Crater Lake National Park and Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two of America’s most stunning and diverse national parks. One is a serene oasis known for its crystal-clear waters while the other is a rugged wilderness characterized by its massive glaciers, towering mountains and untamed landscapes. Whether you’re seeking peace and tranquility or an adrenaline-fueled adventure, these two parks offer something for everyone. So get ready to be amazed as we explore these two natural wonders and discover what makes them truly unique.
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most popular hiking destinations in the US. Crater Lake National Park is known for its stunning views of Crater Lake and relatively easy hikes, such as the Rim Trail, a 2-3 hour hike around the lake. The park also offers more challenging hikes, such as the Garfield Peak Trail, a 7-mile hike to the top of the peak for panoramic views of the park and surrounding area.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is a much larger park with a wider range of hikes, including backcountry treks. The park is also known for its challenging hikes, such as the Root Glacier Trail and the Kennicott Glacier Trek, both of which are multi-day treks. However, the park also offers easier hikes, such as the Nizina River Trail, which follows the river for a few miles and offers great views of nearby glaciers and mountains.
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 Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake NP: American black bear, mountain lion, mule deer, common raven, Steller’s jay, black-billed magpie, coniferous forests, wildflowers.
Wrangell-St. Elias NP&P: moose, caribou, brown bear, wolves, sea otters, bald eagles, trumpeter swans, tundra, taiga ecosystems, glaciers, glacial valleys.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | Puma |
| Raccoon | Mink |
| Black Bear | Mule Deer |
| Porcupine | Wolf |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Hoary Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Red Fox | Land Otter |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Common Shrew |
| House Mouse | Water Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Red Squirrel |
| Mink | Montane Shrew |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Gray Fox | Lynx |
| Wolf | Wolverine |
| Long-Legged Myotis | American Marten |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| American Badger | Grizzly Bear |
| Ermine | Meadow Vole |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Steelhead |
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brown Trout | Lake Trout |
| Lake Trout | Northern Pike |
| Silver Salmon | Burbot |
| Kokanee Salmon | Silver Salmon |
| Cutthroat Trout | King Salmon |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Wood Frog |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Silvery Blue |
| Painted Lady | Clouded Sulphur |
| Red Admiral | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park, OR, boasts the deepest US lake and a stunning volcanic landscape. Visitors can drive Rim Drive for views of the clear blue waters and caldera of Mount Mazama, plus the remnants of ancient volcanic activity, like Wizard Island.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve in AK is massive, covering an area larger than some US states. It features glaciers, incl. Hubbard, the largest in N. America, and 9 of the 16 highest US peaks. Explore the park’s vast wilderness for views of scenic waterfalls, wildlife, and mountain ranges like Wrangell and St. Elias.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park is known for its scenic drives, boating, fishing, and camping. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve offers a wider range of activities including hiking, backpacking, rafting, mountaineering, and exploring glaciers such as Root Glacier. Both parks offer wildlife viewing, including bears, moose, and caribou. Crater Lake NP is a tranquil destination for scenic experiences, while Wrangell-St. Elias is for more adventurous visitors seeking challenges and unique experiences.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake NP in Oregon has a mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Winters can bring snow, limiting access to rim drive, but offer opportunities for cross-country skiing & snowshoeing. Best time to visit is June-September for warm weather & clear roads.
Wrangell-St. Elias NP in Alaska has a subarctic climate with harsh, cold & snowy winters and cool, rainy summers. Winters offer backcountry skiing & snowboarding, but limit access to the park. Best time to visit is June-September for milder weather & better park access.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake NP is more developed and easier to access, offering a scenic drive, visitor center and ranger-led activities. Wrangell-St Elias NP&P is more remote, with fewer facilities but offers a chance for adventure such as backcountry camping and mountaineering. If a family’s priority is a national park experience with well-developed infrastructure and kid-friendly activities, Crater Lake is the better choice. If the family seeks adventure and is willing to forgo some amenities, Wrangell-St Elias is a good option.