Crater Lake National Park and Grand Teton National Park are two of the most beautiful and diverse parks in the country. At Crater Lake, you’ll be awestruck by the stunning blue waters of the deepest lake in the US, formed by the collapse of a volcano. At Grand Teton, you’ll be surrounded by towering peaks, pristine wilderness and abundant wildlife, including moose, bear, and elk. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful hike or a challenging climb, these two parks have something to offer everyone. So get ready to be inspired, amazed, and captivated by the stunning natural beauty of Crater Lake and Grand Teton National Parks!
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Crater Lake and Grand Teton National Parks offer diverse hiking experiences. Crater Lake is known for its spectacular views of the deep blue lake and towering cliffs, with the Rim Trail being the easiest hike, a 2.5-mile rim walk. On the other hand, Cleetwood Cove Trail is a challenging descent to the lake shore. Grand Teton boasts the majestic Teton Mountain Range, with trails ranging from easy lakeside walks to strenuous peak ascents. Taggart Lake Trail is the simplest hike, a 2.3-mile trip to a scenic mountain lake. The Grand Teton ascent, however, is the park’s toughest, a 13-mile hike with a 4,000-foot elevation gain to the range’s tallest peak.
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 Grand Teton National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade Canyon Trail | 15610.598 | 343.8144 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Jenny Lake Trail | 12391.918 | 221.8944 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Taggart Lake Loop | 6598.294 | 130.7592 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Delta Lake via Amphitheater Lake Trail | 14484.06 | 709.8792 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes Trail | 14323.126 | 896.7216 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Hidden Falls Trail | 7885.766 | 179.832 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Phelps Lake Trail | 11265.38 | 220.98 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Lake Solitude Trail | 25749.44 | 803.7576 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| String Lake Trail | 5954.558 | 79.8576 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake Loop | 9656.04 | 231.9528 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Crater Lake NP and Grand Teton NP both offer unique wildlife experiences. Crater Lake has a variety of birds, incl. bald eagles, ospreys, and common loons. Animals commonly seen include black bears, chipmunks, and ground squirrels. Grand Teton offers a broader range of wildlife, including elk, moose, bison, pronghorns, and coyotes. It also attracts bird-watchers with species like trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, and peregrine falcons. Both parks boast diverse plant life, from summer wildflowers to winter coniferous forests.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Grand Teton National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake National Park | Grand Teton 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 |
| Bald Eagle | American Kestrel |
| Song Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
| European Starling | Song Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | European Starling |
| American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
| American Pipit | American Wigeon |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Crater Lake National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | Mountain Lion |
| Mountain Lion | Mink |
| Mink | Mule Deer |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Wolf |
| Gray Fox | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Wolf | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Badger |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Ermine |
| American Badger | California Myotis |
| Ermine | Snowshoe Hare |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Redband Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brown Trout |
| Lake Trout | Lake Trout |
| Silver Salmon | Mottled Sculpin |
| Kokanee Salmon | Longnose Dace |
| Cutthroat Trout | Speckled Dace |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Racer | Rubber Boa |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Crater Lake National Park boasts the US’ deepest lake, Crater Lake, formed by a volcanic collapse. Rim Drive offers 33 miles of panoramic views of the lake and surroundings, incl. Mount Mazama & Cascade Mts. Wizard Island, a cinder cone within the caldera, and Cleetwood Cove, a trail to the lake, are other landmarks.
Grand Teton National Park is famous for its towering 13k ft Grand Teton peak and stunning mountain range. It offers over 200 miles of trails, from easy hikes to challenging backcountry adventures. Popular sites include Jenny Lake with crystal-clear waters and mountain views & Snake River Overlook with panoramic valley views.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Crater Lake and Grand Teton National Parks offer diverse outdoor activities. Crater Lake features a blue lake in a volcanic caldera, ideal for scenic drives, boat tours, fishing, and walks. Grand Teton boasts towering peaks, glaciers, alpine lakes, and is a hub for backpacking, rock climbing, fishing, and wildlife viewing, particularly of its famous elk and moose populations. Both parks have ranger programs, camping, and scenic drives. Grand Teton, located near Jackson Hole, attracts those seeking outdoor adventure and cultural experiences.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon has a subalpine climate characterized by cold, snowy winters and mild, dry summers. Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming has a more diverse range of temperatures due to its location in the northern Rockies, with cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers, with occasional thunderstorms. To experience Crater Lake’s scenic beauty, the best time to visit is from June to September when snow has melted and roads are open. To fully enjoy Grand Teton’s range of recreational activities, the best time to visit is mid-June to September, but also in late spring to see wildlife migration and in winter for skiing and snow sports.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Crater Lake and Grand Teton are both family-friendly parks with outdoor activities like hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing. Crater Lake offers boat tours and Junior Ranger programs. Grand Teton has ranger-led programs and is closer to the town of Jackson with more activities. Both have campgrounds and educational exhibits. While both are great for families, Grand Teton might be more suitable for kids due to its wider range of activities and proximity to town.