Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two of America’s most unique and breathtaking national parks, each offering a vastly different experience for visitors. Denali is a land of glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and rugged wilderness, while Great Sand Dunes is a landscape of shifting sand dunes, mountain vistas, and sparkling streams. But which one is right for you?
In this article, we will compare and contrast these two stunning national parks, highlighting what makes each one special and what kind of adventure you can expect. From the majestic beauty of Denali’s towering peaks to the ever-changing landscape of Great Sand Dunes, this article will take you on a virtual journey through two of America’s most incredible national parks. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a nature lover, or just looking for a little adventure, there’s something for everyone in Denali and Great Sand Dunes. So buckle up and let’s hit the road!
Hiking Trails in Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. However, the type of hiking experiences offered at each park is quite different.
Denali is best known for its rugged backcountry trails, where visitors can hike for miles through pristine wilderness and spot wildlife like grizzly bears and wolves. The park’s most popular hike, the Kesugi Ridge Trail, offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Another must-do hike is the Savage River Loop, an easy trail that winds through a beautiful, subalpine forest. For those looking for a more challenging experience, the park also offers the challenging, multi-day Mount Healy Overlook Trail.
In contrast, Great Sand Dunes is known for its towering sand dunes, which offer a unique and strenuous hiking experience. Hikers can scramble to the top of the tallest dune, Star Dune, for breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and sand dunes. For a less strenuous experience, visitors can hike the Medano Creek Trail, which follows the creek through the heart of the dunes. Another popular hike is the Mosca Pass Trail, a moderate hike that offers views of the sand dunes and the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Regardless of the type of hiking experience you’re after, both Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offer something for everyone. With their unique landscapes and challenging trails, these two parks are must-visit destinations for any outdoor enthusiast.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Denali National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Healy Overlook Trail | 6920.162 | 507.7968 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Horseshoe Lake Trail | 3379.614 | 119.7864 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Triple Lakes Trail | 29772.79 | 1124.712 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bison Gulch | 11265.38 | 1178.9664 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rock Creek Trail | 7081.096 | 287.7312 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Taiga Trail | 2574.944 | 62.7888 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| McKinley Station Trail | 4667.086 | 113.9952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mount Thorofare Ridge Loop | 6598.294 | 507.7968 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| McKinley Bar Trail | 7402.964 | 295.9608 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Tiaga Loop and Horseshoe Lake Trail to Beaver Dam | 4828.02 | 158.8008 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Dune Trail | 4828.02 | 191.7192 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Mosca Pass Trail | 10299.776 | 444.7032 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dunes Trail from Pinyon Flats | 7242.03 | 290.7792 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Sand Dunes Loop Trail | 8046.7 | 225.8568 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Upper Sand Creek Lake Trail | 11909.116 | 598.932 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Medano Lake Trail | 12713.786 | 697.992 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Montville Nature Trail | 804.67 | 26.8224 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Dunes Overlook Sand Ramp Trail | 2414.01 | 80.772 | Moderate | out and back | 3.5 |
| Little Medano Creek Trail to Medano Lake | 40394.434 | 1079.9064 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Wellington Ditch Trail | 2896.812 | 47.8536 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two unique national parks that offer a diverse range of wildlife experiences. In Denali National Park & Preserve, visitors can expect to see large mammals such as grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the bald eagle, gyrfalcon, and the common loon. In addition, Denali is known for its diverse plant life, including wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.
On the other hand, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is known for its diverse insect life, including several species of butterflies and moths. The park is also home to a variety of small mammals such as the pronghorn antelope, black-tailed prairie dog, and the mountain cottontail rabbit. Birdwatchers can enjoy sightings of the American white pelican, the great horned owl, and the golden eagle. The park is also home to a variety of plants, including the sand verbena, the sand sagebrush, and the yucca plant.
Both Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offer unique wildlife experiences, making them popular destinations for nature lovers. Regardless of your interests, each park is sure to offer something for everyone.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Great Sand Dunes 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 |
| Hermit Thrush | Great Blue Heron |
| American Kestrel | Hermit Thrush |
| Bald Eagle | American Kestrel |
| Song Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
| European Starling | Song Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | European Starling |
| American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Wigeon |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Little Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Black Bear | Bobcat |
| Porcupine | Striped Skunk |
| Red Fox | Little Brown Bat |
| Mink | Deer Mouse |
| Wolf | Raccoon |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Black Bear |
| Snowshoe Hare | Porcupine |
| River Otter | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Common Shrew | Hoary Bat |
| Water Shrew | Red Fox |
| Red Squirrel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Montane Shrew | Mule Deer |
| Lynx | Gray Fox |
| Wolverine | Long-Legged Myotis |
| American Marten | Long-Eared Bat |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Badger |
| Grizzly Bear | Ermine |
| Meadow Vole | Snowshoe Hare |
| Moose | Masked Shrew |
| Least Weasel | Water Shrew |
| Pygmy Shrew | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
Fish
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Longnose Sucker | Brook Trout |
| Lake Trout | German Brown Trout |
| Northern Pike | Cutthroat Trout |
| Burbot | |
| Coho Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Bull Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Western Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizards | |
| Milksnake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Beautiful Landscapes in Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Denali National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is famous for its stunning views of the highest peak in North America, Mount Denali. The park covers over six million acres and features breathtaking vistas, glaciers, and valleys. Visitors can take a bus tour to get a closer look at the mountain, go hiking in the backcountry, or even go on a dogsledding excursion.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, located in Colorado, is known for its towering sand dunes that rise up to 750 feet. The park also includes a high mountain valley, several creeks, and alpine lakes. Visitors can hike to the top of the dunes, go sand sledding, or explore the park on horseback. In addition, the park provides opportunities for star-gazing, as it is one of the darkest places in the US.
Both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes that showcase the awe-inspiring beauty of nature. Whether you’re looking to explore towering mountains or vast sand dunes, these parks offer a chance to escape into the wilderness and connect with the natural world.
Things To-Do and Activities in Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two very different parks with unique landscapes and activities for visitors. At Denali, visitors can go on scenic drives, wildlife viewing, backpacking and camping trips, and mountaineering expeditions. The park is known for its stunning views of the tallest peak in North America, Mount Denali. Visitors can also take guided bus tours to get up close and personal with the park’s wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, and moose.
In contrast, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is all about the sand. The park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, and visitors can enjoy sandboarding, sand sledding, and hiking on the dunes. The park also offers scenic drives, horseback riding, and camping opportunities. The park’s location near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains provides visitors with the chance to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including mountain biking, fishing, and backpacking.
Visitors to both parks can also enjoy ranger-led programs, such as guided hikes and campfire programs, that offer an in-depth look at the park’s natural and cultural history. Regardless of your preferred outdoor activity, both Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offer a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors.
Best Time to Visit Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two of the most beautiful national parks in the United States. While both parks offer unique natural wonders, the seasonal weather at each park is unique and affects what time of year is the best time to visit.
Denali National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its subarctic climate, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Winter months can be extremely harsh, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing and heavy snowfall. Summer months are mild, with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to mid-60s and much longer daylight hours. The best time to visit Denali is during the summer months, when visitors can take advantage of the long daylight hours for hiking, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in Colorado and is known for its semi-arid climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures can reach well into the 90s, while winter temperatures can drop into the teens. The best time to visit Great Sand Dunes is during the spring and fall months, when temperatures are more moderate and visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, sand sledding, and horseback riding without the extreme heat or cold.
Both Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offer visitors unique natural wonders and a variety of recreational activities. However, it is important to consider the seasonal weather when planning a visit to either park to ensure the best possible experience.
Family Friendliness of Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Denali National Park & Preserve and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are both family-friendly parks.
Denali is known for its stunning views of North America’s tallest peak, Mount Denali. It offers a variety of activities such as scenic drives, hikes, and wildlife viewing. The park also has a junior ranger program and ranger-led activities for kids. However, some of the trails and activities can be challenging for young children.
Great Sand Dunes, on the other hand, is geared more towards families with young children. The park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, and offers activities such as sand sledding, hiking and camping. There is also a junior ranger program for children, and ranger-led activities can be enjoyed by the whole family.
If you’re traveling with kids, Great Sand Dunes might be the better option as it offers a more child-friendly environment. However, both parks are great for family vacations and offer unique experiences for all ages.