Nestled in the heart of Alaska, the Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest and most spectacular wilderness areas in the world. With its rugged landscapes, pristine wilderness and abundant wildlife, these national parks are a true paradise for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Whether you’re an experienced hiker, a seasoned camper, or simply someone looking to immerse yourself in the beauty of the great outdoors, these parks have something to offer for everyone. With miles of trails, glaciers, rivers, and mountains to explore, you’ll never run out of exciting things to do and see.
So, are you ready to discover the hidden gems of Alaska’s wild frontier? Join us as we embark on a journey to compare and contrast the Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. From their diverse landscapes and unique wildlife, to the best places to camp and hike, we’ll uncover the secrets of these magnificent wilderness areas and help you plan your next adventure in Alaska.
Hiking Trails in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two stunning wilderness areas in Alaska. They both offer incredible opportunities for hiking, but the trails in each park are distinct.
At Gates of the Arctic, the hiking trails are more remote and challenging. They are for experienced hikers who are looking for a true wilderness experience. Some of the toughest hikes in the park include the Anaktuvuk Pass and the Marsh Fork of the Koyukuk River. These trails are unmarked and can be difficult to navigate, with steep elevation gains and rugged terrain.
In contrast, Wrangell – St. Elias offers a wider range of hiking options, with trails that suit both novice and experienced hikers. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Root Glacier Trail and the Nugget Falls Trail, which offer stunning views of glaciers and waterfalls. For more challenging hikes, the park’s backcountry trails lead to remote mountain valleys and glaciers, with options for multi-day trips.
Both parks offer breathtaking hiking experiences, but the choice between them depends on the level of difficulty that you are looking for in your hike. If you are an experienced hiker seeking a true wilderness experience, Gates of the Arctic may be the better choice. If you are looking for a mix of easy and challenging hikes, with the option to explore glaciers and backcountry, Wrangell – St. Elias is definitely worth considering.
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 Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is located in Alaska and covers an area of over 8 million acres. This park is home to a variety of wildlife, including caribou, grizzly bears, and wolves. Birdwatchers will also find a variety of species, including the peregrine falcon, the gyrfalcon, and the rough-legged hawk. Visitors may also see arctic foxes, moose, and wolverines.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park and Preserve is located in southern Alaska and covers an area of over 13 million acres. This park is known for its large herds of caribou, as well as its population of grizzly bears, black bears, and wolves. Visitors may also see mountain goats, Dall sheep, and moose. Birdwatchers will find a variety of species, including the golden eagle, the bald eagle, and the boreal owl. This park is also home to a variety of plant species, including cottonwoods, willows, and alders.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Black Bear | Little Brown Bat |
| Porcupine | Black Bear |
| Red Fox | Porcupine |
| Mink | Red Fox |
| Wolf | Puma |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Mink |
| Varying Hare | Mule Deer |
| River Otter | Wolf |
| Common Shrew | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Squirrel | Snowshoe Hare |
| Montane Shrew | Land Otter |
| Lynx | Common Shrew |
| Wolverine | Water Shrew |
| American Marten | Red Squirrel |
| Grizzly Bear | Montane Shrew |
| Meadow Vole | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Moose | Lynx |
| Least Weasel | Wolverine |
| Pygmy Shrew | American Marten |
| Northern Bog Lemming | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Grizzly Bear | |
| Meadow Vole |
Fish
| Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Longnose Sucker | Steelhead |
| Lake Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Northern Pike | Lake Trout |
| Eelpout | Northern Pike |
| King Salmon | Burbot |
| Slimy Sculpin | Silver Salmon |
| Chum Salmon | King Salmon |
| Dolly Varden | Slimy Sculpin |
| Arctic Grayling | Threespine Stickleback |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Wood Frog |
Insects
| Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur |
Beautiful Landscapes in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is a wilderness park located in Alaska that is known for its pristine beauty and breathtaking landscapes. The park is home to the Brooks Range, a chain of mountains that runs through the heart of the park and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also see the Arrigetch Peaks, a group of jagged, granite spires that rise dramatically from the surrounding tundra.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, also located in Alaska, is the largest national park in the United States and is known for its stunning mountain ranges, glaciers, and glaciers valleys. The park is home to Mount St. Elias, the second highest peak in the United States, and visitors can take scenic flights to see the stunning ice fields and glaciers that cover the park. The park is also home to the Wrangell Mountains, a range of volcanic peaks that tower over the surrounding landscape.
Both parks offer a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors, with breathtaking landscapes and stunning natural wonders that are sure to leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re interested in exploring the rugged Brooks Range, admiring the glaciers of Wrangell-St. Elias, or simply taking in the stunning views from a scenic overlook, these parks are sure to offer a memorable experience for everyone who visits.
Things To-Do and Activities in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two of Alaska’s most visited national parks. Both offer a wide range of activities for visitors, but there are some key differences between the two.
At Gates of the Arctic, visitors can enjoy backpacking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. With no roads or developed facilities within the park, visitors must be self-sufficient and capable of navigating the wilderness on their own. In contrast, Wrangell – St. Elias is a more accessible park with roads leading to several visitor centers and developed campgrounds. This park is popular for backcountry skiing and snowboarding, glacier hiking, and rafting.
Both parks offer opportunities for wildlife viewing, but the species seen can vary greatly between the two. At Gates of the Arctic, visitors may have a chance to see grizzly bears, caribou, and wolves, while Wrangell – St. Elias is known for its large populations of Dall sheep, moose, and mountain goats.
Both parks also offer scenic flights and scenic drives, allowing visitors to experience the unique beauty of Alaska’s wilderness from above or from the comfort of their car. While both parks offer a variety of activities, they each have their own distinct character, making it possible to have a different experience at each park. Whether you are looking for a remote wilderness adventure or a more accessible park experience, both Gates of the Arctic and Wrangell – St. Elias have something to offer.
Best Time to Visit Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of Alaska’s largest national parks. Both offer breathtaking views, abundant wildlife, and diverse landscapes, but the seasonal weather in each park is significantly different, affecting when is the best time to visit.
Gates of the Arctic is located in northern Alaska and experiences long, harsh winters with temperatures well below freezing and limited daylight hours. Summer temperatures are mild and the park is known for its long days with 24 hours of sunlight. Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in southern Alaska and experiences a more temperate climate with milder winters and warmer summers. The park receives a significant amount of precipitation throughout the year, making it an ideal location for glaciers and large rivers.
In general, the best time to visit Gates of the Arctic is during the summer months, from June to September, when temperatures are mild and the park is accessible by road. Winter visits are limited to experienced backcountry skiers and snowmobilers. Wrangell – St Elias is best visited during the summer months as well, when the weather is warm and the park is open for recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Winter visits to Wrangell – St Elias are possible, but the park is much less accessible and some areas may be closed due to snow and ice.
Family Friendliness of Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most beautiful and unique national parks in Alaska. Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and unparalleled opportunities for adventure, but when it comes to family-friendliness, there are some differences to consider.
Gates Of The Arctic is a remote and rugged park, with no roads or established trails. This means that most visitors need to be experienced backpackers, and the park is not very suitable for families with young children. On the other hand, Wrangell – St Elias is one of the largest parks in the country, with a variety of trails, roads, and facilities that make it more accessible and family-friendly. There are plenty of opportunities for family-friendly activities, such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, and visitors can choose from a range of accommodations, from camping to lodges.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with children and looking for a family-friendly national park experience, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is the better choice. With its accessible trails, diverse range of activities, and comfortable accommodations, it’s the perfect place for families to explore and create lasting memories.