Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of America’s most popular and beloved national parks. Both parks are renowned for their stunning natural beauty, with the Great Sand Dunes known for its massive sand dunes, and the Great Smoky Mountains for its rolling hills, misty mountains, and vibrant fall colors.
But which park is the one to visit? That’s the question we aim to answer in this article! Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, we’ll dive into the unique features and activities that each park has to offer. From hiking to camping, wildlife watching to scenic drives, we’ll explore all the different ways you can experience the beauty of each park.
So, let’s buckle up and embark on a journey to discover which park reigns supreme!
Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are both beautiful parks with many opportunities for outdoor recreation. When it comes to hiking, both parks have much to offer, but they are also quite different in some ways.
At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, visitors can hike up the towering sand dunes, which can be a challenging workout. The tallest dune, Star Dune, is a popular hike that offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The park also has other trails that are less strenuous, such as the Mosca Pass Trail and the Sand Ramp Trail.
On the other hand, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker’s paradise, with more than 800 miles of trails. Visitors can choose from a variety of trails, ranging from easy walks to strenuous backcountry hikes. Some of the easiest hikes include the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and the Laurel Falls Trail, while the hardest hikes include the Alum Cave Trail and the Ramsey Cascades Trail.
At both parks, visitors should be prepared for changing weather conditions and bring enough water, food, and other supplies for their hike. Both parks also have designated wilderness areas that require permits and have strict rules, so visitors should be familiar with these regulations before heading out on a hike.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Dune Trail | 4828.02 | 191.7192 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Mosca Pass Trail | 10299.776 | 444.7032 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dunes Trail from Pinyon Flats | 7242.03 | 290.7792 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Sand Dunes Loop Trail | 8046.7 | 225.8568 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Upper Sand Creek Lake Trail | 11909.116 | 598.932 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Medano Lake Trail | 12713.786 | 697.992 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Montville Nature Trail | 804.67 | 26.8224 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Dunes Overlook Sand Ramp Trail | 2414.01 | 80.772 | Moderate | out and back | 3.5 |
| Little Medano Creek Trail to Medano Lake | 40394.434 | 1079.9064 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Wellington Ditch Trail | 2896.812 | 47.8536 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte | 17219.938 | 916.8384 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Chimney Tops Trail | 5793.624 | 392.8872 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rainbow Falls Trail | 8851.37 | 503.8344 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Grotto Falls Trail | 4184.284 | 162.7632 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Laurel Falls Trail | 3862.416 | 120.7008 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Abrams Falls Trail | 7885.766 | 191.7192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail | 1931.208 | 100.8888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail | 13840.324 | 603.8088 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ramsey Cascades Trail | 13035.654 | 677.8752 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Peregrine Peak via Alum Cave Bluffs Trail | 6759.228 | 322.7832 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences, but in different ways.
At Great Sand Dunes, visitors can expect to see a variety of reptiles, such as the sagebrush lizard and the western rattlesnake, as well as mammals like pronghorns and black-tailed jackrabbits. The park is also home to a number of bird species, including the mountain plover and the chestnut-collared longspur.
In contrast, Great Smoky Mountains National Park features a wide range of wildlife, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and elk. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 200 species of birds found in the park, including the bald eagle, the peregrine falcon, and the great horned owl. Visitors may also come across a variety of plant species, such as the mountain laurel and the flame azalea.
Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, birdwatcher, or just looking for a unique outdoor experience, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park offer something for everyone. So, pack your binoculars, grab your camera, and head out to explore these amazing national parks.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Great Smoky Mountains 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 Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Great Smoky Mountains 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 |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mule Deer | House Mouse |
| Gray Fox | Panther (Mountain Lion) |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Mink |
| Long-Eared Bat | Gray Fox |
| Badger | Gray Wolf |
| Ermine | Snowshoe Hare |
| Snowshoe Hare | River Otter |
| Masked Shrew | Masked Shrew |
| Water Shrew | Water Shrew |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Red Squirrel |
Reptiles
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Bull Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Western Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizards | |
| Milksnake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Fish
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| German Brown Trout | Brook Trout |
| Cutthroat Trout | Brown Trout |
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Common Carp | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | American Bullfrog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Wood Frog |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered Skipper | |
| Common Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in Colorado and is famous for its sand dunes that tower over 700 feet tall. Visitors can hike to the top of the dunes and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The park also features a variety of other landscapes, including wetlands, forests, and alpine lakes.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in Tennessee and North Carolina, is known for its rolling hills and stunning mountain vistas. The park is home to over 1,500 species of plants and animals and is one of the largest protected areas in the Eastern United States. Some of the most famous landscapes in the park include Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park, and Cades Cove, a valley surrounded by mountains. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives, hiking trails, and waterfalls throughout the park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. While they are both incredibly beautiful and offer a variety of outdoor activities, they are very different in terms of what visitors can expect to experience.
At Great Sand Dunes, visitors can enjoy sand sledding, sandboarding, and hiking in the dunes. Visitors can also go backpacking and camping in the park’s backcountry and enjoy scenic drives. In contrast, Great Smoky Mountains is much more focused on hiking and scenic drives, but also offers river fishing, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.
Another main difference between the two parks is the climate. Great Sand Dunes is a desert environment with hot summers and cold winters, while Great Smoky Mountains is located in the Appalachian Mountains and has a more moderate climate with warm summers and mild winters.
Both parks are truly unique in their own way and offer visitors a chance to experience the beauty of nature in a variety of different ways. Whether you want to go sandboarding in the dunes or hiking in the mountains, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are sure to provide a memorable outdoor experience.
Best Time to Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, attracting millions of visitors every year. But despite their popularity, the two parks are vastly different in terms of their seasonal weather, affecting when is the best time of year to visit.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve experiences a dry, desert-like climate, with hot summers and cold winters. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the ideal time to visit if you enjoy outdoor activities such as sand sledding, hiking, and wildlife viewing. However, in the winter, temperatures can drop below freezing, making it a less attractive time to visit.
In contrast, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in the Appalachian Mountains and experiences a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters and hot summers. During the summer, temperatures can reach into the 80s and 90s, making it an ideal time to explore the park’s many trails and scenic drives. However, in the winter, the park experiences snow and ice, making it a great destination for winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
Both parks offer spectacular natural beauty, but the best time to visit depends on your personal preferences and the type of activities you enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a warm and sunny vacation or a winter wonderland, these two parks have something to offer for everyone.
Family Friendliness of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are both family-friendly parks, but each has its own unique features that make them ideal for different types of families.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offers a variety of outdoor activities that families can enjoy together, including sand sledding, hiking, and stargazing. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and mountain lions, which children will enjoy seeing. However, the park can be quite hot during the summer months, so families may want to consider visiting in the spring or fall.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the other hand, is known for its stunning waterfalls, scenic drives, and abundance of wildlife. The park is also home to several historic buildings and sites, including the Mingus Mill, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, and the Cable Mill area. Families can also enjoy picnicking, fishing, and hiking in the park. However, the park can be quite crowded during peak season, so families may want to consider visiting during the off-season.
Both parks offer a variety of family-friendly activities, but each has its unique benefits and drawbacks. If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure with plenty of outdoor activities, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve may be the best option. If you’re looking for a more relaxed experience with a rich history, Great Smoky Mountains National Park may be the better choice.