Discover two unique national parks in the western United States: Great Basin and Kobuk Valley. Both are hidden gems waiting to be explored, each with its own incredible landscape and diverse wildlife.
Great Basin, located in Nevada, is known for its ancient bristlecone pine trees, which are some of the oldest living things on earth. The park also features a stunning array of stars in the night sky, as well as a collection of underground caves.
Kobuk Valley, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and is home to the largest sand dunes in the country. This park is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience the beauty of northern Alaska, including its stunning glaciers and wildlife such as grizzly bears and caribou.
So, pack your bags and get ready for an adventure! Whether you’re interested in ancient trees, starry skies, underground caves, sand dunes, glaciers, or wildlife, these two parks have something for everyone.
Hiking Trails in Great Basin National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Great Basin National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park offer unique hiking experiences in different parts of the country. Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and is known for its diverse landscapes, including alpine forests, deserts, and rocky peaks. The park offers a variety of trails for all levels of hikers, including the easy 1.5-mile Bristlecone Pine Trail, which features ancient bristlecone pines, and the challenging 12-mile Wheeler Peak Trail, which leads to the highest point in the park.
Kobuk Valley National Park, located in Alaska, is best known for its sand dunes, which are the largest in North America. The park offers several challenging hikes, including the 7-mile Little Kobuk Sand Dunes Trail, which takes visitors to the heart of the sand dunes, and the 18-mile Randin Trail, which offers views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. For those seeking an easier hike, the 1.5-mile Onion Portage Trail is a great option, as it follows the river through the valley and provides opportunities to view wildlife.
Both parks offer a wide range of hiking experiences, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry adventures. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, there’s something for everyone at Great Basin National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park.
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 Kobuk Valley National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Great Basin National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Great Basin National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park are two of the lesser-known national parks in the United States. Both are located in remote areas and offer visitors the chance to see a wide variety of wildlife.
At Great Basin National Park, you’ll find a diverse range of wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, pronghorns, and mule deer. The park is also home to a variety of birds, including golden eagles, prairie falcons, and peregrine falcons. Additionally, you’ll find a variety of plant species, including sagebrush, aspen, and pinyon pine.
Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is home to fewer species of wildlife, but is still an important habitat for many animals. You’ll find caribou, grizzly bears, and moose in the park, as well as a variety of birds, such as the common loon and the sandhill crane. The park is also home to a variety of plants, including willow, alder, and cottonwood.
Both Great Basin National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park offer visitors the chance to see a wide variety of wildlife, but the experiences are different. Great Basin National Park is home to a wider range of species, while Kobuk Valley National Park is a critical habitat for a smaller number of species. Whether you’re looking to see a diverse range of wildlife or to experience a more remote and rugged wilderness, both parks are well worth a visit.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Basin National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Basin National Park | Kobuk Valley 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 | Northern Flicker |
| Northern Flicker | Merlin |
| Merlin | Savannah Sparrow |
| Barn Swallow | American Kestrel |
| Savannah Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
| Great Blue Heron | Northern Pintail |
| Hermit Thrush | American Wigeon |
| American Kestrel | Green-Winged Teal |
| Bald Eagle | American Pipit |
| Song Sparrow | Swainson’s Thrush |
| European Starling | White-Crowned Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Shoveler |
| American Wigeon | Golden Eagle |
| Green-Winged Teal | Rough-Legged Hawk |
Mammals
| Great Basin National Park | Kobuk Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Black Bear |
| Bobcat | Porcupine |
| Striped Skunk | Red Fox |
| Little Brown Bat | Mink |
| Deer Mouse | Wolf |
| Raccoon | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Porcupine | Snowshoe Hare |
| Silver-Haired Bat | River Otter |
| Hoary Bat | Common Shrew |
| Red Fox | Red Squirrel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Montane Shrew |
| House Mouse | Lynx |
| Lion | Wolverine |
| Mink | American Marten |
| Mule Deer | Grizzly Bear |
| Gray Fox | Moose |
| Gray Wolf | Least Weasel |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Pygmy Shrew |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Northern Bog Lemming |
| Badger | |
| Ermine | |
| Californis Myotis |
Fish
| Great Basin National Park | Kobuk Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brook Trout | Lake Trout |
| Brown Trout | Northern Pike |
| Mottled Sculpin | Burbot |
| Speckled Dace | Coho Salmon |
| Cutthroat Trout | King Salmon |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Alaskan Stickleback | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Great Basin National Park | Kobuk Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Reptiles
| Great Basin National Park | Kobuk Valley 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 | Kobuk Valley 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 Kobuk Valley National Park
Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, is best known for its Lehman Caves, a series of interconnected marble caverns that are decorated with stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations. The park is also home to the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, a 13-mile road that takes visitors to the summit of the park’s highest peak, offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
Kobuk Valley National Park, located in Alaska, is famous for its massive sand dunes that were created by the wind, which have been known to reach heights of up to 500 feet. The park is also home to the Kobuk River, which is a popular destination for rafting and fishing. Visitors to the park can also hike to the top of the sand dunes for panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness.
Both parks offer visitors a chance to experience some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in the United States. Whether you’re interested in exploring caves, scenic drives, or massive sand dunes, there is something for everyone at Great Basin National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Basin National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Great Basin National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park are two vastly different national parks located in the United States. Both parks offer unique experiences for visitors, and each has its own set of popular activities.
Great Basin National Park is known for its stunning night sky, with the park being designated as an International Dark Sky Park. Stargazing is a popular activity, and visitors can also enjoy scenic drives and ranger-led programs. The park is also home to the Lehman Caves, which offer guided tours to see beautiful and unique rock formations.
Kobuk Valley National Park is a wilderness park located in Alaska and is known for its sand dunes, which are some of the largest in the world. The park is a popular destination for backcountry hiking and camping, as well as river rafting and fishing. Visitors can also experience the park’s unique ecosystem by taking a scenic flight over the dunes and the Kobuk River.
Both parks offer excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation and offer a range of activities for visitors of all ages and abilities. Whether it’s stargazing in Great Basin National Park or backcountry hiking in Kobuk Valley National Park, there is something for everyone at these two unique national parks.
Best Time to Visit Great Basin National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Great Basin National Park in Nevada and Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska are two unique destinations that offer visitors a chance to experience diverse seasonal weather patterns.
At Great Basin National Park, summer temperatures average in the low to mid-80s, while winter temperatures average in the mid-teens. Snowfall is common in the winter months, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. In contrast, Kobuk Valley National Park experiences a sub-arctic climate, with summer temperatures averaging in the mid-50s and winter temperatures averaging well below freezing. The park is known for its heavy snowfall in the winter months, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
Due to the distinct differences in weather patterns between these two parks, the best time of year to visit each park varies significantly. Great Basin National Park is most popular during the summer months, when visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and fishing. Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is most popular during the winter months, when visitors can participate in winter sports, such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, both Great Basin National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park are excellent destinations for visitors seeking to experience diverse weather patterns. Whether you are looking to enjoy outdoor activities in the warmth of summer or participate in winter sports in the snow, both of these parks have much to offer.
Family Friendliness of Great Basin National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Great Basin National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park are both unique and beautiful parks located in the United States. They both offer a wide range of activities for families, but there are differences in how family-friendly they are.
Great Basin National Park is a great choice for families. It offers a variety of educational programs and activities for children, including ranger-led hikes, Junior Ranger programs, and stargazing events. There’s also a scenic drive to the top of Wheeler Peak, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. There are several campgrounds within the park, as well as a lodge and cabins, making it easy for families to find a comfortable place to stay.
Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is a remote and rugged wilderness area in northern Alaska. While it is a beautiful and unique park, it may not be the best choice for families with young children. The park can be difficult to reach, and there are limited facilities and services available. There are no roads into the park, and visitors must either fly or hike in. The park is also home to grizzly bears and other potentially dangerous wildlife, so families need to be prepared for a wilderness experience.
In conclusion, both Great Basin National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park are unique and beautiful parks that offer a wide range of activities for families. However, Great Basin National Park is the better choice for families traveling with children, as it offers a wider range of educational programs and activities, as well as more accessible facilities and services.