“Two towering gems of the Pacific Northwest, Crater Lake National Park and Mount Rainier National Park, offer visitors vastly different landscapes and experiences. While Crater Lake boasts the deepest lake in the United States, formed from the collapsed caldera of a long-extinct volcano, Mount Rainier is an active volcano, its snow-covered peak visible for miles and drawing adventurers to climb its slopes. Whether you’re a nature lover, hiker, or photographer, both of these parks will leave you in awe with their stunning beauty and unique features.”
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Crater Lake National Park and Mount Rainier National Park are both popular destinations for hiking in the Pacific Northwest. Crater Lake has relatively short and easy trails, with the Cleetwood Cove Trail being the park’s only hike to the lake’s shore. The Rim Trail is a popular scenic hike that circles the lake and offers stunning views of the water and surrounding landscape. On the other hand, Mount Rainier has a wider range of hiking options, with trails ranging from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry adventures. The Wonderland Trail is a challenging 93-mile hike that encircles the mountain and takes several days to complete. For a shorter, but still strenuous hike, visitors can tackle the Skyline Trail to Panhandle Gap, which offers panoramic views of the mountain and surrounding valleys.
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 Mount Rainier National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tolmie Peak Trail | 8851.37 | 463.9056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Skyline Trail | 8529.502 | 535.8384 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Comet and Christine Falls | 6920.162 | 610.8192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Camp Muir Route Via Skyline Trail | 13518.456 | 1403.9088 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail | 15127.796 | 780.8976 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Naches Peak Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 193.8528 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spray Park Trail to Mount Pleasant | 11104.446 | 635.8128 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Fremont Lookout Trail | 9012.304 | 348.996 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Pinnacle Peak Saddle Trail | 3862.416 | 321.8688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Summerland Trail | 13196.588 | 655.9296 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Crater Lake National Park and Mount Rainier National Park have different wildlife. Crater Lake has a variety of mammals like deer, squirrels, and chipmunks, while Mount Rainier has more diverse wildlife including elk, mountain goats, and marmots. Birds are abundant at both parks, but Crater Lake is known for its bird watching opportunities with species like the Osprey, Bald Eagles, and Pileated Woodpeckers. In contrast, Mount Rainier is a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 140 species like the American Dipper and the Northern Pygmy Owl. The plant life at Crater Lake includes forests of conifers and wildflowers, whereas Mount Rainier has subalpine and alpine vegetation with a mix of wildflowers and shrubs.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Mount Rainier National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake National Park | Mount Rainier 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 | Great Horned Owl |
| American Robin | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Great Horned Owl | Barn Swallow |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Savannah Sparrow |
| Northern Flicker | Great Blue Heron |
| Merlin | Hermit Thrush |
| Barn Swallow | European Starling |
| Savannah Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
| Great Blue Heron | American Wigeon |
| Hermit Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
| Bald Eagle | American Pipit |
| Song Sparrow | Killdeer |
| European Starling | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
| Northern Pintail | Hairy Woodpecker |
| American Wigeon | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
| American Pipit | White-Crowned Sparrow |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Northern Shoveler |
Mammals
| Crater Lake National Park | Mount Rainier 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 | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | House Mouse |
| House Mouse | Mountain Lion |
| Mountain Lion | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Mink | Wolf |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Gray Fox | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Wolf | Ermine |
| Long-Legged Myotis | California Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Snowshoe Hare |
| American Badger | North American River Otter |
| Ermine | Masked Shrew |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | Mount Rainier National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Eastern Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brown Trout |
| Lake Trout | Coho Salmon |
| Silver Salmon | Chinook Salmon |
| Kokanee Salmon | Mottled Sculpin |
| Cutthroat Trout | Slimy Sculpin |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Kokanee | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | Mount Rainier National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Racer | Common Garter Snake |
| Sagebrush Lizard | Rubber Boa |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Mount Rainier National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Tiger Salamander |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Mount Rainier National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Mourning Cloak |
| Painted Lady | Cabbage White |
| Red Admiral | Silvery Blue |
| Honey Bee | Purplish Copper |
| Purplish Copper | Anise Swallowtail |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Crater Lake National Park is known for its stunning blue water and caldera rim, formed from a collapsed volcano. The park offers scenic drives, hiking trails, and boat tours to explore the lake and surrounding vistas. Mount Rainier National Park boasts the majestic 14,411-ft volcano, as well as alpine meadows, old-growth forests, and over 26 glaciers. Visitors can hike, camp, and drive around the park to see its diverse landscapes, including the popular Sunrise area with panoramic views, and the Paradise area with its wildflower meadows and waterfalls.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Crater Lake National Park is known for its crystal-clear lake, surrounded by towering cliffs and volcanic landscapes. The park’s main attraction is a boat tour of the lake, which offers views of the breathtaking scenery and opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping. On the other hand, Mount Rainier National Park is renowned for its towering mountain, which is one of the largest active volcanoes in the world. Visitors to this park enjoy scenic drives, camping, backpacking, climbing, and wildlife viewing. Both parks offer unique opportunities for outdoor recreation and breathtaking natural beauty, making them both popular destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Crater Lake National Park and Mount Rainier National Park are two popular destinations for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. The weather conditions at each park are different due to their different geographical locations and altitudes. Crater Lake is located in southern Oregon and is known for its hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. On the other hand, Mount Rainier is located in western Washington and has a more temperate climate with rainy and cloudy weather throughout the year. The best time to visit Crater Lake is during the summer months from June to September when the weather is warm and dry, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing. On the other hand, the best time to visit Mount Rainier is in the late summer and early fall when the weather is mild and the wildflowers are in bloom. The winter months can be challenging at both parks due to the snow and harsh weather conditions, but they also offer unique opportunities for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Both Crater Lake National Park and Mount Rainier National Park offer a variety of activities for families, but Crater Lake may be better suited for families with younger children. Crater Lake offers scenic drives and numerous short hikes, including a trail that leads to a beautiful lake with a stunning island in the center. In contrast, Mount Rainier has steeper, longer hikes and more challenging terrain, making it better for families with older children or teenagers. However, both parks offer ranger-led activities, campgrounds, and picnic areas for families to enjoy.