Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are two of the most unique and breathtaking parks in the United States. While both parks offer stunning landscapes and natural wonders, they are vastly different from each other, making them both worth a visit. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a nature lover, these parks have something to offer everyone. Get ready to explore the underground caves of Carlsbad and the glaciers of Kenai Fjords, as we take you on a journey to compare these two incredible parks.
Hiking Trails in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park offer vastly different hiking experiences. Carlsbad Caverns is known for its underground cave hikes, where visitors can explore the stunning formations and formations in the caves. The park offers several trails ranging from easy walks to strenuous routes through the caves. The Big Room trail, for example, is a self-guided tour that is suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities, while the Lower Cave tours require a strenuous hike and are only recommended for experienced hikers.
On the other hand, Kenai Fjords National Park is known for its stunning coastal landscapes and glaciers. The park offers several scenic hikes, including the Exit Glacier trail, which is a relatively easy hike that provides stunning views of the glacier and the surrounding landscape. For more experienced hikers, the Harding Icefield trail is a challenging 8.2-mile hike that provides breathtaking views of the icefield and the surrounding mountains.
In conclusion, both Carlsbad Caverns and Kenai Fjords offer unique hiking experiences, with Carlsbad focusing on underground cave hikes and Kenai Fjords focusing on coastal and glacier hikes. Visitors should choose the park based on their hiking preferences and abilities.
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 Kenai Fjords National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park both offer unique opportunities to observe and experience the diverse wildlife of the United States.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, visitors can observe a variety of bats, including the Brazilian free-tailed bat, which is one of the most common species of bats in the park. The park is also home to a number of other animals, including desert cottontails, black-tailed jackrabbits, and rock squirrels. Additionally, the park is a great place for birdwatching, with species like the canyon wren, the black-throated sparrow, and the white-throated swift commonly seen.
At Kenai Fjords National Park, visitors can observe a variety of marine mammals, including whales, porpoises, and seals. The park is also home to a number of other animals, including black bears, moose, and mountain goats. Additionally, the park is a great place for birdwatching, with species like the bald eagle, the common loon, and the pigeon guillemot commonly seen.
In conclusion, both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park offer unique opportunities to observe and experience the diverse wildlife of the United States. Whether you’re interested in bats, birds, or marine mammals, both parks have something to offer for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Kenai Fjords 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 | 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 | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Porcupine | Gray Wolf |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Hoary Bat | California Myotis |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Snowshoe Hare |
| House Mouse | Northern River Otter |
| Mountain Lion | Masked Shrew |
| Mule Deer | Red Squirrel |
| Common Gray Fox | Montane Shrew |
| Gray Wolf | Lynx |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Wolverine |
| Long-Eared Myotis | American Marten |
| American Badger | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| California Myotis | Brown Bear |
| Fringed Myotis | Meadow Mouse |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Moose |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Pygmy Shrew |
Reptiles
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Barred Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
| Mosquitofish | Burbot |
| Silver Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Red Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden |
Beautiful Landscapes in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both known for their stunning natural landscapes. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in New Mexico and features a series of caves and underground formations, including the famous Carlsbad Cavern. The park is also home to scenic hiking trails that offer views of the Chihuahuan Desert and Guadalupe Mountains.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and is known for its stunning fjords and glaciers. The park is home to the largest icefield in the United States, the Harding Icefield, which covers over 700 square miles. Visitors to the park can witness glaciers calving into the sea, watch for wildlife, and explore the rugged coastal landscapes. In addition to these natural wonders, the park is also home to a number of scenic hiking trails that offer views of the glaciers and fjords.
Things To-Do and Activities in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park both offer a range of popular activities for visitors to enjoy.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, visitors can explore the park’s famous underground caves, including the Big Room, which is the largest underground chamber in North America. Other popular activities include hiking on the park’s scenic trails, birdwatching, and stargazing.
At Kenai Fjords National Park, visitors can enjoy a variety of water-based activities, including kayaking, whale watching, and fishing. The park is also home to a number of scenic hiking trails, including the Harding Icefield Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s glaciers and fjords. Additionally, visitors can take a scenic flightseeing tour to see the park from above.
In conclusion, both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park offer a range of popular activities for visitors to enjoy. Whether you’re interested in exploring underground caves, hiking scenic trails, or enjoying water-based activities, both parks have something to offer for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico and Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska have vastly different climates and weather patterns. Carlsbad Caverns experiences a hot and dry desert climate with temperatures ranging from the high 80s in the summer to the low 40s in the winter. The park is best visited in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and comfortable for outdoor activities.
Kenai Fjords, on the other hand, experiences a maritime climate with temperatures ranging from the high 40s in the winter to the high 50s in the summer. The park is known for its heavy rainfall and frequent fog, making it best visited in the summer months when the weather is drier and visibility is better. Winter months can be harsh with snow and strong winds, making it challenging for visitors to access the park’s trails and attractions.
Both parks offer unique hiking experiences, with Carlsbad Caverns featuring trails that lead to its famous underground caves and Kenai Fjords offering scenic hikes through its stunning fjords and glaciers. Regardless of the weather, both parks offer visitors the chance to experience the beauty and wonder of nature.
Family Friendliness of Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both family-friendly parks with unique landscapes and activities. However, they cater to different age groups and interests.
Carlsbad Caverns is ideal for families with young children as it has a Visitor Center with educational exhibits and a self-guided tour of the main cave with well-lit and paved trails. The park also offers ranger-led tours for those who want a more in-depth experience.
Kenai Fjords, on the other hand, is better suited for older children and teenagers who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. The park’s main attraction is the stunning fjords, glaciers, and wildlife that can be seen by boat tour or on foot. However, the rugged terrain and remote location can make it challenging for young children and families with strollers.
In conclusion, both parks offer unique experiences and are family-friendly, but Carlsbad Caverns is more accessible for families with young children, while Kenai Fjords is better for older children and families who enjoy outdoor activities.