Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park are two of the most majestic and awe-inspiring places in the United States. Both parks offer visitors breathtaking scenery, diverse wildlife, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. But what makes these two parks unique and different from each other? In this article, we will delve into the history, geology, and recreational opportunities of these two parks, and compare and contrast them in a way that will leave you eager to visit both.
From the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the rugged canyons of the Great Basin, these two parks represent the very best of America’s natural beauty. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply someone looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, there is something for everyone in these parks. So buckle up and get ready to embark on a journey through two of America’s most treasured national parks.
Hiking Trails in Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park
Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer stunning landscapes, breathtaking views, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation.
The hiking trails at Great Basin National Park are diverse and range from easy, leisurely walks to strenuous backcountry expeditions. One of the most popular hikes is the Bristlecone Pine Trail, a scenic 0.5-mile loop that takes you through a forest of ancient bristlecone pines. For a more challenging experience, the Wheeler Peak Trail is a strenuous 13-mile round trip hike that leads to the highest peak in Nevada.
At Yosemite National Park, there are also a variety of hiking trails to choose from. One of the easiest hikes is the Mirror Lake Trail, a 2-mile round trip hike that takes you to a beautiful lake surrounded by towering cliffs. For a more strenuous experience, the Half Dome Trail is a challenging 16-mile round trip hike that leads to the iconic granite dome. This hike is not for the faint of heart and requires a permit, but the views from the top are truly spectacular.
In conclusion, both Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park offer a range of hiking experiences for visitors of all abilities. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging backcountry adventure, these parks have something to offer 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 Yosemite National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vernal and Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail | 10299.776 | 667.8168 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Upper Yosemite Falls Trail | 11587.248 | 967.74 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Half Dome Trail | 23818.232 | 1573.9872 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Lower Yosemite Falls Trail | 1609.34 | 15.8496 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Clouds Rest Trail via Tenaya Lake | 19794.882 | 948.8424 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Four Mile Trail | 12070.05 | 998.8296 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sentinel Dome Trail | 3379.614 | 138.9888 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
| Glacier Point Trail | 965.604 | 71.9328 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Vernal Falls | 5954.558 | 406.908 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Mirror Lake via Valley Loop Trail | 9012.304 | 101.8032 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Wildlife in Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park
Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park both offer stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife. However, there are some differences in the types of wildlife you can expect to see at these two parks.
Great Basin National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep. Visitors may also spot pronghorns, mule deer, and numerous species of birds, such as the colorful sage grouse. The park is also home to a number of unique plant species, including the ancient bristlecone pine, which can live for over 4,000 years.
In contrast, Yosemite National Park is most famous for its iconic black bears, which are often seen foraging for food in the park. Visitors may also spot mule deer, coyotes, and various species of birds, including the majestic bald eagle. Yosemite is known for its lush meadows and towering trees, including the giant sequoia, which can grow over 300 feet tall.
Overall, both Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park offer incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, but each park has its own distinct features and species. Whether you’re looking to spot a black bear, bird-watch, or simply take in the beauty of nature, both of these parks are worth a visit.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Basin National Park | Yosemite 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 | Yosemite National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| 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 | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | House Mouse |
| House Mouse | Mountain Lion |
| Lion | Mule Deer |
| Mink | Gray Fox |
| Mule Deer | Wolf |
| Gray Fox | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Gray Wolf | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Badger |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Ermine |
| Badger | California Myotis |
| Ermine | River Otter |
| Californis Myotis | Fringed Myotis |
Fish
| Great Basin National Park | Yosemite National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brown Trout |
| Mottled Sculpin | Smallmouth Bass |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Amphibians
| Great Basin National Park | Yosemite National Park |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Reptiles
| Great Basin National Park | Yosemite National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Rubber Boa | Northern Rubber Boa |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Western Skink |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | Western Fence Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Great Basin National Park | Yosemite 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 Yosemite National Park
Great Basin National Park is known for its stunning landscapes and scenic drives. The park is located in Nevada and is home to several mountain ranges, including the Snake Range, which is home to the park’s highest peak, Wheeler Peak. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views from the top of the peak, which rises to an elevation of over 13,000 feet. In addition to the mountain ranges, the park also features several beautiful alpine lakes, including Baker Lake and Stella Lake.
Yosemite National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its massive granite cliffs and iconic waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Falls. Visitors can explore the park’s many trails, including the Four Mile Trail, which provides incredible views of the park’s famous landmarks. Yosemite is also home to several high-country lakes, including Tenaya Lake, which is surrounded by towering granite cliffs and offers stunning views of the park’s surrounding landscapes. Whether you’re interested in hiking, climbing, or simply taking in the park’s stunning scenery, Yosemite National Park is the perfect destination for nature lovers.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park
Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both offer a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and rock climbing. However, each park has its own unique features that attract visitors.
Great Basin National Park is known for its stunning views of the night sky, making it a popular destination for stargazing and night photography. Visitors can also explore the park’s caves, such as Lehman Caves, and view the ancient Bristlecone Pine trees, some of which are over 4,000 years old.
Yosemite National Park is known for its towering waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Falls, which draw thousands of visitors every year. Rock climbing is also a popular activity in Yosemite, with climbers flock to El Capitan and Half Dome for their challenging routes. The park also offers scenic drives, horseback rides, and opportunities for wildlife viewing, including black bears and mule deer.
In conclusion, both Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park offer unique outdoor experiences for visitors. Whether you’re interested in stargazing, rock climbing, or exploring waterfalls, both parks have something to offer. So, it’s up to you to choose which park is the best fit for your next adventure.
Best Time to Visit Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park
Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park are two of the most well-known national parks in the United States. Both parks have unique weather patterns that affect when the best time to visit is. In Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, the summer months are warm with temperatures ranging from 60°F to 80°F, while the winter months are very cold with temperatures dropping to below freezing. Yosemite National Park, located in California, has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
The best time to visit Great Basin National Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the Park is open for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. Winter is a good time to visit the Park if you enjoy snow sports, such as skiing and snowboarding. Yosemite National Park is best visited during the spring and fall months when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. The summer months can be very crowded and the park can be quite hot, making it a less ideal time to visit. Winter is a great time to visit Yosemite if you enjoy snow sports and the park’s famous winter scenery, but it can be very cold and snowy, making it difficult to access some areas.
Family Friendliness of Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park
Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park are both popular destinations for families. Great Basin National Park offers a wide range of outdoor activities for families, including hiking, camping, and stargazing. The park also has several ranger-led programs that are geared towards children, such as the Junior Ranger program. In addition, the park has a number of accessible trails, making it easier for families with small children or mobility limitations to explore the park.
On the other hand, Yosemite National Park offers a more diverse range of activities and attractions, making it the better choice for families who want a more well-rounded experience. The park has hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic vistas, as well as educational programs and ranger-led activities. There are also a variety of camping options available, from backcountry camping to RV camping. However, the park can be more crowded and busy, as it is a more popular destination for families.
In conclusion, both Great Basin National Park and Yosemite National Park are great options for families, but Yosemite offers a more diverse range of activities and attractions. For families who want a more relaxed, nature-focused experience, Great Basin National Park is a good choice, while for families who are looking for a more well-rounded experience, Yosemite is the better choice.