Big Bend National Park and White Sands National Park are both incredibly unique and beautiful national parks that offer visitors a chance to experience the incredible diversity of nature. The two parks, though very different in many ways, both offer a chance to explore rugged and remote wilderness areas, see breathtaking landscapes and discover a wide variety of wildlife. Whether you’re looking for an epic hiking adventure, a chance to stargaze in one of the darkest night skies in the country or simply a chance to relax and take in the natural beauty of the world, these two parks are sure to provide an unforgettable experience. So, if you’re looking for a chance to unplug and reconnect with nature, these two parks are a must-see destination.
Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park and White Sands National Park
Big Bend National Park and White Sands National Park are both popular destinations for hikers, but the types of hiking trails offered at each park are quite different due to the vastly different landscapes and ecosystems.
Big Bend National Park, located in southwestern Texas, offers a wide range of hiking and backpacking opportunities, with over 150 miles of trails that take visitors through canyons, deserts, and mountains. The park features some of the most challenging hikes in the park, such as the Emory Peak Trail, which climbs to the summit of the park’s highest peak, and the South Rim Trail, which offers spectacular views of the Chisos Mountains and the surrounding desert. The park also has many moderate hikes like Lost Mine Trail, which is a 4.8-mile round-trip hike that leads to a viewpoint with beautiful panoramic views of the Chisos Mountains.
White Sands National Park, located in southern New Mexico, is known for its unique and otherworldly landscape of white gypsum sand dunes. The park offers several hiking trails that take visitors through the dunes, including the Alkali Flat Trail, which is a 2-mile round-trip hike that leads to the heart of the dunes, and the Dune Life Nature Trail, which is a 0.5-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a variety of different dune habitats and the plants and animals that live there. The park also has easy hikes like the Interdune Boardwalk, which is a 0.5-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through the dunes, while providing accessibility for visitors with disabilities.
In conclusion, Big Bend National Park and White Sands National Park both offer visitors a wide range of hiking opportunities, but the types of trails offered at each park are quite different. Big Bend National Park features some of the most challenging hikes in the park, with spectacular views of the Chisos Mountains and the surrounding desert. White Sands National Park is known for its unique and otherworldly landscape of white gypsum sand dunes, with several hiking trails that take visitors through the dunes, including easy and moderate hikes, making it more family-friendly. Both parks offer unique experiences for hikers looking to explore and enjoy different landscapes and trail difficulty.
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 White Sands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 6 |
Wildlife in Big Bend National Park and White Sands National Park
Big Bend National Park and White Sands National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife. Big Bend National Park, located in Texas, is known for its desert and Chihuahuan Desert ecosystems, which are home to a wide variety of animals such as black bears, mountain lions, desert bighorn sheep, and over 450 species of birds. Some of the most commonly seen animals include the roadrunner, coyote, and javelina. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles and amphibians, including the horned lizard, collared lizard, and the Texas horned lizard.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is known for its unique and otherworldly landscape of white gypsum sand dunes. The park is home to a variety of animals that have adapted to the harsh desert environment, such as pronghorn, mule deer, black-tailed jackrabbits, and desert cottontails. The park is also home to a variety of birds, including the roadrunner, Gambel’s quail, and the white-tailed hawk. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles, including the desert tortoise, the Gila monster, and the rattlesnake.
Overall, both parks offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences, but Big Bend National Park offers a greater variety of species and habitats.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Big Bend National Park and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Big Bend National Park | White Sands 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 | White Sands 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 | Common Gray Fox |
| American Badger | Plains Wolf |
| California Myotis | American Badger |
| Fringed Myotis | Ermine |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | River Otter |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
| Big Bend National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Barred Tiger Salamander | Northern Leopard Frog |
| American Bullfrog | Wood Frog |
| Southwestern Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Big Bend National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Largemouth Bass |
| Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
| Bluegill | Green Sunfish |
| Fathead Minnow | Bluegill |
| Common Carp | Fathead Minnow |
| Longnose Dace | Golden Shiner |
| Yellow Bullhead | Lake Trout |
| Channel Catfish | Northern Pike |
| Mosquitofish | Ellpout |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Beautiful Landscapes in Big Bend National Park and White Sands National Park
Big Bend National Park and White Sands National Park are two vastly different parks that offer unique and breathtaking landscapes. Big Bend National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert of West Texas and is known for its rugged terrain, towering mountains, and deep canyons. The park is home to the Chisos Mountains, which offer some of the best views in the park and are a popular spot for hiking and backpacking. The Rio Grande, which cuts through the park, offers opportunities for rafting and kayaking. Additionally, the park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, and desert bighorn sheep.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is located in southern New Mexico and is famous for its otherworldly dunes of white gypsum sand. The park’s main attraction is the 275 square miles of white sand dunes, which are the largest gypsum dune field in the world. Visitors can hike, sled, and even take a sunset stroll on the dunes. The park also offers opportunities for stargazing, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. The park is also home to a unique set of wildlife, including pronghorn, kit foxes, and roadrunners.
Both parks offer a unique and unforgettable experience, and it’s hard to say which one is better as it depends on personal preferences and interests.
Things To-Do and Activities in Big Bend National Park and White Sands National Park
Big Bend National Park and White Sands National Park are both popular tourist destinations in the United States, but they offer very different experiences for visitors.
Big Bend National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert in Texas, and is known for its rugged beauty and diverse landscape. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and backpacking. The park’s most popular hiking trails include the Chisos Basin and the Santa Elena Canyon trails. Camping is also a popular activity at Big Bend, with several campgrounds available for visitors. Backpacking is also a popular activity at Big Bend, with several designated backpacking trails available.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is located in the desert of southern New Mexico. The park is known for its white sand dunes, which cover over 275 square miles of desert landscape. The park’s most popular activities include hiking, picnicking and sledding on the sand dunes. The park also offers ranger-led tours and a visitors center to learn about the geology and history of the area.
Both parks offer visitors a unique and beautiful natural experience, with Big Bend offering more options for backpacking and camping, while White Sands is more famous for the unique and striking white sand dunes.
Best Time to Visit Big Bend National Park and White Sands National Park
Big Bend National Park and White Sands National Park are both located in the southwestern United States, but they have vastly different weather patterns due to their unique environments.
Big Bend National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert and has hot summers and mild winters. The park’s altitude ranges from 1,800 to 8,000 feet, which can affect the temperature. In the summer, temperatures can reach up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while in the winter, they can drop to freezing. The park receives very little rainfall, with most of it falling between July and September. This time of year is also the park’s monsoon season, which can bring flash floods and thunderstorms. The best time to visit Big Bend is in the spring or fall when temperatures are mild and there is less chance of flash floods.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Tularosa Basin and is known for its white sand dunes that are formed from gypsum crystals. The park experiences hot summers and mild winters, with temperatures ranging from the high 90s in the summer to the low 40s in the winter. The park receives very little rainfall, but it can be windy at times, which can make the sand dunes difficult to navigate. The best time to visit White Sands is in the spring or fall when temperatures are mild and the sand dunes are more stable.
In summary, the best time to visit Big Bend National Park is in the spring or fall when temperatures are mild and there is less chance of flash floods. White Sands National Park is best visited during the spring or fall when temperatures are mild and the sand dunes are more stable.
Family Friendliness of Big Bend National Park and White Sands National Park
Both Big Bend National Park and White Sands National Park are family-friendly destinations, however, they offer different experiences.
Big Bend National Park is located in the desert region of West Texas and offers a wide variety of activities for families such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. The park has a number of easy and moderate trails suitable for children, including the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail, which is a half-mile loop that provides an introduction to the park’s desert environment. The park also offers guided ranger-led activities and educational programs for families throughout the year.
White Sands National Park, located in southern New Mexico, is known for its large white sand dunes that are perfect for sand sledding and hiking. The park has several easy trails that are suitable for children, including the Interdune Boardwalk and the Dune Life Nature Trail. The park also offers ranger-led activities and educational programs for families, including the popular “Junior Ranger” program.
Overall, both parks are great options for families, but it depends on what type of experience you are looking for. If you’re looking for a more traditional outdoor experience with hiking and camping, Big Bend National Park would be a great choice. If you’re looking for a more unique and adventurous experience, White Sands National Park would be a better option.