Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are two vastly different national parks that offer unique experiences to visitors. On one hand, Carlsbad Caverns is a subterranean wonderland, where visitors can explore the underground world of caves and witness the beauty of thousands of glowing bats. On the other hand, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is a rugged wilderness, where visitors can immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, from the glaciers to the bears. Whether you’re a fan of underground adventures or outdoor exploration, both of these parks offer breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences. So, which one is right for you? Read on to find out!
Hiking Trails in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve both offer a range of hiking trails for visitors to explore. However, the type of hikes and difficulty levels vary greatly between the two parks.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the main attraction is the caverns themselves. Visitors can take the ranger-led tour of the Big Room, a self-guided tour of the Natural Entrance route, or explore on their own using the Left Hand Tunnel trail. The trails in the park are well-maintained and easy to navigate, but can be steep and strenuous in places.
In contrast, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offers more challenging and remote hiking experiences. The park is home to a variety of landscapes, including glaciers, alpine tundra, and forests. Hikers can choose from a range of trails, including the challenging Portage Pass trail, which offers stunning views of glaciers and mountains, or the easier Pioneer Ridge trail, which takes visitors through forests and meadows.
Overall, while both parks offer unique hiking experiences, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve may be a better choice for those looking for more challenging hikes and remote wilderness experiences, while Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a great choice for families and those looking for easier, well-maintained trails.
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 Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
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 | 4.7 |
Wildlife in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are both home to unique and diverse wildlife.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, visitors can observe a variety of bats, including the Brazilian free-tailed bat and the Cave Myotis bat, which are known to inhabit the caves. In addition, the park is also home to a variety of birds, including the Canyon Wren, the Western Bluebird, and the Rock Wren. There are also various species of reptiles, including the Desert Iguana and the Texas Horned Lizard, as well as various species of mammals, such as the Black-tailed Jackrabbit and the Desert Cottontail.
At Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, visitors can observe a variety of wildlife, including brown bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the Bald Eagle, the Harlequin Duck, and the American Goldfinch. In addition, the park is also home to various species of fish, including the Arctic Char and the Rainbow Trout. The park also has a variety of plant species, including the Sitka Spruce, the Western Hemlock, and the Alaska Cedar.
In conclusion, both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are home to unique and diverse wildlife, and offer visitors the opportunity to observe a variety of animals, birds, and plants.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Lake Clark 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 | Great Blue Heron |
Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
European Starling | Northern Pintail |
Northern Pintail | American Wigeon |
American Wigeon | Green-Winged Teal |
Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Lake Clark 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 | Snowshoe Hare |
Hoary Bat | Northern River Otter |
Long-Tailed Weasel | Masked 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 | Brown Bear |
American Badger | Meadow Vole |
California Myotis | Moose |
Fringed Myotis | Least Weasel |
Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Pygmy Shrew |
Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Meadow Jumping Mouse |
Reptiles
Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Lake Clark 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 | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Barred Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
American Bullfrog | |
Woodhouse’s Toad | |
Red-Spotted Toad | |
Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Largemouth Bass | Steelhead |
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 Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is famous for its underground landscapes, including the main attraction, the Carlsbad Cavern. This massive cave system boasts over 119 known caves and features stunning formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and other mineral deposits. Another popular feature of the park is the Bat Flight Amphitheater, where visitors can watch thousands of bats emerge from the cave at sunset during the summer months.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is famous for its stunning landscapes above ground. The park is home to glaciers, rugged peaks, pristine lakes, and a diverse array of wildlife. Visitors can hike to the top of the park’s many mountain ranges for breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness, or take a boat tour to see the glaciers and wildlife up close. The park is also home to some of the best bear viewing opportunities in the country, with visitors able to observe brown bears fishing for salmon in the rivers.
In summary, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is famous for its underground landscapes, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is famous for its stunning above-ground landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Things To-Do and Activities in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offer different experiences for visitors. At Carlsbad Caverns, the main attraction is the underground cave system, which can be explored through ranger-led tours or self-guided walks. Visitors can also take part in ranger programs, attend cave talks, and go on bat flights to observe the millions of bats that live in the caves.
At Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, visitors can enjoy a range of outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including bears, moose, caribou, and many species of fish. Visitors can also hike through the park’s scenic valleys and mountains, or take a scenic flight over the park’s glaciers and volcanoes. The park also offers backcountry camping and guided trips for those who want to experience the wilderness up close.
Best Time to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are two parks with different climates and weather patterns. Carlsbad Caverns is located in southeastern New Mexico and has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park experiences temperatures that can reach up to 90°F in the summer and lows of around 50°F in the winter. The park receives very little rainfall, with most of it falling between July and September.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and has a subarctic climate. The park experiences cool summers and cold winters, with temperatures ranging from 40°F to 60°F in the summer and as low as -20°F in the winter. The park also experiences high levels of precipitation, with most of it falling as snow during the winter months.
The best time to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park is between May and September, when temperatures are mild and the park is open for tours. The park is also open for camping during this time, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. On the other hand, the best time to visit Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is between June and September, when the weather is mild and the park is accessible by boat or floatplane. However, it’s important to note that the park is remote and requires careful planning, so it may not be the best option for families with young children.
Family Friendliness of Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve both offer unique and beautiful landscapes, but they differ in terms of family-friendliness. Carlsbad Caverns is a great park for families as it offers an easy and accessible cave tour, as well as several short hikes with stunning views. The park also has a visitors center with interactive exhibits and educational programs. On the other hand, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is not as accessible and requires more planning and preparation, making it less suitable for families with young children. The park is known for its remote wilderness, offering opportunities for backpacking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, but these activities are not ideal for families with young children. In conclusion, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a better option for families looking for a more accessible and educational park experience, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is better for families looking for a more adventurous and remote wilderness experience.