The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pinnacles National Park are two of the most breathtaking and diverse national parks in the US. Both offer an array of outdoor activities, awe-inspiring scenery, and a rich history. But which one is right for your next adventure?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these two national parks, comparing and contrasting their unique features. From challenging hikes to scenic drives, and from wildlife encounters to stargazing opportunities, we’ll help you decide which park is the best fit for your next outdoor adventure.
Whether you’re a nature lover, a hiker, a photographer, or just looking for a peaceful escape from the city, you’ll find something to love about these two parks. So, buckle up and get ready for a wild ride as we explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park vs Pinnacles National Park.
Hiking Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pinnacles National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pinnacles National Park are two of the most popular hiking destinations in the United States. Both parks offer a wide variety of trails, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its stunning mountain scenery and diverse wildlife. One of the easiest hikes here is the Gatlinburg Trail, a 2.9-mile round-trip hike that winds through the forest and along a stream. For a more challenging hike, consider the Alum Cave Trail, an 11-mile round-trip hike that takes you to the top of Mount LeConte.
Pinnacles National Park, located on California’s central coast, is famous for its rock formations and diverse habitats. The Balconies Cave Trail is one of the easiest hikes in the park, a 1.2-mile round-trip hike that leads to a cave and offers excellent views of the surrounding landscape. For a more strenuous hike, the High Peaks Trail is a 5.5-mile round-trip hike that takes you to the top of the park’s highest peaks and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
Both parks offer something for hikers of all levels, but Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its longer and more challenging trails, while Pinnacles National Park is known for its shorter and easier trails. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely nature walk or a strenuous backcountry trek, both parks have something to offer.
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 Pinnacles National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Condor Gulch Trail to High Peaks Trail Loop | 8690.436 | 484.9368 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Old Pinnacles Trail Loop | 15288.73 | 527.9136 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Bear Gulch Day Use Area to Reservoir via Rim Trail | 2896.812 | 134.7216 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
High Peaks Trail | 10138.842 | 539.8008 | Very Hard | loop | 4.5 |
High Peaks & Balconies Cave Loop Trail | 12713.786 | 549.8592 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Moses Spring Trail to Bear Gulch Reservoir | 1770.274 | 96.9264 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies | 8207.634 | 150.876 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Balconies Trail | 13196.588 | 592.836 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Juniper Canyon Trail to High Peaks | 5793.624 | 383.7432 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Balconies Cave Trail | 4184.284 | 121.92 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pinnacles National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pinnacles National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique opportunities to see a variety of wildlife, but each park has its own specialties.
At Great Smoky Mountains National Park, visitors can see black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys, among other mammals. Birdwatchers will also enjoy the park’s diverse avian population, which includes species like the eastern bluebird, the scarlet tanager, and the wood thrush. In addition to its wildlife, the park is also well-known for its diverse plant life, including species like the Fraser fir, the red maple, and the tulip poplar.
At Pinnacles National Park, visitors can see California Condors, Golden Eagles, and Peregrine Falcons, among other birds of prey. The park is also home to a variety of mammals, including black-tailed deer, coyotes, and the California ground squirrel. In addition to its wildlife, Pinnacles is also known for its unique geological formations, including towering rock spires and deep canyons.
While both parks offer opportunities to see diverse wildlife, each park has its own specialties. For birdwatchers, Pinnacles National Park is a must-visit destination, while Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a must-visit for those interested in seeing a variety of mammals and plants.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pinnacles National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Pinnacles 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 | 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 | Great Blue Heron |
Savannah Sparrow | Hermit Thrush |
Great Blue Heron | American Kestrel |
Hermit Thrush | Bald Eagle |
American Kestrel | Song Sparrow |
Bald Eagle | European Starling |
Song Sparrow | Swainson’s Thrush |
European Starling | Killdeer |
Northern Pintail | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
American Wigeon | Hairy Woodpecker |
Green-Winged Teal | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Mammals
Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Pinnacles National Park |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
Muskrat | Bobcat |
Big Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
Bobcat | Little Brown Bat |
Striped Skunk | Deer Mouse |
Little Brown Bat | Raccoon |
Deer Mouse | Silver-Haired Bat |
Raccoon | Hoary Bat |
Black Bear | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Porcupine | House Mouse |
Silver-Haired Bat | Puma |
Hoary Bat | Mule Deer |
Red Fox | Gray Fox |
Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Legged Myotis |
House Mouse | Long-Eared Myotis |
Panther (Mountain Lion) | North American Badger |
Mink | California Myotis |
Gray Fox | Fringed Myotis |
Gray Wolf | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
Snowshoe Hare | Townsends’ Big-Eared Bat |
River Otter | Western Harvest Mouse |
Masked Shrew | Western Small-Footed Bat |
Water Shrew | Yuma Myotis |
Red Squirrel | Pallid Bat |
Fish
Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Pinnacles National Park |
---|---|
Rainbow Trout | Green Sunfish |
Brook Trout | Fathead Minnow |
Brown Trout | Threespine Stickleback |
Largemouth Bass | Mosquitofish |
Green Sunfish | |
Bluegill | |
Common Carp | |
Longnose Dace | |
Yellow Bullhead | |
Channel Catfish | |
Black Crappie | |
Black Bullhead | |
Mosquitofish | |
Creek Chub | |
Goldfish | |
Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Pinnacles National Park |
---|---|
Northern Leopard Frog | Bullfrog |
American Bullfrog | |
Wood Frog |
Insects
Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Pinnacles National Park |
---|---|
Orange Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
Monarch | Monarch |
American Painted Lady | American Lady |
Red Admiral | Red Admiral |
Mourning Cloak | Mourning Cloak |
Cabbage White | Cabbage White |
Silvery Blue | Silvery Blue |
Common Checkered Skipper | Common Checkered-Skipper |
Common Sulphur | Buckeye |
Honey Bee | Purplish Copper |
Variegated Fritillary | Anise Swallowtail |
Buckeye | Gray Hairstreak |
Commom Wood Nymph | |
Gray Hairstreak |
Reptiles
Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Pinnacles National Park |
---|---|
Gophersnake | |
Yellow-Bellied Racer | |
Ringneck Snake | |
Sagebrush Lizard | |
Common Gartersnake | |
Side-Blotched Lizard | |
California Kingsnake | |
Rubber Boa | |
Night Snake | |
Western Whiptail | |
Glossy Snake | |
Western Skink | |
Long-Nosed Snake | |
Desert Spiny Lizard | |
Western Fence Lizard |
Beautiful Landscapes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pinnacles National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in Tennessee and North Carolina and is considered one of the most visited national parks in the country. The park boasts a diverse range of landscapes, including rolling hills, mist-filled valleys, and towering peaks. Hiking trails, scenic drives, and overlooks offer visitors panoramic views of the park’s stunning vistas. The park’s most famous landmark is Clingmans Dome, which stands at 6,643 feet and is the highest point in the park. Other popular attractions include Cades Cove, a lush valley that’s home to a variety of wildlife, and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, which offers breathtaking views of mountain streams and waterfalls.
Pinnacles National Park, located in California, is known for its unique rock formations and scenic vistas. The park’s most famous landmark is the High Peaks Trail, which leads visitors through a series of towering rock formations, including the iconic Balconies Cave. The park also offers a diverse range of landscapes, including rolling hills, chaparral-covered slopes, and picturesque valleys. Hiking trails, scenic drives, and overlooks offer visitors breathtaking views of the park’s stunning landscapes, including the famous Pinnacles Overlook and the Bear Gulch Reservoir. Whether you’re a hiker, a nature lover, or simply looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, Pinnacles National Park has something for everyone.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pinnacles National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pinnacles National Park offer a range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in Tennessee and North Carolina, is known for its stunning views and diverse wildlife. Visitors can go horseback riding, fishing, or even take a scenic drive through the park. The park also has a number of campgrounds for those who want to experience the beauty of the park overnight.
Pinnacles National Park, located in California, offers a unique landscape with towering rock formations and diverse vegetation. Rock climbing and bouldering are popular activities here, as well as hiking and camping. The park also has a number of caves that are open to visitors, offering a unique way to experience the park’s geology. In addition, the park is home to several species of bats, making it a great spot for wildlife viewing.
Both parks offer opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy a range of activities, but they each have their own unique attractions. Whether you’re looking for stunning views, diverse wildlife, or a challenge, both of these parks have something to offer.
Best Time to Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pinnacles National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pinnacles National Park are two popular destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts in the United States. Both parks offer a unique experience, with different seasonal weather patterns affecting when the best time of year to visit is.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a moderate climate with four distinct seasons. Summer is warm and humid, with occasional thunderstorms, while winter can be cold with occasional snow. Fall is a popular time to visit due to the stunning autumn foliage, while spring is a time for new growth and wildflowers.
Pinnacles National Park, on the other hand, has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. During the summer, temperatures can reach 90°F (32°C) and higher, making hiking and outdoor activities challenging. Winter is the best time to visit, as temperatures are mild and there is less likelihood of rain.
Both parks offer unique experiences depending on the time of year, and travelers should consider the seasonal weather patterns when planning their visit. If you’re looking for warm weather and outdoor activities, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a great option during the summer months. If you prefer cooler temperatures and prefer to avoid rain, then Pinnacles National Park is a great choice during the winter months.
Family Friendliness of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pinnacles National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. It is located in the Appalachian Mountains and covers over 500,000 acres of land. It offers a great variety of activities for families including hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park also has an extensive network of roads that allow visitors to easily access its scenic beauty and its many amenities.
On the other hand, Pinnacles National Park is a smaller park located in California. It covers just over 26,000 acres and is known for its unique rock formations and caves. It is a great destination for those who enjoy hiking and rock climbing. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife including the California condor, a species that was once on the brink of extinction.
When it comes to family-friendliness, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the clear winner. It offers a wider range of activities and amenities that are suitable for families with children. Additionally, the park’s size and well-developed infrastructure make it easier for families to navigate and find what they are looking for. Pinnacles National Park, on the other hand, is more suitable for older children and adults due to its rugged terrain and more strenuous hiking trails.
In conclusion, if you are traveling with children and looking for a family-friendly destination, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the better choice. It offers a great variety of activities, easy accessibility, and well-developed infrastructure that make it a great destination for families with kids.