Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park are two of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the United States. Both parks offer visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of nature, but in very different ways. If you’re looking for an adventure that blends sand, sun and surf, then Great Sand Dunes is the perfect destination for you. But if you’re after a more rugged and wild experience surrounded by glaciers, fjords and wildlife, then Kenai Fjords is the place to be. These two national parks are a testament to the diversity of the American landscape and a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the great outdoors.
So, which one is better? Well, that’s a tough question and one that depends on your personal preferences, interests and travel style. To help you decide, we’ve put together a comprehensive comparison of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park. We’ll take a closer look at the parks’ different landscapes, activities, wildlife and much more. Whether you’re planning a road trip, a family vacation or just a quick getaway, this article will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision. Get ready to be transported to two of the most stunning national parks in the United States and discover which one will be your next adventure.
Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park are two of the most popular parks in the United States. Each park offers unique hiking trails with diverse landscapes and challenges.
At Great Sand Dunes, visitors can explore the towering sand dunes by hiking the Dunes Loop Trail, a 2.5-mile trail that provides stunning views of the dunes and surrounding mountains. The Medano Pass Primitive Road, a 4-wheel drive road that winds through the heart of the dunes, is also popular among hikers. For a more strenuous hike, the Sand Ramp Trail is a challenging trek that leads to the top of the tallest dune in North America.
In contrast, Kenai Fjords National Park offers a completely different type of hiking experience. With its scenic glaciers, fjords, and rugged coastline, the park offers a variety of challenging hikes, including the Harding Icefield Trail, a strenuous 8.2-mile trail that leads to the top of the icefield. The Exit Glacier Trail, a moderate 2.5-mile hike, provides a closer look at the stunning glacier, while the Resurrection River Trail is a relatively easy 2.5-mile hike that winds through a lush, temperate rainforest.
Whichever park you choose, both Great Sand Dunes and Kenai Fjords offer a diverse range of hiking experiences, from easy walks to strenuous treks. Whether you want to explore towering sand dunes or scenic glaciers, these parks have something for everyone.
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 Kenai Fjords National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park are two distinct national parks that offer visitors the chance to see a variety of wildlife. In Great Sand Dunes, visitors can expect to see a range of animals, including mule deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and black bears. Additionally, birdwatchers can enjoy seeing the park’s many bird species, such as the American goldfinch, the western meadowlark, and the mountain bluebird. Meanwhile, in Kenai Fjords, visitors can observe marine wildlife, including harbor seals, sea lions, and whales. Additionally, bird species such as the bald eagle, the northern harrier, and the common loon can be seen in the park.
Both parks also offer visitors the chance to see unique and diverse plant life, with Great Sand Dunes showcasing its sand dunes as well as its forested areas, where visitors can see a range of plant species, including the ponderosa pine and the Douglas fir. Kenai Fjords, on the other hand, is home to a variety of coastal plants, including the alder, the willow, and the sitka spruce. With its unique combination of marine and coastal habitats, Kenai Fjords provides visitors with a unique opportunity to see a diverse array of wildlife and plant life.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Kenai Fjords 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 | 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 | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Mink |
| Raccoon | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Black Bear | Gray Wolf |
| Porcupine | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Silver-Haired Bat | California Myotis |
| Hoary Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Red Fox | Northern River Otter |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Masked Shrew |
| Mule Deer | Red Squirrel |
| Gray Fox | Montane Shrew |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Lynx |
| Long-Eared Bat | Wolverine |
| Badger | American Marten |
| Ermine | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Snowshoe Hare | Brown Bear |
| Masked Shrew | Meadow Mouse |
| Water Shrew | Moose |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Pygmy Shrew |
Reptiles
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Kenai Fjords 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 | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Redband Trout |
| German Brown Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Cutthroat Trout | Burbot |
| Silver Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Red Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden |
Amphibians
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in Colorado is home to towering sand dunes that reach over 750 feet tall. The dunes are surrounded by lush forests, mountains, and creeks, making it a unique and diverse landscape. Visitors can hike, sandboard, and enjoy the beauty of the dunes from the High Dune Overlook.
Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska is known for its stunning fjords, glaciers, and wildlife. The park is home to the Harding Ice Field, one of the largest ice fields in the United States. Visitors can take a boat tour to see the stunning glaciers or go on a hike to see the glaciers up close. Whales, seals, otters, and other marine mammals can often be spotted from the boats. The park’s wilderness is also home to moose, bear, and other wildlife.
Both parks offer beautiful landscapes and natural wonders that are unique to their respective regions. Whether you’re interested in towering sand dunes or stunning glaciers and fjords, these parks are great places to explore and appreciate nature.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a unique experience to visitors, but they also have some differences. At Great Sand Dunes, visitors can enjoy sandboarding and sand sledding on the dunes, as well as hiking in the surrounding mountains. In contrast, Kenai Fjords is known for its stunning glaciers and wildlife, including whales, seals, and sea lions. Visitors to Kenai Fjords can take a boat tour to see the glaciers and wildlife, go kayaking, or go on a wildlife-watching hike.
Another popular activity at Great Sand Dunes is stargazing. The park’s remote location and high elevations make it an ideal place to observe the night sky. In contrast, Kenai Fjords is a great place for fishing. The park’s rivers and streams are home to salmon, which attract many anglers each year. Both parks also offer ranger-led programs, such as campfire talks, nature walks, and guided hikes, that provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the parks’ unique ecosystems.
In conclusion, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park offer a variety of activities for visitors, from sandboarding and stargazing to boat tours and fishing. Each park has its own unique features and attractions, making them both worth a visit for outdoor enthusiasts.
Best Time to Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park are both unique national parks that offer visitors a chance to experience diverse landscapes and activities. However, the weather conditions in each park can vary greatly and can greatly impact the best time of year to visit.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in the San Luis Valley of Colorado and experiences warm summers and cool winters. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 90°F, making it perfect for hiking and sand sledding on the dunes. In the winter, temperatures can drop to below freezing, and snow and ice can make some areas of the park inaccessible.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and has a colder climate with heavy rain and snowfall in the winter months. Summer temperatures in the park average in the mid-50s to mid-60s, making it an ideal time for kayaking, whale watching, and glaciers visits. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, and the park can receive heavy snowfall, making it difficult to access some areas.
When choosing the best time to visit these parks, visitors should consider the type of activities they want to do and the weather conditions they are willing to endure. For those seeking warm weather activities, summer is the best time to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. For those looking for winter sports and experiences, Kenai Fjords National Park is a great option.
Family Friendliness of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park both offer unique experiences for families, but they differ in terms of activities and accessibility.
At Great Sand Dunes, families can enjoy sand sledding, sandboarding, and hiking up the park’s tallest dune. There are also ranger-led programs, picnic areas and a camping ground, making it a great place to spend a few days. The park is situated in southern Colorado and is easily accessible by car.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and is known for its stunning glaciers and wildlife, including whales, seals, and sea lions. Visitors can take boat tours or kayak trips to see the glaciers and wildlife up close. There are also ranger-led programs and a few hiking trails. The park is less accessible, however, as it requires a flight or long drive to reach the park’s entrance.
While both parks offer a great family experience, Great Sand Dunes is a bit more accessible and is better suited for families with younger children who may find it easier to navigate and enjoy the park’s activities. For families with older children, both parks offer unique opportunities to explore the natural beauty of the US, but Kenai Fjords may be a more exciting adventure.