Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park are two of the most breathtaking and breathtakingly beautiful national parks in the United States. Both parks offer incredible opportunities for outdoor recreation, stunning landscapes and breathtaking views, and a chance to immerse yourself in the natural world.
Denali is known for its stunning vistas and stunning wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, and wolves. The park’s centerpiece is Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America and a bucket-list destination for many climbers and hikers.
North Cascades, on the other hand, is a hidden gem that is often overlooked by visitors. This park is a perfect destination for those looking for a more rugged and remote experience. The park is home to over 300 glaciers, towering peaks and deep valleys, and a diverse array of wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, and marmots.
Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just looking for a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, these two parks offer something for everyone. So, grab your backpack, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready for an adventure.
Hiking Trails in Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park are two of the most breathtaking national parks in the US. Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails for all skill levels.
Denali National Park & Preserve has over 90 miles of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous. The easiest hike is the 1.5-mile Mount Healy Overlook Trail, which offers stunning views of the park. The hardest hike is the 20-mile round-trip hike to the top of Denali. North Cascades National Park has over 400 miles of trails, with options ranging from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes is the 1.2-mile Cascade Pass Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. The hardest hike in the park is the 22-mile round-trip hike to the summit of Goode Mountain.
Both parks offer a diverse range of hiking experiences, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, there’s something for everyone in Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park.
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 North Cascades National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lake Trail | 8529.502 | 291.9984 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail | 17541.806 | 1175.9184 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sourdough Mountain Trail | 14644.994 | 1555.6992 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail to Cottonwood Camp | 25588.506 | 1422.8064 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail | 10460.71 | 542.8488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sahale Arm Trail to Quien Sabe Glacier | 19955.816 | 1651.7112 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk | 3057.746 | 21.9456 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Fourth of July Pass via Panther Creek Trail | 14966.862 | 759.8664 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Ruby Mountain Summit via Fourth of July and Thunder Creek Trail | 23335.43 | 1949.8056 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
| Gorge Creek Falls Trail | 804.67 | 11.8872 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
Wildlife in Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both are known for their scenic beauty and diverse wildlife, but each park has its own unique features that make it special.
In Denali, you can expect to see a wide variety of wildlife, including caribou, moose, grizzly bears, wolves, and Dall sheep. The park is also home to numerous bird species, including bald eagles and peregrine falcons. Visitors to the park can also spot several species of fish, including salmon and Arctic grayling.
North Cascades National Park is known for its diverse ecosystem, which includes old-growth forests, alpine meadows, and glaciers. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including black bears, cougars, and elk. Visitors can also spot several species of birds, including the majestic bald eagle and the colorful western tanager. Additionally, the park is home to numerous species of wildflowers, including lupine, Indian paintbrush, and columbine.
In conclusion, both Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife and plants. Whether you’re interested in viewing majestic animals like grizzly bears or soaring birds like bald eagles, these parks are sure to impress.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Denali National Park & Preserve | North Cascades 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 | Merlin |
| Merlin | Barn Swallow |
| Barn Swallow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
| Swainson’s Thrush | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Denali National Park & Preserve | North Cascades 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 | Porcupine |
| River Otter | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Common Shrew | Hoary Bat |
| Water Shrew | Red Fox |
| Red Squirrel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Montane Shrew | House Mouse |
| Lynx | Puma |
| Wolverine | Mink |
| American Marten | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Wolf |
| Grizzly Bear | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Meadow Vole | Western Long-Eared Bat |
| Moose | Ermine |
| Least Weasel | California Myotis |
| Pygmy Shrew | Snowshoe Hare |
Fish
| Denali National Park & Preserve | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Longnose Sucker | Redband Trout |
| Lake Trout | Brook Trout |
| Northern Pike | Largemouth Bass |
| Burbot | Longnose Sucker |
| Coho Salmon | Lake Trout |
| Chinook Salmon | Burbot |
| Slimy Sculpin | Silver Salmon |
| Chum Salmon | King Salmon |
| Dolly Varden | Slimy Sculpin |
| Arctic Grayling | Longnose Dace |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Kokanee | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Amphibians
| Denali National Park & Preserve | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Denali National Park & Preserve | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Western Yellowbelly Racer | |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Denali National Park & Preserve | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is home to the tallest mountain peak in North America, Mount Denali. The park is a popular destination for visitors who come to see its stunning landscapes, including glaciers, alpine tundra, and diverse wildlife. Visitors can take a scenic drive along the park road, hike one of its many trails, or take a guided tour to get up close to the mountain.
North Cascades National Park, located in Washington State, is known for its rugged peaks, deep valleys, and stunning glaciers. The park is home to over 300 glaciers, including the largest in the contiguous United States, the Boston Glacier. Visitors to North Cascades can hike its many trails, camp in its backcountry, or take a scenic drive along the North Cascades Highway. The park also offers a variety of recreational activities, including rock climbing, kayaking, and fishing.
Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes, with Denali National Park & Preserve offering views of the tallest peak in North America and North Cascades National Park featuring its rugged peaks, deep valleys, and glaciers. Both parks are also home to diverse wildlife, making them popular destination for nature lovers. Whether you’re looking for a scenic drive, a challenging hike, or a chance to see some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, these two national parks are not to be missed.
Things To-Do and Activities in Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. While both parks offer a wide range of recreational activities, each has its own unique features.
Denali is best known for its stunning views of Mount McKinley, the tallest peak in North America. Visitors to the park can enjoy scenic drives, wildlife viewing, and backpacking. The park also offers ranger-led activities, such as guided hikes and campfire programs. In the winter, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
North Cascades, on the other hand, is known for its rugged terrain and scenic beauty. The park is home to over 300 glaciers and is a popular destination for rock climbing and mountaineering. Visitors can also enjoy backpacking, camping, fishing, and rafting. In the winter, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Both parks offer a unique wilderness experience, with Denali offering views of North America’s tallest peak, while North Cascades offers a rugged and scenic landscape. Whether you prefer backpacking, wildlife viewing, or mountaineering, both parks have something to offer for every type of outdoor enthusiast.
Best Time to Visit Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park offer visitors different experiences based on seasonal weather patterns. Denali National Park is located in Alaska, known for its long and harsh winters with temperatures dropping to -40°F and heavy snowfall. During the summer, temperatures average in the mid-50s with occasional rain showers. The best time to visit Denali is during the summer months of June to August, when the park is accessible by road and wildlife is most active.
North Cascades National Park, located in Washington State, has a more moderate climate with temperatures averaging in the 70s during the summer and 30s during the winter. The park experiences more rainfall compared to Denali, with the most precipitation happening from October to April. The best time to visit North Cascades is during the drier months of July to September, when visitors can take advantage of clear skies to enjoy scenic views and outdoor activities.
In conclusion, both Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park offer unique experiences for visitors, with seasonal weather patterns affecting the best time to visit. Whether you prefer to experience the harsh Alaskan winter or the moderate climate of the Pacific Northwest, both parks offer an unforgettable adventure.
Family Friendliness of Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park are two of the most popular National Parks in the United States. While both are great places to visit, they are quite different, especially when it comes to family-friendliness.
Denali National Park & Preserve is a great place to visit with kids. The park has a number of ranger-led activities that are designed specifically for families, including nature walks, campfire programs, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Additionally, there are several short, easy hiking trails that are perfect for families with young children. The park also has a shuttle bus service that allows visitors to explore the park without worrying about driving on narrow, winding roads.
North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, is a bit more challenging for families. The park is more rugged and remote, and its hiking trails tend to be longer and steeper. While this makes it a great destination for experienced hikers, it can be difficult for families with young children. That being said, the park offers a number of ranger-led activities and has several picnic areas that are great for families. However, the park’s remote location means that there are fewer services available, and visitors will need to plan ahead and be self-sufficient.
In conclusion, both Denali National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park are great places to visit, but they are quite different when it comes to family-friendliness. If you’re traveling with children, Denali National Park & Preserve is likely a better choice, as it has more ranger-led activities and easier hiking trails.