Some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the United States can be found in our national parks. But with so many to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? If you’re torn between Great Basin National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into what makes these two parks unique, so you can decide which one is the perfect destination for your next adventure.
Great Basin National Park is known for its stunning starry skies and ancient bristlecone pine trees, while Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve boasts the largest protected wilderness in the country and is home to nine of the 16 highest peaks in the United States.
So pack your bags and get ready for a journey through two of America’s most incredible national parks. Whether you’re a hiker, a stargazer, or just looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, one of these parks is sure to capture your heart.
Hiking Trails in Great Basin National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique hiking experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and is known for its Lehman Caves and the Bristlecone Pine Trail. The Bristlecone Pine Trail is an easy hike and offers scenic views of the ancient Bristlecone Pines. On the other hand, the Wheeler Peak Trail is a strenuous hike that takes you to the highest point in the park at 13,063 feet.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is known for its glaciers and backcountry hiking. The Root Glacier Trail is an easy hike that takes you to the Root Glacier where you can explore the unique glacial formations. The Kennicott Glacier is a strenuous hike that takes you to the Kennicott Glacier, one of the largest glaciers in the park. This hike is not for the faint of heart due to its rugged terrain and difficult conditions.
In conclusion, both Great Basin National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve offer a variety of hiking options for all skill levels. Whether you’re looking for an easy hike with scenic views or a strenuous hike through rugged terrain, these parks have something to offer 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 Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Great Basin National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two vastly different wilderness areas with unique wildlife. Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, is known for its diverse ecosystems which include sagebrush deserts, limber pine forests, and high-altitude alpine tundra. Here, visitors can expect to see unique animals like the pygmy rabbit, pronghorn antelope, and the Great Basin rattlesnake. Meanwhile, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska is known for its rich wilderness and large mammals like brown bears, moose, caribou, and wolves.
In addition to large mammals, bird enthusiasts will enjoy sightings of bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and golden eagles. The park is also home to several species of fish, including rainbow trout and sockeye salmon, that can be found in the numerous rivers and streams running through the park. Visitors to Great Basin National Park will also have the opportunity to see a variety of bird species, including the white-tailed ptarmigan and the mountain bluebird.
Both parks are also home to unique plant life, with Great Basin National Park boasting ancient Bristlecone pines and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve featuring a variety of wildflowers and berry bushes. Regardless of which park you choose, you can expect to see truly unique and awe-inspiring wildlife that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Basin National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Basin National Park | Wrangell – St Elias 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 | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Great Basin National Park | Wrangell – St Elias 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 | Puma |
| Raccoon | Mink |
| Porcupine | Mule Deer |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Wolf |
| Hoary Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | Snowshoe Hare |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Land Otter |
| House Mouse | Common Shrew |
| Lion | Water Shrew |
| Mink | Red Squirrel |
| Mule Deer | Montane Shrew |
| Gray Fox | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Gray Wolf | Lynx |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Wolverine |
| Long-Eared Myotis | American Marten |
| Badger | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Ermine | Grizzly Bear |
| Californis Myotis | Meadow Vole |
Fish
| Great Basin National Park | Wrangell – St Elias 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 | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Great Basin National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Reptiles
| Great Basin National Park | Wrangell – St Elias 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 | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Silvery Blue |
| Painted Lady | Clouded Sulphur |
| 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 Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park is located in Nevada and is famous for its Lehman Caves, which are a series of underground limestone formations. Another popular natural wonder in the park is the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The park is also home to the ancient Bristlecone Pine trees, which can live to be over 4,000 years old.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is known for its massive glaciers, which cover over 13,000 square miles. The park is home to Mount St. Elias, which is one of the tallest mountains in North America and offers dramatic views of the surrounding glaciers. Another popular natural wonder in the park is the Root Glacier, which is a large sheet of ice that visitors can walk on during the summer months. The park is also home to the Kennicott Mine, a historic copper mine that has been preserved as an interpretive site.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Basin National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer a range of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, is known for its stunning night skies, offering some of the best stargazing opportunities in the country. Visitors can take ranger-led stargazing tours or set up their own telescopes for an unforgettable experience. The park also offers several scenic drives through the beautiful landscapes, including the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is a popular destination for backcountry hiking and camping. The park is home to many glaciers and offers opportunities for visitors to go ice climbing and explore the glacial formations. The park is also popular for wildlife viewing, particularly for bear sightings. Visitors can also go rafting or kayaking down the Copper River, which runs through the park, and enjoy the scenic beauty along the way.
Both parks offer a unique and diverse outdoor experience for visitors. Great Basin National Park is perfect for those seeking a peaceful, stargazing experience, while Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve provides an adventurous, backcountry experience for outdoor enthusiasts.
Best Time to Visit Great Basin National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two national parks in the United States that offer unique weather patterns to visitors. Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, is known for its dry and hot summers, and cold and snowy winters. The best time to visit this park is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are more mild and there are fewer crowds. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, experiences a much more dramatic temperature range, with mild summers and extremely cold winters. This park is best visited in the summer, when the temperatures are warmer and the days are longer, providing ample time to explore the park’s vast wilderness.
Both parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, but the weather affects when is the best time to visit each park. At Great Basin National Park, visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, and stargazing during the spring and fall when temperatures are more temperate. On the other hand, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is best for visitors who seek adventure, such as backpacking, mountaineering, and fishing. These activities are best enjoyed during the summer months, when the weather is warmer and the days are longer.
In conclusion, both Great Basin National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique weather patterns that can greatly impact visitors’ experiences at each park. It is important to consider the weather when planning a trip to either park, to ensure the best possible experience.
Family Friendliness of Great Basin National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Great Basin National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest parks in the United States and both offer a variety of activities for families. However, for families traveling with children, Great Basin National Park may be the better option. This park offers a range of easy hikes, including the popular Bristlecone Pine Trail, which takes visitors to see ancient trees over 4,000 years old. The park also has a scenic drive, a variety of ranger-led programs, and a campground with a playground.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, while also offering a range of outdoor activities, may be more challenging for families with young children. This park is vast and remote, with limited facilities and services. While it offers scenic vistas, wildlife viewing opportunities, and backcountry adventures, it may be more difficult for families with young children to navigate and access these experiences. The park has limited road access and many of the trails are long and strenuous. Additionally, there are limited opportunities for camping and no playgrounds or ranger-led programs.
Overall, for families traveling with children, Great Basin National Park is a better choice with its easy hikes, scenic drive, and kid-friendly facilities. Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a better choice for families with older children or for those seeking a remote wilderness experience.