Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve are two of the most unique and diverse national parks in the country, each offering visitors a chance to explore the beauty and wonder of nature in their own way.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, visitors can explore the park’s many caves and sinkholes, discovering the unique geology and wildlife that make this park one of the most fascinating places in the world. With its hot, desert climate and stunning underground landscapes, Carlsbad Caverns is a true natural wonder that is sure to captivate visitors of all ages.
At Katmai National Park & Preserve, visitors can explore the park’s rugged wilderness and witness the incredible power of nature at work. With its glaciers, active volcanoes, and abundant wildlife, including the famous brown bears of Brooks Falls, Katmai is a truly awe-inspiring place that is sure to leave visitors in wonder.
In conclusion, whether you prefer the unique geology of Carlsbad Caverns or the rugged wilderness of Katmai, these two parks are sure to provide an unforgettable experience. So come, explore, and discover the beauty and wonder of nature for yourself!
Hiking Trails in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve offer vastly different hiking experiences. At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the main attraction is the Big Room, a large underground chamber that can be explored via a paved, self-guided tour. The park also offers several ranger-led tours that take visitors to different parts of the cave system, but these are more strenuous and require prior reservations. The park’s hiking trails are limited to a few short, easy trails that lead to scenic overlooks and offer views of the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its remote wilderness and diverse hiking opportunities. The park is home to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a unique landscape created by volcanic activity that features towering ash-filled vents and steam vents. Visitors can hike along the valley floor and explore the otherworldly landscape, or take a strenuous hike up one of the nearby volcanoes for panoramic views. The park also offers opportunities for backpacking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, including the chance to see bears fishing for salmon in Brooks River.
In terms of difficulty, hiking at Carlsbad Caverns National Park is generally easier and more accessible for visitors of all ages and abilities, while the hikes at Katmai National Park & Preserve can be more challenging and require a higher level of fitness. Both parks offer unique and memorable hiking experiences, but the type of experience you are looking for will determine which park is a better fit for your trip.
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 Katmai National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Falls | 4667.086 | 63.7032 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dumpling Mountain | 4828.02 | 225.8568 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve are both unique in their wildlife offerings. Carlsbad Caverns is home to a variety of bats, including the Mexican free-tailed bat, which is the park’s most famous resident. Visitors can observe the bats emerging from the caves at dusk during the summer months. The park also has a variety of birds and desert animals, including rattlesnakes, roadrunners, and jackrabbits.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is known for its abundant wildlife, particularly its brown bears. Visitors can observe the bears fishing for salmon in the Brooks River, one of the park’s most popular attractions. The park is also home to other wildlife, including moose, caribou, and a variety of bird species. In addition, the park has a diverse array of plant life, including tundra and boreal forest.
In conclusion, while both parks offer unique wildlife experiences, Katmai National Park & Preserve is more focused on wildlife viewing, particularly of its famous brown bears, while Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers a unique underground wildlife experience with its bats and other desert creatures.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Katmai 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 | Northern Flicker |
| Northern Flicker | Merlin |
| Merlin | Barn Swallow |
| Barn Swallow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Hermit Thrush |
| Great Blue Heron | American Kestrel |
| Hermit Thrush | Bald Eagle |
| American Kestrel | Song Sparrow |
| Bald Eagle | European Starling |
| Song Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
| European Starling | American Wigeon |
| Northern Pintail | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Wigeon | American Pipit |
| Green-Winged Teal | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Katmai 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 | Gray Wolf |
| Porcupine | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Varying Hare |
| Hoary Bat | Northern River Otter |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Masked Shrew |
| House Mouse | Red Squirrel |
| Mountain Lion | Montane Shrew |
| Mule Deer | Lynx |
| Common Gray Fox | Wolverine |
| Gray Wolf | American Marten |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Grizzly Bear |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Meadow Vole |
| American Badger | Moose |
| California Myotis | Least Weasel |
| Fringed Myotis | Pygmy Shrew |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Meadow Jumping Mouse |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Northern Bog Lemming |
Reptiles
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Katmai 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 | Katmai National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Barred Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Katmai National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
| Mosquitofish | Lake Trout |
| Northern Pike | |
| Burbot | |
| Silver Salmon | |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Beautiful Landscapes in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve are two of the most diverse national parks in the country, each offering visitors a chance to explore a wide range of stunning landscapes and natural wonders.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, visitors can explore the park’s many caves and sinkholes, including the famous Carlsbad Cavern, which is one of the largest and most well-known caves in the world. The park also features beautiful desert landscapes, including towering mesas and pristine wilderness areas, which offer visitors a chance to experience the beauty of the southwestern United States.
At Katmai National Park & Preserve, visitors can explore the park’s rugged wilderness, including the famous Brooks Falls, which is home to one of the largest populations of brown bears in the world. The park also features glaciers, active volcanoes, and stunning wilderness landscapes, including the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, which is a unique and otherworldly landscape created by the eruption of Novarupta in 1912.
In conclusion, whether you’re interested in exploring the unique geology of Carlsbad Caverns or the rugged wilderness of Katmai, these two parks are sure to offer visitors a chance to experience some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring landscapes in the world.
Things To-Do and Activities in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve offer different experiences for visitors. At Carlsbad Caverns, the most popular activity is exploring the underground caves, including the famous Big Room and other lesser-known caves. Visitors can take ranger-led tours or self-guided tours, and some tours require a strenuous hike. Above ground, hiking and bird-watching are popular activities.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is known for its abundant wildlife, especially brown bears. The most popular activity is bear-watching, either by boat or on a guided tour. Visitors can also hike, fish, kayak, and enjoy scenic views of the Brooks River and nearby volcanoes. In the summer, visitors can also participate in cultural activities with the local Alutiiq people. Both parks offer unique experiences, but if you’re looking for an up-close encounter with wildlife, Katmai is the better option.
Best Time to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve have vastly different seasonal weather patterns. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, located in southeastern New Mexico, has a warm desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures can reach up to 100°F, while winter temperatures can drop to the 40s. The best time to visit Carlsbad Caverns is from April to June or from September to November, when temperatures are more moderate.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, has a subarctic climate with cool summers and extremely cold winters. Summer temperatures average around 50°F, while winter temperatures can drop to below 0°F. The best time to visit Katmai is from June to September, when temperatures are warmer and the park is accessible by boat or plane. Visitors can also enjoy the park’s famous brown bears fishing for salmon during this time. The weather at Katmai can be unpredictable, with heavy rains and strong winds possible at any time, so visitors should be prepared for changing conditions.
Family Friendliness of Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve both offer unique opportunities for families to explore and experience the beauty of the natural world, but each park has its own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to family-friendliness.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, families can explore the park’s many caves and sinkholes, including the famous Carlsbad Cavern, which is a great place for kids to learn about geology and underground ecosystems. The park also has a number of trails that are suitable for families, including the Big Room Trail, which is a relatively easy hike that leads visitors through the main chamber of the Carlsbad Cavern.
At Katmai National Park & Preserve, families can explore the park’s rugged wilderness, including the famous Brooks Falls, which is a great place for kids to learn about brown bears and the Alaskan wilderness. The park also has a number of trails that are suitable for families, including the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, which is a relatively easy hike that leads visitors through the unique and otherworldly landscape created by the eruption of Novarupta in 1912.
In conclusion, both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve offer unique opportunities for families to explore and experience the beauty of the natural world, but each park has its own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to family-friendliness. If you’re traveling with children, the best park to visit will depend on your family’s interests and the type of experience you’re looking for.