Biscayne National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two national parks that offer vastly different natural experiences. Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, is a tropical paradise with crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and an abundance of marine life. While Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, located in southern Colorado, is a desert oasis with towering sand dunes, pristine alpine lakes, and a diverse array of wildlife. Both parks offer unique experiences that are sure to delight nature enthusiasts, and the decision of which one to visit comes down to personal preference. Would you rather snorkel in the warm waters of Biscayne National Park, or hike to the summit of the tallest dune in North America at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve? The choice is yours, but one thing is for sure, both parks are sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors.
Hiking Trails in Biscayne National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offer very different hiking experiences. Biscayne National Park is primarily a water-based park, with most of the park being underwater. The park offers several easy hikes along the shoreline and around the mangrove forests, but the main attraction is the water. Visitors can explore the park by boat, kayak, or paddleboard, and there are several guided snorkeling and diving trips available to see the coral reefs and shipwrecks.
On the other hand, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is known for its striking sand dunes, which are the tallest in North America. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. The easiest hikes are along the Medano Creek, where visitors can wade in the shallow water and play in the sand. The hardest hike is to the summit of Star Dune, which is the tallest dune in the park, standing at 750 feet. The hike is strenuous and requires climbing steep sand dunes.
In summary, Biscayne National Park offers easy hikes along the shoreline and water-based activities, while Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offers a variety of hiking trails, including easy hikes along Medano Creek and challenging hikes to the summit of Star Dune. Both parks are great for different kinds of nature-lovers, and it depends on what you are looking for in a park.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Biscayne National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biscayne National Park Walk | 15932.466 | 0.9144 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Creek Canal Trail | 2735.878 | 0.9144 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Jetty Trail | 1448.406 | 0 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Boca Chita Trail | 1287.472 | 0.9144 | Easy | loop | 3 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Dune Trail | 4828.02 | 191.7192 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Mosca Pass Trail | 10299.776 | 444.7032 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dunes Trail from Pinyon Flats | 7242.03 | 290.7792 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Sand Dunes Loop Trail | 8046.7 | 225.8568 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Upper Sand Creek Lake Trail | 11909.116 | 598.932 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Medano Lake Trail | 12713.786 | 697.992 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Montville Nature Trail | 804.67 | 26.8224 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Dunes Overlook Sand Ramp Trail | 2414.01 | 80.772 | Moderate | out and back | 3.5 |
| Little Medano Creek Trail to Medano Lake | 40394.434 | 1079.9064 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Wellington Ditch Trail | 2896.812 | 47.8536 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Biscayne National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are both home to a diverse array of wildlife, although the types of animals and plants found in each park are quite different.
At Biscayne National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of marine life, including manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, and a wide variety of fish and other sea creatures. The park is also home to a number of bird species, including pelicans, ospreys, and herons. On land, visitors may spot raccoons, opossums, and the endangered Key deer.
On the other hand, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is known for its diverse array of desert wildlife. Visitors may spot bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, and pronghorn. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including golden eagles, prairie falcons, and mountain bluebirds. In addition to wildlife, the park is also known for its diverse array of plant life, including grasses, wildflowers, and cacti.
In terms of family-friendliness, both parks offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and wildlife viewing. Biscayne National Park offers snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing opportunities, while Great Sand Dunes National Park offers hiking and sand-boarding. Both parks have visitor centers and ranger-led programs for families. Ultimately, the best park for a family to visit would depend on the interests of the family and what activities they are looking to do.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Biscayne National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Biscayne National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
| Osprey | Osprey |
| Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Mallard |
| American Robin | Canada Goose |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
| Northern Flicker | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| Merlin | American Robin |
| Barn Swallow | Great Horned Owl |
| Savannah Sparrow | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Great Blue Heron | Northern Flicker |
| American Kestrel | Merlin |
| Bald Eagle | Barn Swallow |
| Song Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| European Starling | Great Blue Heron |
| Northern Pintail | Hermit Thrush |
| American Wigeon | American Kestrel |
| American Pipit | Bald Eagle |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Song Sparrow |
| Killdeer | European Starling |
| Brown-Headed Cowbird | Northern Pintail |
| Red-Winged Blackbird | American Wigeon |
| Blue-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Biscayne National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Bobcat | Coyote |
| Striped Skunk | American Beaver |
| Raccoon | Muskrat |
| House Mouse | Big Brown Bat |
| Common Gray Fox | Bobcat |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Striped Skunk |
| White-Tailed Deer | Little Brown Bat |
| Virginia Opossum | Deer Mouse |
| Black Rat | Raccoon |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Black Bear |
| Least Shrew | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | |
| Hoary Bat | |
| Red Fox | |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | |
| Mule Deer | |
| Gray Fox | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Bat | |
| Badger | |
| Ermine | |
| Snowshoe Hare | |
| Masked Shrew | |
| Water Shrew | |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
Fish
| Biscayne National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | German Brown Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Cutthroat Trout |
| Common Carp | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Brown Bullhead |
Insects
| Biscayne National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee |
Reptiles
| Biscayne National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Bull Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Western Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizards | |
| Milksnake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Biscayne National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Biscayne National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are both home to a variety of beautiful landscapes and natural features.
Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, is known for its crystal-clear waters and coral reefs. Visitors can explore the park’s 95% aquatic wilderness by boat, kayak, or canoe. The park’s most famous landscape is the Biscayne Bay, where visitors can see a variety of marine life, including dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles. The park also has several mangrove swamps, which are home to a diverse array of birds and other wildlife.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, located in southern Colorado, is known for its towering sand dunes. The park’s most famous landscape is the Great Sand Dunes, which are the tallest dunes in North America. Visitors can hike or sandboard on the dunes, or explore the surrounding alpine wilderness. The park also has several high mountain peaks, including Mount Herard and Star Dune, which offer spectacular views. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep.
In summary, Biscayne National Park offers visitors the opportunity to explore crystal-clear waters and coral reefs, while Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offers visitors the chance to hike and sandboard on towering sand dunes and explore the surrounding alpine wilderness. Both parks offer a variety of natural wonders that are sure to delight visitors.
Things To-Do and Activities in Biscayne National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two very different national parks, each offering unique experiences and activities for visitors.
At Biscayne National Park, visitors can enjoy a variety of water-based activities such as snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. The park is home to a diverse array of marine life, including colorful coral reefs, manatees, dolphins, and a wide variety of fish species. The park also offers guided boat tours that allow visitors to explore the park’s backcountry and mangrove swamps. On land, visitors can explore the park’s historic sites, including the ruins of the Stiltsville settlement, and take a ranger-led hike to learn about the park’s unique ecosystem.
At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, sandboarding, and stargazing. The park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, and visitors can hike to the top of the dunes for spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The park also offers a variety of guided ranger programs, including ranger-led hikes, stargazing programs, and educational programs for children.
In terms of family-friendliness, both parks offer a variety of activities that are suitable for children, but Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve may be more appealing to families with children who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and sandboarding. Biscayne National Park may be more suitable for families with children who are interested in marine life and water activities.
Best Time to Visit Biscayne National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two vastly different parks when it comes to their seasonal weather. Biscayne National Park is located in southern Florida, where the weather is warm and humid year-round. The park experiences two main seasons, the dry season and the wet season. The dry season lasts from November to April and is the most popular time to visit the park as it has the least amount of rainfall and the most pleasant temperatures. The wet season lasts from May to October and is characterized by heavy rainfall and high humidity.
On the other hand, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where the weather is much cooler and drier. The park experiences four main seasons, with summers being the most popular time to visit. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and drop to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night. The park also experiences occasional thunderstorms during the summer months, which can bring heavy rain and even snowfall at higher elevations. Winter season is cold and snowfall is common. Spring and Fall are milder, but the park can still be very windy and chilly.
When deciding when to visit these parks, it’s important to consider the type of weather you prefer and the activities you plan on doing. If you prefer warm weather and swimming in the ocean, Biscayne National Park is a better choice during the dry season. If you prefer cooler weather and hiking in the mountains, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is a better choice during the summer months.
Family Friendliness of Biscayne National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Both Biscayne National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are family-friendly and offer a variety of activities for visitors of all ages. However, the type of activities and the level of accessibility may vary between the two parks.
Biscayne National Park offers a variety of activities for families with children, such as snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming. The park’s crystal-clear waters are perfect for families with children who are comfortable in the water. The park also has a visitor center with interactive exhibits, as well as ranger-led programs that are suitable for children. The park has a variety of picnic areas and beaches, which are perfect for families looking to spend a day in nature.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve also offers a variety of activities for families with children, such as hiking, sandboarding, and picnicking. However, the park’s main attraction, the Great Sand Dunes, can be challenging for young children to navigate. The park has several easy hiking trails, such as the Mosca Pass Trail and the Medano Creek Trail, which are suitable for children. The park also has a visitor center with interactive exhibits, as well as ranger-led programs that are suitable for children.
In summary, both Biscayne National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offer a variety of activities for families with children. Biscayne National Park is more suitable for families with children who are comfortable in the water and looking for water-based activities, while Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is more suitable for families with children who enjoy hiking and outdoor activities.