“Step into a world of breathtaking beauty as we take you on a journey to compare two of America’s most stunning national parks – Crater Lake and North Cascades. These two parks, located in the Pacific Northwest region, offer a unique blend of natural wonders that will captivate even the most seasoned traveler. Crater Lake, with its crystal clear waters, towering cliffs and breathtaking scenery, is a true masterpiece of nature. Meanwhile, North Cascades boasts rugged peaks, cascading waterfalls and vast wilderness areas that will transport you to a world of adventure. So, whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a passionate camper, or simply looking for a chance to reconnect with nature, get ready to discover why Crater Lake and North Cascades are two of the most sought-after destinations in the Pacific Northwest.”
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and North Cascades National Park
Crater Lake and North Cascades National Parks are popular destinations for nature lovers. At Crater Lake, easy hikes include Rim Trail (2.5 mi) and Watchman Peak Trail (1.25 mi) with views of Crater Lake and its surroundings. The Cleetwood Cove Trail (700 ft descent to lake shore) is a strenuous hike back up, offering a challenging experience. North Cascades, located in WA, offers a range of hikes from easy, like Diablo Lake Trail, to challenging, such as the Cascade Pass Trail (5.5 mi, 3,000 ft climb), which gives stunning views of the North Cascades.
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 North Cascades National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lake Trail | 8529.502 | 291.9984 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail | 17541.806 | 1175.9184 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sourdough Mountain Trail | 14644.994 | 1555.6992 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail to Cottonwood Camp | 25588.506 | 1422.8064 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail | 10460.71 | 542.8488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sahale Arm Trail to Quien Sabe Glacier | 19955.816 | 1651.7112 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk | 3057.746 | 21.9456 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Fourth of July Pass via Panther Creek Trail | 14966.862 | 759.8664 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Ruby Mountain Summit via Fourth of July and Thunder Creek Trail | 23335.43 | 1949.8056 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
| Gorge Creek Falls Trail | 804.67 | 11.8872 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and North Cascades National Park
Crater Lake NP and North Cascades NP are renowned for distinct wildlife. Crater Lake has various mammals like deer, squirrels and chipmunks, and North Cascades is famous for a range of bird species such as golden eagle, northern goshawk and spotted owl. Crater Lake’s forest ecosystem houses many plant species including pine, fir and hemlock trees. North Cascades, a mountain wilderness, hosts habitats like glaciers, alpine meadows and old-growth forests, supporting diverse plants like huckleberries, mountain heather, and Pacific silver fir. Both parks offer great wildlife viewing and present unique landscapes.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and North Cascades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake National Park | North Cascades 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 | Merlin |
| Merlin | Barn Swallow |
| Barn Swallow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Great Blue Heron |
| Great Blue Heron | Hermit Thrush |
| Hermit Thrush | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| American Pipit | Green-Winged Teal |
| Swainson’s Thrush | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Crater Lake National Park | North Cascades 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 | Puma |
| Mink | Mink |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Gray Fox | Wolf |
| Wolf | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Western Long-Eared Bat |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Ermine |
| American Badger | California Myotis |
| Ermine | Snowshoe Hare |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Redband Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Lake Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Silver Salmon | Lake Trout |
| Kokanee Salmon | Burbot |
| Cutthroat Trout | Silver Salmon |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Kokanee | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Racer | Western Yellowbelly Racer |
| Sagebrush Lizard | Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Common Garter Snake | Common Garter Snake |
| Rubber Boa | Rubber Boa |
| Western Skink | Western Fence Lizard |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Red Admiral | Red Admiral |
| Honey Bee | Mourning Cloak |
| Purplish Copper | Silvery Blue |
| Anise Swallowtail | Clouded Sulphur |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and North Cascades National Park
Crater Lake National Park is home to its namesake, Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the US formed from a collapsed volcano. Other features include the caldera and rim drive with views of the lake and surrounding peaks.
North Cascades National Park boasts snow-capped peaks like Mount Shuksan, glaciers like Liberty Bell and Boston, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls, and over 300 alpine lakes for hiking and camping opportunities with stunning views.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and North Cascades National Park
Crater Lake NP is known for its stunning, deep-blue lake, boat tours, fishing, scenic drives, and winter sports. North Cascades NP is a destination for backpacking, rock climbing, wildlife viewing, winter mountaineering and ice climbing, and longer, more challenging hikes. Both parks offer hiking, but Crater Lake has shorter, easier trails, while North Cascades offers backcountry camping and longer treks.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and North Cascades National Park
Crater Lake NP in Oregon has cool, dry summers (July and Aug, avg high 60s-70s) and cold, snowy winters (Dec-Feb, avg low 20s) with heavy snowfall. Ideal for winter sports. North Cascades NP in Washington has cool, rainy summers (June-Sep, mild and clear) and cold, snowy winters (Oct-May, most precipitation as snow at higher elevations). Ideal for clear views in late summer. Both parks offer winter experiences. The weather affects the best time to visit; Crater Lake NP is best in summer while North Cascades NP is best in late summer.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and North Cascades National Park
Crater Lake is better suited for families compared to North Cascades. Crater Lake has many family-friendly features including easy trails, picnic areas, boat tours, and a junior ranger program. North Cascades, on the other hand, is known for its rugged terrain and limited visitor services, making it a more challenging destination for families with children. For a family trip, Crater Lake is the recommended choice.