Crater Lake National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park are two of America’s most breathtaking natural wonders. While Crater Lake is a stunning turquoise oasis surrounded by towering cliffs, Theodore Roosevelt is a rugged and wild landscape dotted with bison and elk. Whether you’re seeking adventure, wildlife encounters, or a peaceful escape, these two parks have something for everyone. Immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters of Crater Lake or explore the Badlands of Theodore Roosevelt. Both parks are truly unique and offer a one-of-a-kind experience to all who visit. Get ready to be awed and inspired by the beauty of Crater Lake and Theodore Roosevelt National Parks.
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon and Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota offer unique hiking experiences. Crater Lake has easier trails such as the Rim Drive, which is a 33-mile road that circles the lake and offers scenic overlooks. The park also has more challenging trails like Garfield Peak, which is a strenuous 7.7-mile hike with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet. In contrast, Theodore Roosevelt National Park has more moderate trails like the Wind Canyon Trail, which is a 3.5-mile hike offering views of the Little Missouri River and Badlands formations. However, the park also features difficult hikes such as the Caprock Coulee Trail, which is a strenuous 6.5-mile hike with steep elevation changes and rocky terrain. Both parks offer a range of hiking options, but Crater Lake may be better suited for those seeking scenic and less strenuous hikes while Theodore Roosevelt is better for those looking for more challenging hikes in a unique Badlands setting.
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 Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wind Canyon Trail | 804.67 | 16.764 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Caprock Coulee Loop | 6115.492 | 159.7152 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Painted Canyon Nature Trail | 1770.274 | 78.9432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Petrified Forest Trail | 16415.268 | 253.8984 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Maah Daah Hey Trail | 229009.082 | 4614.9768 | Hard | point to point | 4.5 |
Lower Paddock Creek Trail | 11587.248 | 127.7112 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Buck Hill Trail | 643.736 | 16.764 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Ridgeline Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 33.8328 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Coal Vein Trail | 965.604 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Buckhorn Trail | 19633.948 | 324.9168 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is known for its diverse wildlife, including the American black bear, gray wolf, and the rarest species of North American bird, the bald eagle. The park is also home to a variety of plants, including the endemic Crater Lake whitebark pine and the endemic Crater Lake Jasper.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota is also known for its rich wildlife, including bison, pronghorns, bighorn sheep, and coyotes. The park is also home to a wide variety of bird species, including the American golden eagle, the ferruginous hawk, and the mountain bluebird. The park also features a diverse array of vegetation, including the Little Missouri River and its associated riparian ecosystem.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Crater Lake National Park | Theodore Roosevelt 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 | 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 | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
Crater Lake National Park | Theodore Roosevelt 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 | 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 |
Mountain Lion | Mink |
Mink | Mule Deer |
Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Gray Wolf |
Gray Fox | Long-Legged Myotis |
Wolf | Long-Eared Myotis |
Long-Legged Myotis | Badger |
Long-Eared Myotis | Snowshoe Hare |
American Badger | North American River Otter |
Ermine | Masked Shrew |
Fish
Crater Lake National Park | Theodore Roosevelt National Park |
---|---|
Rainbow Trout | Longnose Sucker |
Brook Trout | Green Sunfish |
Brown Trout | Bluegill |
Lake Trout | Flathead Minnow |
Silver Salmon | Golden Shiner |
Kokanee Salmon | Carp/European Carp |
Cutthroat Trout | Northern Pike |
Burbot | |
Longnose Dace | |
Channel Catfish | |
Black Bullhead | |
Creek Chub |
Reptiles
Crater Lake National Park | Theodore Roosevelt National Park |
---|---|
Western Terestrial Garter Snake | Bullsnake |
Racer | Racer |
Sagebrush Lizard | Rattlesnake |
Common Garter Snake | Sagebrush Lizard |
Rubber Boa | Common Garter Snake |
Western Skink | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
Crater Lake National Park | Theodore Roosevelt National Park |
---|---|
Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
Tiger Salamander | |
Woodhouse’s Toad | |
Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
Crater Lake National Park | Theodore Roosevelt National Park |
---|---|
Orange Sulphur | |
Painted Lady | |
Red Admiral | |
Honey Bee | |
Purplish Copper | |
Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Crater Lake National Park is famous for its stunning views of the deep blue Crater Lake, the result of a collapsed volcano. The park’s many overlooks offer breathtaking views of the lake, Wizard Island, and the surrounding caldera. The park is also home to various landscapes, including the Pinnacles, Mount Scott, and Llao Rock.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is known for its diverse landscapes, including badlands formations, prairies, and the Little Missouri River. The park is also home to several scenic drives, including the 36-mile Scenic Loop Drive and the Painted Canyon Overlook. The park’s trails offer opportunities to see bison, elk, and other wildlife, as well as stunning views of the North Dakota Badlands.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Crater Lake National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but offer different experiences. Crater Lake is known for its stunning blue lake, surrounded by towering cliffs and forests, offering scenic drives, boat tours, fishing, and camping. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Badlands of North Dakota, characterized by its striking landscapes of rock formations, prairies, and wildlife. Visitors to this park enjoy scenic drives, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, camping, and ranger-led programs. Both parks offer a range of recreational opportunities, but Crater Lake is more focused on its lake and breathtaking vistas, while Theodore Roosevelt is more focused on exploring its unique landscapes and wildlife.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Crater Lake National Park is located in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and has a subalpine climate characterized by cold winters and cool, dry summers. The park receives an average of 44 inches of snow annually, with the heaviest snowfall occurring from November to April. July and August are the driest months, with an average of only 0.9 inches of precipitation. The best time to visit Crater Lake is from June to September, when the roads are cleared of snow and the weather is mild.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, located in the Badlands of North Dakota, has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The park receives an average of 17 inches of precipitation annually, with most of the rain falling from May to September. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F, while summer temperatures can reach over 100°F. The best time to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park is from May to September, when the weather is warm and the chance of rain is low. However, visitors should be prepared for sudden weather changes, as thunderstorms and flash floods can occur during the summer months.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Crater Lake National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park are both family-friendly destinations, each offering unique experiences for families with children. Crater Lake National Park is known for its stunning views of the lake and surrounding landscapes, as well as opportunities for hiking, fishing, and boating. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, on the other hand, offers a more immersive wildlife experience, with opportunities to spot buffalo, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife in their natural habitats. Ultimately, the better park to visit with children may depend on specific family interests, but both are excellent choices for families looking to enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.