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.