Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Olympic National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, each offering unique experiences to visitors. Both parks are known for their stunning natural beauty, but which one is right for you?
This article will take you on a journey through the Great Smoky Mountains and Olympic National Park, comparing and contrasting their landscapes, wildlife, recreational activities, and more. Whether you are an avid hiker, a nature lover, or simply seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, this article will help you decide which park is the best fit for your next adventure.
So, let’s get started! Are you ready to discover the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains and Olympic National Park? Which one will capture your heart and imagination? Whether you are a seasoned park-goer or a first-time visitor, this article will provide you with all the information you need to make the most of your visit.
Hiking Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Olympic National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Olympic National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, attracting millions of visitors each year. Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, ranging from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry adventures.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its stunning mountain scenery and abundant wildlife. The park is home to over 800 miles of trails, including several easy hikes like the Clingmans Dome Tower and the Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail. For more experienced hikers, the park offers challenging hikes like the Alum Cave Trail and the Bull Head Trail, which lead to stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is known for its diverse ecosystems, including old-growth forests, rugged coastline, and snow-capped peaks. The park has over 600 miles of trails, including several easy hikes like the Hoh River Trail and the Hall of Mosses, which offer a chance to see the park’s lush temperate rainforests. For more experienced hikers, the park offers challenging hikes like the Hurricane Ridge Trail and the Seven Lakes Basin, which lead to stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.
Both parks offer something for everyone, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry adventures. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful hike through the forest or a strenuous climb to the top of a mountain, you’re sure to find a trail that suits your needs at Great Smoky Mountains National Park or Olympic National Park.
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 Olympic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge | 4988.954 | 242.9256 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Storm King | 6276.426 | 638.8608 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail | 2574.944 | 77.724 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh Rain Forest Hall of Moss | 1609.34 | 23.7744 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Marymere Falls Trail | 2735.878 | 90.8304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh River Trail | 52786.352 | 1558.7472 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| High Divide – Seven Lakes Basin Loop | 30577.46 | 1617.8784 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Ruby Beach | 2253.076 | 20.7264 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Staircase Rapids Loop | 3379.614 | 64.9224 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spruce Railroad Trail: Lake Crescent | 18024.608 | 131.9784 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Olympic National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Olympic National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, attracting millions of visitors each year. They are both known for their stunning landscapes and the diverse wildlife that can be found there.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in Tennessee and North Carolina, and is home to a wide variety of animals, including black bears, deer, and turkeys. The park also has a large number of bird species, including the colorful Baltimore oriole, the majestic bald eagle, and the tiny chickadee. In addition, visitors can find a variety of plants, including colorful wildflowers, towering trees, and lush ferns.
On the other hand, Olympic National Park is located in Washington state, and is known for its unique and diverse ecosystems, including rainforests, beaches, and alpine meadows. Wildlife found in the park includes elk, mountain goats, and black-tailed deer. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the bald eagle, the osprey, and the common raven. In addition, visitors can see a variety of plants, including towering evergreens, delicate wildflowers, and lush ferns.
Visitors to both parks are likely to see a variety of wildlife, including mammals, birds, and plants. Whether you’re interested in exploring the lush forests, soaring mountains, or rugged coastline, both Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Olympic National Park are sure to provide a unique and unforgettable outdoor experience.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Olympic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Olympic 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 | 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 | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| 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 | Red Fox |
| Hoary Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | House Mouse |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Wolf |
| House Mouse | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Panther (Mountain Lion) | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Mink | California Myotis |
| Gray Fox | Snowshoe Rabbit |
| Gray Wolf | North American River Otter |
| Snowshoe Hare | Fringe-Tailed Myotis |
| River Otter | Masked Shrew |
| Masked Shrew | Water Shrew |
| Water Shrew | Western Big-Eared Bat |
| Red Squirrel | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
Fish
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Steelhead/Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Largemouth Bass | Salish Sucker |
| Green Sunfish | Coho Salmon |
| Bluegill | Chinook Salmon |
| Common Carp | Longnose Dace |
| Longnose Dace | Speckled Dace |
| Yellow Bullhead | Threespine Stickleback |
| Channel Catfish | Sockeye Salmon |
| Black Crappie | Pink Salmon |
| Black Bullhead | Chum Salmon |
| Mosquitofish | Dolly Varden |
| Creek Chub | Cutthroat Trout |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Bullfrog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Insects
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Honey Bee |
| 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 |
Reptiles
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Beautiful Landscapes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Olympic National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its dense fog that gives the mountains a “smoky” appearance, hence its name. This park is located in the Appalachian Mountains and is home to a diverse range of landscapes, including lush forests, rolling hills, and high peaks, as well as cascading waterfalls and scenic overlooks. Some of the most famous landscapes in the park include Mount LeConte, Clingmans Dome, and Cades Cove.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is located in Washington state and is known for its diverse ecosystems, ranging from temperate rainforests to alpine meadows and rugged Pacific coastline. The park’s most famous landscapes include Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rainforest, and Ruby Beach. Visitors to the park can enjoy scenic drives, hiking, and wildlife viewing, as well as exploring the unique ecosystems that make up this unique and diverse park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Olympic National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in Tennessee and North Carolina and is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. Olympic National Park is located in Washington State and offers a diverse range of landscapes, from rugged coastlines, to temperate rainforests, to alpine meadows.
Some of the most popular activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park include scenic drives, wildlife viewing, and camping. The park is known for its diverse array of wildlife, including black bears, elk, and a variety of bird species. The park also offers a range of camping options, from backcountry camping to car camping.
Olympic National Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and offers a range of activities, including backpacking, kayaking, and beachcombing. The park is known for its stunning coastline, with miles of rugged shoreline and sandy beaches. The park is also home to several iconic hikes, including the Hoh Rainforest Trail and the Hurricane Ridge Trail, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Both parks offer a range of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy, from scenic drives and wildlife viewing to backpacking and kayaking. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing camping trip or an adventure-filled backpacking excursion, both Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Olympic National Park are top destinations for outdoor enthusiasts.
Best Time to Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Olympic National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Olympic National Park are two of the most beautiful parks in the United States. Both parks have unique weather patterns that make them special and ideal for different times of the year.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in the Tennessee and North Carolina region and is known for its temperate climate. The park has four distinct seasons with warm summers and chilly winters. The fall is especially beautiful with the changing leaves, while spring is ideal for wildflower viewing. Winters can be cold and snowy, but this can also make for great skiing and snowboarding opportunities.
Olympic National Park, located in Washington, has an entirely different climate. The park is known for its rainforest climate, with over 140 inches of rainfall per year. Summer is the driest season, but it is still important to bring rain gear as showers can happen at any time. The park is stunning in the fall and winter, with lush greenery and waterfalls flowing with rain. The winter can also bring snow and ice, making it a great time for winter sports such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Both parks are beautiful in their own way and offer unique experiences depending on the time of year. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is best visited in the spring or fall, while Olympic National Park is ideal for a visit in the summer or winter. Regardless of when you visit, both parks will leave you in awe of their natural beauty.
Family Friendliness of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Olympic National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Olympic National Park are two popular US National Parks that attract millions of visitors every year. Both parks offer a unique and diverse range of outdoor experiences for families, but when it comes to being family-friendly, Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes the lead.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its scenic drives, hiking trails, and picnic areas that are perfect for families. The park also has a number of well-equipped campgrounds and lodges, making it a great option for families who want to experience the great outdoors. Additionally, the park has a number of ranger-led activities and educational programs that are specifically designed for families, making it a great place to learn about nature and wildlife.
On the other hand, Olympic National Park is a bit more challenging for families, due to its rugged terrain and remote location. The park is known for its diverse landscapes, including rainforests, beaches, and mountains, but these areas can be difficult to access, especially for families with young children. While Olympic National Park is still a great place to visit, it may not be the best option for families who are looking for a more relaxed and accessible outdoor experience.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with children and looking for a family-friendly National Park experience, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the better option. With its scenic drives, picnic areas, and ranger-led activities, it offers a great introduction to the great outdoors for families.