Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two of the most unique and beautiful national parks in the United States, each offering a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors. Imagine exploring the dark, mysterious depths of Carlsbad Caverns, with its towering stalagmites and delicate formations, and then contrast that with the stunning beauty of Voyageurs National Park, with its pristine lakes and rugged wilderness. Whether you’re a fan of underground adventures or outdoor recreation, these two parks offer something for everyone. So buckle up, grab your hiking boots and get ready for a journey through two of the most magnificent parks in the country!
Hiking Trails in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park both offer visitors a variety of hiking trails to explore, but the types of trails available at each park are quite different.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park:
1. Easy trails: The park offers several easy trails, including the Big Room Loop Trail, which is a well-maintained paved trail that takes visitors through the park’s famous Big Room cave.
2. Moderate trails: The park also offers a few moderate trails, including the Natural Entrance Trail, which is a steep and strenuous 1.25-mile trail that descends 750 feet into the cave.
Voyageurs National Park:
1. Easy trails: The park offers several easy trails, including the Kettle Falls Trail, which is a 1.5-mile trail that takes visitors to the park’s famous Kettle Falls waterfall.
2. Moderate to difficult trails: The park also offers several moderate to difficult trails, including the Rainy Lake Trail, which is a 7.5-mile trail that takes visitors through the park’s scenic forests and along the shore of Rainy Lake.
Both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park offer visitors a variety of hiking trails to explore, but the types of trails available will depend on the specific park you visit. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a great destination for those interested in easy and moderate cave hikes, while Voyageurs National Park is a great destination for those interested in easy and moderate to difficult hikes through scenic forests and along the shores of lakes.
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 Voyageurs National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife, but the type of wildlife you’ll see at each park is quite different.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, you’ll have the opportunity to see a variety of desert animals and birds, including bats, rattlesnakes, roadrunners, and hawks. The park is also home to a number of unique plant species, including cactus, yucca, and mesquite.
At Voyageurs National Park, you’ll have the opportunity to see a variety of water-loving animals and birds, including beavers, otters, loons, and bald eagles. The park is also home to a number of unique plant species, including tamarack, spruce, and balsam fir.
In conclusion, both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park are home to a diverse array of wildlife, but the type of wildlife you’ll see at each park is quite different. If you’re interested in seeing desert animals and birds, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a great option. If you’re interested in seeing water-loving animals and birds, Voyageurs National Park is a great option.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Voyageurs 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 | 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 |
Mammals
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Red Fox |
| Mountain Lion | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mule Deer | House Mouse |
| Common Gray Fox | Mountain Lion |
| Gray Wolf | Mink |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Common Gray Fox |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Plains Wolf |
| American Badger | American Badger |
| California Myotis | Ermine |
| Fringed Myotis | Snowshoe Hare |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | River Otter |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Voyageurs 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 | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Barred Tiger Salamander | Northern Leopard Frog |
| American Bullfrog | Wood Frog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Largemouth Bass |
| Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
| Mosquitofish | Green Sunfish |
| Bluegill | |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Ellpout | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Beautiful Landscapes in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park are both known for their unique and beautiful landscapes, each offering visitors a different type of natural wonder to explore.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park:
1. Caves: The park is famous for its large and intricate cave system, which includes the Big Room cave, one of the largest underground chambers in North America.
2. Desert landscapes: The park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert and features unique desert landscapes, including towering rock formations and scenic vistas.
Voyageurs National Park:
1. Lakes and waterways: The park is known for its interconnected network of lakes and waterways, including Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, and Namakan Lake.
2. Forest landscapes: The park is located in the northern boreal forest and features scenic forests, including towering pines and other native trees.
Both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park offer visitors a chance to explore unique and beautiful landscapes, each offering its own unique set of natural wonders to discover. Whether you are interested in exploring the intricate cave systems of Carlsbad Caverns National Park or the scenic lakes and forests of Voyageurs National Park, both parks are sure to provide a memorable and enjoyable outdoor experience.
Things To-Do and Activities in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park both offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.
At Carlsbad Caverns, the main attraction is exploring the underground caves and chambers. Visitors can take self-guided tours or ranger-led tours to see the unique formations and experience the underground world. Hiking and birdwatching are also popular activities.
At Voyageurs National Park, visitors can enjoy a variety of water-based activities such as boating, kayaking, and fishing. Hiking and camping are also popular activities in the park. The park is also known for its stunning nighttime skies, making it a great destination for stargazing.
Both parks offer unique experiences and activities, but Carlsbad Caverns is more focused on exploring the underground caves and Voyageurs National Park is centered around water-based activities and scenic views.
Best Time to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park are both located in very different climates, leading to different seasonal weather patterns. The weather at each park affects the best time of year to visit.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park:
1. Climate: The park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert, which experiences hot and dry summers and cool and mild winters.
2. Summer: Summer temperatures can reach over 100°F, making it a challenging time to visit the park. The park is best visited in the spring or fall when temperatures are more moderate.
Voyageurs National Park:
1. Climate: The park is located in the northern boreal forest, which experiences cool and wet summers and cold and snowy winters.
2. Summer: Summer temperatures are comfortable, making it a popular time to visit the park. However, the park is also subject to frequent rain and thunderstorms, making it important to pack accordingly.
3. Winter: Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F, making it a challenging time to visit the park. Snow and ice can also make trails and roads difficult to navigate.
Both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park offer unique and beautiful landscapes, but the best time to visit each park depends on the weather. If you are looking to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the best time to visit is in the spring or fall when temperatures are more moderate. If you are looking to visit Voyageurs National Park, the best time to visit is in the summer when temperatures are comfortable, but be prepared for potential rain and thunderstorms.
Family Friendliness of Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Voyageurs National Park both offer unique experiences for families, but one may be more suitable for families with children depending on their interests.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is better for families who are interested in exploring caves and underground formations. The park offers several ranger-led tours of the caves, including one that is specifically designed for families with children. There is also an easy, self-guided tour that is suitable for all ages.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, is better for families who enjoy outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and hiking. The park is located on a chain of interconnected lakes and offers many opportunities for water-based recreation. There are also several hiking trails in the park, including some that are easy enough for children to enjoy.
In conclusion, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is better for families with children who are interested in caves, while Voyageurs National Park is better for families who enjoy outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and hiking.