Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park are two of America’s most stunning natural wonders. Both offer unique and breathtaking landscapes that are sure to leave visitors in awe. But which one is truly the better destination for outdoor enthusiasts? In this article, we’ll compare and contrast these two parks, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, to help you decide which one to visit.
Starting with Great Sand Dunes, this park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, stretching over 750 feet tall. Visitors can hike, sandboard, and even stargaze in this remote corner of Colorado. Meanwhile, Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota is a water lover’s paradise, with over 400 lakes and more than 500 miles of shoreline to explore. Whether you’re a kayaker, fisherman, or simply looking to enjoy the peace and quiet, Voyageurs is the place to be.
So which park is right for you? Read on to find out!
Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park are two distinct national parks located in the United States. Both offer hiking trails for visitors to enjoy, but each park has its own unique set of trails and experiences.
The hiking trails at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve range from easy walks to strenuous backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes is the Dunes Overlook Trail, a 1.5-mile round trip hike that offers panoramic views of the dunes and surrounding mountains. On the other hand, the challenging backcountry hike to the summit of Star Dune, the tallest dune in North America, is a strenuous 7.5-mile round trip hike.
In contrast, the trails at Voyageurs National Park are mostly centered around the park’s numerous waterways, including Lake Kabetogama and the Rainy River. Hiking trails here range from easy, accessible lakeshore walks to backcountry hikes through the park’s remote wilderness. Some of the easiest hikes include the Kabetogama Peninsula Trail, which offers stunning views of Lake Kabetogama, and the paved Rainy Lake Visitor Center Trail. For a more strenuous hike, visitors can tackle the backcountry trek to Kettle Falls, a remote waterfall located deep in the park’s wilderness.
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 Voyageurs National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in Colorado and is well known for its towering sand dunes. Visitors to the park can see a variety of wildlife including pronghorns, mule deer, and black bears. In addition, the park is home to numerous species of birds, including the golden eagle, prairie falcon, and the mountain bluebird.
Voyageurs National Park, located in Minnesota, is a water-based park and is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including beavers, loons, and moose. The park is also a popular destination for bird watchers, as it is home to over 200 species of birds, including the bald eagle, common loon, and the osprey.
Both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park offer a unique opportunity to see a variety of wildlife in their natural habitats. However, the types of wildlife you will see will depend on the time of year you visit and the specific area of the park you explore. Whether you are interested in viewing large mammals, birds, or plants, both of these parks are great options for nature enthusiasts.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Voyageurs 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 | Voyageurs 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 | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mule Deer | House Mouse |
| Gray Fox | Mountain Lion |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Mink |
| Long-Eared Bat | Common Gray Fox |
| Badger | Plains Wolf |
| Ermine | American Badger |
| Snowshoe Hare | Ermine |
| Masked Shrew | Snowshoe Hare |
| Water Shrew | River Otter |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Voyageurs 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 | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| German Brown Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Cutthroat Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Bluegill | |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Ellpout | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Voyageurs 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 Voyageurs National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park are two of America’s most scenic national parks. Both offer unique landscapes, breathtaking vistas, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure and recreation.
At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, the most famous landscape is the towering sand dunes. These dunes rise up to 750 feet high and stretch across 30 square miles of the park’s landscape. They are the result of wind and water erosion and offer visitors the chance to hike, play, and explore the unique ecosystem of the park. Additionally, the park offers scenic mountain views, including the rugged peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the distance.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, is known for its vast network of interconnected lakes and waterways. Visitors can explore the park by boat, kayak, or canoe and experience the beauty of the northern wilderness. The park is also home to scenic overlooks, such as Kettle Falls, where visitors can enjoy views of the lush forest and rolling hills. Additionally, the park provides opportunities for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, including moose and bald eagles.
In conclusion, both parks offer unique and breathtaking landscapes, from the towering sand dunes of Great Sand Dunes to the vast network of lakes and waterways at Voyageurs. Whether you prefer hiking, boating, or simply taking in the beauty of nature, both parks offer something for everyone.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. They both offer incredible outdoor experiences, but they are quite different in terms of the activities they offer.
At Great Sand Dunes, visitors love to hike, sandboard, and stargaze. The park’s star attraction is the towering sand dunes, which are the tallest in North America and a unique phenomenon in the world. Hiking to the top of the dunes is a popular activity for visitors of all ages, who can then enjoy the stunning views from the top. Sandboarding is another popular activity, where visitors can rent sandboards and slide down the dunes. Finally, the park’s dark skies make it an ideal spot for stargazing, with many visitors bringing telescopes to enjoy the night sky.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, is a water-based park, and visitors come to kayak, canoe, and fish. The park’s interconnected waterways offer visitors a chance to explore the wilderness by boat, with many visitors opting for multi-day trips to really get a feel for the park. Fishing is also a popular activity, with the park being home to a variety of fish species, including walleye, Northern pike, and smallmouth bass. Visitors can also hike and bike, but these activities are secondary to the park’s water-based offerings.
In conclusion, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park offer unique outdoor experiences that draw visitors from around the world. Whether you’re looking for a sand-based adventure or a water-based escape, these parks have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in Colorado and Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota are two popular destinations for nature lovers. However, their seasonal weather can greatly impact the best time to visit each park.
At Great Sand Dunes, temperatures in summer can reach up to 90°F, making it a popular time to visit for sandboarding and hiking. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, making it difficult to enjoy outdoor activities. Spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures, but also come with the risk of rain and strong winds.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, experiences a much harsher winter with temperatures that can drop below zero and heavy snowfall. This makes winter a prime time for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Summer temperatures are more mild, but the park can get heavily crowded during this time. The best time to visit Voyageurs is during the spring or fall when temperatures are moderate, and the crowds have yet to arrive.
In conclusion, the best time to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park depends on the type of outdoor activities you plan to enjoy and your tolerance for extreme weather conditions.
Family Friendliness of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park are two incredible parks that offer families a chance to explore and connect with nature. However, each park is unique in their offerings and their approach to being family-friendly.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is a great option for families that enjoy outdoor recreation. The sand dunes offer endless opportunities for exploration and play, whether you’re hiking, sledding, or swimming in the nearby Medano Creek. The park also offers ranger-led programs and an educational visitor center, making it a great place to learn about the natural world.
On the other hand, Voyageurs National Park is a great choice for families that love boating and canoeing. The park is located on the border of Minnesota and Canada and is known for its countless lakes and waterways. The park also offers ranger-led programs, as well as family-friendly boat tours and canoe trips. However, if your family is not interested in water activities, there may not be as many options for activities on land.
When it comes to choosing which park is best for your family, consider your interests and the age of your children. If your family loves outdoor recreation, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve may be the best choice. If your family loves water activities and boat trips, Voyageurs National Park may be the perfect destination.