Discover two of America’s hidden gems: Great Basin National Park and Virgin Islands National Park. Both parks offer unique landscapes and experiences, but which one is right for you?
In the heart of Nevada, Great Basin National Park offers a stunning escape from the desert heat. With towering peaks and ancient bristlecone pine trees, this park is a nature lover’s paradise. Hike to the top of 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak for breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
On the other hand, the Virgin Islands National Park, located on the tropical island of St. John, offers a completely different experience. Soak up the sun on pristine beaches, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, and explore the lush rainforest. With over 7,000 acres of protected land, this park is a true tropical oasis.
Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, both parks have something to offer. So, pack your bags and get ready to experience the beauty of America’s hidden gems. Which park will you choose?
Hiking Trails in Great Basin National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Great Basin National Park and Virgin Islands National Park are two national parks that offer a range of hiking trails for all levels of hikers. Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, is known for its beautiful alpine landscapes, including the 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak and the ancient bristlecone pine forests. The park offers several hikes, including the easy Bristlecone Pine Trail, the moderate Alpine Lake Trail, and the strenuous Wheeler Peak Trail. The Bristlecone Pine Trail is a 0.5-mile loop that takes you through the ancient bristlecone pine forest, while the Alpine Lake Trail is a 4.5-mile round trip hike that takes you to a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by towering peaks. The Wheeler Peak Trail is a strenuous hike that takes you to the highest point in the park, with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet over a distance of 8.5 miles.
Virgin Islands National Park, located in the US Virgin Islands, offers a completely different hiking experience with its tropical landscape and stunning beaches. The park has several easy hikes, including the Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail and the Maho Bay to Cinnamon Bay Trail. The Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail is a short 0.5-mile hike through the lush tropical forest, while the Maho Bay to Cinnamon Bay Trail is a 2.5-mile hike that takes you through the forest and along the stunning beaches of the Virgin Islands. The park also has several strenuous hikes, including the Ram Head Trail and the Reef Bay Trail. The Ram Head Trail is a 2.5-mile hike that takes you to the top of Ram Head with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea, while the Reef Bay Trail takes you to the Reef Bay Sugar Mill ruins, with a steep descent of 1,000 feet over a distance of 2.5 miles.
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 Virgin Islands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Canyon Trail | 804.67 | 16.764 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Caprock Coulee Loop | 6115.492 | 159.7152 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Painted Canyon Nature Trail | 1770.274 | 78.9432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Petrified Forest Trail | 16415.268 | 253.8984 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Maah Daah Hey Trail | 229009.082 | 4614.9768 | Hard | point to point | 4.5 |
| Lower Paddock Creek Trail | 11587.248 | 127.7112 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Buck Hill Trail | 643.736 | 16.764 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ridgeline Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 33.8328 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Coal Vein Trail | 965.604 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Buckhorn Trail | 19633.948 | 324.9168 | Hard | loop | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Great Basin National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Great Basin National Park and Virgin Islands National Park are both popular destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, but they each offer a unique wildlife experience.
Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and is known for its diverse range of wildlife, including pronghorns, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and black bears. Visitors to the park can also expect to see a variety of birds, such as the peregrine falcon, golden eagle, and mountain bluebird. Additionally, the park is home to a number of plant species, including sagebrush, aspen, and pinyon pine.
On the other hand, Virgin Islands National Park is located in the U.S. Virgin Islands and is known for its rich marine life. Commonly seen animals include sea turtles, dolphins, and various species of fish. Visitors to the park can also expect to see a variety of bird species, including the brown booby, bananaquit, and the red-tailed hawk. The park is also home to a number of plant species, including mangroves, sea grapes, and cacti.
Overall, both parks offer a unique and unforgettable wildlife experience, but visitors to Great Basin National Park can expect to see a wider variety of land-based wildlife, while visitors to Virgin Islands National Park can expect to see an abundance of marine life.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Basin National Park and Virgin Islands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Basin National Park | Virgin Islands 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 | 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 | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Great Basin National Park | Virgin Islands 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 | Porcupine |
| 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 | Mink |
| Mule Deer | Mule Deer |
| Gray Fox | Gray Wolf |
| Gray Wolf | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Badger |
| Badger | Snowshoe Hare |
| Ermine | North American River Otter |
| Californis Myotis | Masked Shrew |
Fish
| Great Basin National Park | Virgin Islands National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brook Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Brown Trout | Bluegill |
| Mottled Sculpin | Flathead Minnow |
| Speckled Dace | Golden Shiner |
| Cutthroat Trout | Carp/European Carp |
| Northern Pike | |
| Burbot | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub |
Amphibians
| Great Basin National Park | Virgin Islands National Park |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Tiger Salamander |
| Red-Spotted Toad | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Canyon Treefrog | Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Great Basin National Park | Virgin Islands National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Bullsnake |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Racer |
| Rubber Boa | Rattlesnake |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | Common Garter Snake |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Great Basin National Park | Virgin Islands 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 Virgin Islands National Park
Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and is known for its stunning landscapes and natural wonders. The most famous of these is the Lehman Caves, which visitors can tour and admire the stalactites, stalagmites, and other unique rock formations. The park also boasts of its high mountain peaks, including Wheeler Peak, which is the second highest mountain in Nevada and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. The park also includes a number of scenic overlooks, including the Snake Creek Overlook, which provides a stunning bird’s-eye view of the park’s rugged terrain.
Virgin Islands National Park, located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is also known for its beautiful landscapes and natural wonders. The park’s most famous feature is the stunning Trunk Bay Beach, which is known for its turquoise waters and white sand beaches. Visitors can also explore the park’s lush vegetation, including the Maho Bay Rainforest and the Cinnamon Bay Campground. The park is also home to a number of historic sites, including the Annaberg Plantation, which provides a glimpse into the island’s colonial past. Additionally, visitors can hike the park’s trails, including the Ram Head Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Basin National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Great Basin National Park and Virgin Islands National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both offer a unique outdoor experience, but there are some key differences between the two.
At Great Basin National Park, visitors can go star gazing and see the Milky Way. The park is also home to the oldest living organism, the Bristlecone Pine. The park also offers a number of ranger-led activities, including campfire programs and guided hikes. In addition, visitors can go fishing and camping in the park.
At Virgin Islands National Park, visitors can enjoy water activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming. The park is also home to a number of historic sites, including sugar plantations and Danish windmills. Visitors can also hike through the park’s lush tropical forests, which are home to a diverse array of wildlife.
In conclusion, both Great Basin National Park and Virgin Islands National Park offer unique outdoor experiences for visitors. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation or an adventure in the great outdoors, both parks have something to offer.
Best Time to Visit Great Basin National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Great Basin National Park in Nevada and Virgin Islands National Park in the US Virgin Islands are two unique parks with different weather patterns.
At Great Basin National Park, the weather is characterized by four distinct seasons. Summer is warm and dry with temperatures ranging from the high 80s to low 90s. Winter is cold with occasional snow and temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to mid-30s. Spring and fall are mild with temperatures in the 50s and 60s, and occasional rain. The best time to visit the park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park’s many hiking trails are accessible.
In contrast, the Virgin Islands National Park experiences warm, tropical weather year-round with temperatures ranging from the high 80s to low 90s. The park experiences a rainy season from May to October and a dry season from November to April. The best time to visit the park is during the dry season, when the weather is sunny and the park’s beaches and snorkeling opportunities are at their best.
Overall, considering the seasonal weather patterns, Great Basin National Park is best visited during the summer months and Virgin Islands National Park is best visited during the dry season.
Family Friendliness of Great Basin National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Great Basin National Park and Virgin Islands National Park are both family-friendly destinations, but with different offerings. Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and is known for its stunning natural beauty, including the Lehman Caves and the ancient Bristlecone Pine Trees. It offers great opportunities for both indoor and outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and cave tours. However, the park’s remote location might not be ideal for families with small children who need convenient access to amenities and services.
On the other hand, Virgin Islands National Park is located on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands and is known for its stunning beaches and clear waters. The park offers several family-friendly activities, such as snorkeling, kayaking, and beachcombing. Additionally, the park is surrounded by several small towns with restaurants, shops, and hotels, making it a more convenient option for families traveling with children.
In conclusion, if you are traveling with children and looking for a family-friendly park with convenient access to amenities and services, Virgin Islands National Park is the better option. But if you are looking for a remote and natural setting with plenty of outdoor activities, Great Basin National Park is a great choice.