Imagine two stunning playgrounds for nature lovers: Crater Lake National Park and Olympic National Park. One boasts a crystal-clear lake formed from the remnants of a collapsed volcano, while the other flaunts a majestic mix of Pacific coastline, snow-capped peaks, and lush rainforests. Which one do you choose? The answer is, why choose just one? These two national parks offer unique and thrilling experiences, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers alike. So let’s dive into a world of natural wonders, where crystal blue waters and rugged terrains await.
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Olympic National Park
Crater Lake National Park and Olympic National Park both offer a variety of hiking trails with diverse landscapes. Crater Lake boasts the Cleetwood Cove Trail, a challenging hike to the crater’s shore, and the Garfield Peak Trail, a strenuous trek offering panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Olympic National Park has the Hurricane Ridge, a popular and easy hike with stunning vistas, and the Elwha River Trail, a strenuous hike through a pristine wilderness. For those seeking a more strenuous hike in the Olympic National Park, the Seven Lakes Basin and High Divide Trail offers a scenic route through subalpine meadows with views of several glistening lakes. Both parks have trails suitable for all skill levels, with Crater Lake offering the gentle Pinnacles Trail & Olympic National Park offering the easy and accessible Spruce Nature Trail.
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 Olympic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge | 4988.954 | 242.9256 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Storm King | 6276.426 | 638.8608 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail | 2574.944 | 77.724 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh Rain Forest Hall of Moss | 1609.34 | 23.7744 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Marymere Falls Trail | 2735.878 | 90.8304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh River Trail | 52786.352 | 1558.7472 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| High Divide – Seven Lakes Basin Loop | 30577.46 | 1617.8784 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Ruby Beach | 2253.076 | 20.7264 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Staircase Rapids Loop | 3379.614 | 64.9224 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spruce Railroad Trail: Lake Crescent | 18024.608 | 131.9784 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Olympic National Park
Crater Lake NP in OR & Olympic NP in WA both offer diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. Crater Lake NP boasts black bears, mountain lions, deer, elk, bats & swallows in summer, and snowshoe hares in winter. Olympic NP has black bears, deer, elk, mountain lions, eagles, owls, herons, & unique plants like Olympic Lily and Pacific Rhododendron.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Olympic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake National Park | Olympic 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 | 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 | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| 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 | Red Fox |
| Hoary Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | House Mouse |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Wolf |
| House Mouse | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Mountain Lion | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Mink | California Myotis |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Snowshoe Rabbit |
| Gray Fox | North American River Otter |
| Wolf | Fringe-Tailed Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Masked Shrew |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Water Shrew |
| American Badger | Western Big-Eared Bat |
| Ermine | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Steelhead/Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Lake Trout | Salish Sucker |
| Silver Salmon | Coho Salmon |
| Kokanee Salmon | Chinook Salmon |
| Cutthroat Trout | Longnose Dace |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Racer | Common Garter Snake |
| Sagebrush Lizard | Rubber Boa |
| Common Garter Snake | Western Fence Lizard |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Bullfrog |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Honey Bee |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Olympic National Park
Crater Lake National Park showcases the stunning Crater Lake, deepest in US, formed from a volcanic collapse. It also features Wizard Island, a cinder cone volcano within the lake. Olympic National Park boasts diverse landscapes incl. Olympic Mountains, Pacific coastline, and temperate rainforests. Hurricane Ridge offers stunning views of the Olympics, while Hoh Rainforest is known for its mossy trees & high rainfall. Other notable features include Elwha River, Sol Duc Falls and Quinault Rainforest.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Olympic National Park
Crater Lake NP is known for its stunning blue lake & volcanic formations. Visitors engage in fishing, boat tours, scenic drives & ranger-led programs. Olympic NP offers diverse landscapes like old-growth forests, rugged coastline & glacier-capped peaks. Popular activities include camping, backpacking, wildlife viewing, scenic drives, rafting/kayaking on rivers & hot springs & ranger-led programs.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Olympic National Park
Crater Lake NP in Oregon and Olympic NP in Washington have distinct climates. Crater Lake is dry and sunny, with hot summers and cold, snowy winters. Conversely, Olympic NP is temperate and rainy, with cool, mild summers and rainy, wet winters. The best time to visit Crater Lake is summer, when weather is warm and good for outdoor activities. Conversely, the best time to visit Olympic NP is spring/summer, when weather is mild and less rainy, perfect for exploring waterfalls and forests.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Olympic National Park
Crater Lake and Olympic National Parks offer different experiences for families. Crater Lake has easier trails, paved Rim Drive and boat tour, making it more accessible for kids. Olympic has rugged coastline, dense forests, and more challenging hikes, better for older kids. Both offer campgrounds and ranger activities, but Crater Lake has more developed infrastructure and is more family-friendly.