Great Basin National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park are two of the most beautiful and unique national parks in the United States. They each offer visitors a unique experience, with diverse landscapes and a wide range of activities to choose from. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each of these parks and compare them side by side.
From the rugged peaks of the Snake Range to the vast expanse of the Great Basin Desert, Great Basin National Park is a true natural wonder. With its dark skies and crystal-clear stargazing, it’s a must-visit for anyone looking for an out-of-this-world experience.
On the other hand, Indiana Dunes National Park is a true gem on the shores of Lake Michigan. With its sprawling sand dunes and miles of pristine beaches, it’s the perfect destination for anyone looking for a little sun, sand, and surf. Whether you’re a beachcomber, a birder, or just looking for some peace and quiet, you’ll find it all at Indiana Dunes.
So, are you ready to find out which park is right for you? Let’s take a closer look at Great Basin National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park and see what each has to offer!
Hiking Trails in Great Basin National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Great Basin National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park are two unique national parks known for their stunning scenery and diverse hiking trails. Both parks offer a range of trails for all levels, from easy walks to challenging hikes.
Great Basin National Park is known for its scenic trails through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The park features a number of trails that are easy to traverse, such as the Bristlecone Pine Trail and the Glacier Trail. These trails offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and provide a great way to get a taste of the park’s natural beauty. Harder hikes in the park include the Alpine Lakes Loop and the Wheeler Peak Trail, which are both strenuous and require experience and proper gear.
Indiana Dunes National Park, on the other hand, is located on the shores of Lake Michigan and offers a range of hikes through its dunes, forests, and wetlands. Some of the easiest trails in the park include the Dunes Succession Trail and the Bailly Homestead Trail, which are both relatively level and offer a great way to explore the park’s diverse habitats. More challenging hikes in the park include the Cowles Bog Trail and the West Beach Trail, which are both steep and strenuous and offer breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding landscape.
Both Great Basin National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park offer something for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned hiker looking for a challenge or a beginner looking for an easy stroll. Whether you’re looking to explore scenic mountain landscapes or the rolling dunes and wetlands of the Great Lakes, these parks have it all.
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 Indiana Dunes National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowles Bog Trail | 6920.162 | 64.9224 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Little Calumet River Trail Loop | 6276.426 | 50.9016 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| West Beach Loop with Scallop Dunes and Long Lake Trail | 5471.756 | 78.9432 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Dune Succession and West Beach Walk | 4345.218 | 43.8912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| West Beach Loop | 1770.274 | 28.956 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Miller Woods Trail | 6115.492 | 40.8432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dune Ridge Trail | 1448.406 | 26.8224 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Tolleston Dunes | 5149.888 | 52.7304 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beach Trail to Waverly Beach | 1609.34 | 5.7912 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Indiana’s Lake Michigan Shoreline Scenic Drive | 35083.612 | 84.7344 | Moderate | point to point | 3.5 |
Wildlife in Great Basin National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Great Basin National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park are two unique parks with different wildlife. Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, is known for its diverse wildlife including mammals such as the pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and mule deer. In addition, visitors may also see black bears, coyotes, and marmots. The park is also home to a variety of bird species including the sage thrasher and the pygmy owl. Additionally, visitors may also see the rare Bristlecone Pine, which can live over 4,000 years.
Indiana Dunes National Park, located in Indiana, has a diverse array of wildlife as well. The park is home to over 350 species of birds including the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon. Visitors may also see white-tailed deer, beavers, and muskrats. Indiana Dunes is also home to a variety of unique plants and flowers such as the sand cherry and the eastern prickly pear cactus. The park also has a large number of reptiles and amphibians including the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, the eastern box turtle, and the green frog.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Basin National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Basin National Park | Indiana Dunes 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 | Indiana Dunes 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 | Indiana Dunes 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 | Indiana Dunes National Park |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Bullfrog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Reptiles
| Great Basin National Park | Indiana Dunes 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 | Indiana Dunes 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 Indiana Dunes National Park
Great Basin National Park is located in eastern Nevada and is known for its stunning beauty, including the Lehman Caves and the Wheeler Peak. The Lehman Caves are a series of underground chambers filled with a variety of unique formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone. The Wheeler Peak is the highest point in Nevada and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors to the park can also hike along the Bristlecone Pine Trail to see the ancient trees, some of which are over 4,000 years old.
Indiana Dunes National Park, located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, is known for its diverse landscapes, including sand dunes, wetlands, forests, and prairies. One of the most famous landscapes in the park is Mount Tom, a large sand dune that offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. Visitors can also explore the wetlands and forests along the trails, or take a swim in the lake. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, beavers, and numerous species of migratory birds. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful hike or a fun day at the beach, Indiana Dunes National Park has something for everyone.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Basin National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, and Indiana Dunes National Park, located in Indiana, offer different experiences for visitors. Great Basin National Park, located in the heart of the Basin and Range Province, is known for its stunning night skies and dark skies, making it a popular destination for stargazing. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives, backpacking, bird-watching, and exploring the ancient Bristlecone Pine forest.
On the other hand, Indiana Dunes National Park is known for its sand dunes and diverse ecosystems, making it a popular destination for beach activities and water sports. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking, and hiking along the shoreline. The park also has several bird-watching areas, including the Bailly Homestead, which is a great place to see migrating birds in the spring and fall.
Both parks offer unique experiences and are popular for different reasons. Great Basin National Park offers a chance to escape the bright lights of the city and experience the natural beauty of the night sky, while Indiana Dunes National Park offers a chance to enjoy the great outdoors and participate in water activities. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape or an active adventure, these parks have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Great Basin National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, and Indiana Dunes National Park, located in Indiana, are two distinct national parks that offer unique experiences to visitors. When comparing the seasonal weather, Great Basin National Park experiences a wide range of temperatures, with hot summers and cold winters. During the summer, temperatures can reach up to 90°F, while winter temperatures can drop down to below freezing. Snow is a common sight during the winter months, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
On the other hand, Indiana Dunes National Park experiences a more moderate climate, with warm summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures can reach up to 80°F, and winter temperatures typically do not drop below freezing. The park is located on the shores of Lake Michigan, which helps to moderate the temperatures and bring in warmer air during the winter months.
The best time to visit Great Basin National Park is during the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and there is less snow on the ground for winter sports enthusiasts. Indiana Dunes National Park is a popular destination during the summer months, when visitors can enjoy the warm weather and participate in water-based activities on the lake.
In conclusion, both Great Basin National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park offer unique experiences to visitors, but the seasonal weather greatly affects when is the best time to visit each park. Visitors should consider the weather when planning a trip to either park, to ensure that they have the best possible experience.
Family Friendliness of Great Basin National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Great Basin National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park both offer excellent outdoor experiences for families. Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and is known for its stunning mountain landscapes, ancient bristlecone pine forests, and the Lehman Caves system. The park offers various ranger-led programs, including nature walks and campfire talks, and also has hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulties, making it a great place for families to explore and learn about the natural world.
Meanwhile, Indiana Dunes National Park is located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan in Indiana. This park is known for its diverse ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and prairies, as well as its sandy beaches and dunes that are perfect for playing and building sandcastles. The park also has a wide range of recreational activities, such as fishing, boating, and hiking, and offers ranger-led programs like beach walks and campfire talks.
When it comes to choosing between these two parks for a family-friendly trip, it really depends on your family’s interests and preferences. If your family loves the mountains and is interested in exploring caves and hiking, then Great Basin National Park is a great choice. On the other hand, if your family is more interested in playing on the beach and enjoying water activities, then Indiana Dunes National Park is the better choice. Both parks offer a variety of educational and recreational opportunities for families, so it really comes down to what type of outdoor experience your family is looking for.