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.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are two of the most unique and diverse national parks in the United States. While they may seem vastly different at first glance, both parks offer breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences that are sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, visitors can explore a vast underground world of towering stalactites, delicate soda straws, and otherworldly rock formations. Above ground, the park’s Chihuahuan Desert landscape is dotted with cacti and other desert plants, offering a stark contrast to the caves below.
Denali National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a wilderness lover’s paradise. The park is home to North America’s tallest peak, Mount Denali, as well as an incredible array of wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, and caribou. With its rugged, untamed landscapes and endless opportunities for adventure, Denali is a park that truly must be seen to be believed.
So whether you’re looking for an underground adventure or a chance to explore the great outdoors, Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are two parks that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Hiking Trails in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors, but the types of trails and the level of difficulty can vary greatly between the two parks.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the main focus is on exploring the underground caves, so the hiking trails are relatively short and easy. There are several trails that lead to the cave entrance, including the Natural Entrance Trail and the Big Room Trail, which are both paved and accessible for visitors of all ages and abilities. Additionally, there are several self-guided trails that allow visitors to explore the cave’s formations and unique geology.
Denali National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, offers a wide range of hiking trails that vary greatly in difficulty. The park has several easy trails that are perfect for families, including the Horseshoe Lake Trail and the Savage River Loop Trail. However, the park is also home to several challenging hikes, such as the Mount Healy Overlook Trail and the Toklat River Trail, which are suitable for experienced hikers only. Additionally, the park’s backcountry trails provide opportunities for multi-day backpacking trips, giving visitors the chance to experience the park’s rugged wilderness.
In conclusion, both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors, but the level of difficulty and the types of trails can vary greatly between the two parks. Depending on your interests and abilities, one park may be a better option for hiking than the other.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park Trail | 1287.472 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 5 |
| North Slaughter Canyon Trail | 17863.674 | 469.6968 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Carlsbad Caverns Highway to Carlsbad Caverns National Park | 23657.298 | 309.9816 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Juniper Ridge Trail | 3057.746 | 140.8176 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Yucca Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 443.7888 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Slaughter Canyon Cave Trail | 1609.34 | 140.8176 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Rattlesnake Canyon | 8690.436 | 207.8736 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Walnut Canyon Trail | 482.802 | 7.9248 | Easy | out and back | 2.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Denali National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Healy Overlook Trail | 6920.162 | 507.7968 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Horseshoe Lake Trail | 3379.614 | 119.7864 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Triple Lakes Trail | 29772.79 | 1124.712 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bison Gulch | 11265.38 | 1178.9664 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rock Creek Trail | 7081.096 | 287.7312 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Taiga Trail | 2574.944 | 62.7888 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| McKinley Station Trail | 4667.086 | 113.9952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mount Thorofare Ridge Loop | 6598.294 | 507.7968 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| McKinley Bar Trail | 7402.964 | 295.9608 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Tiaga Loop and Horseshoe Lake Trail to Beaver Dam | 4828.02 | 158.8008 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve offer vastly different wildlife experiences.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, visitors will see a variety of bats, including the Brazilian free-tailed bat, which is the most abundant mammal in the park. Other wildlife that can be seen in the park include desert cottontails, jackrabbits, and rattlesnakes.
Denali National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a wildlife lover’s paradise. Visitors to the park can expect to see an incredible array of wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and sandhill cranes.
In terms of plant life, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is dominated by the Chihuahuan Desert, with cacti and other desert plants being the most commonly seen species. Denali National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is home to a variety of plant communities, including tundra, spruce forests, and birch woodlands.
Overall, both parks offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences, and visitors are sure to be amazed by the incredible array of animals and plants that can be seen in each park.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Denali National Park & 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 | 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 | 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 | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Deer Mouse | Red Fox |
| Raccoon | Mink |
| Black Bear | Wolf |
| Porcupine | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Hoary Bat | River Otter |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Common Shrew |
| House Mouse | Water Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Red Squirrel |
| Mule Deer | Montane Shrew |
| Common Gray Fox | Lynx |
| Gray Wolf | Wolverine |
| Long-Legged Myotis | American Marten |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| American Badger | Grizzly Bear |
| California Myotis | Meadow Vole |
| Fringed Myotis | Moose |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Least Weasel |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Pygmy Shrew |
Reptiles
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Sonoran Gophersnake | |
| Eastern Racer | |
| Green Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Common Gartersnake | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Desert Kingsnake | |
| Texas Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| New Mexico Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Big Bend Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Barred Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Longnose Sucker |
| Green Sunfish | Lake Trout |
| Mosquitofish | Northern Pike |
| Burbot | |
| Coho Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Beautiful Landscapes in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park:
– Big Room: A large limestone cave chamber with unique rock formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and helictites.
– Natural Entrance: A large opening in the cave system that offers a scenic view of the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert landscape.
– Bat Flight: Every evening during the summer, hundreds of thousands of bats emerge from the cave to hunt for food, creating a unique natural spectacle.
Denali National Park & Preserve:
– Denali (Mount McKinley): The tallest mountain in North America, with a peak elevation of 20,310 feet.
– Wonder Lake: A large glacial lake surrounded by mountains and tundra, offering panoramic views of Denali and its surrounding peaks.
– Kantishna Hills: A range of rugged peaks and valleys in the park’s interior, known for its diverse wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, and moose.
Things To-Do and Activities in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park:
– Cave Tours: Guided tours of the cave system, including the Big Room and other smaller chambers, offering a unique underground experience.
– Bat Flight: Observing the nightly emergence of hundreds of thousands of bats from the cave.
– Hiking: Short trails around the park’s desert landscape, offering scenic views of the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert and Guadalupe Mountains.
Denali National Park & Preserve:
– Wildlife Viewing: Opportunities to see a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, moose, and wolves.
– Mountaineering: Climbing Denali (Mount McKinley) and other peaks in the park, for experienced mountaineers.
– Scenic Drives: Taking the park road to experience the stunning landscapes, including views of Denali and the surrounding peaks.
– Hiking: A variety of trails, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks, offering scenic views and opportunities for wildlife encounters.
– Camping: Camping in the park, either in developed campgrounds or in the backcountry, for a unique wilderness experience.
Best Time to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve have vastly different climates and weather patterns, affecting the best time to visit each park. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in southeastern New Mexico and has a desert climate with hot summers and cool winters. The average summer temperature is around 90°F and the average winter temperature is around 50°F. The park is open year-round, with the best time to visit being from April to June and September to November, when temperatures are more moderate and the crowds are smaller.
Denali National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, mild summers. The average summer temperature is around 60°F and the average winter temperature is around 0°F. The park is open year-round, with the best time to visit being from June to September, when the weather is milder and the park is more accessible due to the melting of the snow. The winter months can be very harsh and challenging, making it less suitable for families with young children.
Family Friendliness of Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are both family-friendly, but in different ways. Carlsbad Caverns is a great park for families with kids who are interested in exploring underground caves and learning about the unique geology of the area. The park offers ranger-led tours and self-guided tours that are suitable for families.
Denali National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a great park for families who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, wildlife watching, and scenic drives. The park has a variety of trails that range from easy to strenuous, and the wildlife viewing opportunities are excellent. However, the park is remote and the weather can be harsh, so it may not be the best choice for families with young children.
Overall, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a better option for families with kids who are interested in caves and geology, while Denali National Park & Preserve is a better option for families who enjoy outdoor activities and wildlife viewing.