“Take a journey to two of the most iconic landmarks in America: Crater Lake National Park and Gateway Arch National Park. One boasts a stunning, deep blue lake in the caldera of a long-extinct volcano; the other, a 630-foot stainless steel arch that symbolizes the spirit of the American West. Both parks offer unique experiences and breathtaking views, but which one will take your breath away? Get ready to pack your bags and explore the beauty and history of these two national treasures!”
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Crater Lake National Park and Gateway Arch National Park offer diverse hiking experiences. Crater Lake has several trails that offer breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding areas. Some popular trails include the Rim Trail, which is an easy hike with scenic views of the lake, and the Garfield Peak Trail, which is a challenging hike that offers panoramic views from the top. On the other hand, Gateway Arch National Park has a limited number of trails but offers unique experiences, such as the Riverfront Trail that follows the Mississippi River, and the Arch Trail, which leads to the top of the Gateway Arch for a stunning view of the city. The Arch Trail is a strenuous hike and not recommended for those with a fear of heights. Hiking in Gateway Arch National Park also allows visitors to explore the city’s history and architecture.
In conclusion, both Crater Lake National Park and Gateway Arch National Park offer unique hiking experiences, but the type of hike and the views will vary greatly between the two.
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 Gateway Arch National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Riverfront Trail | 34439.876 | 109.728 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Jefferson National Expansion Memorial | 2574.944 | 20.7264 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Crater Lake National Park, located in Oregon, is known for having a diverse array of wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, and elk. Visitors may also see a variety of bird species, such as the common raven and the Clark’s nutcracker. Vegetation in the park includes Ponderosa Pine trees and wildflowers like lupines and paintbrushes.
Gateway Arch National Park, located in Missouri, has a different set of wildlife. Common animals seen in the park include white-tailed deer, river otters, and squirrels. Birdwatchers may spot the American White Pelican and the Great Egret. The park is also home to a variety of vegetation, including sycamore trees and wildflowers like the yellow lady’s slipper and the wild indigo.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Gateway Arch National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake National Park | Gateway Arch 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 | 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 | Gateway Arch National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Gateway Arch National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Gateway Arch National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Gateway Arch National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Wood Frog |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Gateway Arch National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Crater Lake National Park is famous for its deep blue lake, formed in the collapsed caldera of an ancient volcano. The lake is surrounded by high cliffs, and visitors can hike to rim overlooks for stunning views. The park also boasts several scenic drives, including the 33-mile Rim Drive with numerous pullouts for viewing and hiking.
Gateway Arch National Park is centered around the 630-foot tall Gateway Arch, a stainless steel monument that symbolizes the westward expansion of the United States. The grounds of the park offer sweeping views of the Mississippi River and the city of St. Louis. Visitors can take a tram to the top of the Arch for a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding area. The park also has a museum about westward expansion, and the nearby Jefferson National Expansion Memorial park offers trails and green spaces for outdoor recreation.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Crater Lake National Park is known for its stunning deep blue lake, surrounded by scenic hiking trails, and opportunities for fishing, boating, and camping. At Gateway Arch National Park, visitors can take a tram to the top of the 630-foot tall Gateway Arch for panoramic views of St. Louis, and explore the Museum of Westward Expansion. For those interested in history, the Old Courthouse is a popular stop, showcasing local history through exhibits and court trials. Additionally, riverboat cruises along the Mississippi River provide a unique perspective of the city. Both parks offer ranger-led programs and educational opportunities, but at Crater Lake, visitors can also take part in stargazing events and guided snowshoe hikes, while at Gateway Arch, visitors can enjoy bike rentals and nearby parks, museums and cultural sites.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon has moderate temperatures during summer months with occasional snowfall throughout the year. Winter brings heavy snowfall, making roads impassable and many park facilities closed. Best time to visit is July to September for fewer crowds and comfortable weather.
On the other hand, Gateway Arch National Park in Missouri experiences hot, humid summers and cold winters with occasional snow. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summers can get quite hot. Spring and fall offer milder weather and fewer crowds making them the best times to visit.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Crater Lake National Park is known for its scenic beauty, featuring the deep blue Crater Lake and surrounded by cliffs, while Gateway Arch National Park offers a unique history and cultural experience centered around the 630-foot stainless steel Gateway Arch. Both parks offer ranger-led programs and educational experiences, but Crater Lake may be more family-friendly as it offers more outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping, plus a junior ranger program. On the other hand, Gateway Arch may be better suited for older children and teenagers interested in architectural and engineering history and urban environments.