“Looking for adventure in the great outdoors? Look no further than Crater Lake National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park, two of America’s most dynamic and diverse national parks. From the crystal-clear waters of Crater Lake to the rolling sand dunes of Indiana Dunes, these two parks offer a range of breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences. So pack your hiking boots, grab your camera, and get ready to explore two of the country’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders.”
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Crater Lake NP in Oregon and Indiana Dunes NP in Indiana offer different hiking experiences. Crater Lake has trails ranging from easy walks around the rim to challenging backcountry hikes, like the strenuous Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650-mile trail with scenic views of the Cascade Range. Easy trails include Rim Drive and Cleetwood Cove Trail. Indiana Dunes has over 50 miles of trails, from leisurely nature walks like the Dunes Succession Trail to strenuous hikes like the Cowles Bog Trail, a 5.5-mile hike through a bog ecosystem with panoramic views of dunes and lake. Both parks offer a range of hikes, but Crater Lake and Indiana Dunes highlight different landscapes and challenges.
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 Indiana Dunes National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowles Bog Trail | 6920.162 | 64.9224 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Little Calumet River Trail Loop | 6276.426 | 50.9016 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| West Beach Loop with Scallop Dunes and Long Lake Trail | 5471.756 | 78.9432 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Dune Succession and West Beach Walk | 4345.218 | 43.8912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| West Beach Loop | 1770.274 | 28.956 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Miller Woods Trail | 6115.492 | 40.8432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dune Ridge Trail | 1448.406 | 26.8224 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Tolleston Dunes | 5149.888 | 52.7304 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beach Trail to Waverly Beach | 1609.34 | 5.7912 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Indiana’s Lake Michigan Shoreline Scenic Drive | 35083.612 | 84.7344 | Moderate | point to point | 3.5 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Crater Lake NP in Oregon is known for its diverse bird life incl. American dipper, loon, bald eagle, and thriving populations of mammals incl. black bears, elk, and threatened lynx. In contrast, Indiana Dunes NP in Indiana boasts a wide array of plant and animal species incl. eastern grey squirrel, white-tailed deer, and red fox. Common bird species incl. red-tailed hawk, great blue heron, and wood duck. Both parks are rich in vegetation, Crater Lake with subalpine/alpine meadows, Indiana Dunes with unique habitats incl. sand dunes and wetlands.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake National Park | Indiana Dunes 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 | Indiana Dunes 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 | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Red Fox |
| Red Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | House Mouse |
| House Mouse | Mink |
| Mountain Lion | Gray Fox |
| Mink | North American River Otter |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Gray Fox | White-Tailed Deer |
| Wolf | Virginia Opossum |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Eastern Red Bat |
| Long-Eared Myotis | White-Footed Mouse |
| American Badger | Norway Rat |
| Ermine | Eastern Cottontail |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | Indiana Dunes National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brook Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Brown Trout | Bluegill |
| Lake Trout | Fathead Minnow |
| Silver Salmon | Golden Shiner |
| Kokanee Salmon | European Carp |
| Cutthroat Trout | Yellow Bullhead |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | Indiana Dunes National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Indiana Dunes National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Bullfrog |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Indiana Dunes National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Crater Lake is known for its deep, clear blue lake, formed from the collapsed crater of Mount Mazama. It is the deepest lake in US. Views from Rim Drive or hiking trails are breathtaking.
Indiana Dunes features 15k acres of beach, dunes, wetlands on Lake Michigan’s southern shore. Visitors can enjoy views of lake & Chicago skyline, engage in birdwatching, hiking, fishing, and explore diverse ecosystems like forests, wetlands, prairies that house various wildlife.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Crater Lake NP offers scenic drives/boat tours, fishing, and camping while Indiana Dunes NP has hiking, beach activities, bird watching, and fishing. Crater Lake provides a breathtaking view of the lake and the opportunity to visit Wizard Island via boat tour. Indiana Dunes offers a unique mix of sand dunes, beaches, and trails for outdoor adventures. Both parks offer fishing opportunities, but Indiana Dunes also provides a beach setting for swimming, sunbathing, and bird watching with over 300 species recorded.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon has long, cold winters and short, mild summers. Summer temperatures range from 40 to 70°F, while winter temperatures can drop to below 0°F and snow accumulates from October to June with an average depth of over 5 feet. Best time to visit is July/August, when snow has melted and weather is mild.
Indiana Dunes National Park has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures reach mid-80s, while winter temperatures can drop into the 20s. Precipitation is fairly evenly spread throughout the year, with occasional heavy snow in winter. Best time to visit is summer, when temperatures are warm and beaches are open for swimming.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon offers peaceful, scenic surroundings for families to hike, boat tour, fish, picnic and relax. Indiana Dunes National Park in Indiana, offers a more active and diverse experience, with a beach, climbing dunes, ranger-led activities, and multiple campgrounds. The latter provides a wider range of activities, making it a better pick for families looking for more excitement and hands-on experiences.