Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park are two of the most unique and beautiful parks in the United States. Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes and a chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. However, each park has its own distinct character and atmosphere that sets it apart from the other. In this article, we will take a deep dive into these two parks and compare the best things about each.
Whether you are an avid hiker, nature lover, or just looking for a change of scenery, both Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park have something to offer. Great Basin is known for its towering peaks, ancient bristlecone pines, and crystal-clear night skies. On the other hand, Isle Royale is famous for its rugged wilderness and pristine lakes, as well as its diverse wildlife and abundant fishing opportunities.
So, which park is right for you? That’s what we aim to find out in this article. We’ll take a look at everything from the best hikes and scenic drives to the local wildlife and cultural attractions. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better idea of which park is best suited to your interests and preferences. So sit back, relax, and get ready to explore two of the most beautiful parks in the country!
Hiking Trails in Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park are two popular destinations for hikers in the United States. Both parks offer stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife and a variety of hiking trails to explore.
Great Basin National Park is located in eastern Nevada and is known for its ancient bristlecone pine forests, high-altitude lakes, and mountainous terrain. The park offers a range of hiking trails, from easy walks to strenuous backpacks. One of the easiest hikes is the Bristlecone Pine Trail, a 0.5-mile loop that takes you through a forest of ancient bristlecone pines. For a more challenging hike, try the Wheeler Peak Trail, a 13-mile round-trip hike to the summit of Wheeler Peak, the highest point in the park at 13,063 feet.
Isle Royale National Park is located in Lake Superior and is known for its rugged wilderness and remote, backcountry trails. The park’s trails range from easy day hikes to multi-day backpacks. One of the easiest hikes is the Minong Ridge Trail, a 2.6-mile round-trip hike along the ridge that offers stunning views of Lake Superior. For a more challenging hike, try the Greenstone Ridge Trail, a 40-mile trail that runs the length of the island and offers backcountry camping opportunities.
Both parks offer hikers a range of options, from easy walks to strenuous backpacks. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful stroll or a challenging adventure, Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park are both excellent destinations for hiking enthusiasts.
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 Isle Royale National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Greenstone Ridge Trail: Windigo to Tobin Harbor | 63568.93 | 1216.7616 | Hard | point to point | 4 |
Rainbow Cove Trail | 2253.076 | 21.9456 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
Malone Bay to Hatchett Lake | 37658.556 | 664.7688 | Moderate | out and back | 0 |
Ishpeming Trail to Ishpeming Point | 23496.364 | 339.852 | Moderate | out and back | 0 |
Wildlife in Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park are two popular national parks in the United States that are known for their unique wildlife. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a variety of animals, birds, and plants in their natural habitats.
At Great Basin National Park, visitors can expect to see a wide range of wildlife including mule deer, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and mountain lions. The park is also home to a variety of bird species such as the peregrine falcon, the great horned owl, and the common raven. Additionally, visitors can see a diverse array of plant life including sagebrush, aspen, and Douglas fir trees.
Isle Royale National Park, on the other hand, is primarily known for its moose population, which is one of the largest in the country. Visitors can also see a variety of bird species such as the common loon and the bald eagle, as well as a number of fish species in the park’s lakes and rivers. The park also features a variety of plant life, including balsam fir, spruce, and paper birch trees.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a unique and diverse range of wildlife, and each park has its own distinct features and attractions. Whether you’re interested in seeing moose in their natural habitat or observing a variety of bird species, both Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park are excellent options for wildlife enthusiasts.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Great Basin National Park | Isle Royale 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 | Isle Royale National Park |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
American Beaver | American Beaver |
Muskrat | Muskrat |
Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
Bobcat | Striped Skunk |
Striped Skunk | Little Brown Bat |
Little Brown Bat | Deer Mouse |
Deer Mouse | Silver-Haired Bat |
Raccoon | Hoary Bat |
Porcupine | Red Fox |
Silver-Haired Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Hoary Bat | Mink |
Red Fox | Gray Wolf |
Long-Tailed Weasel | Short-Tailed Weasel |
House Mouse | Snowshoe Hare |
Lion | North American River Otter |
Mink | Canada Lynx |
Mule Deer | Marten |
Gray Fox | Moose |
Gray Wolf | Red Bat |
Long-Legged Myotis | Norway Rat |
Long-Eared Myotis | Southern Red-Backed Vole |
Badger | Northern Long-Eared Bat |
Ermine | |
Californis Myotis |
Fish
Great Basin National Park | Isle Royale National Park |
---|---|
Rainbow Trout | Redband Trout |
Brook Trout | Coaster Brook Trout |
Brown Trout | Brown Trout |
Mottled Sculpin | Longnose Sucker |
Speckled Dace | Harvey Lake Fathead Minnow |
Cutthroat Trout | Golden Shiner |
Lake Trout | |
Northern Pike | |
Ellpout | |
Coho Salmon | |
Chinook Salmon | |
Mottled Sculpin | |
Slimy Sculpin | |
Longnose Dace | |
Black Crappie | |
Pink Salmon | |
Creek Chub |
Amphibians
Great Basin National Park | Isle Royale National Park |
---|---|
Tiger Salamander | Northern Leopard Frog |
Woodhouse’s Toad | Wood Frog |
Red-Spotted Toad | |
Canyon Treefrog |
Reptiles
Great Basin National Park | Isle Royale 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 | Isle Royale 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 Isle Royale National Park
Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and is known for its unique landscapes. Perhaps the most famous of these is the Lehman Caves, which feature stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations. Another popular landscape in the park is the Wheeler Peak, which towers over the park at 13,063 feet. Visitors can hike to the top of the peak for breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Isle Royale National Park, located in Michigan, is famous for its rugged wilderness and scenic vistas. One of the most famous landscapes here is the Rock Harbor Lighthouse, which sits on the shore of Lake Superior and offers panoramic views of the water and the surrounding islands. Another popular attraction is the Siskiwit Falls, which is one of the tallest waterfalls in the park and is a popular spot for hiking and picnicking. The park is also home to numerous hiking trails that lead through forests, along shorelines, and over rugged terrain.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park offer unique and diverse experiences for visitors. Great Basin is known for its stunning night sky, offering some of the best stargazing opportunities in the country. The park’s Lehman Caves are also a popular attraction, offering guided tours of the intricate limestone formations. In addition, Great Basin offers a variety of outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and fishing in the pristine alpine lakes and streams.
Isle Royale National Park, on the other hand, is a remote island in Lake Superior known for its rugged wilderness and diverse wildlife. Visitors can take part in activities such as camping, kayaking, and fishing on the island’s pristine lakes and streams. Additionally, Isle Royale is home to moose and wolves, making it a popular destination for wildlife viewing and photography. The park’s remote location and limited access also make it a popular destination for backpacking and wilderness camping.
Both parks offer a range of activities for visitors, from stargazing and cave exploring to wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation. Whether you’re a nature lover, adventure seeker, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park both offer unique and unforgettable experiences for visitors.
Best Time to Visit Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park are unique in their own ways, including their seasonal weather patterns. Great Basin, located in the eastern Nevada, has a high desert climate with hot summers and cold winters. The best time to visit is between May and October, when the park is warm and dry, making it perfect for hiking and exploring the park’s many attractions. During the winter months, snow and freezing temperatures can make it difficult to access the park’s trails and facilities.
Isle Royale, on the other hand, is located in the middle of Lake Superior, making it one of the coldest national parks in the country. The park experiences long, harsh winters with heavy snowfall and temperatures that can dip below zero. However, the summer months are mild, with temperatures averaging in the mid-60s, making it ideal for hiking, camping, and fishing. Visitors should plan their trip to Isle Royale between May and September, when the weather is most favorable.
Both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes, but the best time to visit depends on the weather and what type of activities you’re interested in. While Great Basin is best visited in the summer, Isle Royale is best enjoyed in the milder months of the summer. No matter when you choose to visit, be sure to check the weather forecast and come prepared for the conditions.
Family Friendliness of Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Great Basin National Park and Isle Royale National Park are two of the most visited national parks in the United States, but they offer different experiences. While both parks are great for outdoor enthusiasts, they are not equally suitable for families traveling with children.
Great Basin National Park is the more family-friendly of the two. It offers a wide range of activities that are suitable for families, including hiking, camping, wildlife watching, and stargazing. The park has several easy trails, including the popular Bristlecone Pine trail, which offers stunning views of the ancient trees. Additionally, the park has several campgrounds that offer amenities such as fire rings, picnic tables, and potable water.
Isle Royale National Park, on the other hand, is more challenging for families. The park is only accessible by boat or seaplane, and the terrain is rugged and remote. While the park is a great destination for experienced hikers and backpackers, it may not be the best choice for families with young children. Additionally, the park has limited amenities, and it can be difficult to find potable water and other supplies.
In conclusion, Great Basin National Park is the better option for families traveling with children, offering a variety of activities and amenities that are suitable for families. Isle Royale National Park, while beautiful and remote, is more challenging and may not be the best choice for families with young children.