Crater Lake National Park vs Kobuk Valley National Park

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Crater Lake National Park vs Kobuk Valley National Park

Crater Lake National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park are two vastly different parks located in the United States that offer visitors unique experiences. Crater Lake is home to the deepest lake in the country, formed by the collapse of a volcanic mountain, while Kobuk Valley boasts the largest sand dunes in Alaska and the chance to see caribou migrate. Both parks are breathtaking in their own way, with stunning landscapes and wildlife that will leave you in awe. Whether you prefer to hike, fish, or simply take in the beauty of nature, these two parks are a must-visit for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse themselves in the great outdoors. So pack your bags and get ready for an adventure that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime!

Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park

Crater Lake NP and Kobuk Valley NP offer different hiking experiences. Crater Lake NP is known for its scenic vistas and well-maintained trails, with the Rim Trail being its easiest hike, a 2.5-mile paved path around the lake offering breathtaking views. For a more challenging hike, there’s Garfield Peak Trail, a 7.5-mile round trip hike with a steep ascent to the summit with panoramic views, or the Cleetwood Cove Trail, a 2.2-mile steep trail down to the lake shore for swimming and fishing.

On the other hand, Kobuk Valley NP is renowned for its sand dunes and more rugged terrain, with the Sand Dune Trail being the easiest, a 1-mile round trip hike to the dunes. For a more challenging hike, visitors can try Little Kobuk Sand Dunes, a 4-mile round trip hike to the smaller dunes or the Valley of the Moon, a 7-mile round trip hike through the sand dunes to scenic views of the valley.

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 Kobuk Valley National Park

Name Length Elevation Type Difficulty Visitor Ratings
Harding Ice Field Trail 15610.598 1161.8976 Hard out and back 5
Exit Glacier Trail 2896.812 81.9912 Easy out and back 4.6

Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park

Crater Lake NP is in forested area with animals such as deer, squirrels, chipmunks. Also home to various waterfowl and birds including bald eagles and peregrine falcons. Kobuk Valley NP, in remote Alaska, is known for its sand dunes but also has caribou, grizzly bears, moose, and migratory birds like sandhill crane and tundra swan. It’s surrounded by tundra vegetation.

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

Birds

Crater Lake National Park Kobuk Valley 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 Northern Flicker
Northern Flicker Merlin
Merlin Savannah Sparrow
Barn Swallow American Kestrel
Savannah Sparrow Bald Eagle
Great Blue Heron Northern Pintail
Hermit Thrush American Wigeon
Bald Eagle Green-Winged Teal
Song Sparrow American Pipit
European Starling Swainson’s Thrush
Northern Pintail White-Crowned Sparrow
American Wigeon Northern Shoveler
American Pipit Golden Eagle
Swainson’s Thrush Rough-Legged Hawk

Mammals

Crater Lake National Park Kobuk Valley National Park
Coyote Coyote
American Beaver American Beaver
Muskrat Muskrat
Big Brown Bat Black Bear
Bobcat Porcupine
Striped Skunk Red Fox
Little Brown Bat Mink
Deer Mouse Wolf
Raccoon Short-Tailed Weasel
Black Bear Snowshoe Hare
Porcupine River Otter
Silver-Haired Bat Common Shrew
Hoary Bat Red Squirrel
Red Fox Montane Shrew
Long-Tailed Weasel Lynx
House Mouse Wolverine
Mountain Lion American Marten
Mink Grizzly Bear
Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer Moose
Gray Fox Least Weasel
Wolf Pygmy Shrew
Long-Legged Myotis Northern Bog Lemming
Long-Eared Myotis
American Badger
Ermine

Fish

Crater Lake National Park Kobuk Valley National Park
Rainbow Trout Longnose Sucker
Brook Trout Lake Trout
Brown Trout Northern Pike
Lake Trout Burbot
Silver Salmon Coho Salmon
Kokanee Salmon King Salmon
Cutthroat Trout Slimy Sculpin
Alaskan Stickleback
Pink Salmon
Chum Salmon
Dolly Varden
Arctic Grayling

Reptiles

Crater Lake National Park Kobuk Valley National Park
Western Terestrial Garter Snake
Racer
Sagebrush Lizard
Common Garter Snake
Rubber Boa
Western Skink
Western Fence Lizard

Amphibians

Crater Lake National Park Kobuk Valley National Park
Bullfrog Wood Frog

Insects

Crater Lake National Park Kobuk Valley National Park
Orange Sulphur
Painted Lady
Red Admiral
Honey Bee
Purplish Copper
Anise Swallowtail

Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park

Crater Lake NP is renowned for its deep, blue lake formed by a collapsed volcano. The 33-mile Rim Drive offers scenic overlooks, and 7,000-ft Mount Scott offers panoramic views.

Kobuk Valley NP is known for its Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, largest in the Arctic, and the pristine Kobuk River, popular for fishing/rafting. The park features arctic tundra, alpine forests, and glaciers.

Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon and Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska both offer unique scenic beauty and wildlife viewing opportunities. Crater Lake is famous for its crystal-clear blue waters, with visitors taking the 33-mile Rim Drive for panoramic views and hiking to the top of Mount Scott for more stunning vistas. Summer activities include boat tours, while winter offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. In contrast, Kobuk Valley draws visitors for its sand dunes and the Kobuk River, with salmon runs and grizzly bears. Hiking, river floating, dog sledding, and snowmobiling on the dunes are popular, especially in winter. Both parks offer a mix of outdoor recreation, but Crater Lake is more centered around lake activities and Kobuk Valley focuses on unique dune and river experiences.

Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park

Crater Lake National Park (CLNP) in Oregon has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. CLNP is best visited during the summer months of July and August (high season) when temperatures are warm and conditions are relatively dry, making it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and boating. Winter (low season) can bring heavy snowfall, making the park difficult to navigate, and many facilities are closed.

Kobuk Valley National Park (KVNP) in Alaska has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, mild summers. KVNP is best visited in July (high season) when the snow has melted, and temperatures are warm enough for visitors to enjoy the park’s scenic beauty. Summer is also the time when the park experiences heavy rainfall, making it difficult to navigate the park’s trails. Winter (low season) is extremely cold and snowy, making it difficult to access the park, and many facilities are closed.

In conclusion, CLNP and KVNP both have vastly different climates, with CLNP having a Mediterranean climate and KVNP having a subarctic climate. The best time to visit each park depends on the desired weather conditions, the type of activities visitors want to engage in, and their willingness to deal with seasonal weather challenges.

Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park

Crater Lake and Kobuk Valley are both family-friendly parks but offer different experiences. Crater Lake has scenic drives, boat tours, and trails for hiking, while Kobuk Valley has sand dunes and backcountry camping. For families with kids, Crater Lake is a better option for its developed infrastructure and easier access to amenities. For adventurous families, Kobuk Valley is ideal for its wilderness activities.

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