“Sand dunes and geysers, two worlds apart yet both offering unique and breathtaking experiences for nature lovers. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in Colorado and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming are two of the most popular destinations in the United States, attracting millions of visitors every year. But what sets these two parks apart and which one should you visit first?
Get ready to embark on a journey as we compare and contrast these two national treasures. From towering sand dunes to erupting geysers, from scenic drives to hiking trails, we’ll take a closer look at what each park has to offer. So, grab your hiking boots and pack your sunscreen, because we’re about to discover which park takes the crown for America’s ultimate outdoor destination.
Will it be the rolling sand dunes of Great Sand Dunes or the explosive geysers of Yellowstone? Read on to find out.”
Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. When it comes to hiking, both parks have a variety of trails to choose from, but each park offers unique experiences.
At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, the easiest hike is the Medano Creek Trail, a flat and sandy trail that leads to the park’s unique sand dunes. For a more challenging hike, visitors can tackle the High Dune Trail, a steep ascent up to one of the tallest dunes in the park.
In contrast, Yellowstone National Park is home to several challenging hikes, including the Mount Washburn Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s geysers and hot springs. Another popular hike is the Mystic Falls Trail, a steep and strenuous hike that leads to a beautiful waterfall. For a more leisurely hike, visitors can take the boardwalk trail through the park’s famous geyser basins.
Both parks offer a range of hiking experiences, from easy walks to challenging treks. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park 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 Yellowstone National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mystic Falls, Fairy Creek and Little Firehole Loop | 5632.69 | 184.7088 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Grand Prismatic Hot Spring | 2574.944 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop | 7242.03 | 73.7616 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Canyon Rim North Trail to Inspiration Point | 12713.786 | 349.9104 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail | 1609.34 | 17.9832 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Mammoth Hot Springs Area Trail | 5632.69 | 170.9928 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Artists Paintpots Trail | 1609.34 | 30.7848 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Avalanche Peak Trail | 7402.964 | 614.7816 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Old Faithful Geyser Loop Trail | 1126.538 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Upper Falls, Lower Falls and Crystal Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 140.8176 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872, is the first national park in the United States and is widely known for its geothermal features, including geysers and hot springs. The park is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, elk, bison, and pronghorn. In addition, various bird species can be seen in the park, including bald eagles and trumpeter swans.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, established in 2004, is located in Colorado and is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. While the park is best known for its sand dunes, it also has a diverse range of wildlife, including mule deer, pronghorn, black bears, and mountain lions. Bird species commonly seen in the park include the Brewer’s sparrow, the mountain bluebird, and the horned lark.
Both parks offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities and are great for wildlife enthusiasts. However, Yellowstone National Park is a better choice for those interested in seeing large mammals such as bison and wolves, while Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is a good choice for bird watchers and those interested in seeing smaller mammals such as pronghorn and black bears.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Yellowstone 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 | Yellowstone 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 | Mule Deer |
| Badger | Wolf |
| Ermine | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Snowshoe Hare | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Masked Shrew | Badger |
| Water Shrew | Short Tailed Weasel |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | California Myotis |
Reptiles
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Bull Snake | Racer |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Western Prairie Rattlesnake | Rubber Boa |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizards | |
| Milksnake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Fish
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| German Brown Trout | Brook Trout |
| Cutthroat Trout | Brown Trout |
| Longnose Sucker | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Bullfrog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Plains Spadefoot | Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered Skipper | |
| Common Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most famous national parks in the United States. Both parks are known for their beautiful landscapes, rich history, and unique natural wonders.
At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, visitors can see the towering sand dunes, which are the tallest in North America. The dunes are surrounded by forests, wetlands, and alpine lakes, offering a diverse landscape for visitors to explore.
Yellowstone National Park is famous for its geothermal features, including the famous Old Faithful geyser, which erupts regularly throughout the day. The park is also home to a variety of landscapes, including mountains, forests, lakes, and rivers.
Another popular landmark in Yellowstone is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, which is a breathtaking sight to behold with its towering waterfalls, vibrant colors, and scenic overlooks. The park is also home to the largest geyser field in the world and many other unique geological formations that visitors can explore.
Both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park offer a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives. Whether you’re a nature lover, an outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for a beautiful place to visit, these two parks are a must-see.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a diverse range of activities for visitors, from hiking and wildlife watching to scenic drives and hot springs.
At Great Sand Dunes, visitors can enjoy sandboarding and sand sledding on the park’s massive sand dunes. The park also has several trails for hiking and backpacking, as well as a scenic drive that takes visitors through the beautiful San Luis Valley. Additionally, the park offers several ranger-led programs, including stargazing and wildlife watching.
At Yellowstone, visitors can witness the park’s geothermal wonders, including the famous Old Faithful geyser and the Grand Prismatic Spring. The park also has several hiking trails, including a popular trek to the top of Mount Washburn. Wildlife watching is another popular activity, with visitors often spotting bison, elk, and grizzly bears.
In conclusion, both Great Sand Dunes and Yellowstone offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Whether you are looking for a scenic drive, a challenging hike, or a chance to witness the beauty of nature, both parks have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. While they are both unique in their own way, they differ significantly in terms of their seasonal weather.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in the high mountain desert of Colorado and experiences hot summers and cold winters. The park is at its best during the spring and fall months when temperatures are mild and the dunes are covered in a blanket of snow. Summertime can be very hot, with temperatures reaching up to the 90s, making it difficult to explore the dunes. Winter months bring snow and sub-freezing temperatures, making it difficult to access the park.
Yellowstone National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Rocky Mountains and experiences a mix of temperate and subalpine climates. Summer months are mild, with temperatures reaching the 60s and 70s, making it an ideal time to visit the park for outdoor activities. Winter months bring heavy snow, making it difficult to access the park and limiting activities. However, the winter months are a great time to see the park’s famous geysers and hot springs, as steam rises from the snow-covered landscape.
In conclusion, the best time of year to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is during the spring and fall months, while the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is during the summer months.
Family Friendliness of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park are both family-friendly options for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. However, each park offers a different type of experience and level of accessibility.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, located in Colorado, offers a unique landscape of towering sand dunes surrounded by mountains. This park is a great option for families with younger children as there are many easy-to-moderate hiking trails, sand sledding opportunities, and a large playground area. Additionally, the park offers junior ranger programs, ranger-led activities, and educational exhibits to engage kids and spark their interest in nature.
On the other hand, Yellowstone National Park, located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, offers a wider range of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. However, many of these activities require a more strenuous level of physical activity, making Yellowstone better suited for families with older children and teens. Despite this, the park still offers junior ranger programs, ranger-led activities, and educational exhibits, giving kids the opportunity to learn about the park’s unique geothermal features and the wildlife that inhabits the area.
In conclusion, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park are great options for families looking to spend time in nature. However, if you’re traveling with younger children, Great Sand Dunes is a better option due to its more accessible activities and easier hiking trails. If you have older children or teens, Yellowstone is a great choice with its wider range of outdoor activities.