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.