Gateway Arch National Park vs Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

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Gateway Arch National Park vs Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Discover two of America’s most unique and awe-inspiring national parks! Gateway Arch National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are both unlike any other parks you’ve visited. They both offer a unique combination of history, nature, and adventure that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or thrill-seeker, you’ll find something to love at these two parks.

Gateway Arch National Park, located in St. Louis, Missouri, is home to the Gateway Arch, the world’s tallest monument made of stainless steel. This 630-foot architectural wonder serves as a symbol of America’s westward expansion and tells the story of the pioneers who set out to explore the unknown frontier.

On the other hand, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, located in southern Colorado, is a natural wonder that will leave you in awe. It’s home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, towering over 700 feet tall! And, if you’re brave enough, you can even sandboard or ski down the dunes.

Both parks offer unique experiences that are sure to create lasting memories. So, pack your bags and gear up for an adventure to Gateway Arch National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve!

Hiking Trails in Gateway Arch National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Gateway Arch National Park are two unique and contrasting parks both located in the western region of the United States. Each offers a range of hiking experiences for visitors.

At Great Sand Dunes, visitors can hike the Dunes Overlook Trail, which is a 1.5-mile, round-trip hike that offers stunning views of the dunes, as well as the surrounding mountains. For a more strenuous hike, visitors can tackle the High Dune Trail, a 3-mile, round-trip hike that takes visitors to the top of the highest dune.

At Gateway Arch, the park offers several urban hikes, including the Riverfront Trail, which is a 2-mile hike along the Mississippi River, and the Arch Grounds Trail, a 1.2-mile hike that allows visitors to explore the park’s monuments and gardens. For a more challenging hike, visitors can climb the stairs inside the Gateway Arch, which offers breathtaking views of the city from 630 feet above the ground.

Both parks offer easy and challenging hikes, so visitors can choose the trail that best suits their needs. Whether you prefer a leisurely stroll or a heart-pumping adventure, the hiking trails at Great Sand Dunes and Gateway Arch have something to offer.

Most Popular Hiking Trails in Gateway Arch National Park

Name Length Elevation Type Difficulty Visitor Ratings
St. Louis Riverfront Trail 34439.876 109.728 Easy loop 4
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial 2574.944 20.7264 Easy loop 4

Most Popular Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Name Length Elevation Type Difficulty Visitor Ratings
High Dune Trail 4828.02 191.7192 Hard out and back 5
Mosca Pass Trail 10299.776 444.7032 Moderate out and back 4.5
Dunes Trail from Pinyon Flats 7242.03 290.7792 Hard loop 4.5
Sand Dunes Loop Trail 8046.7 225.8568 Moderate loop 4.5
Upper Sand Creek Lake Trail 11909.116 598.932 Very Hard out and back 4.5
Medano Lake Trail 12713.786 697.992 Moderate out and back 4
Montville Nature Trail 804.67 26.8224 Easy loop 4
Dunes Overlook Sand Ramp Trail 2414.01 80.772 Moderate out and back 3.5
Little Medano Creek Trail to Medano Lake 40394.434 1079.9064 Moderate out and back 4
Wellington Ditch Trail 2896.812 47.8536 Easy out and back 4

Wildlife in Gateway Arch National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Gateway Arch National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two of the most unique national parks in the United States. The two parks offer completely different experiences, both in terms of the physical environment and the wildlife that can be found there.

At Gateway Arch National Park located in St. Louis, Missouri, visitors can expect to see a variety of waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and pelicans, as well as other birds like pigeons and sparrows. Along the Mississippi River, one may also see beavers, squirrels, and raccoons. As for plant life, the park is home to a variety of trees including oak, maple, and sycamore, as well as grasses and wildflowers.

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in Colorado offers a completely different experience. This park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including pronghorns, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and black bears. Visitors may also see a variety of bird species, such as the mountain bluebird, the horned lark, and the phainopepla. The park is also home to a variety of cacti, yucca, and other adapted desert plants.

Both Gateway Arch National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offer unique experiences and opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitats. Whether you’re interested in waterfowl, desert dwellers, or a mix of both, these parks are sure to provide an unforgettable experience.

Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Gateway Arch National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.

Birds

Gateway Arch National Park Great Sand Dunes 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

Gateway Arch National Park Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
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 Mule Deer
American Marten Gray Fox
Grizzly Bear Long-Legged Myotis
Meadow Vole Long-Eared Bat
Moose Badger
Least Weasel Ermine
Pygmy Shrew Snowshoe Hare
Northern Bog Lemming Masked Shrew
Water Shrew
Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat

Fish

Gateway Arch National Park Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Longnose Sucker Brook Trout
Lake Trout German Brown Trout
Northern Pike Cutthroat Trout
Eelpout
King Salmon
Slimy Sculpin
Chum Salmon
Dolly Varden
Arctic Grayling

Amphibians

Gateway Arch National Park Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Wood Frog Northern Leopard Frog
Tiger Salamander
Woodhouse’s Toad
Plains Spadefoot

Reptiles

Gateway Arch National Park Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Bull Snake
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Western Prairie Rattlesnake
Greater Short-Horned Lizards
Milksnake
Eastern Fence Lizard

Beautiful Landscapes in Gateway Arch National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Gateway Arch National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two of the most famous national parks in the United States. Gateway Arch National Park is known for its iconic steel structure, the Gateway Arch, which stands 630 feet tall and is a symbol of the city of St. Louis, Missouri. Visitors can take a tram to the top of the Arch for panoramic views of the city. The park also boasts beautiful riverfront views and plenty of green space for picnics and outdoor activities.

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in southern Colorado and is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. The dunes rise as high as 750 feet and are surrounded by beautiful vistas of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Visitors can hike or sand board on the dunes, or swim in the nearby Medano Creek. The park also offers opportunities to see unique wildlife, including bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and black bears.

Both parks offer unique landscapes and natural wonders that are sure to impress visitors. Whether you’re interested in experiencing the thrill of sand boarding on the tallest dunes in North America or taking in breathtaking views from the top of the Gateway Arch, both parks are must-see destinations for anyone who loves the great outdoors.

Things To-Do and Activities in Gateway Arch National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Gateway Arch National Park, located in St. Louis, Missouri, and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, located in Colorado, are two popular national parks that offer unique experiences to visitors. Gateway Arch is famous for its 630-foot tall steel monument that serves as a symbol of American westward expansion. Visitors can take a tram to the top of the arch for panoramic views of the city, and explore the museum below to learn about the history of the arch. On the other hand, Great Sand Dunes is known for its towering sand dunes, some of which reach over 700 feet tall. Visitors can hike, sandboard, and even sled down the dunes. Horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and stargazing are also popular activities in the park.

Both Gateway Arch and Great Sand Dunes offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and education, but they differ in the types of activities they offer. Gateway Arch is a great destination for history buffs and city-dwellers while Great Sand Dunes is an adventurer’s paradise. Whether you want to learn about American history, take in panoramic views, or engage in adrenaline-fueled activities, both of these national parks have something to offer.

Best Time to Visit Gateway Arch National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Gateway Arch National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two distinct national parks with their own unique weather patterns and best times to visit. Gateway Arch National Park is located in St Louis, Missouri and experiences hot and humid summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures can reach up to 90°F, making it the perfect time for outdoor activities such as hiking, boating and picnicking. Winter temperatures can drop to below freezing, making skiing and snowboarding popular activities.

On the other hand, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in southern Colorado and experiences a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters with occasional snowfall. Summer temperatures can reach up to 90°F, making it the perfect time for outdoor activities such as sand sledding and hiking. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, but the park remains open for activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Both parks offer unique opportunities for outdoor adventures and recreation, with the best time to visit depending on your preferred activities. Gateway Arch National Park is best visited in the summer for outdoor activities, while Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is best visited in the summer for sand sledding and in the winter for snow sports. Regardless of the season, both parks offer breathtaking natural beauty and unforgettable experiences.

Family Friendliness of Gateway Arch National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Gateway Arch National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two of the most beautiful national parks in the United States, but they are vastly different in terms of what they have to offer families traveling with children. Gateway Arch National Park is located in St. Louis, Missouri and is a city park that is centered around the 630-foot arch that serves as a symbol of the city. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in southern Colorado and is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America.

When it comes to family-friendliness, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is the better option. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities for families, including sand sledding, hiking, and camping. Children will love playing in the sand dunes and exploring the unique landscape. In addition, the park also has a visitors center with educational exhibits about the dunes, as well as ranger-led programs that are perfect for families.

Gateway Arch National Park, on the other hand, is more focused on history and culture. The park offers a museum and a documentary film about the arch, as well as a tram ride to the top of the arch for panoramic views of the city. While these attractions are interesting, they may not be as exciting for young children. Additionally, the park is located in a busy city, which may not be ideal for families with young children who are looking for a more peaceful and natural setting.

In conclusion, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is the better option for families traveling with children because of its variety of outdoor activities and educational opportunities. Gateway Arch National Park is best suited for families who are interested in history and culture, and who are looking for a unique city experience.

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