The Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park are two of the most unique and beautiful national parks in the United States. Both offer breathtaking landscapes, fascinating geological formations, and an abundance of wildlife. But what makes these two parks truly special is the contrast between their landscapes.
The Great Sand Dunes are a sea of rolling hills made of sand, towering over 700 feet in some places. It’s an otherworldly experience to stand in the middle of this desert-like landscape and ponder the forces of nature that created such a place. Meanwhile, Mammoth Cave is a labyrinth of underground passages that stretch for over 400 miles, making it the longest known cave system in the world. Exploring this underground world is like stepping into a different dimension, where the only light comes from your headlamp and the only sounds are the echoes of your footsteps.
With such vastly different landscapes, it’s hard to choose which national park is better. In this article, we’ll be diving into both Great Sand Dunes and Mammoth Cave to compare and contrast their unique features and help you decide which one is right for your next outdoor adventure.
Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park offer unique hiking experiences to visitors. At Great Sand Dunes, visitors can hike on the sand dunes themselves or in the surrounding forests. The park has trails that range from easy, such as the 0.5-mile boardwalk through the wetlands, to strenuous, like the 8-mile round trip to the summit of the Star Dune. The dunes themselves offer a challenging hike, with soft sand making the ascent difficult.
Mammoth Cave National Park, on the other hand, offers hiking trails through the lush forests and along the Green and Nolin Rivers. The park has over 70 miles of trails, ranging from easy, such as the 1.2-mile River Styx Spring trail, to strenuous, like the 14-mile River Styx to Mammoth Cave trail. The cave system itself offers various levels of difficulty for those interested in exploring underground, from easy ranger-led tours to strenuous, multi-day wild caving adventures.
Both parks offer unique and diverse hiking experiences, from the sand dunes of Great Sand Dunes to the cave systems of Mammoth Cave. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, both parks 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 Mammoth Cave National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green River Bluffs Trail | 7242.03 | 169.7736 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cedar Sink Trail | 2896.812 | 70.7136 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mammoth Cave National Park Scenic Drive | 17541.806 | 173.736 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Sinkhole Trail | 3862.416 | 108.8136 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Echo River Spring and Sinkhole Loop | 4988.954 | 122.8344 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Echo River and River Styx Springs Trail | 5471.756 | 129.8448 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Sal Hollow and Buffalo Creek Loop Trail | 8690.436 | 100.8888 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Dixon Cave Trail Loop | 2414.01 | 83.82 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| First Creek Lake Trail | 5793.624 | 158.8008 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| McCoy Hollow Trail | 19794.882 | 434.9496 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park are two distinct national parks that offer different experiences to visitors. In terms of wildlife, both parks are home to a variety of species, but the types of animals and plants you’ll see vary depending on the park you visit.
At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, visitors may see a variety of mammals, including pronghorns, mule deer, coyotes, and black bears. You might also spot some of the park’s more than 330 species of birds, such as the mountain plover, burrowing owl, and sandpipers. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of plants, including yucca, sagebrush, and prickly pear cactus.
Mammoth Cave National Park, on the other hand, is home to a different set of wildlife species. Visitors may see bats, river otters, white-tailed deer, and various species of salamanders and frogs. Birdwatchers may spot species such as the black vulture, Indiana bat, and the Kentucky warbler. The park is also home to a variety of unique plants, including the green dragon, jack-in-the-pulpit, and bloodroot.
In conclusion, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park offer visitors the opportunity to see a range of wildlife species. Whether you’re interested in mammals, birds, or plants, each park has something unique to offer.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Mammoth Cave 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 | Mammoth Cave 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 | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Porcupine | Hoary Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Red Fox |
| Hoary Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | House Mouse |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Mink |
| Mule Deer | Gray Fox |
| Gray Fox | Western Long-Eared Bat |
| Long-Legged Myotis | River Otter |
| Long-Eared Bat | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Badger | White-Tailed Deer |
| Ermine | Virginia Opossum |
| Snowshoe Hare | Meadow Vole |
| Masked Shrew | Eastern Red Bat |
| Water Shrew | White-Footed Mouse |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Norway Rat |
Reptiles
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Bull Snake | Black Racer |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Ringneck Snake |
| Western Prairie Rattlesnake | Eastern Garter Snake |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizards | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Milksnake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Fish
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| German Brown Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Cutthroat Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Bluegill | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| Common Carp | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Eastern Tiger Salamander |
| Tiger Salamander | Bullfrog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Wood Frog |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Commom Wood Nymph |
Beautiful Landscapes in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park are two of America’s most famous national parks. Both offer visitors a chance to experience the beauty and wonder of nature in unique and unforgettable ways.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. These massive dunes, which can reach heights of up to 750 feet, are constantly shifting and changing, providing visitors with a constantly evolving landscape to explore. The park also boasts a diverse array of landscapes, including forests, wetlands, and grasslands, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers.
Mammoth Cave National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its extensive network of underground caves. The park’s namesake, Mammoth Cave, is the longest known cave system in the world, stretching over 400 miles. Visiting the park offers the chance to explore this vast underground world, including towering stalactites, delicate stalagmites, and crystal-clear underground rivers. The park also features a variety of above-ground landscapes, including rolling hills, dense forests, and pristine streams, making it a popular destination for hiking, camping, and wildlife observation.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park are two of the most famous national parks in the United States. Both offer unique outdoor experiences, but the activities which attract visitors to these parks are different.
At Great Sand Dunes, visitors love to hike, explore the dune fields, and participate in sandboarding and sand sledding. The park is also a great destination for stargazing, as there is minimal light pollution. In addition, visitors can enjoy fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing, as the park is home to over 400 species of animals, including bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and black bears.
Mammoth Cave National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its extensive underground cave system. Visitors come to explore the caves, which are the longest known caves in the world. Guided tours are available, and visitors can choose from a variety of tours, including the historic tour, the scenic tour, and the wild cave tour. In addition to cave exploration, visitors also enjoy hiking, camping, and picnicking. The park is also home to several species of bats, making it a popular destination for wildlife viewing.
Overall, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park offer unique and exciting activities that attract visitors from all over the world. Whether you are looking for a challenging hike, an underground adventure, or a chance to connect with nature, you can find it at one of these amazing national parks.
Best Time to Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park are two unique and popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. While both parks offer a range of recreational activities and scenic beauty, they differ significantly in terms of their seasonal weather patterns.
The Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in southern Colorado and experiences hot, dry summers, with temperatures often reaching into the 90s. Winter temperatures can be quite cold, with snow and ice possible. Due to the park’s location in the high desert, it is also prone to strong winds, which can make sand dune hiking and other outdoor activities challenging. The best time to visit the Great Sand Dunes is in the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and the winds are calmer.
Mammoth Cave National Park, located in central Kentucky, has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers, and cool, mild winters. Summer temperatures at the park often reach into the 80s, and the high humidity levels can make outdoor activities uncomfortable. Winter temperatures are generally mild, with occasional snow and ice possible. The best time to visit Mammoth Cave National Park is in the spring and fall, when temperatures are more moderate and the humidity levels are lower.
In conclusion, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park offer a range of recreational activities and scenic beauty, but their seasonal weather patterns are distinct and can affect the best time to visit each park. Visitors should consider the weather conditions when planning their trips to these parks and choose the time of year that best suits their interests and comfort levels.
Family Friendliness of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park are two of America’s most popular family-friendly parks. Both offer unique experiences, but each has its own advantages when it comes to traveling with children.
At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, families can enjoy sand sledding, hiking and exploring the dunes. The park also has a visitors center with educational resources and a campground for families who want to spend the night. With its wide-open spaces and beautiful scenery, Great Sand Dunes is a great place for families to bond and create lasting memories.
Mammoth Cave National Park, on the other hand, offers a unique underground experience. Guided tours of the caves are available and offer a great opportunity to learn about the natural history of the caves and the animals that live within them. The park also has a campground and several hiking trails for families to enjoy. However, the cave tours may not be suitable for younger children and the underground environment can be challenging for some people.
In conclusion, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Mammoth Cave National Park offer great experiences for families, but depending on the interests and ages of your children, one may be a better fit. Great Sand Dunes is ideal for families who enjoy outdoor activities and wide-open spaces, while Mammoth Cave is better for families who are interested in natural history and unique experiences.