Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are two of the most unique and diverse national parks in the United States. On one hand, Carlsbad Caverns is home to an underground world of stunning, otherworldly beauty, with a labyrinth of caves and rock formations that will leave you in awe. On the other hand, New River Gorge is a wild and rugged landscape, where you can explore deep gorges, towering cliffs, and an abundance of wildlife. Both parks offer breathtaking natural wonders and a chance to escape into the great outdoors. Whether you’re a hiker, a cave enthusiast, or just looking for a quiet place to take in the beauty of nature, these two parks are sure to provide a memorable experience. So, let’s dive in and compare the wonders of Carlsbad Caverns and New River Gorge!
Hiking Trails in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve both offer a range of hiking trails to suit various skill levels and interests. At Carlsbad Caverns, visitors can explore the Big Room, a large underground chamber with unique rock formations, on a self-guided tour. The park also offers guided ranger tours to other parts of the cave system for those who want a more in-depth experience. Hiking trails outside of the cave are limited, but the park does offer a scenic loop trail that provides views of the surrounding desert.
New River Gorge, on the other hand, offers a wider range of hiking trails, both above and below ground. The park is known for its stunning rock formations and scenic overlooks, and visitors can hike along rim trails to take in the views or explore the park’s many waterfalls. For those who want a more challenging experience, there are several backcountry trails that offer rugged terrain and steep climbs. Some of the most popular trails include the Long Point Trail and the Endless Wall Trail, which offer stunning views of the New River Gorge.
In conclusion, both parks offer unique hiking experiences, but New River Gorge is better suited for those who are looking for a wider range of trails and more challenging hikes, while Carlsbad Caverns is better for those who are interested in exploring underground caves.
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 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tolmie Peak Trail | 8851.37 | 463.9056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Skyline Trail | 8529.502 | 535.8384 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
Comet and Christine Falls | 6920.162 | 610.8192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Camp Muir Route Via Skyline Trail | 13518.456 | 1403.9088 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail | 15127.796 | 780.8976 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
Naches Peak Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 193.8528 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Spray Park Trail to Mount Pleasant | 11104.446 | 635.8128 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Mount Fremont Lookout Trail | 9012.304 | 348.996 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
Pinnacle Peak Saddle Trail | 3862.416 | 321.8688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Summerland Trail | 13196.588 | 655.9296 | Moderate | out and back | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are both home to diverse wildlife, but the species you’ll see differ greatly depending on the park you visit.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, you’ll have the chance to see a variety of bats, including the Brazilian free-tailed bat, which is the most common species in the park. You may also see other mammals like jackrabbits, rock squirrels, and deer. Bird species, including the canyon wren, black-tailed gnatcatcher, and black-throated sparrow, can be seen in the park’s desert environment.
In contrast, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is home to a wider range of wildlife, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys. The park is also a haven for birdwatchers, with species such as the pileated woodpecker, Acadian flycatcher, and scarlet tanager commonly seen. Reptiles like copperheads and timber rattlesnakes can also be found in the park.
Both parks offer unique opportunities to see different types of wildlife, so the choice depends on what type of animals you’re interested in seeing.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Carlsbad Caverns National Park | New River Gorge National Park and 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 | Great Horned Owl |
American Robin | Red-Tailed Hawk |
Great Horned Owl | Barn Swallow |
Red-Tailed Hawk | Savannah Sparrow |
Northern Flicker | Great Blue Heron |
Merlin | Hermit Thrush |
Barn Swallow | European Starling |
Savannah Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
Great Blue Heron | American Wigeon |
Hermit Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
American Kestrel | American Pipit |
Bald Eagle | Killdeer |
Song Sparrow | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
European Starling | Hairy Woodpecker |
Northern Pintail | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
American Wigeon | White-Crowned Sparrow |
Green-Winged Teal | Northern Shoveler |
Mammals
Carlsbad Caverns National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
American Beaver | American Beaver |
Muskrat | Muskrat |
Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
Bobcat | Bobcat |
Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
Deer Mouse | Little Brown Bat |
Raccoon | Deer Mouse |
Black Bear | Raccoon |
Porcupine | Black Bear |
Silver-Haired Bat | Porcupine |
Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
Long-Tailed Weasel | Hoary Bat |
House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Mountain Lion | House Mouse |
Mule Deer | Mountain Lion |
Common Gray Fox | Black-Tailed Deer |
Gray Wolf | Wolf |
Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
American Badger | Ermine |
California Myotis | California Myotis |
Fringed Myotis | Snowshoe Hare |
Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | North American River Otter |
Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
Carlsbad Caverns National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
---|---|
Sonoran Gophersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
Eastern Racer | Common Garter Snake |
Green Prairie Rattlesnake | Rubber Boa |
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 | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
---|---|
Barred Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
American Bullfrog | |
Woodhouse’s Toad | |
Red-Spotted Toad | |
Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
Carlsbad Caverns National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
---|---|
Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
Green Sunfish | Eastern Brook Trout |
Mosquitofish | Brown Trout |
Coho Salmon | |
Chinook Salmon | |
Mottled Sculpin | |
Slimy Sculpin | |
Threespine Stickleback | |
Kokanee | |
Pink Salmon | |
Dolly Varden | |
Cutthroat Trout |
Insects
Carlsbad Caverns National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
---|---|
Mourning Cloak | |
Cabbage White | |
Silvery Blue | |
Purplish Copper | |
Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are two very different national parks, each with its own unique landscapes and natural wonders. Carlsbad Caverns is known for its underground cave system, with its massive chambers and stunning formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Above ground, the park also offers a rugged and scenic desert landscape, with unique rock formations and breathtaking vistas.
On the other hand, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is known for its scenic river, the New River, which winds its way through a stunning gorge that is over 1,000 feet deep in some places. The park also boasts a diverse landscape, with rolling hills, dense forests, and towering cliffs. One of the most famous natural wonders at New River Gorge is the New River Gorge Bridge, which is the longest steel arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking vistas, unique geological formations, or scenic rivers, both Carlsbad Caverns and New River Gorge have something to offer visitors.
Things To-Do and Activities in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offer different types of recreational activities for visitors.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the most popular activity is exploring the underground caves. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the Big Room, or go on a guided tour of other parts of the cave system. Above ground, there are also hiking trails and ranger-led programs to learn about the park’s geology, history, and wildlife.
At New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the most popular activities include white-water rafting, rock climbing, and hiking. The New River is a popular destination for rafters and kayakers, while the park’s cliffs and cliffsides offer challenging rock climbing routes. Hiking trails range from easy to strenuous, and offer scenic views of the New River and surrounding forest.
Both parks offer unique experiences for visitors and their popularity depends on individual interests and preferences. If you’re looking for an underground adventure, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is the way to go. But if you prefer outdoor recreation and scenic views, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is the place for you.
Best Time to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve have different seasonal weather patterns. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert and has hot, dry summers and mild winters with occasional snowfall. The best time to visit is from April to October when temperatures are mild and the park is open for tours and hiking.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, on the other hand, is located in the Appalachian Mountains and has a temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters. The park is known for its fall foliage and the best time to visit is from September to November when the leaves change color. Winter can bring snow and ice, making some areas of the park inaccessible. Spring and summer are also popular with visitors, as the weather is mild and the park is open for hiking and other outdoor activities.
In conclusion, the best time to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park is during the spring and fall, while New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is best visited during the fall for its stunning foliage or during the spring and summer for mild weather and outdoor activities.
Family Friendliness of Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are both great destinations for families, but they offer different experiences.
Carlsbad Caverns is a great place for families who love exploring underground caves and unique geological formations. The park offers ranger-led tours and self-guided walks that are suitable for visitors of all ages. The Big Room tour, in particular, is a great option for families with children as it is relatively easy and offers stunning views of the caverns.
On the other hand, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a great destination for families who enjoy outdoor recreation, such as hiking, fishing, and rock climbing. The park features over 70 miles of trails, including easy hikes like the Endless Wall Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the New River Gorge Bridge. The park also offers opportunities for kayaking, rafting, and fishing in the New River, making it a great destination for families who love water activities.
In conclusion, both parks offer unique experiences for families and the best park to visit depends on the interests of your family. If your family loves exploring caves and unique geological formations, Carlsbad Caverns is a great choice. If your family enjoys outdoor recreation, New River Gorge is a great option.