“Embark on a journey to two of America’s most awe-inspiring national parks, where glaciers, geysers, and towering peaks collide to create a landscape that will leave you in awe. Crater Lake National Park in Oregon boasts a crystal-clear lake surrounded by soaring cliffs, while Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado presents an alpine wonderland of snow-capped peaks, meadows teeming with wildlife and pristine rivers. Both offer unique outdoor adventures and breathtaking views, so grab your hiking boots and get ready for an unforgettable experience as we compare these two stunning parks!”
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado both offer a range of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Crater Lake National Park is known for its challenging hikes including the Cleetwood Cove Trail, which descends 700 feet to the lake’s shore and the Garfield Peak Trail, offering panoramic views of the park. For those looking for an easier hike, the Rim Drive provides scenic views of the lake and surrounding landscape. Meanwhile, Rocky Mountain National Park offers both easy hikes such as the Bear Lake Loop and Alberta Falls Trail, as well as more challenging options like the Keyhole Route to Longs Peak and the Sky Pond Trail, which both provide stunning views of the park’s alpine environment. Both parks are destinations for nature enthusiasts, offering a range of hiking options for all skill levels.
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 Rocky Mountain National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Lake Trail | 4988.954 | 215.7984 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail | 13035.654 | 537.972 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Gem Lake Trail | 4988.954 | 301.752 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Loch Lake Trail via Glacier Gorge Trail | 8690.436 | 326.7456 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Alberta Falls Trail | 2574.944 | 76.8096 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chasm Lake | 15127.796 | 792.7848 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Dream Lake Trail | 3218.68 | 129.8448 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bear Lake Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 12.8016 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Twin Sisters Peak Trail | 12070.05 | 766.8768 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ouzel Falls via Wild Basin Trail from Sandbeach Lake | 11909.116 | 361.7976 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Crater Lake NP in Oregon & Rocky Mountain NP in Colorado both offer unique wildlife experiences. Crater Lake NP is known for its lake & volcanic landscape, with wildlife like deer, elk, squirrels, chipmunks, & birds like bald eagles, peregrine falcons, & ospreys. It also has conifers, wildflowers, & meadows. RMNP, on the other hand, boasts diverse wildlife with bighorn sheep, moose, black bears, & elk, & over 300 bird species, including bald eagles & American goldfinches. It also has wildflowers, aspen groves, & alpine tundra.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake National Park | Rocky Mountain 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 | Rocky Mountain 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 | Mountain Lion |
| Mountain Lion | Mink |
| Mink | Mule Deer |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Gray Fox |
| Gray Fox | Gray Wolf |
| Wolf | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Badger |
| American Badger | Ermine |
| Ermine | Snowshoe Hare |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brown Trout |
| Lake Trout | Western Longnose Sucker |
| Silver Salmon | Mottled Sculpin |
| Kokanee Salmon | Speckled Dace |
| Cutthroat Trout | Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Racer | Western Rattlesnake |
| Sagebrush Lizard | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Wood Frog |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Red Admiral | Monarch |
| Honey Bee | American Lady |
| Purplish Copper | Red Admiral |
| Anise Swallowtail | Mourning Cloak |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Crater Lake Nat’l Park features the iconic Crater Lake, formed from the collapsed Mount Mazama volcano. Other highlights include Rim Drive for scenic views and boat tours to Wizard Island.
Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park showcases diverse landscapes such as alpine tundra, subalpine forests, and glaciers. Trail Ridge Road offers stunning views of Continental Divide, as well as wildlife sightings. The park is renowned for peaks such as Longs Peak and many scenic trails leading to overlooks, waterfalls, and alpine lakes.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Crater Lake NP in Oregon & Rocky Mountain NP in Colorado are two popular parks known for their stunning natural beauty. Crater Lake NP is famous for its clear blue water, stunning views of mountains & scenic trails. Visitors enjoy boat tours to Wizard Island, picnicking & camping. RMNP is known for rugged peaks, alpine lakes & abundant wildlife. Popular activities include scenic drives, fishing, horseback riding & wildlife viewing. Both parks offer adventure but Crater Lake is serene while RMNP is rugged.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Crater Lake National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are both located in the western US and have vastly different climates. Crater Lake is located in the Cascade Range of southern Oregon and has a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers, making the best time to visit from June to Sept, when weather is warm and dry and facilities are open. Rocky Mountain National Park located in the Rockies of northern CO has a subalpine climate with long, cold winters and short, mild summers. Snow can fall at any time and even in summer months. The best time to visit is June-Sept, when weather is warmer and roads and trails are open, though the park can be crowded during this time.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Crater Lake National Park is a great choice for families with its scenic beauty, ranger-led programs, and limited crowds. Rocky Mountain National Park, while more adventurous, may not be as suitable for young children or non-hikers with its mountainous terrain and abundant wildlife. If a relaxed, educational experience is sought, Crater Lake is a better choice for families with children.