wildflowers, rhododendrons, and hemlocks. The best time to visit is spring and fall when the temperatures are milder and the fall foliage is at its peak.
In terms of family-friendliness, both parks offer a range of activities and trails suitable for different ages and abilities, but New River Gorge National Park and Preserve may be better for families who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and rafting, as Big Bend National Park is a very remote and hot park with limited facilities.
Family Friendliness of Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are both great options for families looking to enjoy the great outdoors. However, each park offers a different experience that may appeal to different types of families.
Big Bend National Park offers a wide variety of activities that can be enjoyed by families with children of all ages. Some of the most popular activities include hiking on the many trails that traverse the park, bird watching, and stargazing at night. There are also several ranger-led programs, such as guided nature walks and campfire talks, that can be enjoyed by families. Additionally, the park offers educational programs for children, such as Junior Ranger programs, that can help children learn about the natural world around them.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, on the other hand, is more of an adventure destination and ideal for families who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and white water rafting. The park offers over 50 miles of hiking trails, as well as several overlooks and viewpoints that offer spectacular views of the New River Gorge. The park also offers several campground options, allowing families to spend a night or more in the park and enjoy the beautiful nature. The park also has several educational programs and guided tours that can be enjoyed by families and children.
Overall, whether you are looking for a more adventurous or a more educational experience, both Big Bend National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offer plenty of opportunities for families with children to enjoy the great outdoors. It depends on what kind of activities and experiences you are looking for to decide which park is better for you.