Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve vs Kobuk Valley National Park

Feel Free To Share:

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve vs Kobuk Valley National Park

Discover the breathtaking beauty and unique features of two of America’s majestic national parks: Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park. Both parks offer visitors a chance to escape into nature and marvel at the stunning landscapes. But which one is right for you?

At Great Sand Dunes, you’ll find towering sand dunes that seem to stretch on forever. These dunes were formed by wind and water erosion and offer a unique hiking experience unlike any other. You can even sled down the dunes!

Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is a place of mystery and wonder. This park is located in Alaska and is home to the largest sand dunes in the Arctic Circle. The dunes here are not just any ordinary sand dunes– they are made of volcanic ash and are thousands of years old.

So, whether you’re a fan of towering sand dunes or mysterious volcanic ash dunes, there’s a park for everyone. In this article, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between these two national parks, and help you decide which one is the perfect destination for your next adventure.

Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park are two unique national parks in the United States that offer breathtaking landscapes and hiking trails.

The Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is famous for its towering sand dunes that offer a challenging hike. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Sand Ramp Trail, a 1.5-mile hike that leads to the top of the dunes, and the Medano Creek Trail, a 2-mile hike that follows the creek and offers stunning views of the dunes. On the other hand, the hardest hike in the park is the High Dune hike, a strenuous 4-mile hike that takes you to the tallest dune in North America, standing at over 700 feet tall.

Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is known for its stunning valley filled with sand dunes created by glaciers. The easiest hike in the park is the Sand Dune Loop Trail, a 1-mile hike that takes you through the valley and offers breathtaking views of the sand dunes. The hardest hike in the park is the Kobuk River Trail, a strenuous 33-mile hike that takes you through the valley and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness.

In conclusion, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park offer unique hiking opportunities that cater to different skill levels. Whether you’re looking for an easy hike or a challenging one, these parks have something to offer 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 Kobuk Valley 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 4.6

Wildlife in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park are two unique national parks located in the United States. Both parks offer a variety of wildlife that visitors can observe and enjoy.

At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, visitors can expect to see animals such as mule deer, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, and black bears. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of bird species, including mountain bluebirds, black-billed magpies, and American kestrels. The park is also home to a diverse array of plants, including sand verbena, yucca, and sagebrush.

In contrast, Kobuk Valley National Park is home to a completely different set of wildlife. Visitors to this park can expect to see caribou, grizzly bears, and wolves. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the common loon, trumpeter swan, and northern goshawk. The park is also home to a diverse array of plants, including willow trees, blueberries, and mosses.

While both parks offer unique wildlife experiences, they each offer a different type of landscape and environment for visitors to explore. Whether you are interested in observing sand dunes or caribou, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park provide visitors with the opportunity to connect with nature and observe a variety of wildlife in their natural habitats.

Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.

Birds

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Kobuk Valley 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 Northern Flicker
Northern Flicker Merlin
Merlin Savannah Sparrow
Barn Swallow American Kestrel
Savannah Sparrow Bald Eagle
Great Blue Heron Northern Pintail
Hermit Thrush American Wigeon
American Kestrel Green-Winged Teal
Bald Eagle American Pipit
Song Sparrow Swainson’s Thrush
European Starling White-Crowned Sparrow
Northern Pintail Northern Shoveler
American Wigeon Golden Eagle
Green-Winged Teal Rough-Legged Hawk

Mammals

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Kobuk Valley National Park
Coyote Coyote
American Beaver American Beaver
Muskrat Muskrat
Big Brown Bat Black Bear
Bobcat Porcupine
Striped Skunk Red Fox
Little Brown Bat Mink
Deer Mouse Wolf
Raccoon Short-Tailed Weasel
Black Bear Snowshoe Hare
Porcupine River Otter
Silver-Haired Bat Common Shrew
Hoary Bat Red Squirrel
Red Fox Montane Shrew
Long-Tailed Weasel Lynx
Mule Deer Wolverine
Gray Fox American Marten
Long-Legged Myotis Grizzly Bear
Long-Eared Bat Moose
Badger Least Weasel
Ermine Pygmy Shrew
Snowshoe Hare Northern Bog Lemming
Masked Shrew
Water Shrew
Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat

Reptiles

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Kobuk Valley 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 Kobuk Valley National Park
Brook Trout Longnose Sucker
German Brown Trout Lake Trout
Cutthroat Trout Northern Pike
Burbot
Coho Salmon
King Salmon
Slimy Sculpin
Alaskan Stickleback
Pink Salmon
Chum Salmon
Dolly Varden
Arctic Grayling

Amphibians

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Kobuk Valley National Park
Northern Leopard Frog Wood Frog
Tiger Salamander
Woodhouse’s Toad
Plains Spadefoot

Beautiful Landscapes in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is a unique and awe-inspiring park located in southern Colorado. The most famous landscape in this park is the towering sand dunes, which rise up to 750 feet tall. These dunes were formed by wind and water erosion over time and are a surreal sight to see. Visitors can also find scenic overlooks of the dunes from the nearby mountains, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

On the other hand, Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska is known for its stunning sand dunes and the Kobuk River. The main attraction of this park is the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, which are similar to those at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. However, the dunes in Kobuk Valley National Park are much larger, spanning up to 20 miles in length and over 400 feet tall. Visitors can also witness the stunning aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, which is a natural wonder visible in the night sky.

Both of these parks offer visitors the chance to experience some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in the world. Whether it’s the towering sand dunes, scenic overlooks, or the Northern Lights, visitors will be left in awe of the natural beauty of these parks.

Things To-Do and Activities in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park are two unique and diverse national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a range of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy.

At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, visitors love to explore the towering sand dunes and go sandboarding, hiking, and fishing. The park also offers scenic drive opportunities and ranger-led programs. Visitors can also enjoy stargazing and wildlife viewing.

Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is known for its stunning karst landscapes, glaciers, and river valleys, as well as its abundant wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, and moose. Popular activities at Kobuk Valley National Park include backpacking, rafting, and fishing. The park is also home to the famous Kobuk Valley Sand Dunes, which visitors can explore via guided hikes or backcountry camping trips.

Whether you’re looking to escape the city and immerse yourself in nature or seeking an adventure, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park offer unique and memorable experiences for visitors of all ages.

Best Time to Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park are two unique destinations in the United States. The former is located in southern Colorado, while the latter is located in northern Alaska. The seasonal weather at these two parks is vastly different, and it affects when is the best time of year to visit each park.

At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, the summer months are warm, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the high-80s. Winter temperatures are much colder, with temperatures ranging from the low-teens to the mid-30s. The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the summer months, when the sand dunes are accessible and the weather is warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities.

In contrast, the weather at Kobuk Valley National Park is much colder, even in the summer months. During the summer, temperatures range from the mid-30s to the mid-50s, while winter temperatures can drop as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of the extreme cold, the park is only accessible by air, and the best time to visit is during the summer months, when the weather is milder and the park’s rivers and valleys are accessible.

In conclusion, the weather at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park is vastly different, and it affects when is the best time of year to visit each park. While Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is best visited during the summer months, Kobuk Valley National Park is best visited during the summer months, when the weather is milder and the park is accessible.

Family Friendliness of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park are two of the United States’ most beautiful natural wonders. Both of these parks have unique features that make them great places to visit, but they offer different experiences for families.

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in Colorado and is a popular destination for families. With stunning sand dunes, scenic mountain views, and a variety of outdoor activities, this park is perfect for kids and adults alike. Children can explore the dunes, go sand sledding, or even go on a guided hike. There are also picnic areas and campgrounds, making it easy to spend a full day at the park.

Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and is the perfect destination for families who love adventure. With pristine wilderness, glaciers, and the largest sand dunes in North America, this park is perfect for families who love exploring the great outdoors. Children can take part in ranger-led activities, go hiking, or learn about the park’s unique wildlife. There are also campgrounds and picnic areas, making it easy to spend a full day at the park.

In conclusion, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park are great places to visit, but they offer different experiences for families. If you are traveling with children and are looking for a park that is family-friendly and full of outdoor activities, then Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is the better choice. However, if you are a family who loves adventure and exploring the great outdoors, then Kobuk Valley National Park is the perfect destination.

Leave a Comment