“Nature lovers, get ready for a showdown between two of the most unique and stunning National Parks in the US – Crater Lake and Saguaro. On one hand you have Crater Lake, with its crystal-clear waters and dramatic caldera, surrounded by towering cliffs that will take your breath away. On the other hand, you have Saguaro, a desert oasis with its iconic giant cacti and vibrant sunsets, creating a surreal landscape unlike anything else. Both parks offer a unique experience, but which one will come out on top as the ultimate destination for your next adventure?”
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Saguaro National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon and Saguaro National Park in Arizona both offer a range of hiking experiences. Crater Lake’s Rim Trail is a 33-mile loop that offers stunning views of the lake and surrounding area. It’s considered a relatively easy hike compared to the steep Garfield Peak Trail. Saguaro National Park, on the other hand, is known for its cactus-filled deserts and rugged terrain, with trails ranging from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes is the Cactus Forest Loop Trail, which offers a scenic stroll through the park’s signature saguaro cacti. The strenuous Hope Camp Trail, on the other hand, leads to panoramic vistas and requires navigating tough terrain. Both parks provide hiking options for visitors of different skill levels, but Crater Lake has a greater proportion of easier trails while Saguaro has a mix of easy and challenging trails.
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 Saguaro National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridal Wreath Falls Trail | 9012.304 | 326.7456 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Wasson Peak Trail | 12713.786 | 567.8424 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| King Canyon Trail to Wasson Peak | 11426.314 | 560.832 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Wasson Peak via Sweetwater Trail | 14966.862 | 637.9464 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Douglas Spring Trail | 26715.044 | 1139.952 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Tanque Verde Ridge Trail | 32186.8 | 1705.9656 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mica View Loop Trail | 5954.558 | 36.8808 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Hugh Norris Trail | 14323.126 | 729.996 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Safford Peak Trail | 3862.416 | 278.892 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Gould Mine | 3701.482 | 115.824 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Saguaro National Park
Crater Lake NP has coniferous forests and wildlife such as black bears, mountain lions, elk and birds like bald eagles, ospreys and common ravens. Saguaro NP, on the other hand, is a desert ecosystem with its iconic saguaro cactus, as well as wildlife like rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, jackrabbits and birds like roadrunners, Gambel’s quail and cactus wrens. Both parks showcase unique, diverse wildlife, Crater Lake NP offers forested, mountainous setting while Saguaro NP provides a chance to see the unique plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Saguaro National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake National Park | Saguaro 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 | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Killdeer |
| American Wigeon | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
| American Pipit | Hairy Woodpecker |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Mammals
| Crater Lake National Park | Saguaro National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| 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 | Mountain Lion |
| Red Fox | Mule Deer |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Common Gray Fox |
| House Mouse | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Mountain Lion | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Mink | Badger |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Californis Myotis |
| Gray Fox | Fringed Myotis |
| Wolf | Mexican Free-Tailed Bat |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Yuma Myotis |
| American Badger | Bighorn Sheep |
| Ermine | White-Tailed Deer |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | Saguaro National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | |
| Brook Trout | |
| Brown Trout | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Silver Salmon | |
| Kokanee Salmon | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | Saguaro National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Racer | Western Rattlesnake |
| Sagebrush Lizard | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Rubber Boa | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Western Skink | Common Kingsnake |
| Western Fence Lizard | Night Snake |
| Leopard Lizard | |
| Southwestern Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Saguaro National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Bullfrog | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Saguaro National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Saguaro National Park
Crater Lake is known for its crystal-blue lake, the deepest in the U.S., and its cliffs. Rim Drive offers views of the lake, mountains. Wizard Island, a cinder cone volcano, is another popular feature.
Saguaro is famous for its towering cacti, some over 40 ft tall, in the Sonoran Desert. The park has two districts: Rincon Mountain offers desert views and Tucson Mountain has a scenic drive through the cactus forest. It has over 165 miles of hiking trails, including Douglas Spring, leading to a desert oasis.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Saguaro National Park
Crater Lake NP & Saguaro NP offer different activities. Crater Lake is known for its crystal-clear blue waters, scenic drives, fishing, boat tours and scenic overlooks. Saguaro is famous for its towering cacti, hiking, horseback riding, camping, scenic drives like the Cactus Forest Drive and ranger-led programs. Both parks provide scenic overlooks and ranger-led activities, but the main difference is the landscapes and types of activities that visitors can enjoy.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Saguaro National Park
Crater Lake NP in OR has warm summers (50-80°F) & cold, snowy winters (20-40°F), with peak visiting time being July-Aug. Saguaro NP in AZ has hot summers (80-100°F) & mild winters (40-60°F), with winter being ideal due to mild temp & cacti in bloom. Summer can be too hot.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Saguaro National Park
Crater Lake and Saguaro National Parks offer different family-friendly experiences. Crater Lake offers scenic drives, boat tours, and hiking trails for picnicking, while Saguaro has ranger-led programs and scenic drives showcasing desert landscapes. Saguaro may offer a more educational experience for kids, but Crater Lake provides a classic national park experience with stunning scenery and recreational options. Both parks are great for families, but the best choice depends on personal interest and priorities.