Crater Lake National Park vs Guadalupe Mountains National Park

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Crater Lake National Park vs Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Crater Lake National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park offer vastly different experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Crater Lake is famous for its stunning, crystal-clear blue lake, surrounded by towering cliffs, while Guadalupe Mountains boasts jagged peaks and breathtaking canyons. Whether you’re seeking a tranquil lakeside hike or a challenging mountain climb, both parks have something to offer. Dip into the deepest lake in the US or scale the highest peak in Texas, the choice is yours. So buckle up for a journey through two of nature’s most captivating landscapes and get ready for an adventure like no other!

Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon and Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas both offer scenic hiking experiences, but with different terrains and difficulty levels. Crater Lake is known for its easy rim hikes and challenging backcountry treks. Some of the easiest trails include the Rim Trail and Discovery Point Trail that offer views of Crater Lake and its surroundings. For more experienced hikers, Mount Scott Trail is the park’s most challenging hike, reaching over 2,000 ft in elevation with panoramic views.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is known for its rugged terrain and towering peaks. The park’s most popular hike, Guadalupe Peak Trail, is a strenuous hike that rewards with scenic views of the surrounding landscape. For a moderate hike, Devil’s Hall Trail is a great option that takes you through canyons and streams, with scenic views of the park. The park also offers backcountry camping and multi-day treks for experienced hikers.

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 Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Name Length Elevation Type Difficulty Visitor Ratings
Guadalupe Peak Texas Highpoint Trail 13035.654 873.8616 Hard out and back 5
Devil’s Hall Trail 5793.624 175.8696 Moderate out and back 4.5
McKittrick Canyon Trail 32508.668 1330.7568 Moderate out and back 4.5
Smith Spring Trail 3862.416 117.9576 Easy loop 4.5
Hunter Peak 12552.852 809.8536 Hard loop 5
El Capitan Trail 15449.664 514.8072 Moderate out and back 4.5
Pratt Lodge via McKittrick Canyon Trail 7724.832 103.9368 Moderate out and back 4.5
Devil’s Hall Loop Trail 5954.558 179.832 Moderate loop 4.5
Bush Mountain 20116.75 1085.6976 Very Hard out and back 4.5
Pine Springs to McKittrick Canyon 28485.318 1239.9264 Moderate point to point 5

Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Crater Lake NP in Oregon is known for its diverse wildlife, including American black bear, mule deer, and birds like common raven. It’s surrounded by the Cascade Range, providing habitats for a variety of species. In contrast, Guadalupe Mountains NP in Texas has a unique set of wildlife, such as mountain lion, black-tailed deer, and Mexican spotted owl, along with a diverse array of plants like the Guadalupe palm, found only in the park. Both offer opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitats, with Crater Lake having a mix of forest and alpine environments, and Guadalupe Mountains having a mix of desert and mountain environments.

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

Birds

Crater Lake National Park Guadalupe Mountains 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 American Wigeon
American Pipit Green-Winged Teal
Swainson’s Thrush American Pipit

Mammals

Crater Lake National Park Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Coyote Coyote
American Beaver Big Brown Bat
Muskrat Bobcat
Big Brown Bat Striped Skunk
Bobcat Deer Mouse
Striped Skunk Raccoon
Little Brown Bat Black Bear
Deer Mouse Porcupine
Raccoon Silver-Haired Bat
Black Bear Hoary Bat
Porcupine Long-Tailed Weasel
Silver-Haired Bat Mountain Lion
Hoary Bat Mule Deer
Red Fox Common Gray Fox
Long-Tailed Weasel Gray Wolf
House Mouse Long-Legged Myotis
Mountain Lion American Badger
Mink California Myotis
Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer Fringed Myotis
Gray Fox Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat
Wolf Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat
Long-Legged Myotis Western Harvest Mouse
Long-Eared Myotis Western Small-Footed Myotis
American Badger Bighorn Sheep
Ermine White-Tailed Deer

Fish

Crater Lake National Park Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Rainbow Trout Rainbow Trout
Brook Trout Green Sunfish
Brown Trout
Lake Trout
Silver Salmon
Kokanee Salmon
Cutthroat Trout

Reptiles

Crater Lake National Park Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Western Terestrial Garter Snake Sonoran Gophersnake
Racer Eastern Racer
Sagebrush Lizard Prairie Rattlesnake
Common Garter Snake Prairie Ring-Necked Snake
Rubber Boa Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard
Western Skink Common Side-Blotched Lizard
Western Fence Lizard Desert Kingsnake
Texas Night Snake
Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard
Desert Striped Whipsnake
Smith’s Black-Headed Snake
Big Bend Tree Lizard
Eastern Collared Lizard
Glossy Snake
Long-Nosed Snake
Desert Spiny Lizard

Amphibians

Crater Lake National Park Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Bullfrog Tiger Salamander
American Bullfrog
Red-Spotted Toad
Plains Spadefoot

Insects

Crater Lake National Park Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Orange Sulphur Orange Sulfur
Painted Lady Painted Ladies
Red Admiral Monarch
Honey Bee American Painted Lady
Purplish Copper Common Checkered-Skipper
Anise Swallowtail Clouded Sulphur
Variegated Fritillary
Buckeye
Gray Hairstreak

Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Crater Lake National Park is known for its stunning, deep blue lake formed in the caldera of a destroyed volcano and visitors can admire the lake from viewpoints like Rim Drive or take a boat tour to Wizard Island. Guadalupe Mountains National Park boasts the highest peak in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, and scenic drives like Dog Canyon and McKittrick Canyon that showcase the park’s red rock formations and diverse wildlife.

Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Crater Lake National Park is known for its stunning, deep blue lake surrounded by towering cliffs that draws visitors for scenic drives, boat tours, fishing, and stargazing. Guadalupe Mountains National Park offers a unique geography with towering peaks, including the highest point in Texas, and steep canyons that attract campers, backpackers, wildlife viewers, and scenic drives. Both parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, with Crater Lake focusing on water activities and Guadalupe Mountains on hiking and backpacking.

Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon experiences cold, snowy winters with temperatures 20-30°F and mild summers 40-70°F. Summer is best for visiting with clear roads. Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas has hot summers 80-90°F and cool winters 40-50°F. Fall and spring offer comfortable temperatures and are the best time to visit.

Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Crater Lake is more family-friendly due to its scenic drive, boat tours, and easier trails, while Guadalupe Mountains has more challenging hikes and a remote location.

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