Summer is just around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about your next adventure! If you’re looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, consider visiting one of America’s beautiful national parks. But with so many to choose from, how do you decide? Well, if you’re torn between Great Basin National Park and Voyageurs National Park, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these two gems of the national park system and help you decide which one is right for you. From stunning landscapes to unique wildlife and outdoor activities, both parks offer a wealth of opportunities for adventure. But each park also has its own distinct character and charm.
So, whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a nature lover, this article is for you. Get ready to discover two of the most breathtaking national parks in the country and find out which one will be the next destination for your next great adventure!
Hiking Trails in Great Basin National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Great Basin National Park and Voyageurs National Park both offer unique and beautiful hiking trails for visitors to explore. In Great Basin, some of the easiest hikes include the Bristlecone Pine trail, which leads to some of the oldest trees in the world, and the Lehman Caves trail, which offers a guided tour of the park’s stunning underground formations. On the other hand, some of the more challenging hikes in Great Basin include the Wheeler Peak trail, a strenuous 13-mile trek to the park’s highest peak, and the Alpine Lake trail, a rugged 8-mile hike to a serene alpine lake.
Voyageurs National Park, located in northern Minnesota, offers a different set of hiking experiences. Some of the easiest hikes include the Kettle Falls trail, which leads to a beautiful waterfall, and the Rainy Lake trail, which takes visitors through a peaceful forest to the park’s largest lake. For those looking for a more strenuous hike, the Boulder Pass trail is a challenging 16-mile trek through rugged terrain, while the Little American Island trail takes visitors on a 7-mile journey to a remote island in the park’s interior.
Both Great Basin and Voyageurs offer a range of hiking experiences, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, both parks offer something for everyone.
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 Voyageurs National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Great Basin National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and is known for its unique and diverse wildlife. Visitors can expect to see a variety of mammals such as mule deer, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep. The park is also home to a number of species of bats, including the Townsend’s big-eared bat and the California myotis. In addition, visitors can expect to see a variety of birds such as the peregrine falcon, the great horned owl, and the golden eagle.
Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota is also home to a diverse array of wildlife. The park is known for its large populations of beavers, otters, and muskrats, as well as its large number of birds, including bald eagles, loons, and common mergansers. Visitors can also expect to see a variety of mammals such as the black bear, the moose, and the gray wolf. Additionally, the park is home to a number of unique plant species, including the Canada yew, the wild sarsaparilla, and the American bladdernut.
Both parks offer unique experiences for wildlife enthusiasts, but Great Basin National Park is known for its unique and diverse species of bats, while Voyageurs National Park is known for its large populations of beavers, otters, and muskrats, as well as its large number of birds. Both parks also offer opportunities to see a variety of mammals, including large predators such as mountain lions and gray wolves. Ultimately, the decision between these two parks will come down to personal preference and the specific interests of the individual.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Basin National Park and Voyageurs National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Basin National Park | Voyageurs 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 | Voyageurs 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 | Porcupine |
| Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Red Fox | Hoary Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Fox |
| House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Lion | House Mouse |
| Mink | Mountain Lion |
| Mule Deer | Mink |
| Gray Fox | Common Gray Fox |
| Gray Wolf | Plains Wolf |
| Long-Legged Myotis | American Badger |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Ermine |
| Badger | Snowshoe Hare |
| Ermine | River Otter |
| Californis Myotis | Masked Shrew |
Fish
| Great Basin National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brown Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Mottled Sculpin | Bluegill |
| Speckled Dace | Fathead Minnow |
| Cutthroat Trout | Golden Shiner |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Ellpout | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Great Basin National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Wood Frog |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Reptiles
| Great Basin National Park | Voyageurs 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 | Voyageurs 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 Voyageurs National Park
Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and is known for its stunning landscapes, including the Lehman Caves and the 13,063-foot-high Wheeler Peak. The Lehman Caves are a popular destination for visitors, with their intricate network of limestone formations and unique rock formations. Another famous feature of the park is the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Voyageurs National Park, located in Minnesota, is known for its interconnected waterways, including Rainy Lake and Kabetogama Lake. Visitors can explore the park by boat, kayak, or canoe, taking in the stunning views of the water and the surrounding forests. The park is also home to several beautiful overlooks, including the Ash River Overlook and the Kabetogama Lake Overlook, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Additionally, the park is known for its diverse wildlife, including moose, bald eagles, and beavers.
Both parks offer unique and breathtaking landscapes that are sure to leave visitors in awe. Whether you’re looking to explore the great outdoors, take in stunning views, or simply escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Great Basin National Park and Voyageurs National Park are both excellent options.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Basin National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Great Basin National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two unique and beautiful parks that offer a variety of activities for visitors. While both parks are known for their stunning landscapes and opportunities to explore the natural world, there are several key differences between the two.
Great Basin National Park is a hiker’s paradise and is home to the iconic Lehman Caves, which are a popular spot for visitors. In addition to hiking and cave exploring, visitors can also enjoy fishing, stargazing, and wildlife viewing. The park is also home to the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
On the other hand, Voyageurs National Park is a water-based park and is a popular destination for canoeing and kayaking. The park features several interconnected waterways and visitors can explore the lush wilderness by boat. In addition to boating, visitors can also enjoy fishing, hiking, and camping. The park is also well known for its abundant wildlife, including beavers, deer, and loons.
Ultimately, both Great Basin National Park and Voyageurs National Park offer unique and unforgettable experiences for visitors. Whether you’re looking to explore the natural beauty of the parks by foot or by boat, there is something for everyone at these stunning national parks.
Best Time to Visit Great Basin National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Great Basin National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two unique parks that offer visitors a chance to explore and experience the beauty of nature. While both parks have their own unique features, the seasonal weather patterns can greatly impact a visitor’s experience.
Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and experiences very dry and hot summers, with cool and mild winters. The best time to visit the park is during the spring and fall seasons, when temperatures are more moderate and the landscape is lush with vegetation. On the other hand, Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota experiences cold, snowy winters, with warm and humid summers. The best time to visit the park is during the summer months, when the lakes are open for boating and the wildlife is abundant.
The weather patterns in both parks have a significant impact on the activities available to visitors. In Great Basin, the hot summer temperatures limit the amount of time visitors can spend exploring the park, while the milder temperatures in spring and fall allow for longer hikes and other outdoor activities. In Voyageurs, the icy and snowy conditions in the winter make many of the trails and waterways impassable, but the warm summer months offer perfect conditions for boating and fishing.
Visitors should consider the seasonal weather patterns when planning their trip to either Great Basin National Park or Voyageurs National Park. Both parks offer unique and beautiful experiences, but the best time to visit will depend on individual preferences and activities desired.
Family Friendliness of Great Basin National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Great Basin National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two of the most beautiful places to visit in the United States. Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities for families, but one may be better suited for your needs than the other. If you’re traveling with children, here’s what you need to know about each park.
Great Basin National Park is known for its stunning views of the night sky and its diverse landscape, including forests, deserts, and mountains. The park offers several family-friendly activities, such as guided ranger programs, nature walks, and stargazing events. However, some of the park’s trails and activities may be too challenging for younger children.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, is centered around water and is an excellent destination for families with children. The park features several lakes, as well as plenty of opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. There are also plenty of easy hikes, guided canoe trips, and ranger programs that are perfect for families. Additionally, the park has several campgrounds that offer both tents and houseboat sites, making it a great option for families who want to spend a night or two in the park.
In conclusion, both Great Basin National Park and Voyageurs National Park are excellent destinations for families, but each park has a different focus. If you’re traveling with children, Voyageurs National Park is likely the better choice as it offers many water-based activities and easy hikes that are perfect for families.