Jake Cain is an entrepreneur and writer from Cincinnati, Ohio. He spends his free time driving around the country in his late 90’s conversion van, affectionately known as the “Monster Van” with his wife and 3 boys.
Capitol Reef National Park and Wind Cave National Park are two of the most unique and awe-inspiring parks in the United States. While they may seem vastly different on the surface, both parks offer visitors a chance to experience the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or just someone who enjoys exploring new places, these two parks are sure to provide an unforgettable experience. So, pack your bags and get ready to embark on an adventure through two of America’s most incredible parks!
Hiking Trails in Capitol Reef National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and Wind Cave National Park both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore.
Capitol Reef National Park:
– Easy hikes: The Capitol Gorge Trail is a popular and easy hike that takes visitors through a narrow canyon and past historic petroglyphs. The Rim Overlook Trail is another easy hike that offers stunning views of the park’s rock formations and surrounding landscape.
– Challenging hikes: The Cassidy Arch Trail is a strenuous hike that leads to a dramatic arch with panoramic views of the park. The Grand Wash Trail is another challenging hike that takes visitors through a narrow slot canyon.
Wind Cave National Park:
– Easy hikes: The Rankin Ridge Trail is an easy hike that offers views of the park’s rolling hills and prairies. The Elk Mountain Trail is another easy hike that takes visitors through the park’s mixed-grass prairie and offers views of the surrounding landscape.
– Challenging hikes: The Wind Cave Canyon Trail is a strenuous hike that takes visitors through a narrow canyon and up to the entrance of Wind Cave. The Centennial Trail is another challenging hike that takes visitors through the park’s rugged terrain and offers views of the surrounding landscape.
In conclusion, both Capitol Reef National Park and Wind Cave National Park offer a range of hiking trails for visitors to explore, from easy walks to challenging hikes. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a strenuous workout, there is a trail for you at these two beautiful national parks.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Capitol Reef National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickman Bridge Trail | 2735.878 | 129.8448 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cassidy Arch Trail | 4667.086 | 213.9696 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Grand Wash Trail via Northeast Trailhead | 7081.096 | 121.92 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chimney Rock Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 241.7064 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cohab Canyon Trail | 4828.02 | 241.7064 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Navajo Knobs Trail | 14001.258 | 650.748 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Goosenecks & Sunset Point | 4023.35 | 165.8112 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Capitol Gorge Trail | 7242.03 | 113.9952 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Sulphur Creek Route | 18507.41 | 427.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rim Overlook Trail | 6598.294 | 320.9544 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Wind Cave National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Capitol Reef National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and Wind Cave National Park both offer diverse wildlife experiences, but with different species of animals, birds, and plants.
Capitol Reef is home to a variety of desert wildlife, including pronghorns, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and rattlesnakes. Birdwatchers may spot species such as the American kestrel, the peregrine falcon, and the rock wren. The park is also home to a variety of cacti, yucca, and wildflowers that thrive in the arid desert climate.
Wind Cave National Park is known for its diverse population of bats, with eight species of bats roosting in the park’s caves. Visitors may also spot pronghorns, bison, elk, and coyotes. Birdwatchers may see species such as the western meadowlark, the mountain bluebird, and the red-tailed hawk. The park is also home to a variety of prairie grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs that thrive in the high-plains grassland ecosystem.
In conclusion, both parks offer unique wildlife experiences, with Capitol Reef showcasing desert species and Wind Cave showcasing prairie and cave species.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Capitol Reef National Park and Wind Cave National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Capitol Reef National Park | Wind 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
| Capitol Reef National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Weasels |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Mountain Lion |
| American Mink | Mink |
| Mule Deer | Mule Deer |
| Common Gray Fox | Wolf |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| American Badger | Badger |
| Ermine | Ermine |
| California Myotis | Fringed Myotis |
Fish
| Capitol Reef National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | Fathead Minnow |
| Bluegill | Long Nose Dace |
| Mottled Sculpin | Black Bullhead |
| Speckled Dace | Creek Chub |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| Capitol Reef National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Bull Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Racer |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Western Rattlesnake |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Common Garter Snake |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Milksnake |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Capitol Reef National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Woodhouses Toad |
| Red-Spotted Toad | Plains Spadefoot |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Insects
| Capitol Reef National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfer | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary |
Beautiful Landscapes in Capitol Reef National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and Wind Cave National Park both offer stunning landscapes and natural features that attract visitors from all over the world.
Capitol Reef is known for its sandstone cliffs, domes, and canyons, including the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth’s crust. The park also offers scenic drives, such as the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, and hiking trails with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Other popular natural features include the Hickman Bridge, a natural bridge that spans 133 feet, and the Cassidy Arch, named after the infamous outlaw Butch Cassidy.
Wind Cave National Park is famous for its unique underground landscape, including the Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. The park also offers scenic drives, such as the Wildlife Loop Road, where visitors can spot bison, pronghorns, and other prairie wildlife. Above ground, visitors can enjoy hiking trails with stunning views of the surrounding Black Hills, a mountain range that covers over 1 million acres in South Dakota and Wyoming. Other popular natural features include the Painted Canyon Overlook, a colorful rock formation, and Rankin Ridge, a scenic viewpoint that offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
In conclusion, both parks offer breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders, with Capitol Reef showcasing desert formations and Wind Cave showcasing prairie and underground landscapes.
Things To-Do and Activities in Capitol Reef National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and Wind Cave National Park are both popular national parks in the United States, but they offer different types of activities for visitors.
Capitol Reef National Park:
– Hiking: Visitors can hike through the park’s scenic canyons and along the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth’s crust.
– Scenic drives: The park’s scenic drive offers views of the Waterpocket Fold and the surrounding landscape.
– Rock Climbing: The park’s cliffs and rock formations provide opportunities for rock climbing and technical climbing.
– Camping: There are several campgrounds in the park for visitors to enjoy.
Wind Cave National Park:
– Cave Tours: The park is famous for its Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. Visitors can take guided tours of the cave to see its unique formations.
– Wildlife viewing: The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, elk, and pronghorns, which can be seen on scenic drives or hikes.
– Camping: There are several campgrounds in the park for visitors to enjoy.
– Backcountry hiking: The park offers backcountry hiking trails for visitors to explore the park’s more remote areas.
In conclusion, both parks offer a range of activities for visitors to enjoy, from scenic drives and hikes to cave tours and wildlife viewing. However, Wind Cave is known for its unique cave formations, while Capitol Reef is known for its scenic drives and hiking opportunities.
Best Time to Visit Capitol Reef National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and Wind Cave National Park are located in different regions of the United States and therefore have different climates.
Capitol Reef National Park, located in southern Utah, has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures can reach up to 100°F while winter temperatures can drop below freezing. The best time to visit is spring (April to May) or fall (September to October) when temperatures are mild and the park’s scenery is in full bloom.
Wind Cave National Park, located in South Dakota, has a more temperate climate with hot summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures average in the 80s while winter temperatures average in the 20s. The best time to visit is spring (April to May) or fall (September to October) when temperatures are mild and wildlife is most active.
Both parks offer unique opportunities for outdoor recreation and scenic beauty. The weather at each park affects the best time to visit, with spring and fall being the most favorable seasons for mild temperatures and optimal conditions for exploring the parks.
Family Friendliness of Capitol Reef National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and Wind Cave National Park both offer unique experiences for families, but for different reasons.
Capitol Reef is better for families who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and scenic drives. It also offers ranger-led programs and picnic areas.
Wind Cave is better for families who enjoy learning about unique geological formations and wildlife. It offers ranger-led cave tours, hiking trails, and scenic drives.
If you’re traveling with children, Capitol Reef may be the better option as it offers more hands-on, interactive activities. However, both parks offer a fun and educational experience for families.