Crater Lake National Park vs Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

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Crater Lake National Park vs Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

“Discover two of America’s most diverse and stunning national parks: Crater Lake and Great Sand Dunes. While one boasts a serene and crystal-clear crater lake surrounded by towering cliffs, the other showcases rolling waves of golden sand dunes, seemingly endless in their expanse. Whether you’re seeking adventure or a peaceful escape, these two parks offer a unique experience unlike any other. So, grab your hiking boots, camera, and sense of wonder, as we embark on a journey to explore these two natural marvels.”

Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Crater Lake and Great Sand Dunes National Parks offer unique hiking experiences with varying levels of difficulty. Crater Lake has trails with breathtaking views of the lake and mountains, including the easy Rim Village Walk, a half-mile paved trail with lake views, and the strenuous Garfield Peak Trail, a 7-mile hike with a 1,300 ft elevation gain. Great Sand Dunes offers hikes through its surreal sand dunes, like the easy Dunes Boardwalk, a short trail with up-close views of the dunes, and the challenging High Dune, a 3-mile hike to the park’s tallest dune with a steep ascent. Both parks offer diverse hiking opportunities for visitors seeking different levels of difficulty and exposure to breathtaking natural beauty.

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 Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Name Length Elevation Type Difficulty Visitor Ratings
High Dune Trail 4828.02 191.7192 Hard out and back 5
Mosca Pass Trail 10299.776 444.7032 Moderate out and back 4.5
Dunes Trail from Pinyon Flats 7242.03 290.7792 Hard loop 4.5
Sand Dunes Loop Trail 8046.7 225.8568 Moderate loop 4.5
Upper Sand Creek Lake Trail 11909.116 598.932 Very Hard out and back 4.5
Medano Lake Trail 12713.786 697.992 Moderate out and back 4
Montville Nature Trail 804.67 26.8224 Easy loop 4
Dunes Overlook Sand Ramp Trail 2414.01 80.772 Moderate out and back 3.5
Little Medano Creek Trail to Medano Lake 40394.434 1079.9064 Moderate out and back 4
Wellington Ditch Trail 2896.812 47.8536 Easy out and back 4

Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Crater Lake NP in Oregon has abundant wildlife including black bears, deer, and a variety of bird species such as bald eagles, Clark’s nutcrackers, and common ravens. The mix of conifer forests, subalpine meadows, and volcanic landscapes support diverse plant life including wildflowers, ferns, and shrubs.

Great Sand Dunes NP&P in Colorado boasts unique wildlife adapted to desert conditions like pronghorns, bighorn sheep, and the endangered Baird’s sparrow. The park is home to a rich bird population including golden eagles, mountain plovers, and horned larks. The vegetation is varied and includes yucca, sagebrush, and pinyon pines.

Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.

Birds

Crater Lake National Park Great Sand Dunes 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 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 Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
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 Mule Deer
Mountain Lion Gray Fox
Mink Long-Legged Myotis
Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer Long-Eared Bat
Gray Fox Badger
Wolf Ermine
Long-Legged Myotis Snowshoe Hare
Long-Eared Myotis Masked Shrew
American Badger Water Shrew
Ermine Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat

Fish

Crater Lake National Park Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Rainbow Trout Brook Trout
Brook Trout German Brown Trout
Brown Trout Cutthroat Trout
Lake Trout
Silver Salmon
Kokanee Salmon
Cutthroat Trout

Reptiles

Crater Lake National Park Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Western Terestrial Garter Snake Bull Snake
Racer Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Sagebrush Lizard Western Prairie Rattlesnake
Common Garter Snake Greater Short-Horned Lizards
Rubber Boa Milksnake
Western Skink Eastern Fence Lizard
Western Fence Lizard

Amphibians

Crater Lake National Park Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Bullfrog Northern Leopard Frog
Tiger Salamander
Woodhouse’s Toad
Plains Spadefoot

Insects

Crater Lake National Park Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Orange Sulphur
Painted Lady
Red Admiral
Honey Bee
Purplish Copper
Anise Swallowtail

Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Crater Lake Nat’l Park features a deep blue lake formed by volcanic eruption, offering views from rim hikes & boat tours. Great Sand Dunes Nat’l Park & Preserve boasts the tallest sand dunes in N. America, reachable by hiking/sporting activities. Park also showcases unique ecosystems like grasslands, wetlands, & forests.

Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Crater Lake National Park boasts a pristine blue lake, surrounded by scenic drives, vista points, and lush forests for hiking. It also offers boat tours and a range of accommodations, from camping to lodges. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is famous for its towering sand dunes, perfect for hiking and sand activities such as sledding. The park also offers backpacking, stargazing and limited camping facilities. Both parks offer educational opportunities through ranger-led programs.

In summary, both Crater Lake and Great Sand Dunes offer unique landscapes for visitors to experience, with Crater Lake offering a serene lake, scenic drives, and lodges, while Great Sand Dunes offers towering sand dunes for hiking, sand activities, and stargazing.

Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Crater Lake NP has cold, snowy winters, avg. temperatures 20-40°F (-6 to 4°C), with mild summers, 40-70°F (4-21°C), & occasional storms. Best time to visit is Jul-Sep for comfortable weather & less snow. Great Sand Dunes NP&P has hot summers, 80-90°F (27-32°C), & mild to cold winters, 10-40°F (-12 to 4°C) with little precipitation, most in spring/summer. Best time to visit Apr-Jun or Sep-Nov for mild weather & fewer visitors.

Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Crater Lake National Park offers serene nature walks, picnics and views of its calm waters, while Great Sand Dunes has towering dunes for sandboarding, sledding and challenging hikes. For families, Great Sand Dunes may offer more excitement and interactive opportunities.

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