Great Basin National Park and Hot Springs National Park could not be more different from each other, yet both offer unique and unforgettable experiences for visitors. From the towering peaks of Great Basin to the soothing hot springs of Hot Springs, there’s something for everyone.
Great Basin is a land of contrasts, with ancient bristlecone pines and pristine alpine lakes that sit alongside barren deserts and rugged canyons. This park is a true gem, offering visitors a chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and experience the peace and serenity of nature.
Hot Springs National Park, on the other hand, is all about relaxation. Here, visitors can soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters that have been flowing for thousands of years. The park is also home to historic bathhouses and a charming downtown area, making it a great destination for those looking to unwind and recharge.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these two national parks and compare what they have to offer. Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer or simply looking for a peaceful escape, you’re sure to find something to love about Great Basin and Hot Springs.
Hiking Trails in Great Basin National Park and Hot Springs National Park
Great Basin National Park and Hot Springs National Park both offer a range of hiking trails for visitors, but they each have their own unique characteristics. Great Basin is located in Nevada and is known for its rugged terrain and diverse landscapes, including alpine forests, deserts, and caves. Hiking trails range from easy, leisurely hikes along scenic streams to challenging treks to the top of Wheeler Peak, the highest point in the park. The easiest hikes include the Bristlecone Pine Trail and the Alpine Lakes Loop, both of which offer amazing views of the surrounding landscape. The hardest hike is the climb up to the summit of Wheeler Peak, which takes several hours and requires a high level of physical fitness.
Hot Springs National Park, located in Arkansas, is known for its natural hot springs and stunning views. The park has a variety of trails, including the Hot Springs Mountain Tower Trail, which is a strenuous climb to the top of the mountain, and the Battery Heights Trail, which is a relatively easy hike along the base of the mountain. The park also offers several hot springs trails, including the Gulpha Gorge Trail, which leads to the scenic Gulpha Gorge waterfall. The hardest hike in Hot Springs is the Hot Springs Mountain Tower Trail, which requires a strenuous climb to the top of the mountain. The easiest hike is the Grand Promenade, a paved trail that follows the base of the mountain and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
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 Hot Springs National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Trail | 20921.42 | 722.9856 | Hard | loop | 4 |
| West Mountain Trail | 3057.746 | 107.8992 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Goat Rock Trail | 3862.416 | 115.824 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Gulpha Gorge Trail | 1931.208 | 116.7384 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| The Grand Promenade and Side Trails | 1931.208 | 33.8328 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Dead Chief Trail | 4345.218 | 121.92 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Hot Springs Mountain Trail | 5310.822 | 204.8256 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Peak Trail | 2092.142 | 108.8136 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Sugarloaf Mountain Via Sunset Trail | 11426.314 | 592.836 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Goat Rock via Dead Chief Trail | 2092.142 | 87.7824 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Great Basin National Park and Hot Springs National Park
Great Basin National Park and Hot Springs National Park are two beautiful and unique parks that offer visitors the chance to see a variety of wildlife. Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and is known for its diverse landscape of forests, deserts, and high-altitude plateaus. Visitors to this park may see a variety of animals, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, and pronghorns. They may also see a variety of birds, such as the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, and the American dipper. Additionally, visitors may encounter plants such as sagebrush, junipers, and aspens.
Hot Springs National Park, located in Arkansas, is best known for its hot springs and thermal pools. Despite its name, this park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, raccoons, and armadillos. Visitors may also see a variety of birds, such as woodpeckers, cardinals, and blue jays. The park also has a diverse array of plants, including oak and hickory forests, as well as a variety of wildflowers.
Whether visitors are interested in seeing mammals, birds, or plants, both Great Basin National Park and Hot Springs National Park offer a unique and exciting opportunity to see some of the most beautiful and diverse wildlife in the United States.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Basin National Park and Hot Springs National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Basin National Park | Hot Springs 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 |
| 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 | Hot Springs National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Lion | Mink |
| Mink | Gray Fox |
| Mule Deer | North American River Otter |
| Gray Fox | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Gray Wolf | White-Tailed Deer |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Virginia Opossum |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Eastern Red Bat |
| Badger | White-Footed Mouse |
| Ermine | Norway Rat |
| Californis Myotis | Eastern Cottontail |
Fish
| Great Basin National Park | Hot Springs National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brook Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Brown Trout | Bluegill |
| Mottled Sculpin | Fathead Minnow |
| Speckled Dace | Golden Shiner |
| Cutthroat Trout | European Carp |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Great Basin National Park | Hot Springs National Park |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Bullfrog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Reptiles
| Great Basin National Park | Hot Springs National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Great Basin National Park | Hot Springs National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 Hot Springs National Park
Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and it is known for its beautiful landscapes and unique geological features. The most famous landscape in the park is the Lehman Caves, which is a series of beautiful limestone caves that are open to the public for tours. Another popular feature of the park is the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, which offers breathtaking views of the park and the surrounding area. The park is also home to the ancient Bristlecone Pine trees, which are some of the oldest living organisms on the planet.
Hot Springs National Park is located in Arkansas and is known for its beautiful hot springs, which are the main attraction of the park. The park is also home to the historic Bathhouse Row, which is a street lined with historic bathhouses that were used for therapeutic baths. The park also offers scenic drives and hiking trails that lead to beautiful overlooks, waterfalls, and other natural wonders. The park is also home to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes that are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you are interested in exploring caves, scenic drives, or hot springs, both parks have something to offer. Both parks are also perfect for families, as they offer a variety of activities and attractions that are both educational and fun.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Basin National Park and Hot Springs National Park
Great Basin National Park and Hot Springs National Park both offer a variety of recreational activities for visitors, but there are some notable differences. At Great Basin National Park, the most popular activities include stargazing, camping, and exploring the park’s many caves. The park is known for having some of the darkest night skies in the country, making it a prime destination for stargazing. Visitors can also camp at one of the park’s several campgrounds or take a guided tour of the Lehman Caves.
At Hot Springs National Park, the most popular activities center around the park’s hot springs. Visitors can bathe in the natural hot springs, hike the many trails, and tour the historic bathhouses. The park’s hot springs have been a popular destination for relaxation and rejuvenation for centuries and continue to attract visitors from all over the world. In addition to the hot springs, the park also offers scenic drives and picnic areas, making it a popular destination for families and those looking to spend a day outdoors.
Best Time to Visit Great Basin National Park and Hot Springs National Park
Great Basin National Park and Hot Springs National Park are two very different parks in terms of climate and weather. Great Basin is located in eastern Nevada and is known for its high altitude and dry desert climate. The park is at an elevation of 6,000 feet, and temperatures can range from hot during the day to quite cool at night. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 80°F, while in the winter, temperatures can drop to below freezing. Snow is common in the winter months and can make the park difficult to access.
Hot Springs National Park, on the other hand, is located in Arkansas and has a more temperate climate. The park is located at a lower elevation and temperatures are generally mild, with summer temperatures reaching into the mid-80s and winter temperatures in the 40s. Precipitation is also more consistent throughout the year, with the park receiving more rain and snow than Great Basin. This can make the park more accessible during the winter months, but also means that visitors need to be prepared for rain and wet conditions.
In terms of the best time to visit, Great Basin is ideal for those who enjoy cooler temperatures and want to experience the desert in the winter. However, the summer months are also a great time to visit, as the park is less crowded and the weather is warm and dry. Hot Springs National Park is best visited in the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and precipitation is low. The park is also less crowded during these months, making it a great time to explore the park and enjoy its many natural hot springs.
Family Friendliness of Great Basin National Park and Hot Springs National Park
Great Basin National Park and Hot Springs National Park are two popular national parks in the United States, both of which offer unique experiences for families.
Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and offers diverse landscapes and recreational opportunities, including hiking, camping, and stargazing. The park is also home to the Lehman Caves, which offer a guided tour and are a great way to learn about the park’s geology.
Hot Springs National Park, located in Arkansas, is centered around the hot springs that give the park its name. The park’s thermal waters have been used for thousands of years and offer a unique experience for families. The park also has a scenic drive, hiking trails, and picnic areas.
Both parks offer great family-friendly experiences, but Hot Springs National Park may be a better choice for families traveling with children. The park’s hot springs offer a unique opportunity for kids to learn about geology and history, and the park’s picnic areas and hiking trails are great for families who want to spend time outdoors.
Overall, both Great Basin National Park and Hot Springs National Park are great options for families looking for outdoor adventures.