Are you torn between visiting Great Basin National Park or Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve? Both parks offer unique experiences and breathtaking landscapes, but which one is right for you? In this article, we will explore the similarities and differences between these two national parks, helping you make an informed decision on your next adventure.
Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and is famous for its ancient bristlecone pine trees, limestone caves, and stunning mountain views. On the other hand, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in Colorado and is a playground for sand enthusiasts with its towering sand dunes and scenic vistas. Whether you are a hiker, camper, or just looking for a peaceful escape, both parks have something to offer.
So, get ready to pack your bags and hit the road on a journey to discover the beauty and wonder of Great Basin and Great Sand Dunes National Parks. With their unique landscapes and endless opportunities for adventure, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience!
Hiking Trails in Great Basin National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are both unique and stunning National Parks in the United States. Both parks offer a range of hiking trails, from easy walks to challenging backcountry hikes.
At Great Basin National Park, the easiest hike is the Bristlecone Pine Trail, which is a .5-mile loop that takes you through the ancient Bristlecone Pine forest. For a more challenging hike, try the Wheeler Peak Trail, a 13-mile round trip hike that takes you to the summit of the park’s highest peak.
At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, the easiest hike is the Dunes Overlook Trail, a .6-mile round trip hike that takes you to a stunning view of the dunes. For a more challenging hike, try the Medano Pass Primitive Road, a 4.6-mile one-way hike that takes you through the heart of the dunes.
Both parks offer a diverse range of hiking trails, so no matter your fitness level or hiking experience, you’re bound to find a trail that suits you. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely walk or a challenging hike, both Great Basin National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve have something to offer.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Great Basin National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeler Peak Trail via Stella Lake Trail | 13196.588 | 885.7488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Bristlecone Pine Glacier Trail | 7242.03 | 322.7832 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Alpine Lakes Trail | 4345.218 | 142.9512 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Lehman Cave | 643.736 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Bristlecone and Alpine Lakes Loop | 8529.502 | 308.7624 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive | 37497.622 | 1175.9184 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Baker Lake Trail | 16737.136 | 813.816 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Teresa Lake | 2414.01 | 92.964 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Baker Lake-Johnson Lake Loop | 20760.486 | 1330.7568 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Lexington Arch Trail | 4667.086 | 340.7664 | Moderate | out and back | 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 Great Basin National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two of the most popular national parks in the US, both offering unique and diverse wildlife experiences. In Great Basin National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of wildlife, including black bears, mule deer, and pronghorns. The park is also home to several species of bats, including the Townsend’s big-eared bat, which is a threatened species in the US. In addition, the park is home to several species of birds, including the common raven, mountain bluebird, and Clark’s nutcracker.
At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, visitors can expect to see a different variety of wildlife, including bison, coyotes, and pronghorns. The park is also home to several species of reptiles, including the western rattlesnake, desert iguana, and the Great Basin collared lizard. Additionally, the park is home to several species of birds, including the northern harrier, burrowing owl, and the great horned owl. The park is also home to a variety of plant life, including sagebrush and the sand verbena.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a diverse range of wildlife, from mammals and birds to reptiles and plant life. Whether you are interested in observing black bears in their natural habitat or spotting a desert iguana sunning itself on a rock, both parks offer unique and memorable wildlife experiences.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Basin National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Basin 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 |
| Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Great Basin National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Porcupine | Black Bear |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Porcupine |
| Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Red Fox | Hoary Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Fox |
| House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Lion | Mule Deer |
| Mink | Gray Fox |
| Mule Deer | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Gray Fox | Long-Eared Bat |
| Gray Wolf | Badger |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Ermine |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Snowshoe Hare |
| Badger | Masked Shrew |
| Ermine | Water Shrew |
| Californis Myotis | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
Fish
| Great Basin National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brook Trout | German Brown Trout |
| Brown Trout | Cutthroat Trout |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Amphibians
| Great Basin National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Tiger Salamander |
| Red-Spotted Toad | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Canyon Treefrog | Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Great Basin National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Racer | Bull Snake |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Rubber Boa | Western Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Greater Short-Horned Lizards |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | Milksnake |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Great Basin National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Great Basin National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, is known for its unique landscapes and natural wonders. One of the park’s most famous features is Lehman Caves, a maze of limestone caverns filled with stunning formations of stalactites, stalagmites, and other mineral deposits. Another must-see attraction is the 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak, the highest mountain in Nevada and the centerpiece of the park’s scenic mountain range. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, located in Colorado, is also known for its unique landscapes and natural wonders. The park’s most famous feature is the massive sand dunes, which rise up to 750 feet and are the tallest sand dunes in North America. Visitors can explore the dunes on foot, sandboard, or even sled down their slopes. The park also features a scenic mountain range, Medano Creek, and several hiking trails, offering opportunities to enjoy the park’s diverse landscapes. Additionally, the park is home to several hot springs, providing visitors with the chance to relax and soak in the warm waters.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Basin National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve both offer unique experiences and popular activities for visitors. Great Basin National Park is known for its diverse landscape, including the Lehman Caves, which offer guided tours that allow visitors to explore the intricate underground formations. Another popular activity is stargazing, as the park has some of the darkest skies in the country, making it an ideal location for viewing stars, planets, and other celestial bodies.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is famous for its massive sand dunes. Visitors can enjoy sand sledding, hiking, and backpacking in the dunes, as well as exploring the nearby wetlands, which are home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, amphibians, and reptiles. The park also has scenic drives, including the Medano Pass Primitive Road, which offers stunning views of the dunes and the surrounding mountains.
Both parks offer outdoor recreation and scenic beauty, making them popular destinations for nature lovers. Whether you are interested in exploring caves, stargazing, hiking, sand sledding, wildlife watching, or simply taking in stunning views, both Great Basin National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve have something to offer.
Best Time to Visit Great Basin National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two unique national parks located in the western United States. The seasonal weather at each park greatly affects the best time to visit.
Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, experiences cold and snowy winters and mild summers. The park is known for its lush forests and high elevation, which results in average temperatures ranging from the low 30s to mid 60s in the summer months. Winters are harsh with snow and cold temperatures, making it difficult for visitors to explore the park. The best time to visit Great Basin National Park is during the summer months, from June to September.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, located in Colorado, has a much different climate. The park experiences hot summers, with temperatures often reaching the high 90s, and mild winters with temperatures in the 40s. The park is known for its towering sand dunes and is a popular destination for sand-boarding and hiking. The best time to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is during the spring and fall months, from April to May and September to October, when temperatures are mild and more comfortable for outdoor activities.
Family Friendliness of Great Basin National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two unique and beautiful parks to visit with children. Both offer different experiences for families to enjoy, but there are a few differences that set them apart when it comes to being family-friendly.
Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and is known for its beautiful landscapes and diverse wildlife. With numerous hiking trails, including the popular Wheeler Peak Trail, families can enjoy exploring the park’s stunning scenery and wildlife. Additionally, the park also offers ranger-led activities and programs, making it easier for families to learn more about the park and its history.
On the other hand, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in Colorado and is known for its towering sand dunes. The park offers a variety of activities for families to enjoy, including sand sledding and hiking. The park also has a visitors center with interactive exhibits, making it easier for families to learn about the unique sand dunes and the park’s ecosystem.
Overall, both parks offer unique experiences for families to enjoy, but Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve may be a better option for families traveling with children. With its interactive exhibits and fun activities like sand sledding, the park is sure to provide an unforgettable experience for children of all ages.