Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park are two of America’s most diverse and stunning natural wonders. Both parks offer a unique and unforgettable experience, but in vastly different ways. Carlsbad Caverns, located in New Mexico, is a subterranean world of towering stalactites and glittering formations, while Olympic National Park, located in Washington, is a lush, green paradise of misty forests, rugged coastline, and snow-capped peaks. Whether you’re looking for an underground adventure or a chance to immerse yourself in the great outdoors, these two parks are sure to leave you in awe. So, pack your bags, grab your hiking boots, and get ready for a journey of discovery as we explore the wonders of Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park!
Hiking Trails in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore. However, the trails at each park differ in terms of difficulty and type of terrain.
At Carlsbad Caverns, the main attraction is the cave system, so most of the trails are underground. The Big Room Trail is a self-guided tour that takes visitors through the largest chamber in the park, while the Left Hand Tunnel Trail is a strenuous hike that requires a flashlight and takes visitors through a narrow, twisting tunnel.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, offers a variety of outdoor trails that range from easy, scenic walks to challenging backcountry treks. The Hoh Rainforest Trail is a popular hike that takes visitors through a temperate rainforest, while the Hurricane Ridge Trail offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The most strenuous hike in the park is the Olympus Guard Trail, which takes visitors to the summit of Mount Olympus.
In terms of family-friendliness, both parks offer trails suitable for families with children, but Olympic National Park has a wider range of options for families. The easy, scenic walks in the Hoh Rainforest and Hurricane Ridge are great for families, while the more strenuous trails in the backcountry are better suited for experienced hikers.
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 Olympic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge | 4988.954 | 242.9256 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Storm King | 6276.426 | 638.8608 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail | 2574.944 | 77.724 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh Rain Forest Hall of Moss | 1609.34 | 23.7744 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Marymere Falls Trail | 2735.878 | 90.8304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh River Trail | 52786.352 | 1558.7472 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| High Divide – Seven Lakes Basin Loop | 30577.46 | 1617.8784 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Ruby Beach | 2253.076 | 20.7264 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Staircase Rapids Loop | 3379.614 | 64.9224 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spruce Railroad Trail: Lake Crescent | 18024.608 | 131.9784 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park are both home to a diverse range of wildlife, each with its own unique features. At Carlsbad Caverns, visitors may spot bats, birds, and lizards, as well as various species of insects and other small creatures that live in and around the caves. The park is also home to a variety of cacti and other desert plants, as well as larger mammals such as mule deer and pronghorns.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, offers a different type of wildlife experience. The park is home to a variety of mammals, such as black bears, elk, and mountain goats, as well as a diverse range of bird species, including eagles and owls. Visitors may also spot various species of fish and other aquatic creatures in the park’s rivers and lakes. Additionally, Olympic National Park is home to a number of rare and endemic plant species, such as the Olympic marmot, a type of ground squirrel that is found only in the park.
Ultimately, both parks offer unique and exciting wildlife experiences, and the best park to visit will depend on your specific interests and what type of wildlife you hope to see. If you are interested in desert wildlife and caves, Carlsbad Caverns may be the better choice, while Olympic National Park is ideal for those interested in exploring a more diverse range of wildlife and landscapes.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Olympic 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 | 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 |
| European Starling | Northern Pintail |
| Northern Pintail | American Wigeon |
| American Wigeon | Green-Winged Teal |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Striped Skunk |
| Striped Skunk | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Wolf |
| Mule Deer | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Common Gray Fox | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Gray Wolf | California Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Snowshoe Rabbit |
| Long-Eared Myotis | North American River Otter |
| American Badger | Fringe-Tailed Myotis |
| California Myotis | Masked Shrew |
| Fringed Myotis | Water Shrew |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Western Big-Eared Bat |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
Reptiles
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Sonoran Gophersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Eastern Racer | Common Garter Snake |
| Green Prairie Rattlesnake | Rubber Boa |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Western Fence Lizard |
| 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 | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Barred Tiger Salamander | Bullfrog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Steelhead/Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Mosquitofish | Largemouth Bass |
| Salish Sucker | |
| Coho Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Insects
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee |
Beautiful Landscapes in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park both offer stunning landscapes that are unique to their respective locations. Carlsbad Caverns is known for its massive underground caves, with towering stalagmites and stalactites creating a surreal, otherworldly atmosphere. The park’s Big Room is one of the largest underground chambers in the world, and visitors can explore it via a self-guided tour or ranger-led hike. On the surface, the park’s Chihuahuan Desert landscape is dotted with unique rock formations and desert flora.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, boasts a diverse range of landscapes, from the rugged Pacific coastline to the lush, temperate rainforests of the Hoh River Valley. The park is home to several peaks over 7,000 feet, including Mount Olympus, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness. The park is also home to several glaciers, including the Blue Glacier, which visitors can hike to for an up-close look at these ancient ice formations. The park’s diverse landscapes are home to a wide range of wildlife, including elk, mountain goats, and black bears. Whether you’re looking for stunning views, rugged wilderness, or a chance to explore the natural world, Olympic National Park has something for everyone.
Things To-Do and Activities in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor recreation and offer a range of activities for visitors.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the main attraction is the cave system, which visitors can explore through guided tours or self-guided walks. There are several trails that lead to the cave entrance, including the Natural Entrance Trail and the Big Room Trail. Visitors can also observe bats emerging from the cave at dusk during the summer months.
At Olympic National Park, the most popular activities include hiking, backpacking, and camping. The park features a diverse range of landscapes, including rainforests, alpine meadows, and rugged coastline, offering a variety of trails for visitors to explore. Some popular hikes include Hurricane Ridge, Hoh Rain Forest, and the Sol Duc Falls Trail. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives and wildlife viewing opportunities, including sightings of elk, black bears, and mountain goats.
Both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park offer unique and memorable experiences for visitors, but the type of activities available may be a factor in determining which park is a better fit for your trip.
Best Time to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park have different seasonal weather patterns that affect the best time of year to visit each park. Carlsbad Caverns is located in the Chihuahuan Desert of southeastern New Mexico and has hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters. Summer temperatures can reach over 100°F (38°C) and winter temperatures can drop to freezing or below. The best time to visit Carlsbad Caverns is during the spring or fall when temperatures are milder and there are fewer crowds.
Olympic National Park is located in the Pacific Northwest region of Washington State and has a more diverse range of weather patterns due to its location near the coast and in the mountains. The park experiences a mild, wet climate on the coast, with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to mid-50s°F (7-13°C) and significant rainfall throughout the year. The interior of the park, in the mountains, experiences a more extreme climate with heavy snowfall in the winter and warm, dry summers. The best time to visit Olympic National Park is in the summer when the weather is warmer and drier, although the coastal areas can still be quite wet.
In general, the weather at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park can have a significant impact on the type of activities that visitors can enjoy, so it’s important to plan a trip based on the time of year and the specific weather patterns of each park.
Family Friendliness of Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park are both great options for families who love nature and outdoor activities. However, they offer different types of experiences and amenities, so the best choice depends on the interests and needs of your family.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is best known for its underground caves and is a great option for families who enjoy exploring and learning about geology. The park offers ranger-led tours that are suitable for families, as well as self-guided tours for those who prefer more independence. The park is also home to several hiking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is a great choice for families who love the outdoors and are looking for a more diverse range of activities. The park is known for its stunning coastal beaches, rainforest, and mountain ranges, and offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park also has several ranger-led programs and activities that are suitable for families, including guided hikes, campfire programs, and junior ranger activities.
In conclusion, both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Olympic National Park are great options for families, but the best choice depends on your family’s interests and needs. If your family loves exploring caves and learning about geology, Carlsbad Caverns is the way to go. If your family is looking for a more diverse range of outdoor activities, Olympic National Park is the perfect choice.