Great Basin National Park and Shenandoah National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes, ample outdoor recreational activities, and unique geological features. But which one is right for you?
Imagine standing on the top of a mountain, surrounded by rolling hills and dense forests. The sun sets behind you, painting the sky with brilliant hues of orange, pink, and purple. Now picture yourself standing at the brink of a vast expanse of desert, surrounded by towering peaks and endless starry skies.
Both parks offer a unique and unforgettable experience, but which one will you choose? In this article, we’ll compare Great Basin National Park and Shenandoah National Park and help you decide which one is right for you. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a nature lover, or just looking for a peaceful getaway, we’ve got you covered! So sit back, relax, and get ready to explore two of America’s most beautiful national parks!
Hiking Trails in Great Basin National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, and Shenandoah National Park, located in Virginia, are both popular destinations for nature lovers and hikers. Both parks offer a variety of trails for all skill levels, but there are some differences between the two.
Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of trails, including the famous 101-mile long Appalachian Trail. Some of the easiest hikes include the Fox Hollow Trail, which is a 1.7-mile loop with gentle inclines, and the Limberlost Trail, which is a 1.3-mile loop with minimal elevation change. For more experienced hikers, the Old Rag Mountain hike is a challenging 9-mile round trip with steep climbs and rocky terrain.
Great Basin National Park features over 70 miles of trails, including the strenuous 13-mile hike to the top of Wheeler Peak, which is the second highest peak in Nevada. Some of the easiest hikes include the Bristlecone Pine Trail, a 0.3-mile loop with minimal incline, and the Lehman Creek Trail, a 2.5-mile loop that follows a creek through a beautiful meadow. For a more challenging hike, the Glacier Trail is a 4.5-mile round trip that leads to stunning views of the park’s glaciers.
Overall, both Great Basin and Shenandoah National Parks offer a range of hiking trails for all skill levels, from easy nature walks to strenuous mountain climbs. Whether you are a seasoned hiker or just starting out, both parks provide opportunities to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the United States.
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 Shenandoah National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Rag Mountain Loop | 13840.324 | 736.7016 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run Trails Loop | 14484.06 | 722.9856 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Dark Hollow Falls Trail | 2253.076 | 171.9072 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bearfence Mountain Trail | 1609.34 | 73.7616 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Hawksbill Gap Loop via Appalachian Trail | 4184.284 | 228.9048 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Rose River Trail | 5632.69 | 256.9464 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| White Oak Canyon Trail | 15288.73 | 733.9584 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Stony Man via Appalachian Trail | 2414.01 | 97.8408 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| South River Falls Trail | 7402.964 | 387.7056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Little Stony Man Loop via Appalachian Trail | 5471.756 | 263.9568 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Great Basin National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Great Basin National Park and Shenandoah National Park are both popular destinations for nature lovers. Both parks offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences, but there are some distinct differences between the two.
At Great Basin National Park, visitors can see a variety of animals such as pronghorns, bighorn sheep, and mule deer. The park is also home to a number of species of bats, including the Townsend’s big-eared bat and the western small-footed bat. In addition, visitors may also see a number of bird species, including the sage thrasher, the mountain bluebird, and the Clark’s nutcracker. Visitors may also see a number of plant species, including the bristlecone pine, the Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forest, and the single-leaf pinyon.
At Shenandoah National Park, visitors can see a variety of animals such as black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys. The park is also home to a number of species of birds, including the scarlet tanager, the wood thrush, and the ovenbird. Visitors may also see a number of plant species, including the American beech, the tulip poplar, and the Virginia pine.
In conclusion, both Great Basin National Park and Shenandoah National Park offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences. Whether you are interested in seeing a variety of animals, birds, or plants, both parks have something to offer.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Basin National Park and Shenandoah National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Basin National Park | Shenandoah 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 | Shenandoah 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 | Mountain Lion |
| Mink | Gray Fox |
| Mule Deer | River Otter |
| Gray Fox | Masked Shrew |
| Gray Wolf | Water Shrew |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Red Squirrel |
| Long-Eared Myotis | White-Tailed Deer |
| Badger | Virginia Opossum |
| Ermine | Marten |
| Californis Myotis | Northern Flying Squirrel |
Fish
| Great Basin National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brown Trout |
| Mottled Sculpin | Largemouth Bass |
| Speckled Dace | Green Sunfish |
| Cutthroat Trout | Bluegill |
| Common Carp | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Great Basin National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Reptiles
| Great Basin National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Black Racer |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Ringneck Snake |
| Rubber Boa | Common Garter Snake |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Common Kingsnake |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | Milksnake |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Great Basin National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Monarch Butterfly | Monarch |
| American Painted Lady | American Lady |
| Red Admiral | Red Admiral |
| Mourningcloak | Mourning Cloak |
| Cabbage White | Cabbage White |
| Silvery Blue | Silvery Blue |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | Common Checkered Skipper |
| Clouded Sulphur | Clouded Sulphur |
| Commom Wood Nymph | Variegated Fritillary |
| Purplish Copper | Buckeye |
| Anise Swallowtail | Commom Wood Nymph |
| Gray Hairstreak | Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Great Basin National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, is a breathtakingly beautiful park with a unique landscape. The park is home to the Lehman Caves, a series of intricate marble caverns that are a popular destination for visitors. The park’s most famous landscape is the ancient bristlecone pine forest, where visitors can see trees that are over 4,000 years old. The park also boasts the 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Shenandoah National Park, located in Virginia, is another breathtaking park with a diverse landscape. The park is home to the Skyline Drive, a 105-mile scenic road that runs through the park and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The park is also home to numerous waterfalls, including the Dark Hollow Falls and Whiteoak Canyon Falls, which are popular destinations for visitors. The park is also home to the old-growth forests which are home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, deer, and wild turkeys.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Basin National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Great Basin National Park and Shenandoah National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both of these parks offer visitors a wide range of outdoor activities, from hiking and camping to wildlife watching and scenic drives.
At Great Basin National Park, visitors can enjoy stargazing at the park’s dark skies, fishing in its pristine mountain lakes, and exploring the ancient Bristlecone Pine forest. The park is also home to the scenic Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Shenandoah National Park, on the other hand, is known for its scenic Skyline Drive, which winds its way through the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors to Shenandoah can also enjoy wildlife watching, fishing, and horseback riding. Additionally, the park is home to a number of waterfalls, including the popular Dark Hollow Falls, which is a popular spot for picnics and outdoor photography.
Both Great Basin National Park and Shenandoah National Park offer a wide range of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy, from scenic drives and wildlife watching to fishing and horseback riding. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape into nature or an adrenaline-fueled adventure, these parks are sure to provide a unique and memorable experience.
Best Time to Visit Great Basin National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Great Basin National Park and Shenandoah National Park are two popular National Parks in the US, offering unique landscapes and outdoor experiences. However, the weather at each park is different and can greatly affect the best time to visit.
Great Basin, located in Nevada, is known for its hot, dry summers and cold winters with snow. Summer temperatures can reach over 90°F, making it ideal for hiking early in the morning or late in the evening. Winter temperatures average in the 20s and 30s, with snow and ice on the trails.
Shenandoah, located in Virginia, experiences four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures average in the 80s, with occasional heat waves. Winter temperatures average in the 30s, with occasional snow and ice. Fall is known for its stunning foliage, with mild temperatures in the 50s and 60s. Spring is a popular time to visit, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s and wildflowers blooming.
Both parks offer unique experiences depending on the time of year, with Great Basin being best visited in the spring and fall, while Shenandoah is popular year-round. Regardless of the season, both parks offer breathtaking natural beauty, making them must-visit destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Family Friendliness of Great Basin National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Great Basin and Shenandoah National Parks both offer ample opportunities for families to explore the great outdoors. However, there are some differences in what each park offers that may make one more appealing for families traveling with children.
Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, is known for its scenic drives, hiking trails, and stunning natural wonders like the Lehman Caves and the ancient Bristlecone Pine Trees. While some of the trails and scenic drives may be too strenuous for young children, there are still plenty of options for families to explore together. Additionally, the park offers ranger-led programs and Junior Ranger activities to keep kids engaged and learning about the environment.
On the other hand, Shenandoah National Park, located in Virginia, is known for its breathtaking views and scenic Skyline Drive. The park offers over 500 miles of trails, many of which are suitable for families with children. The park also offers ranger-led programs, campfire programs, and Junior Ranger activities to keep kids entertained and educated about the park’s wildlife and history. Additionally, Shenandoah National Park is located closer to major cities, making it a more convenient option for families traveling with young children.
In conclusion, both Great Basin and Shenandoah National Parks offer plenty of opportunities for families to explore the great outdoors. However, for families traveling with young children, Shenandoah National Park may be a more convenient and family-friendly option due to its closer proximity to major cities and its ample kid-friendly trails and activities.