Are you torn between visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve or Zion National Park? Both parks are unique and offer a variety of outdoor experiences. But which one will be the perfect fit for your next adventure?
The Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is a sea of sand dunes set against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. It’s a unique landscape that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. The tallest dune towers over 700 feet tall and provides a challenging yet rewarding hike.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is a canyon wonderland with towering cliffs, stunning views, and hidden oasis. The park’s signature trail, the Narrows, takes you through the heart of the park, with walls so tall you can’t even see the sky. With so much to see and explore, Zion is a must-visit for any outdoor enthusiast.
So, which park is right for you? In this article, we’ll compare the two and help you decide which one to put on your bucket list. Get ready for an adventure like no other!
Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Zion National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, located in Colorado, is known for its towering sand dunes that reach up to 750 feet tall. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, including the popular Dunes Overlook trail, a 1.5-mile hike that provides stunning views of the dunes and the surrounding mountains. One of the easiest hikes in the park is the Medano Lake trail, a 2.5-mile walk through the sand and along the creek. For more experienced hikers, the park also offers challenging trails such as the High Dune Loop, a 3-mile hike to the top of the tallest dune.
Zion National Park, located in Utah, is known for its stunning red rock formations and narrow canyons. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, including the popular Angel’s Landing trail, a 5.4-mile hike that takes you to the top of a towering cliff with breathtaking views of the surrounding canyon. One of the easiest hikes in the park is the Riverside Walk, a 2.2-mile walk along the Virgin River that provides views of the towering cliffs. For more experienced hikers, the park also offers challenging trails such as the The Narrows, a 9.4-mile hike through a narrow canyon with towering cliffs on both sides.
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 Zion National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angels Landing Trail | 6598.294 | 492.8616 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| The Zion Narrows Riverside Walk | 2896.812 | 62.7888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Zion Canyon Overlook Trail | 1609.34 | 64.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Watchman Trail | 4988.954 | 196.9008 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| The Subway Trail | 11265.38 | 397.764 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Weeping Rock Trail | 482.802 | 23.7744 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Zion Narrows Trail to Imlay Temple and Big Spring | 13840.324 | 1268.8824 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Lower Emerald Pool Trail | 2092.142 | 34.7472 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Emerald Pools Trail | 4667.086 | 184.7088 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Hidden Canyon Trail | 4828.02 | 283.7688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Zion National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Zion National Park are two popular US National Parks, with different landscapes and wildlife.
At Great Sand Dunes, visitors can see a diverse range of animals including pronghorns, mule deer, black bears, and coyotes. The park is also home to many bird species, including sandpipers, handfuls of bird species, and the calliope hummingbird. In addition to wildlife, Great Sand Dunes is known for its unique vegetation, including shadscale, sand raspberry, and yucca.
Zion National Park is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 289 species recorded. It is also home to mammals such as the American black bear, mule deer, and the Rocky Mountain elk. Visitors can also see the desert bighorn sheep and the Western yellow-billed cuckoo. The park is also renowned for its diverse plant life, including the Joshua tree, yucca, and prickly pear cactus.
Both parks offer visitors the chance to see unique and diverse wildlife, with Great Sand Dunes focusing on a range of animals and birds, while Zion is particularly well-known for its birdwatching opportunities. Regardless of which park you choose, you are sure to be amazed by the stunning wildlife and vegetation found within these protected areas.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Zion National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Zion 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 | Zion 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 | Mule Deer |
| Long-Eared Bat | Gray Fox |
| Badger | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Ermine | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Snowshoe Hare | American Badger |
| Masked Shrew | Ermine |
| Water Shrew | California Myotis |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Fringed Myotis |
Reptiles
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Bull Snake | Gophersnake |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Western Prairie Rattlesnake | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizards | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Milksnake | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Fish
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| German Brown Trout | Brook Trout |
| Cutthroat Trout | Brown Trout |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Goldfish |
Amphibians
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Plains Spadefoot | Red-Spotted Toad |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Zion National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, each offering unique landscapes and natural wonders to visitors. Great Sand Dunes is known for its towering sand dunes, some of the tallest in North America, which were formed by wind and water over thousands of years. The park is also home to Medano Creek, a seasonal creek that provides a perfect place for visitors to cool off on hot days.
Zion National Park is famous for its towering cliffs and deep canyons, including the iconic Zion Canyon, which is carved by the Virgin River. The park is also home to several waterfalls and scenic overlooks, including Angel’s Landing and the Narrows, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also take scenic drives and hike through the park’s diverse and beautiful scenery, including lush forests, sandstone formations, and towering cliffs.
Whether you’re looking for breathtaking views, unique landscapes, or simply a chance to escape into nature, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Zion National Park are both must-visit destinations for anyone interested in the beauty and diversity of America’s national parks.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Zion National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Zion National Park are two popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. While both parks offer unique experiences, they have different activities that draw visitors. At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, visitors enjoy sandboarding and sand sledding down the towering dunes. In addition, visitors can hike to the top of the dunes for panoramic views and take a leisurely stroll along the nearby Medano Creek.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is known for its stunning canyons and slot canyons. Visitors can take guided tours through the canyons, go rock climbing, or hike to the top for breathtaking views. The park is also home to the famous Narrows hike, a popular destination for hikers. In addition, visitors can also explore the park’s scenic drive, go horseback riding, or take a scenic drive through the park.
Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline-packed adventure or a quiet escape into nature, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Zion National Park have something to offer. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a leisurely stroll, these parks have activities to fit all skill levels and interests.
Best Time to Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Zion National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Zion National Park are two popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique landscapes and experiences, but their weather patterns are quite different.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in Colorado and experiences warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The park is at its best from May to September, when temperatures range from the 50s to 80s and the dunes are accessible for hiking and sandboarding. Winter is not a popular time to visit due to the cold and snow, but the park is still beautiful with a blanket of snow covering the dunes.
Zion National Park, located in Utah, has a more mild climate with hot summers and mild winters. The best time to visit is from April to October, when temperatures range from the 60s to 90s and the park is accessible for hiking and scenic drives. Winter can also be a beautiful time to visit, when the park is quieter and the weather is mild, but some trails may be closed due to snow and ice.
In conclusion, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Zion National Park have unique weather patterns that affect the best time of year to visit. Visitors should plan their trip accordingly to ensure they have the best experience possible.
Family Friendliness of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Zion National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and Zion National Park are both great destinations to visit with kids, but they offer different experiences. Great Sand Dunes is known for its towering sand dunes, which kids can climb and play on. There are also several shallow streams and ponds, which are perfect for splashing and wading. In addition, the park offers ranger-led programs for kids, such as sand dune hikes and nature walks.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is known for its towering red cliffs, canyons and waterfalls. This park offers several family-friendly hikes that are easy to navigate, such as the Riverside Walk and the Emerald Pools Trail. Zion also has a shuttle system that makes it easy to get around the park without having to drive. Additionally, the park offers junior ranger programs, which are educational and interactive, making it a great way for kids to learn about the park.
Overall, both parks are great for families, but Great Sand Dunes is a little more kid-friendly because of its open spaces and interactive activities. Zion is also a great option, but it may be a bit more challenging for younger kids because of the steep trails.