Denali National Park & Preserve and Shenandoah National Park are two of the most stunning national parks in the United States. Both offer breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and an abundance of outdoor activities. But which one is right for you? Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a first-time visitor, this article will guide you through the highlights of each park and help you decide which one should be your next destination.
Denali National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is home to North America’s highest peak, Mount Denali. This park is a wilderness lover’s dream, with its pristine tundra, glaciers, and abundant wildlife. From hiking to backpacking, there is no shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy in Denali.
Shenandoah National Park, on the other hand, is located in Virginia and is known for its rolling hills and scenic drives. This park is a popular destination for those looking for a relaxing getaway, with its tranquil streams, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks. Whether you’re looking for an easy hike or a challenging trek, Shenandoah has something to offer for everyone.
Hiking Trails in Denali National Park & Preserve and Shenandoah National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Shenandoah National Park are two popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Both parks offer stunning landscapes and a variety of hiking trails to explore.
In Denali, the easiest hike is the Horseshoe Lake Trail, a 1.5-mile loop that takes you through dense forests and around a tranquil lake. For a more challenging experience, the Teklanika River Trail offers a strenuous 30-mile round trip hike that takes you deep into the park’s wilderness.
Shenandoah National Park is known for its 101-mile long Appalachian Trail that runs through the park, providing a long-distance hiking experience. For those looking for an easier hike, the Dark Hollow Falls Trail is a 1.4-mile loop that takes you to a 70-foot waterfall. For a more strenuous hike, the Old Rag Mountain Hike is a 9-mile round trip hike that takes you to the summit of Old Rag Mountain for panoramic views of the park.
In conclusion, both Denali National Park & Preserve and Shenandoah National Park offer a range of hiking options, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry adventures. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, each park has something to offer for every level of experience.
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 Shenandoah National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Rag Mountain Loop | 13840.324 | 736.7016 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run Trails Loop | 14484.06 | 722.9856 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Dark Hollow Falls Trail | 2253.076 | 171.9072 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bearfence Mountain Trail | 1609.34 | 73.7616 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Hawksbill Gap Loop via Appalachian Trail | 4184.284 | 228.9048 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Rose River Trail | 5632.69 | 256.9464 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| White Oak Canyon Trail | 15288.73 | 733.9584 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Stony Man via Appalachian Trail | 2414.01 | 97.8408 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| South River Falls Trail | 7402.964 | 387.7056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Little Stony Man Loop via Appalachian Trail | 5471.756 | 263.9568 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Denali National Park & Preserve and Shenandoah National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is home to a diverse array of wildlife and is renowned for its large mammals. Visitors can often spot grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep in the park. The park also boasts a rich birdlife, including the bald eagle and the ptarmigan.
Shenandoah National Park, located in Virginia, is known for its diverse ecosystems and rich wildlife. The park is home to black bears, white-tailed deer, turkeys, and other mammals. The park is also a popular destination for birdwatchers, with species like the scarlet tanager, wood thrush, and the hooded warbler commonly seen. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of reptiles and amphibians, including the timber rattlesnake and the red-spotted newt.
Both Denali and Shenandoah offer unique opportunities to observe and appreciate the beauty and diversity of wildlife in their respective regions. Whether you’re interested in large mammals, birds, or reptiles, there’s something for everyone at these parks. To make the most of your visit, be sure to bring sturdy hiking boots, binoculars, and a camera to capture the stunning natural beauty and wildlife that these parks have to offer.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Denali National Park & Preserve and Shenandoah National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Shenandoah 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 | Shenandoah 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 | Mountain Lion |
| Lynx | Gray Fox |
| Wolverine | River Otter |
| American Marten | Masked Shrew |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Water Shrew |
| Grizzly Bear | Red Squirrel |
| Meadow Vole | White-Tailed Deer |
| Moose | Virginia Opossum |
| Least Weasel | Marten |
| Pygmy Shrew | Northern Flying Squirrel |
Fish
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Longnose Sucker | Rainbow Trout |
| Lake Trout | Brook Trout |
| Northern Pike | Brown Trout |
| Burbot | Largemouth Bass |
| Coho Salmon | Green Sunfish |
| Chinook Salmon | Bluegill |
| Slimy Sculpin | Common Carp |
| Chum Salmon | Mottled Sculpin |
| Dolly Varden | Longnose Dace |
| Arctic Grayling | Yellow Bullhead |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
Reptiles
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Black Racer | |
| Ringneck Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Milksnake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch | |
| American Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Denali National Park & Preserve and Shenandoah National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve is a 6 million acre wilderness located in Alaska. The park is home to Mount McKinley, North America’s tallest peak, and is a popular destination for backpackers and mountaineers. Visitors can also see glaciers, rivers, and wildlife such as grizzly bears, caribou, and wolves.
Shenandoah National Park, located in Virginia, is a 200,000 acre park that encompasses the Blue Ridge Mountains. The park is known for its scenic drive, the Skyline Drive, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Visitors can also enjoy hiking and camping in the park, and can see waterfalls and wildlife such as deer, black bears, and birds of prey. Additionally, the park is home to several historic sites, including the Rapidan Camp, a former presidential retreat.
Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes and opportunities to explore the great outdoors. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or simply looking for a scenic drive, both Denali and Shenandoah offer unique and memorable experiences that are sure to delight nature lovers of all ages.
Things To-Do and Activities in Denali National Park & Preserve and Shenandoah National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Shenandoah National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a wide range of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy, but there are key differences between the two.
At Denali National Park & Preserve, the main attraction is wildlife viewing. Visitors flock to the park to see the unique Alaskan animals like grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. In addition to wildlife viewing, visitors also enjoy backpacking, fishing, and scenic drives.
Shenandoah National Park, on the other hand, is known for its scenic drives and vibrant fall foliage. The Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road that runs the length of the park, is a popular destination for visitors who want to take in the stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition to scenic drives, visitors to Shenandoah National Park also enjoy camping, horseback riding, and picnicking.
Both Denali National Park & Preserve and Shenandoah National Park are great destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but they offer different experiences. Whether you’re looking to see unique wildlife or take in the beauty of the mountains, both parks are sure to provide a memorable experience.
Best Time to Visit Denali National Park & Preserve and Shenandoah National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Shenandoah National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. They are both located in different regions of the country and offer different climatic conditions. In this section, we will compare the seasonal weather of these parks and how it affects the best time to visit each park.
Denali National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, mild summers. The average temperature in the summer is around 50°F, while in the winter it dips to -20°F. Summer is the best time to visit Denali for its scenic beauty, wildlife viewing, and outdoor activities, but visitors should be prepared for long daylight hours and occasional rain. Winter is a good time for those interested in experiencing the winter wonderland of the park, but it is important to be prepared for extreme cold and limited access to park facilities.
Shenandoah National Park, located in Virginia, has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The average temperature in the summer is around 80°F, while in the winter it is around 40°F. Summer is the best time to visit Shenandoah for its lush greenery and outdoor activities, but visitors should be prepared for hot and humid weather. Winter is a good time for those interested in experiencing the park’s scenic beauty, but it is important to be prepared for colder weather and potential snow.
Family Friendliness of Denali National Park & Preserve and Shenandoah National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Shenandoah National Park are both popular family destinations in the United States. Both parks offer scenic landscapes, outdoor recreational activities, and opportunities to learn about nature and wildlife. However, there are differences between the two parks that are particularly important when traveling with children.
Denali is known for its rugged wilderness and abundant wildlife. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. However, the park can be challenging for families with young children, due to its remote location, limited services, and harsh weather conditions.
In contrast, Shenandoah National Park is located in the eastern United States and is more easily accessible. The park has a well-developed road system, a variety of recreational activities, and many amenities, such as campgrounds, picnic areas, and restaurants. Shenandoah is also home to several scenic drives, including the Skyline Drive, which offers breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains.
In conclusion, Denali National Park & Preserve and Shenandoah National Park both offer unique experiences for families. However, for families with young children, Shenandoah National Park may be a more convenient and manageable choice, due to its more accessible location, easier terrain, and more developed infrastructure.