Crater Lake National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are two of the most unique and breathtaking natural wonders in the United States. While both parks offer visitors stunning scenic views, they couldn’t be more different. Crater Lake boasts the deepest lake in the country, surrounded by towering cliffs and forests, while Mesa Verde showcases ancient cliff dwellings built by the Pueblo people over 700 years ago. Whether you’re a lover of crystal-clear waters or a history buff, both parks offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you in awe. So pack your bags and get ready to be transported to two of the most amazing destinations in the country.
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Crater Lake National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are both popular hiking destinations. Crater Lake has a variety of trails ranging from easy, scenic walks to strenuous hikes with stunning views of the lake. One of the easiest hikes is the Rim Trail, a 2-mile round trip hike along the rim of the lake with minimal elevation gain. On the other hand, the most challenging hike is the Cleetwood Cove Trail, a steep 1.1-mile trail that descends 700 feet to the shore of the lake.
Mesa Verde National Park is known for its well-preserved ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. The easiest hike is the Spruce Tree House trail, a 0.3-mile loop that leads to one of the park’s largest cliff dwellings. For more strenuous hikes, try the Petroglyph Point trail, a 4.5-mile round trip hike with steep elevation gain to a site with ancestral Puebloan rock art. Another challenging hike is the Knife Edge trail, a 3-mile round trip hike with narrow paths and steep drop-offs offering panoramic views of the surrounding mesas.
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 Mesa Verde National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petroglyph Point Trail | 4184.284 | 131.9784 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cliff Palace Loop Trail | 643.736 | 25.908 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Balcony House Loop Trail | 643.736 | 27.7368 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mesa Verde Point Lookout Trail | 3379.614 | 161.8488 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Soda Canyon Overlook Trail | 1931.208 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mesa Verde National Park Scenic Drive | 24140.1 | 797.9664 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Long House Trail | 3379.614 | 86.868 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Step House Trail | 1287.472 | 46.9392 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Knife Edge Trail | 3218.68 | 46.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Prater Ridge Trail | 11748.182 | 311.8104 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is known for its large herds of elk and mule deer, as well as its variety of bird species such as the bald eagle and osprey. The park is home to a diverse range of plants, including Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, and mountain hemlock, which provide habitat for a variety of wildlife. In contrast, Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado is best known for its rich cultural history, with ancient cliff dwellings of the Pueblo people. Wildlife in this park is limited to a few species of mammals including coyotes, raccoons, and skunks. Bird species found in the park include the common raven, rock pigeon, and Steller’s jay. The vegetation in Mesa Verde is mostly comprised of piñon pine, juniper, and oakbrush, providing habitat for these and other species of wildlife.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Mesa Verde National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake National Park | Mesa Verde 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 | Mesa Verde 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 | 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 |
| Mountain Lion | Mountain Lion |
| Mink | Mink |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Mule Deer |
| Gray Fox | Gray Fox |
| Wolf | Wolf |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| American Badger | Badger |
| Ermine | Ermine |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | |
| Brook Trout | |
| Brown Trout | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Silver Salmon | |
| Kokanee Salmon | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Racer | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Sagebrush Lizard | Racer |
| Common Garter Snake | Western Rattlesnake |
| Rubber Boa | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Western Skink | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Western Fence Lizard | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Crater Lake National Park is famous for its crystal-clear lake, which is the main feature of the park. The lake was formed by the collapse of the Mount Mazama volcano over 7,000 years ago. Visitors can enjoy scenic drives, hikes, boat tours, and rim-side picnics with views of the lake and its surrounding peaks.
Mesa Verde National Park is known for its unique cliff dwellings, built by the Ancestral Puebloans over 700 years ago. The park also offers scenic drives, hiking trails, ranger-led tours of the cliff dwellings, and opportunities to learn about the cultural heritage of the Puebloans. Visitors can marvel at the stunning vistas of the mesas and canyons, and learn about the natural and cultural history of the southwestern United States.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Crater Lake National Park is famous for its deep blue lake, which is the result of a volcanic eruption and is the main attraction of the park. Visitors can take a scenic drive around the caldera, take a boat tour of the lake, fish, or camp. At Mesa Verde National Park, visitors can explore the ancient Native American cliff dwellings, take guided tours, hike, camp, or attend ranger-led programs. Both parks offer unique experiences and breathtaking views, but Crater Lake is more focused on outdoor recreation, while Mesa Verde provides a glimpse into the rich cultural history of the area.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Crater Lake National Park, located in Oregon, has a subalpine climate with cold, snowy winters and mild summers. The average winter temperature is around 30°F (-1°C), while the average summer temperature is around 60°F (15°C). The park receives an average of 44 inches (111 cm) of snowfall each year, with the heaviest snowfall occurring from November to April. The best time to visit the park is in the summer, when the weather is mild and the roads are clear, making it easy to explore the park’s scenic beauty.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, has a high desert climate with hot summers and cool winters. The average summer temperature is around 80°F (26°C), while the average winter temperature is around 40°F (4°C). The park receives very little rainfall, with the majority of precipitation falling in the form of snow during the winter months. The best time to visit Mesa Verde is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are mild and the park’s ancient cliff dwellings and other cultural sites can be comfortably explored.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Crater Lake National Park and Mesa Verde National Park both have unique features that make them great for families. Crater Lake is a scenic destination with stunning views of its crystal-clear lake and surrounding mountains. It offers opportunities for picnicking, hiking, and boat tours. Mesa Verde, on the other hand, is a cultural park that showcases the ancient Puebloan civilization, with cliff dwellings and many well-preserved structures to explore. Both parks offer ranger-led programs for children. However, Mesa Verde may be more suitable for families with older children due to the steep stairs and ladders used to access some of the cliff dwellings.