Are you in the mood for a showdown between two of America’s most unique and captivating landscapes? Then buckle up and get ready to compare Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park!
On one side, we have the rugged and remote Gates of the Arctic, with its breathtaking views of the Alaskan wilderness and endless opportunities for backpacking and wilderness adventure. On the other hand, we have the otherworldly beauty of White Sands, with its rolling dunes of pure white gypsum and its unique ecosystem that supports a variety of rare and fascinating species.
So, which one will come out on top? Will it be the wild, untamed beauty of Gates of the Arctic, or the stark, otherworldly charm of White Sands? The answer may surprise you! Read on to find out more about these two amazing parks and discover which one is the perfect fit for your next adventure.
Hiking Trails in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are two unique national parks with different landscapes, but both offer scenic hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts.
At Gates of the Arctic, there are no maintained trails and hiking is done on a backcountry basis, making it a more challenging experience for visitors. The park is known for its rugged terrain, including steep inclines and valleys, and hikers should be prepared for a physically demanding adventure. Some of the most difficult hikes include the Brooks Range and the Arrigetch Peaks. On the other hand, the valley of the Noatak River offers more gentle hikes with breathtaking views.
White Sands, on the other hand, offers a more accessible hiking experience with well-defined trails that wind through the sand dunes. The park’s main attraction is the white sand dunes and visitors can hike to the top for panoramic views. The Interdune Boardwalk is one of the easiest hikes in the park and is a great option for families and visitors with mobility issues. For visitors looking for a more challenging hike, the Alkali Flat Trail takes you on a 5-mile trek through the heart of the dunes.
Overall, both Gates of the Arctic and White Sands offer unique hiking experiences for visitors. Whether you are looking for a challenging backcountry adventure or an easier hike through stunning landscapes, these parks have something for everyone.
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 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 Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park offer unique wildlife experiences due to their vastly different habitats. Gates of the Arctic, located in Alaska, is known for its rugged wilderness and abundant wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, wolves, and arctic foxes. Visitors may also spot moose, wolverines, and eagles while hiking or camping in the park.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is an otherworldly landscape of white sand dunes formed from gypsum crystals. Despite its seemingly inhospitable environment, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including rattlesnakes, roadrunners, and kangaroo rats. Birds such as the greater roadrunner and Montezuma quail can also be seen in the park. Additionally, visitors may spot a variety of cacti and other desert-adapted plants during their visit.
Both parks offer unique and exciting wildlife experiences, but Gates of the Arctic’s wilderness and abundance of large mammals make it particularly appealing to those interested in wildlife viewing. Meanwhile, White Sands’ unique landscape and desert-adapted wildlife offer a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Gates Of The Arctic 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 |
| 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 | White Sands 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 | Common Gray Fox |
| Moose | Plains Wolf |
| Least Weasel | American Badger |
| Pygmy Shrew | Ermine |
| Northern Bog Lemming | Snowshoe Hare |
| River Otter | |
| Masked Shrew |
Fish
| Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Longnose Sucker | Largemouth Bass |
| Lake Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Northern Pike | Green Sunfish |
| Eelpout | Bluegill |
| King Salmon | Fathead Minnow |
| Slimy Sculpin | Golden Shiner |
| Chum Salmon | Lake Trout |
| Dolly Varden | Northern Pike |
| Arctic Grayling | Ellpout |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is known for its rugged and remote wilderness. The park is home to the Brooks Range, a mountainous landscape that covers much of northern Alaska and provides stunning views of the surrounding wilderness. The park also offers opportunities to see caribou, grizzly bears, and other wildlife, as well as glaciers, rivers, and other natural wonders.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is famous for its white sand dunes. The dunes cover over 275 square miles and are made up of gypsum crystals that have been weathered and eroded from the surrounding mountains. Visitors to the park can take a scenic drive, hike, camp, or even sled down the dunes. The park also has a unique desert ecosystem with plants and animals adapted to the harsh conditions.
Both parks offer unique landscapes and natural wonders that are worth experiencing. Gates of the Arctic provides a remote and rugged wilderness experience, while White Sands offers a unique and otherworldly landscape of white sand dunes. Both parks are great destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and those looking to escape into nature and enjoy the beauty of the natural world.
Things To-Do and Activities in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and White Sands National Park offer entirely different outdoor experiences for visitors. In Gates of the Arctic, visitors can enjoy backpacking, camping, and fishing in the Alaskan wilderness. The park is known for its pristine wilderness and stunning views, making it a popular destination for those seeking adventure and solitude. On the other hand, White Sands is a haven for outdoor recreation, such as hiking, picnicking, and sledding on the sand dunes. The park’s unique and otherworldly landscape, created by the gypsum sand dunes, has drawn visitors from across the world.
Visitors to Gates of the Arctic can also participate in cultural activities, such as learning about the local Inupiat Eskimo culture and visiting archaeological sites. In contrast, White Sands offers a chance to stargaze, with its dark skies and minimal light pollution providing one of the best stargazing experiences in the country. Both parks offer ranger-led programs, providing visitors with the opportunity to learn more about the park’s unique features and history.
Overall, both Gates of the Arctic and White Sands offer unique and unforgettable experiences for visitors. Whether you’re looking for adventure and solitude in the wilderness, or a chance to relax and explore a unique landscape, these parks have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are two unique and distinctive National Parks. The seasonal weather at each park is drastically different, affecting the best time of year to visit.
At Gates of the Arctic, the summer months of June through August have average high temperatures ranging from 40 to 60°F, with occasional rain showers. Winter temperatures can drop as low as -40°F, with heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions. This park is best visited in the summer for outdoor activities such as hiking and wildlife viewing, but winter visitors can experience the stunning beauty of the snow-covered wilderness.
White Sands, on the other hand, experiences hot and dry weather year-round, with average summer temperatures ranging from 80 to 90°F, and winter temperatures ranging from 60 to 70°F. The park is known for its unique white sand dunes, which are best enjoyed during the cooler months to avoid the scorching heat. Winter is also the best time to view the night sky, as the park is designated as an International Dark Sky Park.
In conclusion, both Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park offer unique and memorable experiences, but the best time of year to visit is dependent on the weather conditions and individual preferences.
Family Friendliness of Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are two vastly different parks in terms of their landscapes and activities. However, when it comes to being family-friendly, both have their own unique offerings.
Gates of the Arctic is a remote wilderness area with a challenging and rugged terrain, making it less accessible for families with young children. However, for older kids and adventure-seeking families, the park offers a unique opportunity to explore the Arctic wilderness, hike and fish. Accommodations are limited, but camping is possible.
White Sands, on the other hand, is located in southern New Mexico and is more accessible for families. The park’s main attraction is the stunning white sand dunes that visitors can explore, hike and even sled down. There are also ranger-led programs and a picnic area for families to enjoy. Accommodations are available in nearby towns and the park offers a campground.
In terms of being family-friendly, White Sands is the better option, as it is more accessible and has more opportunities for families to enjoy and learn together. Gates of the Arctic is better suited for families with older children, who are looking for a more challenging adventure.