“Discover two of America’s most breathtaking natural treasures, Crater Lake National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. One boasts a stunningly clear blue lake surrounded by towering cliffs, while the other features glaciers, rugged peaks, and an abundance of wildlife. Both parks offer a chance to immerse yourself in the raw beauty of nature, but the differences don’t stop there. Get your hiking boots and camera ready as we explore the diverse and captivating landscapes of these two national parks.”
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are two unique hiking destinations with their own unique offerings. Crater Lake is known for its iconic caldera and crystal-clear waters, and offers several easy hikes, including the 1-mile Rim Trail and the 2.2-mile Discovery Point Trail. For those seeking a challenge, the 7.1-mile Garfield Peak Trail provides panoramic views from the top of the park’s highest peak. Lake Clark, on the other hand, provides a remote wilderness experience with glaciers, hot springs, and wildlife, and boasts several strenuous hikes like the 17-mile Twin Lakes Trail and the 22-mile Tanalian Falls Trail. Lake Clark also offers easier hikes, such as the 1-mile Windy Creek Trail. Both parks offer diverse hiking options, from stunning views to remote backcountry adventures.
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 Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
| 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 | 4.7 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake NP and Lake Clark NP&P both offer unique wildlife experiences. Crater Lake NP, in Oregon, is famous for its deep lake surrounded by cliffs and peaks. Wildlife here includes black bears, mountain lions, elk, mule deer, and birds such as bald eagles and ospreys. The park has diverse flora, including conifers, wildflowers, and meadows.
Lake Clark NP&P, in Alaska, is a remote wilderness with breathtaking views and rich wildlife. Visitors may see brown bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. Birdlife is abundant with trumpeter swans, loons, shorebirds, and seabirds. The park’s habitats, including tundra, boreal forest, and glaciers, support unique plant species like shrubs, wildflowers, and mosses.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| American Pipit | Green-Winged Teal |
| Swainson’s Thrush | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Crater Lake National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | Mink |
| Raccoon | Gray Wolf |
| Black Bear | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Porcupine | Snowshoe Hare |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Northern River Otter |
| Hoary Bat | Masked Shrew |
| Red Fox | Water Shrew |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Squirrel |
| House Mouse | Montane Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Lynx |
| Mink | Wolverine |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | American Marten |
| Gray Fox | Brown Bear |
| Wolf | Meadow Vole |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Moose |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Least Weasel |
| American Badger | Pygmy Shrew |
| Ermine | Meadow Jumping Mouse |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Steelhead |
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brown Trout | Lake Trout |
| Lake Trout | Northern Pike |
| Silver Salmon | Burbot |
| Kokanee Salmon | Silver Salmon |
| Cutthroat Trout | King Salmon |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Wood Frog |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park features the deepest lake in the United States with its stunning blue waters surrounded by the caldera of a former volcano. Visitors can hike to various viewpoints such as Garfield Peak and enjoy panoramic views of the lake and surrounding landscapes. The park is also home to abundant wildlife and scenic drives such as the Rim Drive that circles the lake.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve boasts diverse landscapes including glaciers, active volcanoes, and pristine wilderness. Visitors can take scenic flights over the park to see glaciers and the towering volcanoes of Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna. The park also offers opportunities for rafting, kayaking, and fishing on the many rivers and lakes in the park, as well as hiking and backpacking on the numerous trails.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park is renowned for its deep blue lake, formed by the collapsed volcano Mount Mazama, attracting visitors for scenic drives, boat tours, fishing, and hiking. Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, showcases Alaska’s diverse landscape, offering opportunities for backcountry camping, fishing, bear viewing, and flightseeing. In Crater Lake, visitors can admire the stunning panoramic views from Rim Drive and take a boat tour to Wizard Island. In Lake Clark, visitors can experience the park’s wildlife, including brown bears and salmon runs, by taking a guided bear viewing trip or fishing excursion. Both parks offer scenic beauty and unique experiences, but the activities and focus at each park differ, making it important for visitors to research and plan their trips accordingly.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park is located in Oregon and experiences a relatively cool and wet climate. Winters are snowy with temperatures averaging in the 20s, making some park facilities and roads closed. However, the snow provides great opportunities for winter sports. Summers are mild with temperatures ranging from 40s to 70s. Precipitation is common throughout the year, but it is less frequent in the summer months.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, has a much colder and wetter climate with temperatures averaging in the 30s and 40s in the summer and below freezing in the winter. Winter brings heavy snowfall, making many park facilities inaccessible. The park is at its best during the summer months when the weather is mild and the park is open. It is a popular time for visitors to enjoy fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing.
When to visit each park depends on the desired activities and weather conditions. Crater Lake National Park is best visited in the summer for hiking, camping, and scenic drives, while winter sports enthusiasts may prefer to visit in the winter. Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is best visited in the summer for outdoor activities like fishing and boating.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
both Crater Lake National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are family-friendly parks, but Crater Lake is considered more accessible for families with young children. The park offers scenic drives, several short hikes, and several picnic areas with stunning views. Lake Clark, on the other hand, is more remote and offers more backcountry adventures, but may not be as suitable for families with very young children.