Denali National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are two of the most unique National Parks in the United States. Both offer breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences, but in very different ways. From the snow-capped peaks of Denali to the pristine white dunes of White Sands, these parks are a must-visit for any nature lover. In this article, we’ll compare and contrast these two incredible destinations and help you decide which one is right for you. Whether you’re looking for adventure, solitude, or simply a change of scenery, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in one of these stunning parks. So buckle up, grab your hiking boots, and get ready for a journey through two of America’s most beautiful corners.
Hiking Trails in Denali National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both offer stunning views of nature and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, but the hiking trails at each park are quite different.
Denali National Park & Preserve offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. One of the easiest trails is the Horseshoe Lake Trail, which is a 1.5-mile loop that takes you through the park’s beautiful landscapes. On the other hand, the hardest hike in the park is the Mount Healy Overlook Trail, which is a 7.5-mile round-trip hike that takes you to an elevation of 3,000 feet.
White Sands National Park is home to the world’s largest gypsum dune field and offers a unique hiking experience unlike any other. One of the easiest hikes in the park is the Interdune Boardwalk, a 0.75-mile boardwalk that takes you through the heart of the dune field. For those looking for a challenge, the park offers the Alkali Flat Trail, a 4-mile round-trip hike that takes you through the park’s rugged terrain.
Both Denali National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park offer hiking trails for all levels of hikers, from easy walks to challenging hikes. Whether you’re looking for a scenic stroll or a workout, these parks have something to offer.
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 White Sands National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 6 |
Wildlife in Denali National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve in Alaska and White Sands National Park in New Mexico are two vastly different parks that offer unique wildlife experiences. Denali is home to a variety of large mammals, including moose, caribou, grizzly bears, and wolves. Visitors can also spot Dall sheep and marmots on the park’s tundra and birdlife such as golden eagles, gyrfalcons, and ptarmigans. The park’s vast wilderness also provides habitat for beavers, river otters, and other small mammals.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is a desert landscape with unique flora and fauna. While it may not have the large mammals of Denali, it is home to a variety of reptiles like rattlesnakes and Gila monsters, as well as insect species such as tarantulas and scorpions. The park is also a popular destination for birdwatchers, as it is a stopover point for many migratory bird species, including the threatened greater sandhill crane. The park’s white sand dunes also provide habitat for rare plant species such as the White Sands evening primrose.
In conclusion, both Denali National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park offer unique wildlife experiences, but visitors will see vastly different species at each park. Denali is known for its large mammals, while White Sands is famous for its reptiles and birdlife.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Denali National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Denali National Park & Preserve | White Sands 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 | White Sands 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 | Mountain Lion |
Wolverine | Mink |
American Marten | Common Gray Fox |
Northern Flying Squirrel | Plains Wolf |
Grizzly Bear | American Badger |
Meadow Vole | Ermine |
Moose | Snowshoe Hare |
Least Weasel | River Otter |
Pygmy Shrew | Masked Shrew |
Fish
Denali National Park & Preserve | White Sands National Park |
---|---|
Longnose Sucker | Largemouth Bass |
Lake Trout | Longnose Sucker |
Northern Pike | Green Sunfish |
Burbot | Bluegill |
Coho Salmon | Fathead Minnow |
Chinook Salmon | Golden Shiner |
Slimy Sculpin | Lake Trout |
Chum Salmon | Northern Pike |
Dolly Varden | Ellpout |
Arctic Grayling | Mottled Sculpin |
Slimy Sculpin | |
Longnose Dace | |
Black Crappie | |
Black Bullhead | |
Creek Chub | |
Brown Bullhead | |
Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
Denali National Park & Preserve | White Sands National Park |
---|---|
Wood Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Denali National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is best known for its stunning mountain range, the Alaska Range, and its centerpiece, Mount Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley). The park is also home to glaciers, tundra, and an array of wildlife, including grizzly bears and moose. Visitors can drive the park road for stunning views of the mountain, or take a guided tour to explore the backcountry.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is known for its unique and beautiful landscape of white sand dunes. The dunes are made of gypsum crystals, and visitors can explore the dunes by foot, on a guided tour, or even on a sled. In addition to the stunning dunes, the park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including pronghorns, rattlesnakes, and roadrunners. Visitors can also see the night sky in all its glory, as the park is one of the few places in the world with a “Dark Sky” designation.
Things To-Do and Activities in Denali National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are two unique and beautiful parks in the US, each offering a unique experience. In Denali, visitors can take scenic drives through the park to view the stunning landscape and wildlife, including the park’s main attraction, Mount Denali. The park also offers excellent opportunities for backpacking, river rafting and fishing.
White Sands, on the other hand, is famous for its white sand dunes and is a popular destination for hiking, picnicking, and sand sledding. The park also offers ranger-led tours and stargazing programs, showcasing the unique beauty of the sand dunes and the night sky. Visitors can also enjoy off-road driving and camping in the park’s backcountry.
Both parks offer a range of outdoor activities, from hiking and camping to scenic drives and wildlife watching. Denali’s wilderness provides a more rugged and remote experience, while White Sands’ otherworldly landscape of white sand dunes offers a unique and surreal experience. Both parks are popular for their natural beauty and the opportunities for outdoor recreation they offer, and are a must-visit for anyone looking for an unforgettable outdoor experience.
Best Time to Visit Denali National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are two of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the United States. However, their seasonal weather patterns are vastly different, affecting the best time to visit each park.
Denali National Park is located in Alaska and is known for its harsh, subarctic climate. The park experiences long, harsh winters with temperatures that can drop to -40°F. On the other hand, summers are mild and short, with temperatures ranging from 40°F to 60°F. The best time to visit Denali is during the summer months from June to August, when the weather is most favorable for outdoor activities.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, has a subtropical desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Temperatures in the summer can reach up to 100°F, making it the ideal time for visiting the park’s unique white sand dunes. Winter temperatures are mild, ranging from 40°F to 60°F, making it a great time for outdoor activities such as hiking and exploring. The best time to visit White Sands is during the spring and fall months, when temperatures are more moderate and comfortable for outdoor activities.
Both Denali National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park offer a unique and diverse range of outdoor activities and experiences, making them worth visiting at any time of year. However, understanding the seasonal weather patterns can help visitors plan the best time to visit both parks.
Family Friendliness of Denali National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are both beautiful and family-friendly but offer different experiences. Denali is a vast wilderness area that offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and wildlife viewing. The park has several campgrounds and picnic areas that are suitable for families. The park’s Junior Ranger program also provides educational activities for children.
On the other hand, White Sands is a unique and stunning landscape of white, desert-like sand dunes. The park has a small visitors center, picnic area and a gift shop. The park’s ranger-led programs and the Junior Ranger program are also educational and engaging for children. However, the park’s activities are limited to hiking, sledding and picnicking.
If you’re traveling with children, Denali National Park & Preserve is the better choice for its family-friendly activities, facilities and opportunities for outdoor adventures. White Sands, although beautiful and unique, is more suited for a day trip or a short visit.