Nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited parks in the country. With its rolling hills, pristine streams, and breathtaking views, it’s no wonder why people flock here from all over the world. But have you ever heard of Katmai National Park & Preserve? Located on the Alaskan Peninsula, this park is a world apart from the Smoky Mountains, offering a unique and rugged wilderness experience.
In this article, we will take a closer look at these two national parks and compare them side by side. From the wildlife to the landscape, and from the recreational opportunities to the history, we’ll help you decide which park is the best fit for your next adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a family looking for a fun-filled vacation, one of these parks is sure to capture your imagination. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to explore two of the most stunning national parks in the United States.
Hiking Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve both offer unique and diverse hiking experiences, but they differ in their landscapes, trails and difficulty levels.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its rolling hills, dense forests and scenic views of the Smoky Mountains. Its trails range from easy walks around the park’s scenic drives, to strenuous hikes up to the park’s peaks. The Alum Cave Trail is one of the most popular trails, offering breathtaking views of the park’s landscape. On the other hand, the Chimney Tops trail is one of the toughest hikes in the park, climbing over rocky terrain with steep inclines.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, features a completely different landscape, with rugged mountains, glaciers, and the famous Brooks River, home to the largest concentration of brown bears in the world. The park’s trails range from easy walks along the river, to challenging hikes up steep mountains. The Brooks Falls trail is a popular, easy hike that takes visitors to the Brooks River, where they can observe the brown bears fishing for salmon. For a more strenuous hike, the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes offers a unique experience of walking through a volcanic valley filled with steam vents and ash-filled vents.
In conclusion, both parks offer a range of hiking trails, from easy walks to challenging hikes, each with its own unique landscapes, views and experiences. Whether you’re looking for a scenic walk or a strenuous hike, both Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve offer something for everyone.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte | 17219.938 | 916.8384 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Chimney Tops Trail | 5793.624 | 392.8872 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rainbow Falls Trail | 8851.37 | 503.8344 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Grotto Falls Trail | 4184.284 | 162.7632 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Laurel Falls Trail | 3862.416 | 120.7008 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Abrams Falls Trail | 7885.766 | 191.7192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail | 1931.208 | 100.8888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail | 13840.324 | 603.8088 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ramsey Cascades Trail | 13035.654 | 677.8752 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Peregrine Peak via Alum Cave Bluffs Trail | 6759.228 | 322.7832 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Katmai National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Falls | 4667.086 | 63.7032 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dumpling Mountain | 4828.02 | 225.8568 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its diverse wildlife, including black bears, white-tailed deer, elk, and turkeys. The park is also home to over 200 species of birds, including the colorful Baltimore oriole and the striking pileated woodpecker. Visitors can also spot various species of salamanders, including the endangered hellbender.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is famous for its large population of brown bears. The park is one of the best places in the world to observe these magnificent animals, as they can be seen fishing for salmon in Brooks River. In addition to bears, the park is home to moose, caribou, and wolves. Birdwatchers will enjoy the opportunity to see bald eagles, puffins, and a variety of waterfowl. The park also boasts a rich diversity of plants, including the colorful fireweed and the rare Katmai broomrape.
In conclusion, both Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve offer unique opportunities to observe a variety of wildlife. While the Great Smoky Mountains is known for its diverse array of animals and birds, Katmai is renowned for its large population of brown bears. Regardless of which park you choose, you’re sure to have a memorable experience observing the natural beauty and wildlife of these incredible places.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Katmai 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 | Northern Flicker |
| Northern Flicker | Merlin |
| Merlin | Barn Swallow |
| Barn Swallow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Hermit Thrush |
| Great Blue Heron | American Kestrel |
| Hermit Thrush | Bald Eagle |
| American Kestrel | Song Sparrow |
| Bald Eagle | European Starling |
| Song Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
| European Starling | American Wigeon |
| Northern Pintail | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Wigeon | American Pipit |
| Green-Winged Teal | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Katmai 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 | Varying Hare |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Northern River Otter |
| Hoary Bat | Masked Shrew |
| Red Fox | Red Squirrel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Montane Shrew |
| House Mouse | Lynx |
| Panther (Mountain Lion) | Wolverine |
| Mink | American Marten |
| Gray Fox | Grizzly Bear |
| Gray Wolf | Meadow Vole |
| Snowshoe Hare | Moose |
| River Otter | Least Weasel |
| Masked Shrew | Pygmy Shrew |
| Water Shrew | Meadow Jumping Mouse |
| Red Squirrel | Northern Bog Lemming |
Fish
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Katmai National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Redband Trout |
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brown Trout | Lake Trout |
| Largemouth Bass | Northern Pike |
| Green Sunfish | Burbot |
| Bluegill | Silver Salmon |
| Common Carp | King Salmon |
| Longnose Dace | Slimy Sculpin |
| Yellow Bullhead | Threespine Stickleback |
| Channel Catfish | Sockeye Salmon |
| Black Crappie | Pink Salmon |
| Black Bullhead | Chum Salmon |
| Mosquitofish | Dolly Varden |
| Creek Chub | Arctic Grayling |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Katmai National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Insects
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Katmai National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered Skipper | |
| Common Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve are two of America’s most beautiful parks. Both are known for their breathtaking landscapes and unique natural features.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its stunning mountain ranges, rolling hills, and lush forests. Visitors can take in panoramic views from the park’s many overlooks, or explore the park’s many trails that lead to waterfalls and other natural wonders. Some of the park’s most famous landscapes include Clingman’s Dome, Newfound Gap, and Cades Cove.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is famous for its stunning glaciers, active volcanoes, and abundant wildlife. This park is known for its large population of brown bears, and visitors can see these magnificent creatures fishing for salmon in the Brooks River. The park’s most famous landscapes, include Brooks Falls, the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, and the Novarupta volcano.
Both Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve offer visitors the chance to experience some of the most stunning landscapes in America. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking mountain ranges, lush forests, glaciers, or unique wildlife, these parks are sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve are two of the most popular parks in the United States, offering a wide range of activities for visitors. In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, people love to go camping, fishing, and wildlife watching. The park is also home to a number of historic sites and museums, including the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and the Mountain Farm Museum, where visitors can learn about the park’s rich cultural and natural history.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is best known for its bears. Visitors come from all over the world to view the brown bears that congregate at Brooks Falls to catch salmon. Hiking, fishing, and kayaking are also popular activities in the park, with a number of trails and waterways available for visitors to explore. In addition to its natural beauty, Katmai is also home to several historic sites, including the Brooks Camp and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, where visitors can learn about the park’s volcanic history.
In conclusion, both Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve offer a wide range of activities for visitors, from wildlife watching and fishing to hiking and kayaking. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or outdoor recreation, these parks have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve are two popular national parks located in the United States. While both parks offer unique natural beauty, the seasonal weather in each park can greatly impact the best time to visit.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in the Appalachian Mountains and experiences a humid subtropical climate. Summer temperatures can reach into the high 80s, while winter temperatures can dip into the low 20s with occasional snow. The park is known for its lush vegetation and stunning fall foliage, making autumn a popular time to visit.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and experiences a subarctic climate with cool, rainy summers and cold, snowy winters. Summer temperatures average in the mid-50s, while winter temperatures can drop below 0°F. The park is famous for its annual salmon run and for the large population of brown bears who come to feed on the fish, making summer the best time to visit for wildlife viewing opportunities.
In conclusion, the seasonal weather at both Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve can greatly impact the best time to visit. While autumn is ideal for visiting the Great Smoky Mountains, summer is the best time to witness the unique wildlife at Katmai National Park & Preserve.
Family Friendliness of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a popular destination for families due to its accessibility and variety of activities. Situated in Tennessee and North Carolina, it is the most visited national park in the United States with over 11 million visitors each year. The park offers a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Additionally, there are several educational opportunities for families, including ranger-led programs and visitor centers with interactive exhibits.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is not as popular or as easily accessible as Great Smoky Mountains. Located in Alaska, it is known for its abundant wildlife, including brown bears, and stunning landscapes. However, it is not as well suited for families with young children as it is more remote and has fewer developed amenities. While there are opportunities for camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing, the park is not as developed as Great Smoky Mountains.
In conclusion, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the better choice for families due to its accessibility, variety of activities, and educational opportunities. However, if you’re looking for a more remote, wilderness experience, Katmai National Park & Preserve may be worth considering.