Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve vs Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

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Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve vs Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

“Are you torn between visiting the towering sand dunes of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve or the serene beauty of Lake Clark National Park & Preserve? Look no further! In this article, we’ll take you on a journey to explore the unique features of these two breathtaking national parks and help you make a decision.

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is a photographer’s paradise and a playground for adventure seekers. Towering sand dunes, some reaching over 750 feet, offer a unique landscape that can’t be found anywhere else in North America. But that’s not all, this park also features a diverse range of wildlife, including mule deer and black bears, and a pristine alpine lake perfect for kayaking and fishing.

Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, offers a completely different experience. This park is a wilderness lover’s dream, with glaciers, sparkling lakes, and abundant wildlife, including grizzly bears and moose. Whether you want to hike through the stunning backcountry or go fishing for sockeye salmon, this park offers a wide range of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.

So, which one will it be? A sand dune extravaganza or a peaceful escape in the wilderness? Read on to find out more about Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and make a decision on your next adventure!”

Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve both offer unique hiking experiences for visitors. At Great Sand Dunes, the most popular hike is the Sand Dune Climb, a strenuous 1.5-mile hike to the top of the tallest dune in North America. For a less strenuous option, visitors can hike the Medano Creek Trail, a 2-mile round trip hike along the creek at the base of the dunes.

In comparison, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offers a wider variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. The Port Alsworth Nature Trail is a 1-mile hike that offers a glimpse into the park’s diverse environment, while the Tanalian Falls Trail is a more challenging 8.5-mile hike that leads to a scenic waterfall. The park also offers backcountry camping opportunities for more experienced hikers, including the 40-mile round trip hike to the summit of Mount Redoubt.

Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes and unique hiking experiences, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference and level of physical ability. Whether it’s the challenge of scaling sand dunes or exploring the diverse terrain of a national park, both Great Sand Dunes and Lake Clark have something to offer for all types of hikers.

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 Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

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 4.7

Wildlife in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are two unique national parks located in the United States. Both offer a diverse range of wildlife, making them popular destinations for nature lovers.

At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, visitors can expect to see a variety of mammals, including mule deer, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, and black bears. Birds, such as golden eagles, American kestrels, and mountain bluebirds, are also commonly seen in the park. In addition to its wildlife, Great Sand Dunes is known for its diverse plant life, including sagebrush, yucca, and piñon pine.

At Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, visitors can observe a wide variety of wildlife, including brown bears, caribou, moose, and wolves. Additionally, the park is home to a number of bird species, including bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and trumpeter swans. Lake Clark is also known for its diverse plant life, including alder, willow, and spruce trees.

In conclusion, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offer a unique and diverse range of wildlife and plant life. Whether you are interested in observing mammals, birds, or plants, both parks are worth visiting.

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

Birds

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
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 Northern Pintail
Northern Pintail American Wigeon
American Wigeon Green-Winged Teal
Green-Winged Teal American Pipit

Mammals

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
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 Gray Wolf
Black Bear Short-Tailed Weasel
Porcupine Snowshoe Hare
Silver-Haired Bat Northern River Otter
Hoary Bat Masked Shrew
Red Fox Water Shrew
Long-Tailed Weasel Red Squirrel
Mule Deer Montane Shrew
Gray Fox Lynx
Long-Legged Myotis Wolverine
Long-Eared Bat American Marten
Badger Brown Bear
Ermine Meadow Vole
Snowshoe Hare Moose
Masked Shrew Least Weasel
Water Shrew Pygmy Shrew
Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat Meadow Jumping Mouse

Reptiles

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Bull Snake
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Western Prairie Rattlesnake
Greater Short-Horned Lizards
Milksnake
Eastern Fence Lizard

Fish

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Brook Trout Steelhead
German Brown Trout Longnose Sucker
Cutthroat Trout Lake Trout
Northern Pike
Burbot
Silver Salmon
King Salmon
Slimy Sculpin
Threespine Stickleback
Sockeye Salmon
Pink Salmon
Chum Salmon
Dolly Varden
Arctic Grayling

Amphibians

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

Beautiful Landscapes in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in Colorado and is known for its vast sand dunes that cover over 30 square miles. The tallest dune, Star Dune, towers at 750 feet. Visitors can hike, sandboard, and even swim in Medano Creek that runs through the park during the summer months.

Lake Clark National Park & Preserve in Alaska is known for its stunning glaciers and the 40-mile long Lake Clark. The park is home to several active volcanoes, including the Mount Redoubt, which last erupted in 2009. Visitors can take scenic flights, go fishing, or take a boat tour to see the glaciers and wildlife such as brown bears, moose, and caribou.

Both parks offer a unique and diverse natural experience. Great Sand Dunes offers a chance to explore the largest sand dunes in North America and Lake Clark gives visitors the opportunity to witness glaciers, active volcanoes and abundant wildlife in their natural habitats. No matter what type of outdoor adventure you are seeking, these parks have something to offer for all nature lovers.

Things To-Do and Activities in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve both offer a unique experience for visitors, but their activities differ greatly. Great Sand Dunes is known for its towering sand dunes that visitors can hike and sandboard on, as well as its meditative backcountry experiences. Lake Clark, on the other hand, offers more water-based activities such as fishing, kayaking, and rafting on its rivers and lakes. Both parks offer scenic drives and wildlife viewing opportunities, with Great Sand Dunes offering a chance to see bighorn sheep and pronghorns, and Lake Clark offering the chance to see brown bears and moose.

When it comes to camping, Great Sand Dunes has several campgrounds, including one backcountry site, while Lake Clark has several backcountry and frontcountry camping options, including lodges and cabins. Both parks offer ranger-led programs such as guided hikes and campfire talks, but Lake Clark also offers bear viewing opportunities with a guide.

In conclusion, whether you’re looking for a peaceful backcountry experience or an action-packed adventure, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve have something to offer.

Best Time to Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in Colorado and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve in Alaska offer unique landscapes, but with vastly different weather patterns.

At Great Sand Dunes, temperatures range from hot and dry during summer months to cold and snowy in winter. Summer temperatures can reach up to 90°F, making it ideal for sand sledding and hiking. Winter temperatures average around 20°F, making it difficult to explore the dunes. However, winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Lake Clark, on the other hand, experiences a much milder temperature range. Summer temperatures average around 60-70°F, with occasional rainfall. This weather is good for fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Winter temperatures average around 20-30°F, with heavy snowfall in the higher elevations. This makes it perfect for snowmobiling and dog sledding.

Both parks offer unique experiences based on the season, but the best time to visit depends on the specific activities you plan to enjoy. If you prefer warmer temperatures and outdoor activities, summer is the best time to visit Great Sand Dunes. If you enjoy winter sports, Lake Clark is a great destination for the winter months.

Family Friendliness of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are two of America’s most beautiful natural wonders, but they cater to different types of visitors. If you’re traveling with children, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is the more family-friendly option. The park features a unique and exciting landscape with towering sand dunes that kids can climb and play on. There are also several easy hiking trails, including a scenic hike to the top of the tallest dune, which provides stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

On the other hand, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is a more remote and rugged destination that is better suited for older children and adults. The park is home to glaciers, active volcanoes, and a stunning array of wildlife, including bears, moose, and salmon. While there are several scenic hiking trails, most of the park is only accessible by boat, so visitors need to be prepared for a more strenuous and physically demanding experience.

In conclusion, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are beautiful and unique destinations, but if you’re traveling with children, Great Sand Dunes is the more family-friendly option.

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