Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve vs Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Feel Free To Share:

Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve vs Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most stunning and diverse national parks in the United States. Both parks offer visitors a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in breathtaking natural beauty, but each park has its own unique features that set it apart. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a nature photographer, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, these two parks are sure to leave you in awe.

Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is the perfect destination for those seeking adventure and solitude. This park is home to rugged wilderness and pristine landscapes, and is the perfect place for backpacking and camping. On the other hand, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in Tennessee and North Carolina, is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With its rolling hills, mist-covered mountains, and lush forests, this park is a nature lover’s paradise.

So, are you ready to explore the wild and rugged beauty of Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve or the misty, rolling hills of Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Join us as we compare these two stunning parks and discover the unique features that make them both truly special.

Hiking Trails in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park offer diverse hiking experiences. The Gates of the Arctic is located in Alaska, and is the second largest national park in the US. It is unique for its wilderness and remote location, but also for its lack of established trails. Hiking here requires good navigation skills and backcountry experience. On the other hand, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in Tennessee and North Carolina, and is the most visited national park in the US. It has over 800 miles of trails, ranging from easy to strenuous.

Some of the easier hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains include the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Both trails offer scenic views of the park and are suitable for families. For a more challenging hike, consider the Alum Cave Trail, which takes hikers to the top of Mount LeConte and provides stunning views of the surrounding area.

In the Gates of the Arctic, there are no designated trails, so hikers must rely on their navigational skills and experience to find their way. The park is known for its rugged terrain, and even the “easiest” hikes can be challenging. For a truly unique experience, consider taking a backpacking trip through the park. This will allow you to experience the wilderness in its rawest form, and you’ll have the opportunity to see wildlife and scenic vistas that can’t be seen from established trails.

Overall, both parks offer a diverse range of hiking experiences, from easy, family-friendly hikes to challenging backcountry adventures. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful stroll or a strenuous backpacking trip, both Gates of the Arctic and Great Smoky Mountains National Park have something to offer.

Most Popular Hiking Trails in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve

Name Length Elevation Type Difficulty Visitor Ratings
Shark Valley Trail 25427.572 6.7056 Easy loop 4.5
Anhinga Trail 2414.01 0 Easy loop 4.5
Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook Trail 321.868 0 Easy loop 4
Gumbo Limbo Trail 643.736 0 Easy loop 3.5
Long Pine Key Trail 24944.77 0 Easy out and back 4
Mahogany Hammock Trail 643.736 0 Easy loop 3.5
Everglades Coastal Prairie Trail 27358.78 4.8768 Easy out and back 4
Pinelands Trail 643.736 0 Easy loop 3.5
Everglades National Park East Entrance to Flamingo Scenic Route 58258.108 7.9248 Easy point to point 4.5
Nine Mile Pond 8851.37 0 Easy loop 5

Most Popular Hiking Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Name Length Elevation Type Difficulty Visitor Ratings
Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte 17219.938 916.8384 Hard out and back 5
Chimney Tops Trail 5793.624 392.8872 Hard out and back 4.5
Rainbow Falls Trail 8851.37 503.8344 Moderate out and back 4.5
Grotto Falls Trail 4184.284 162.7632 Moderate out and back 4.5
Laurel Falls Trail 3862.416 120.7008 Easy out and back 4
Abrams Falls Trail 7885.766 191.7192 Moderate out and back 4.5
Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail 1931.208 100.8888 Easy out and back 4.5
Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail 13840.324 603.8088 Moderate out and back 4.5
Ramsey Cascades Trail 13035.654 677.8752 Hard out and back 4.5
Peregrine Peak via Alum Cave Bluffs Trail 6759.228 322.7832 Moderate out and back 5

Wildlife in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two parks with vastly different landscapes and wildlife. Gates of the Arctic is located in Alaska and is characterized by its rugged wilderness and Arctic tundra. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina.

In Gates of the Arctic, visitors may see a variety of wildlife including caribou, moose, grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, and arctic foxes. The park also provides habitat for a variety of bird species, including the bald eagle, gyrfalcon, and peregrine falcon. The vegetation in the park is limited due to the harsh Arctic climate, but visitors may see species such as Arctic willow, dwarf birch, and tundra poppies.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its rich diversity of wildlife, including black bears, white-tailed deer, elk, and over 200 species of birds, including the scarlet tanager, wood thrush, and the eastern bluebird. The park is also home to a wide variety of plant species, including over 130 species of native trees and over 1,600 species of flowering plants.

Overall, both Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park offer unique experiences for visitors looking to observe and enjoy wildlife. Whether looking to see rugged Arctic wilderness or the lush forests of the Appalachian Mountains, these parks offer a chance to connect with nature and witness the beauty of the natural world.

Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.

Birds

Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve Great Smoky Mountains 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
Savannah Sparrow Barn Swallow
Hermit Thrush Savannah Sparrow
American Kestrel Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle Hermit Thrush
Northern Pintail American Kestrel
American Wigeon Bald Eagle
Green-Winged Teal Song Sparrow
American Pipit European Starling
Swainson’s Thrush Northern Pintail
Hairy Woodpecker American Wigeon
Red-Breasted Nuthatch Green-Winged Teal

Mammals

Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Coyote Coyote
American Beaver American Beaver
Muskrat Muskrat
Black Bear Big Brown Bat
Porcupine Bobcat
Red Fox Striped Skunk
Mink Little Brown Bat
Wolf Deer Mouse
Short-Tailed Weasel Raccoon
Varying Hare Black Bear
River Otter Porcupine
Common Shrew Silver-Haired Bat
Red Squirrel Hoary Bat
Montane Shrew Red Fox
Lynx Long-Tailed Weasel
Wolverine House Mouse
American Marten Panther (Mountain Lion)
Grizzly Bear Mink
Meadow Vole Gray Fox
Moose Gray Wolf
Least Weasel Snowshoe Hare
Pygmy Shrew River Otter
Northern Bog Lemming Masked Shrew
Water Shrew
Red Squirrel

Fish

Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Longnose Sucker Rainbow Trout
Lake Trout Brook Trout
Northern Pike Brown Trout
Eelpout Largemouth Bass
King Salmon Green Sunfish
Slimy Sculpin Bluegill
Chum Salmon Common Carp
Dolly Varden Longnose Dace
Arctic Grayling Yellow Bullhead
Channel Catfish
Black Crappie
Black Bullhead
Mosquitofish
Creek Chub
Goldfish
Smallmouth Bass

Amphibians

Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Wood Frog Northern Leopard Frog
American Bullfrog
Wood Frog

Insects

Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Orange Sulphur
Painted Lady
Monarch
American Painted Lady
Red Admiral
Mourning Cloak
Cabbage White
Silvery Blue
Common Checkered Skipper
Common Sulphur
Honey Bee
Variegated Fritillary
Buckeye
Commom Wood Nymph
Gray Hairstreak

Beautiful Landscapes in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve is a remote and pristine wilderness in Alaska, known for its stunning natural beauty, including rolling tundra and rugged peaks. The Brooks Range, a majestic mountain range, runs through the park providing breathtaking views and opportunities for backcountry adventures. Visitors can also spot wildlife such as grizzly bears, caribou, and wolves while exploring the park’s remote trails and waterways.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in Tennessee and North Carolina, is famous for its lush forests and rolling hills, as well as its stunning mountain vistas and streams. The park is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including over 1,500 species of flowering plants and a thriving population of black bears. Visitors can hike to scenic overlooks, admire the park’s historic structures, or take a leisurely drive along the park’s scenic roads, including the Newfound Gap Road, which offers panoramic views of the park’s rolling hills and peaks.

Things To-Do and Activities in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most visited parks in the United States, attracting millions of visitors each year. Both parks offer breathtaking natural beauty and a variety of recreational activities, but there are differences in the most popular activities at each park.

In Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, visitors come to experience the rugged Alaskan wilderness and backcountry adventure. The park is a popular destination for backpacking, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing, with opportunities to see grizzly bears, caribou, and wolves. The park also offers scenic flights and river rafting trips, giving visitors the chance to see the remote and stunning landscape from a different perspective.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the other hand, is known for its scenic drives, hiking trails and picnicking opportunities. The park features over 800 miles of hiking trails, with options ranging from easy nature walks to strenuous overnight backpacking trips. In addition, the park is a popular destination for bird watching, fishing, and horseback riding. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives through the park, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forests.

Both parks offer unique and memorable experiences for visitors, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Whether you’re looking for a backcountry adventure in the Alaskan wilderness or a scenic drive through the Smoky Mountains, both Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park offer something for everyone.

Best Time to Visit Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Although they are both located in different regions of the country, they share a number of similarities and differences in terms of their seasonal weather patterns.

The Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its subarctic climate. Summer temperatures in the park range from 50°F to 60°F, while winter temperatures can dip below -40°F. Snow is common throughout the entire year in this park, with the heaviest snowfall occurring in the winter months.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the other hand, is located in Tennessee and North Carolina and has a humid subtropical climate. The park experiences warm summers with temperatures ranging from 80°F to 90°F, and mild winters with temperatures ranging from 30°F to 40°F. Snow is rare in this park, with the heaviest snowfall typically occurring in January and February.

The seasonal weather patterns at both parks play a significant role in determining the best time of year to visit. The Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is best visited in the summer months, when the weather is mild and the snow has melted, making it easier to explore the park’s stunning landscapes. On the other hand, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is best visited in the spring and fall, when the temperatures are mild and the park’s stunning foliage is at its peak.

Family Friendliness of Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are both family-friendly parks that offer unique experiences for families. However, the type of family-friendly experience will depend on the interests of the family.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a variety of family-friendly activities like hiking, camping, fishing, and horseback riding. It also has several visitor centers and museums that provide educational opportunities. The park also has several campgrounds and picnic areas that are perfect for families.

On the other hand, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve offers a more rugged and remote outdoor experience. This park is a great choice for families who love backpacking and are looking for a more challenging adventure. The park has several backpacking trails, and families can also participate in ranger-led programs to learn about the park’s wildlife and wilderness.

Both parks offer unique family-friendly experiences, but Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the better choice for families who are seeking a more traditional park experience with plenty of visitor centers, picnic areas, and campgrounds. However, if your family is looking for a more challenging and rugged outdoor experience, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve may be the better choice.

Leave a Comment