Great Basin National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are two of the most beautiful and remote parks in America. Each park has its own unique features, from the striking peaks of Great Basin to the turquoise waters of Lake Clark. But which one is the better destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts? In this article, we will take a closer look at both parks and see what each has to offer.
Great Basin is a hidden gem located in Nevada, surrounded by rugged mountains and filled with ancient bristlecone pines. With its dark skies, it’s a stargazer’s dream come true. Meanwhile, Lake Clark is a stunning wilderness area located in Alaska, known for its glaciers, hot springs and abundant wildlife. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking landscapes, thrilling hikes, or opportunities to see incredible wildlife, both of these parks have something to offer.
So, grab your backpack and get ready to explore two of the most beautiful and remote parks in America! Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a relaxing getaway, you’re sure to find something to love in Great Basin National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve.
Hiking Trails in Great Basin National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore. In Great Basin, the easiest hike is the Bristlecone Pine Trail, a 0.5-mile loop that takes visitors through a forest of ancient bristlecone pines. For a more challenging hike, the 13-mile Wheeler Peak Trail offers stunning views of the park and its surroundings.
In Lake Clark, the easiest hike is the Silver Salmon Creek Trail, a 3-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a beautiful salmon stream and to a waterfall. For a more strenuous hike, the Pioneer Ridge Trail is a challenging 8-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors to the top of Pioneer Ridge for breathtaking views of the park and the surrounding area.
Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to choose from, ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a strenuous workout, both parks 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 Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
| 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 | 4.7 |
Wildlife in Great Basin National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are both unique in their own ways. In Great Basin, visitors can observe a diverse range of wildlife including the elusive mountain lion, black bears, mule deer, and various species of bats. The park is also home to a large population of the threatened sage grouse, as well as the pinyon jay and other birds.
At Lake Clark, visitors can witness the diverse wildlife of Alaska including grizzly bears, black bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. The park is also a popular destination for bird-watching, with over 200 species of birds residing or migrating through the area, including the bald eagle, trumpeter swan, and the arctic tern. Additionally, the park is home to a diverse array of plant life, including the rare fireweed, which is the state flower of Alaska.
Both parks offer unique opportunities to observe and learn about the diverse wildlife that call these areas home. Great Basin is known for its high-elevation habitats, while Lake Clark is known for its coastal and sub-arctic habitats. Both parks offer unique opportunities to observe and learn about the diverse wildlife that call these areas home. Whether you are interested in observing large mammals, bird-watching, or exploring the diverse plant life, both parks offer something for everyone.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Basin National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Basin National Park | Lake Clark 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 | Northern Pintail |
| Northern Pintail | American Wigeon |
| American Wigeon | Green-Winged Teal |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Great Basin National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | Mink |
| Raccoon | Gray Wolf |
| Porcupine | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Hoary Bat | Northern River Otter |
| Red Fox | Masked Shrew |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Water Shrew |
| House Mouse | Red Squirrel |
| Lion | Montane Shrew |
| Mink | Lynx |
| Mule Deer | Wolverine |
| Gray Fox | American Marten |
| Gray Wolf | Brown Bear |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Meadow Vole |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Moose |
| Badger | Least Weasel |
| Ermine | Pygmy Shrew |
| Californis Myotis | Meadow Jumping Mouse |
Fish
| Great Basin National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Steelhead |
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brown Trout | Lake Trout |
| Mottled Sculpin | Northern Pike |
| Speckled Dace | Burbot |
| Cutthroat Trout | Silver Salmon |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Great Basin National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Reptiles
| Great Basin National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Lake Clark 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 Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United States. The park is famous for its Lehman Caves, which are a series of limestone caves filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and other unique rock formations. The park also offers a number of trails, including the popular Bristlecone Pine Trail, which takes visitors through a forest of ancient bristlecone pines and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is another stunning national park that is famous for its beautiful landscapes. The park is home to glaciers, beautiful waterfalls, and the stunning Chigmit Mountains. Visitors can take a scenic flight to see the park’s glaciers, lakes and wildlife, or they can take a boat tour along the lake. The park is also home to the active volcanic Mount Redoubt, which is one of the most famous and beautiful landscapes in the park. Additionally, the park offers a number of hiking trails, including the Telaquana Trail, which takes visitors through a dense forest and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Basin National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are two popular national parks in the United States. Both offer a range of outdoor activities for visitors, but each park has its distinct attractions.
At Great Basin National Park, visitors enjoy exploring the Lehman Caves, stargazing, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to over 200 species of birds and is a great place to see bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and black bears. Additionally, visitors can hike the many trails in the park, including the popular Bristlecone Pine Trail, which takes hikers through a grove of ancient bristlecone pines.
At Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, visitors enjoy fishing and boating on the many rivers and lakes within the park. The park is also known for its incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, including the chance to see brown bears in their natural habitat. Visitors can hike the many trails in the park, including the popular Tanalian Falls Trail, which takes hikers to a scenic waterfall. Additionally, the park offers scenic flights over the park, providing visitors with a unique perspective on the stunning landscapes.
Both Great Basin National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offer a range of activities for visitors. Whether you’re interested in exploring caves, stargazing, fishing, or wildlife viewing, these parks have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Great Basin National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are two unique national parks in the United States that offer visitors a wide variety of scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. The seasonal weather at both parks is dramatically different, which affects the best time of year to visit each park.
At Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, the weather is characterized by cool, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Temperatures can range from below freezing in the winter to the low 80s during the summer months. The best time to visit Great Basin National Park is during the summer, when the weather is warm and dry, and the park’s trails and roads are open for hiking and exploring.
In contrast, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, experiences a more temperate climate with mild, rainy summers and cold, snowy winters. Average temperatures during the summer months range from the mid 40s to the low 60s, with frequent rain showers. The best time to visit Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is during the summer, when the weather is mild and the park’s trails and waterways are open for recreational activities such as fishing, hiking, and boating.
Family Friendliness of Great Basin National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are both family-friendly destinations that offer unique outdoor experiences. However, each park has its own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to accommodating families with children.
Great Basin National Park has a number of activities that are well-suited for families. The park’s scenic drives and hiking trails are great for families who want to explore the park’s stunning landscapes. The park also offers ranger-led programs and campfire talks, which are great for educating children about the park’s history and ecology. Additionally, the park’s Lehman Cave is a popular attraction that is both educational and entertaining for children of all ages.
On the other hand, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is better suited for families who are looking for a more immersive outdoor experience. The park’s remote location and wilderness setting make it ideal for families who want to spend time in nature and disconnect from technology. The park offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, fishing, and kayaking, which are activities that families can enjoy together. Additionally, the park’s stunning views of glaciers and mountains make it an ideal destination for families who are looking for a scenic and peaceful getaway.
In conclusion, both Great Basin National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are great destinations for families. Whether you’re looking for educational activities, scenic drives, or immersive outdoor experiences, these parks have something to offer families of all ages. If you’re traveling with children, it’s worth considering both parks to see which one is the best fit for your family’s interests and needs.