“Discover the beauty of two American treasures: Crater Lake National Park and Shenandoah National Park. While both parks offer stunning landscapes, they each have a unique character that makes them truly special. Crater Lake, nestled in Oregon, is a breathtaking sight with its deep blue lake formed in the crater of an extinct volcano, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and dense forests. Shenandoah, located in Virginia, is a rolling landscape of hills and mountains, dotted with cascading waterfalls and scenic overlooks, perfect for a scenic drive or a peaceful hike. Whether you’re seeking serenity in nature or an adrenaline rush on the trails, these two parks promise to leave you in awe and yearning for more.”
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Crater Lake and Shenandoah National Parks offer diverse hiking experiences. Crater Lake’s trails range from easy lakeside walks to strenuous backcountry treks, including the Rim Drive, Rim Trail, Garfield Peak, and Cleetwood Cove Trail, which descends steeply to the lake shore. Shenandoah has over 500 miles of trails, including easy hikes like Stony Man Trail and tougher ones like Old Rag Mountain, a strenuous and rocky hike to the summit, and Dark Hollow Falls Trail, which descends to a 70-ft waterfall.
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 Shenandoah National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Rag Mountain Loop | 13840.324 | 736.7016 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run Trails Loop | 14484.06 | 722.9856 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Dark Hollow Falls Trail | 2253.076 | 171.9072 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bearfence Mountain Trail | 1609.34 | 73.7616 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Hawksbill Gap Loop via Appalachian Trail | 4184.284 | 228.9048 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Rose River Trail | 5632.69 | 256.9464 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| White Oak Canyon Trail | 15288.73 | 733.9584 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Stony Man via Appalachian Trail | 2414.01 | 97.8408 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| South River Falls Trail | 7402.964 | 387.7056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Little Stony Man Loop via Appalachian Trail | 5471.756 | 263.9568 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Crater Lake NP & Shenandoah NP both offer unique wildlife experiences. Crater Lake is known for its sightings of deer, black bears, and the occasional mountain lion, along with bird species such as Steller’s jays, bald eagles, and ospreys. On the other hand, Shenandoah is known for its white-tailed deer, black bears, bobcats, foxes, and birds like red-tailed hawk, Baltimore oriole, and peregrine falcon. Both parks boast diverse and colorful plant life, including wildflowers, ferns, mosses, and tall trees like Douglas Fir and Redwoods.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Shenandoah National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake National Park | Shenandoah 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 | Shenandoah 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 | 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 |
| Mountain Lion | Gray Fox |
| Mink | River Otter |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Masked Shrew |
| Gray Fox | Water Shrew |
| Wolf | Red Squirrel |
| Long-Legged Myotis | White-Tailed Deer |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Virginia Opossum |
| American Badger | Marten |
| Ermine | Northern Flying Squirrel |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brown Trout |
| Lake Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Silver Salmon | Green Sunfish |
| Kokanee Salmon | Bluegill |
| Cutthroat Trout | Common Carp |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | Black Racer |
| Racer | Ringneck Snake |
| Sagebrush Lizard | Common Garter Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Common Kingsnake |
| Rubber Boa | Milksnake |
| Western Skink | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Shenandoah 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 | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Crater Lake NP is famous for its deep blue lake created in a volcanic caldera. Rim Drive provides scenic overlooks of the lake and surrounding park.
Shenandoah NP is known for Skyline Drive, rolling hills, and its numerous waterfalls. Hawksbill Mountain is the park’s highest point and offers panoramic views. Visitors can also hike scenic trails and stop at overlooks for views of the park’s mountains and valleys.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Crater Lake NP and Shenandoah NP offer unique outdoor experiences for visitors. Crater Lake is known for its stunning blue waters, scenic drives and boat tours, fishing, and hiking. Shenandoah has scenic drives, wildlife viewing, and fishing in addition to its extensive network of trails for hiking and horseback riding. Both parks offer scenic drives, but Shenandoah also has a section of the Appalachian Trail, making it a destination for backpacking and camping.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Crater Lake NP in Oregon has dry, mild summers (40-70°F) & snowy winters (20-40°F). Shenandoah NP in Virginia has 4 seasons, with warm, humid summers (60-80°F), cold winters (20-40°F), and more precip. Crater Lake is best visited in summer for optimal weather and accessibility. Shenandoah is best visited year-round, with peak in fall for foliage.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Both Crater Lake and Shenandoah are family-friendly, but each offers different experiences. Crater Lake offers stunning lake views, fishing, hiking and boat tours. Shenandoah has 500+ miles of trails, including scenic drives, camping, picnicking and wildlife viewing. It depends on individual preferences, but both parks offer natural beauty and activities for families.