Are you torn between visiting a seemingly endless sea of sand dunes or a remote island in the middle of Lake Superior? Look no further! This article will compare Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Isle Royale National Park, two vastly different national parks located in the United States.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, located in Colorado, offers visitors the chance to explore and play in the tallest dunes in North America. With over 30 square miles of sand dunes, visitors can hike, sled, or even sandboard down the seemingly endless slopes of sand. The park also offers opportunities to explore the surrounding wetlands and forests, providing a diverse range of experiences for visitors.
Isle Royale National Park, on the other hand, is located in the middle of Lake Superior and can only be reached by ferry or seaplane. The park offers a truly remote wilderness experience, with no roads, no cars, and no crowds. Visitors can hike, canoe, kayak, or simply relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of this secluded island. With over 40 hiking trails and opportunities to spot moose, wolves, and other wildlife, Isle Royale provides a unique and unforgettable experience for nature lovers.
Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Isle Royale National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Isle Royale National Park are two distinct national parks that offer diverse hiking experiences. The Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve has a unique landscape of sand dunes, which provides a range of hiking opportunities. One of the easiest hikes is the Dunes Boardwalk Loop, a 0.5-mile trail that offers stunning views of the dunes and the surrounding mountains. On the other hand, the hardest hike is the Medano Pass Primitive Road, a challenging 12.4-mile hike that takes you through the heart of the dunes.
Isle Royale National Park, on the other hand, is known for its rugged wilderness and remote location in Lake Superior. The park offers a variety of trails, ranging from easy to challenging. One of the easiest hikes is the Minong Ridge Trail, which is a 1.4-mile hike that offers panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and forests. The hardest hike in the park is the Greenstone Ridge Trail, a 40-mile trail that takes you through the heart of the island and its rugged backcountry. This trail is not for the faint of heart, as it requires a high level of fitness and endurance.
In conclusion, both parks offer a range of hiking experiences, from easy walks to challenging backcountry adventures. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a demanding hike, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Isle Royale National Park have something to offer.
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 Isle Royale National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Greenstone Ridge Trail: Windigo to Tobin Harbor | 63568.93 | 1216.7616 | Hard | point to point | 4 |
Rainbow Cove Trail | 2253.076 | 21.9456 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
Malone Bay to Hatchett Lake | 37658.556 | 664.7688 | Moderate | out and back | 0 |
Ishpeming Trail to Ishpeming Point | 23496.364 | 339.852 | Moderate | out and back | 0 |
Wildlife in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Isle Royale National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Isle Royale National Park are two very different national parks, both in terms of their landscapes and the wildlife you can see there.
At Great Sand Dunes, visitors can expect to see a variety of mammals, including pronghorns, bighorn sheep, and coyotes, as well as several species of reptiles and birds, such as the golden eagle and the roadrunner. Visitors may also see a variety of flora, including sagebrush, piñon pine, and yucca.
In contrast, Isle Royale is an island located in Lake Superior and is known for its diverse population of wildlife, including moose, wolves, and beavers. The island also boasts a large number of bird species, such as the common loon, the bald eagle, and the osprey. Visitors to Isle Royale may also see a variety of plants, including maple, birch, and hemlock trees, as well as wildflowers like trillium and violets.
Both parks offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences, but Great Sand Dunes is better for those looking for a wide range of mammals and reptiles, while Isle Royale is ideal for those interested in observing moose, wolves, and birds in their natural habitats.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Isle Royale National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Isle Royale 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 | Isle Royale National Park |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
American Beaver | American Beaver |
Muskrat | Muskrat |
Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
Bobcat | Striped Skunk |
Striped Skunk | Little Brown Bat |
Little Brown Bat | Deer Mouse |
Deer Mouse | Silver-Haired Bat |
Raccoon | Hoary Bat |
Black Bear | Red Fox |
Porcupine | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Silver-Haired Bat | Mink |
Hoary Bat | Gray Wolf |
Red Fox | Short-Tailed Weasel |
Long-Tailed Weasel | Snowshoe Hare |
Mule Deer | North American River Otter |
Gray Fox | Canada Lynx |
Long-Legged Myotis | Marten |
Long-Eared Bat | Moose |
Badger | Red Bat |
Ermine | Norway Rat |
Snowshoe Hare | Southern Red-Backed Vole |
Masked Shrew | Northern Long-Eared Bat |
Water Shrew | |
Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
Reptiles
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Isle Royale 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 | Isle Royale National Park |
---|---|
Brook Trout | Redband Trout |
German Brown Trout | Coaster Brook Trout |
Cutthroat Trout | Brown Trout |
Longnose Sucker | |
Harvey Lake Fathead Minnow | |
Golden Shiner | |
Lake Trout | |
Northern Pike | |
Ellpout | |
Coho Salmon | |
Chinook Salmon | |
Mottled Sculpin | |
Slimy Sculpin | |
Longnose Dace | |
Black Crappie | |
Pink Salmon | |
Creek Chub |
Amphibians
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Isle Royale National Park |
---|---|
Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
Woodhouse’s Toad | |
Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Isle Royale National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in Colorado, USA and is known for the tallest sand dunes in North America, reaching up to 750 feet. The dunes are surrounded by unique landscapes and natural wonders like the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Medano Creek, and the vast grasslands of the San Luis Valley. Visitors can hike, sandboard, and enjoy scenic views from the top of the dunes.
Isle Royale National Park is located in Lake Superior and is the largest island in the largest freshwater lake in the world. The park features a rugged and remote wilderness, with scenic beauty including deep forests, pristine lakes, and stunning views of the lake. Activities like hiking, fishing, and kayaking can be enjoyed by visitors. The park is also known for its wolf and moose populations, which are the subject of long-term ecological studies.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Isle Royale National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Isle Royale National Park are both unique destinations, offering visitors a range of outdoor activities.
At Great Sand Dunes, visitors love to sand board and hike in the dunes. The park also offers opportunities for backpacking, horseback riding, and fishing in Medano Creek. For a more leisurely experience, visitors can enjoy scenic drives, wildlife watching and star gazing.
Isle Royale, on the other hand, is ideal for backpacking, kayaking, and fishing. The park’s remote location means that visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy a true wilderness experience. With over 40 lakes, visitors can choose from a range of water activities, including canoeing and kayaking. The park’s rugged terrain is also popular for backpacking and rock climbing.
While both parks offer a range of outdoor activities, the key difference is their landscapes. Great Sand Dunes provides a unique desert-like experience, while Isle Royale offers visitors a chance to explore a remote wilderness. Both parks are ideal for visitors seeking adventure and a break from the city, but the type of adventure you choose will depend on your personal preferences and interests.
Best Time to Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Isle Royale National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Isle Royale National Park are two unique and beautiful national parks located in the United States. Both parks have different weather patterns that affect when is the best time to visit them.
At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, the weather is warm and dry during the summer months, with temperatures ranging from 70-90°F. During the winter, temperatures can drop to below freezing, making snow and ice a common sight. The best time to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is during the summer when visitors can enjoy the warm weather and participate in activities such as sand sledding and hiking.
In contrast, Isle Royale National Park is located on an island in Lake Superior and has a more moderate climate. The weather at Isle Royale National Park is cooler and wetter than Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, with temperatures ranging from 40-60°F. During the summer, temperatures can reach the mid-70s, but visitors should be prepared for rain and fog. The best time to visit Isle Royale National Park is during the late summer and early fall when the weather is milder and the water is warmer for activities such as kayaking and fishing.
Both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Isle Royale National Park have unique weather patterns that affect when is the best time to visit them. Visitors should consider the weather when planning their trip to either park.
Family Friendliness of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Isle Royale National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Isle Royale National Park are two distinct and very different national parks, both of which are great for families. While Isle Royale National Park is best for those who enjoy remote wilderness and solitude, Great Sand Dunes is a more family-friendly option.
Great Sand Dunes offers a variety of activities and amenities for families, including hiking, sand sledding, and ranger-led programs. The park also has a convenient visitor center with information and educational exhibits. The stunning dunes themselves are a unique and exciting experience for kids and adults alike.
Isle Royale, on the other hand, is a remote island in Lake Superior, accessible only by boat or seaplane. While it offers a unique wilderness experience, it is not as family-friendly as Great Sand Dunes. There are no designated children’s activities and limited facilities, making it more suitable for older kids and adults. However, the park’s isolation and abundant wildlife, including wolves and moose, make it a great destination for families who enjoy adventure and the great outdoors.
In conclusion, if you are traveling with young children, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is the better option, as it provides a variety of activities and amenities for families. However, if your family is adventurous and enjoys remote wilderness, Isle Royale National Park is a great destination for older kids and adults.