Denali National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska and Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, are two of the most unique and captivating parks in the United States. Both offer visitors the opportunity to escape into breathtaking landscapes and explore the best of nature. Although these parks may be thousands of miles apart, they both offer unique experiences that are sure to leave an impact on visitors.
Denali National Park & Preserve is the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts who yearn for adventure. With its rugged terrain, stunning mountain vistas, and diverse wildlife, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most popular national parks in America. Whether you’re a hiker, camper, or just someone looking to take in the beauty of nature, Denali has plenty to offer.
Hot Springs National Park, on the other hand, is a perfect destination for those who love to soak in natural hot springs. With its rich history and beautiful scenery, Hot Springs is the perfect place to unwind and relax. With its famous natural hot springs that are heated by a volcanic thermal spring, visitors can soak in the pools, enjoy a spa treatment, or take a dip in the hot springs.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at both Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park, comparing and contrasting these two unique parks. So, whether you’re an adventure seeker or just looking for a relaxing getaway, this article has something for everyone.
Hiking Trails in Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer great hiking trails, but the hiking experiences are different in each park.
At Denali National Park & Preserve, the hiking trails range from easy to strenuous. The park offers a well-known trail, the Mount Healy Overlook Trail, which provides stunning views of the surrounding landscape. This trail is considered easy and is only 1.5 miles long. The park also offers more challenging hikes, such as the Savage River Loop, which is a 9.5-mile trail that takes hikers through the heart of the park. This hike is considered strenuous due to its elevation gain and rough terrain.
On the other hand, Hot Springs National Park offers more gentle hikes. The park’s trails are primarily used for leisurely walks and nature observation. The park’s most popular trail, the Hot Springs Mountain Tower Trail, is only 0.6 miles long and provides panoramic views of the surrounding area. The park also offers longer trails, such as the Sunset Trail, which is a 2.7-mile hike that winds along the base of Hot Springs Mountain. This hike is considered easy and is a great option for families or those looking for a leisurely stroll.
Overall, both Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park offer great hiking experiences, but the type of hiking experience will vary depending on which park you visit. If you’re looking for a challenging hike, Denali National Park & Preserve is the better option. If you’re looking for a more relaxed, easy hike, Hot Springs National Park is the better choice.
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 Hot Springs National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Trail | 20921.42 | 722.9856 | Hard | loop | 4 |
| West Mountain Trail | 3057.746 | 107.8992 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Goat Rock Trail | 3862.416 | 115.824 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Gulpha Gorge Trail | 1931.208 | 116.7384 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| The Grand Promenade and Side Trails | 1931.208 | 33.8328 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Dead Chief Trail | 4345.218 | 121.92 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Hot Springs Mountain Trail | 5310.822 | 204.8256 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Peak Trail | 2092.142 | 108.8136 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Sugarloaf Mountain Via Sunset Trail | 11426.314 | 592.836 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Goat Rock via Dead Chief Trail | 2092.142 | 87.7824 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park are two unique national parks located in the United States. While both offer breathtaking views and opportunities to explore the great outdoors, they differ in terms of the wildlife you’ll see.
At Denali National Park & Preserve, visitors can expect to see a variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep. The park also boasts a diverse bird population, including bald eagles, gyrfalcons, and willow ptarmigans. Additionally, visitors may spot plant life like wildflowers, shrubs, and spruce trees.
Hot Springs National Park, on the other hand, is home to a different set of wildlife. The park is known for its hot springs, which provide a habitat for unusual plants like the green algae and fungi. Visitors can also expect to see a variety of bird species, including the red-tailed hawk, the American goldfinch, and the purple martin. The park is also home to a population of white-tailed deer, raccoons, and other small mammals.
Overall, both Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park offer unique wildlife experiences for visitors. Whether you’re interested in exploring the diverse bird life, or spotting large mammals like grizzly bears, both parks provide opportunities to connect with nature and observe the incredible creatures that call these parks home.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Hot Springs 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 |
| 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 | Hot Springs National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Silver-Haired Bat |
| River Otter | Hoary Bat |
| Common Shrew | Red Fox |
| Water Shrew | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Squirrel | House Mouse |
| Montane Shrew | Mink |
| Lynx | Gray Fox |
| Wolverine | North American River Otter |
| American Marten | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | White-Tailed Deer |
| Grizzly Bear | Virginia Opossum |
| Meadow Vole | Eastern Red Bat |
| Moose | White-Footed Mouse |
| Least Weasel | Norway Rat |
| Pygmy Shrew | Eastern Cottontail |
Fish
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Hot Springs National Park |
|---|---|
| Longnose Sucker | Largemouth Bass |
| Lake Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Northern Pike | Bluegill |
| Burbot | Fathead Minnow |
| Coho Salmon | Golden Shiner |
| Chinook Salmon | European Carp |
| Slimy Sculpin | Yellow Bullhead |
| Chum Salmon | Graceful Catfish |
| Dolly Varden | Black Crappie |
| Arctic Grayling | Black Bullhead |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Hot Springs National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Bullfrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve in Alaska is known for its beautiful mountain landscapes, including the iconic Denali (Mount McKinley). The park’s 6 million acres of wilderness provide ample opportunities for hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering. Visitors can take a scenic drive on the park road, which offers views of the rugged peaks and glaciers, or take a guided tour to explore the backcountry.
Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas is famous for its hot springs and thermal pools. The park’s hot water has been a popular destination for visitors for over a century. Here, you can soak in the natural hot springs, hike the trails along picturesque Bathhouse Row, or visit historic sites like the Fordyce Bathhouse. The park also offers scenic views of the Ouachita Mountains and lush forests.
Both Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park offer unique natural wonders and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you’re looking for rugged mountain peaks, hot springs, or scenic hikes, these two parks are sure to offer an unforgettable experience.
Things To-Do and Activities in Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park are two very different parks, each offering unique opportunities for visitors.
Denali is known for its rugged wilderness and abundance of wildlife. Visitors love to go on scenic drives, wildlife viewing tours, and flightseeing tours to get a bird’s eye view of the park. In addition to these activities, visitors also enjoy hiking, camping, and backpacking in the park’s backcountry.
Hot Springs National Park, on the other hand, is a more developed park with a strong focus on thermal hot springs. Visitors flock to the park to soak in the thermal baths, relax in the natural hot springs, and take in the stunning views from the bathhouses. The park also offers opportunities for hiking, camping, and fishing, but it is the hot springs that are the main draw for visitors.
Whether you’re looking for a rugged wilderness experience or a relaxing soak in a thermal bath, these two parks have something for everyone. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned park-goer, you’re sure to find something to love at Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park.
Best Time to Visit Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park are both unique and offer different experiences to visitors. The weather in these parks is a major factor that affects when is the best time of year to visit.
Denali National Park is located in Alaska and experiences long, cold winters with average temperatures ranging from -20 to 10°F. Summer temperatures are mild, with averages ranging from 40 to 60°F. The park’s weather can change rapidly, with visitors commonly experiencing sun, rain, snow, and fog all in the same day. The best time to visit Denali National Park is during the summer months of June, July, and August when the weather is mild and the park’s wildlife is most active.
Hot Springs National Park, on the other hand, is located in Arkansas and experiences warm, humid summers with average temperatures ranging from 70 to 90°F. Winter temperatures are mild, with averages ranging from 40 to 60°F. The park is known for its hot springs, which are naturally heated by geothermal activity. The best time to visit Hot Springs National Park is during the spring and fall months when the weather is mild and the natural hot springs are most comfortable to enjoy.
To summarize, Denali National Park is best visited during the summer months and Hot Springs National Park is best visited during the spring and fall months.
Family Friendliness of Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Hot Springs National Park are two popular destinations for families looking to enjoy the great outdoors. Both parks offer a range of activities and experiences that are perfect for families with children. However, there are some key differences between the two parks that make them better suited for different types of families.
Denali National Park & Preserve is a great option for families who enjoy outdoor activities and adventure. The park offers a range of opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing. Children will love seeing the diverse wildlife, including moose, caribou, and grizzly bears. The park also provides a variety of ranger programs and guided tours that are perfect for families with children.
On the other hand, Hot Springs National Park is better suited for families who are looking for a more relaxed, low-key experience. The park features hot springs that are perfect for soaking and relaxing. Children will love exploring the bathhouses and learning about the history of the hot springs. In addition, the park also offers a range of hiking trails and picnic areas that are perfect for families with children.
In conclusion, both parks have a lot to offer for families with children, but it really comes down to what type of experience you are looking for. If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, Denali National Park & Preserve is the better choice. If you are looking for a more relaxed experience, Hot Springs National Park is the better option.