Are you in search of an exciting adventure, but can’t decide between the stunning beauty of Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and the rich history of Mesa Verde National Park? We’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through the wilds of Alaska and the plateaus of Colorado, comparing these two incredible national parks.
Discover the rugged, pristine wilderness of Gates of the Arctic, where you’ll encounter a breathtaking landscape unlike anything else on earth. From the jagged peaks of the Brooks Range to the rolling tundra, this park is a true wilderness experience, where you can hike, camp, and fish to your heart’s content.
On the other hand, Mesa Verde is a place where you can journey back in time and explore the ancient cliff dwellings of the Pueblo people. From the iconic Cliff Palace to the lesser-known Balcony House, these structures are a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Ancestral Puebloan people. Whether you’re an archaeology buff or simply fascinated by history, Mesa Verde is not to be missed.
Hiking Trails in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Mesa Verde National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve:
Located in Alaska, Gates of the Arctic is a remote wilderness park with no roads leading into it. Hiking trails are primitive and backpacking is the only way to access the park’s interior. The park boasts challenging hikes with steep inclines and rough terrains. The Narvik Ridge hike offers views of the Brooks Range and is a strenuous day hike that requires scrambling and climbing. On the other hand, the Alatna River valley hike is a relatively easier day hike, taking visitors through the beautiful valley and its surrounding scenic mountains.
Mesa Verde National Park:
Located in Colorado, Mesa Verde is a park that features pueblo cliff dwellings from the ancestral Pueblo people. The park has several well-maintained trails for visitors to explore. The Cliff Palace Loop is one of the easiest hikes, taking visitors through the largest cliff dwelling in North America. The Petroglyph Point trail is a challenging hike that offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and gives visitors a chance to see ancient rock art left by the ancestral Pueblo people. The Knife Edge trail is one of the most difficult hikes in the park, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mesas and canyons, but also requiring visitors to climb steep stairs and navigate narrow paths.
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 Mesa Verde National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Petroglyph Point Trail | 4184.284 | 131.9784 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Cliff Palace Loop Trail | 643.736 | 25.908 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Balcony House Loop Trail | 643.736 | 27.7368 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Mesa Verde Point Lookout Trail | 3379.614 | 161.8488 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Soda Canyon Overlook Trail | 1931.208 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Mesa Verde National Park Scenic Drive | 24140.1 | 797.9664 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
Long House Trail | 3379.614 | 86.868 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Step House Trail | 1287.472 | 46.9392 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Knife Edge Trail | 3218.68 | 46.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Prater Ridge Trail | 11748.182 | 311.8104 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Wildlife in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Mesa Verde National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including caribou, grizzly bears, moose, and wolves. The park also has a healthy population of birds, including the bald eagle, gyrfalcon, and peregrine falcon. Visitors may also spot arctic foxes, lynx, and wolverines. In addition to its abundant wildlife, the park also offers stunning scenic views and opportunities for outdoor recreation such as backpacking, fishing, and rafting.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, is known for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Visitors to the park may spot a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, pronghorns, coyotes, and a variety of bird species, including the American kestrel and the common raven. The park is also home to a variety of plant species, including pinyon pine, Utah juniper, and sagebrush. In addition to its rich cultural and natural history, Mesa Verde also offers opportunities for hiking, camping, and ranger-led tours.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Mesa Verde National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve | Mesa Verde 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 | Mesa Verde 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 | Mountain Lion |
Grizzly Bear | Mink |
Meadow Vole | Mule Deer |
Moose | Gray Fox |
Least Weasel | Wolf |
Pygmy Shrew | Long-Legged Myotis |
Northern Bog Lemming | Long-Eared Myotis |
Badger | |
Ermine |
Fish
Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve | Mesa Verde National Park |
---|---|
Longnose Sucker | |
Lake Trout | |
Northern Pike | |
Eelpout | |
King Salmon | |
Slimy Sculpin | |
Chum Salmon | |
Dolly Varden | |
Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve | Mesa Verde National Park |
---|---|
Wood Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
Tiger Salamander | |
Woodhouse’s Toad | |
Red-Spotted Toad | |
Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve | Mesa Verde National Park |
---|---|
Gopher Snake | |
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
Racer | |
Western Rattlesnake | |
Ring-Necked Snake | |
Sagebrush Lizard | |
Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
Side-Blotched Lizard | |
Nightsnake | |
Milksnake | |
Striped Whipsnake | |
Tree Lizard | |
Eastern Collared Lizard | |
Eastern Fence Lizard | |
Glossy Snake |
Beautiful Landscapes in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Mesa Verde National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its rugged and remote wilderness. The park is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, including the Brooks Range, which is a massive mountain range that stretches across the northern part of the park. Visitors can hike through the mountains and take in the stunning views of the surrounding wilderness. The park also offers opportunities to see wildlife, including caribou and grizzly bears.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, is famous for its ancient Native American cliff dwellings. The park features some of the best preserved and most accessible cliff dwellings in the world, including the famous Cliff Palace, which is the largest cliff dwelling in North America. Visitors can take guided tours of the dwellings, learning about the lives of the people who lived there over 700 years ago. The park also features beautiful landscapes, including mesa tops and canyons, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
Things To-Do and Activities in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Mesa Verde National Park
Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Mesa Verde National Park are two of America’s most popular national parks. Both parks offer visitors a chance to experience the beauty of the natural world and to engage in a variety of recreational activities. One of the main differences between these two parks is the type of terrain. Gates Of The Arctic is located in Alaska and features rugged, remote wilderness, while Mesa Verde is located in southwestern Colorado and features towering rock formations and ancient ruins.
When it comes to popular activities, visitors to Gates Of The Arctic love to engage in backcountry camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park offers over 7 million acres of pristine wilderness to explore and provides ample opportunities for visitors to see bears, caribou, and other wildlife. Meanwhile, visitors to Mesa Verde love to take guided tours of the ancient cliff dwellings, hike scenic trails, and enjoy the stunning views from the park’s many overlooks.
Both Gates Of The Arctic and Mesa Verde offer visitors a chance to experience the beauty and wonder of the natural world in unique and meaningful ways. Whether you’re looking for a rugged wilderness adventure or a chance to explore ancient ruins, these two parks are sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
Best Time to Visit Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Mesa Verde National Park
Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its subarctic climate with long, harsh winters and brief, cool summers. The park is blanketed in snow for much of the year, making it difficult to access from November to May. During this time, only experienced winter sports enthusiasts should visit. On the other hand, the best time to visit Gates Of The Arctic is during the summer months of June to September, when temperatures are mild and the park is accessible.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, has a more moderate climate with warm summers and cool winters. The park’s high elevation results in cooler temperatures, even during the summer months. The best time to visit Mesa Verde is from late spring to early fall, when temperatures are mild and the park’s famous cliff dwellings are accessible. Winter weather in the park can be unpredictable, with snow and icy conditions making some areas of the park impassable.
In conclusion, both Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Mesa Verde National Park offer unique experiences, but the weather patterns of each park have a significant impact on when it is best to visit. While both parks are accessible during the summer months, those looking to experience the subarctic climate of Gates Of The Arctic should plan their trip for the winter months, while those looking to visit Mesa Verde should plan for the late spring to early fall.
Family Friendliness of Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Mesa Verde National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, and Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, both offer unique experiences for families but vary greatly in their family-friendly amenities.
Gates of the Arctic is a remote wilderness park with limited facilities. The park provides opportunities for backpacking, fishing, and other outdoor activities, but lacks amenities such as campgrounds and visitor centers. This park is best suited for families who are experienced outdoor enthusiasts and who are comfortable with self-sufficient travel.
On the other hand, Mesa Verde National Park offers a variety of family-friendly amenities such as campgrounds, picnic areas, and ranger-led programs. The park is also home to a number of well-preserved ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, which can be toured with park rangers. In addition, the park offers junior ranger programs and other activities designed for kids.
In conclusion, if you are traveling with children and are looking for a more traditional national park experience with convenient amenities and educational opportunities, then Mesa Verde National Park may be the better choice. However, if you are an experienced outdoor family looking for a remote wilderness adventure, then Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve could be the perfect fit.