Crater Lake National Park and Gates of The Arctic National Park & Preserve are two of the most unique and breathtaking parks in the United States. While one boasts the deepest lake in the country and stunning views of the surrounding caldera, the other offers a wilderness experience unlike any other with its untamed terrain and diverse wildlife. Whether you are looking for a scenic drive, a peaceful hike, or an adventurous backpacking trip, these two parks have something for everyone. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore the beauty of nature in two very different but equally magnificent ways!
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve both offer unique and challenging hiking experiences. At Crater Lake, the most popular trail is the Rim Trail, which is a moderate 7.2-mile hike with stunning views of the lake and surrounding landscape. For a shorter, easier hike, visitors can try the Cleetwood Cove Trail, which is a 2.2-mile round trip to the lake shore. At Gates of the Arctic, the hardest hike is the 70-mile journey to the base of the Arrigetch Peaks, an area of towering granite spires. For a more moderate hike, the 30-mile journey to the Alatna River offers opportunities to spot wildlife and see the rugged beauty of the park’s backcountry. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a multi-day backpacking adventure, both Crater Lake and Gates of the Arctic have something to offer.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield Peak Trail | 5471.756 | 325.8312 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cleetwood Cove Trail | 3379.614 | 189.8904 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Watchman Peak Trail | 2574.944 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Scott Trail | 6759.228 | 383.7432 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Discovery Point Trail | 6437.36 | 278.892 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Plaikni Falls Trail | 3218.68 | 40.8432 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Wizard Island Trail | 3701.482 | 228.9048 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Sun Notch Trail | 1287.472 | 38.7096 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Pinnacles Valley Trail | 1126.538 | 11.8872 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mazama Village to Rim Village at Crater Lake | 13357.522 | 530.9616 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shark Valley Trail | 25427.572 | 6.7056 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Anhinga Trail | 2414.01 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook Trail | 321.868 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Gumbo Limbo Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Long Pine Key Trail | 24944.77 | 0 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mahogany Hammock Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Everglades Coastal Prairie Trail | 27358.78 | 4.8768 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Pinelands Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Everglades National Park East Entrance to Flamingo Scenic Route | 58258.108 | 7.9248 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Nine Mile Pond | 8851.37 | 0 | Easy | loop | 5 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park is known for its populations of black bears, deer, and many species of birds such as the peregrine falcon and the common loon. Park visitors may also spot rare species like the bald eagle and the Steller’s jay. The park’s vegetation is mainly composed of coniferous forests, including pine, spruce, and fir trees.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is home to a variety of Arctic and sub-Arctic wildlife, including caribou, grizzly bears, wolves, and foxes. The park also has a diverse bird population, including the Arctic tern, the rock ptarmigan, and the gyrfalcon. The vegetation is mainly tundra, with some boreal forest and alpine areas.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake National Park | Gates Of The Arctic 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 | Savannah Sparrow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Hermit Thrush |
| Great Blue Heron | American Kestrel |
| Hermit Thrush | Bald Eagle |
| Bald Eagle | Northern Pintail |
| Song Sparrow | American Wigeon |
| European Starling | Green-Winged Teal |
| Northern Pintail | American Pipit |
| American Wigeon | Swainson’s Thrush |
| American Pipit | Hairy Woodpecker |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Mammals
| Crater Lake National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Black Bear |
| Bobcat | Porcupine |
| Striped Skunk | Red Fox |
| Little Brown Bat | Mink |
| Deer Mouse | Wolf |
| Raccoon | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Black Bear | Varying Hare |
| Porcupine | River Otter |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Common Shrew |
| Hoary Bat | Red Squirrel |
| Red Fox | Montane Shrew |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Lynx |
| House Mouse | Wolverine |
| Mountain Lion | American Marten |
| Mink | Grizzly Bear |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Meadow Vole |
| Gray Fox | Moose |
| Wolf | Least Weasel |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Pygmy Shrew |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Northern Bog Lemming |
| American Badger | |
| Ermine |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brook Trout | Lake Trout |
| Brown Trout | Northern Pike |
| Lake Trout | Eelpout |
| Silver Salmon | King Salmon |
| Kokanee Salmon | Slimy Sculpin |
| Cutthroat Trout | Chum Salmon |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Wood Frog |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park features the deepest lake in the US, Crater Lake, with crystal-clear blue water surrounded by cliffs and the Cascade Range. Visitors can drive the Rim Drive for panoramic views, hike to Watchman Overlook, and take boat tours on the lake.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is known for its pristine wilderness and diverse landscapes including the Brooks Range mountains, tundra, and glaciers. Visitors can take guided backpacking trips, fish in rivers, and explore the park’s 8 million acres of remote wilderness.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is renowned for its stunning blue lake, which is the result of a volcanic eruption. The main attraction at this park is the 33-mile Rim Drive, which offers breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding landscape. Visitors also love to take boat tours of the lake, hike the various trails, and camp in the park’s campgrounds.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve in Alaska is a remote wilderness area with no roads or trails. The park’s main attraction is its vast wilderness, which visitors can explore on backcountry hiking and camping trips. Visitors also love to fish in the park’s rivers and lakes, and to observe the diverse wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, and wolves.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon experiences a Mediterranean climate, with cool, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The park is typically snow-free from June to September, making these months the best time to visit for hiking and other outdoor activities. On the other hand, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve in Alaska features a subarctic climate, with long, harsh winters and brief, cool summers. Despite the warmer temperatures, the park is only accessible by foot, air, or river from June to September, making these months the best time to visit for backcountry camping and other wilderness experiences.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park is considered more family-friendly than Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. Crater Lake has many amenities such as campgrounds, picnic areas, and scenic drives, as well as ranger-led programs and Junior Ranger activities that are suitable for families. On the other hand, Gates of the Arctic is a remote wilderness with limited facilities and less developed trails, making it more suitable for experienced backpackers and wilderness enthusiasts. If traveling with children, Crater Lake National Park is the better option for a more comfortable and educational experience.