The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring national parks in the United States. With their stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural history, these parks offer something for everyone. But which one is the best? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each park, comparing and contrasting their unique features and attractions.
Are you an adventure-seeker who loves hiking and camping in remote wilderness areas? Or do you prefer a more relaxed and scenic drive through rolling hills and lush forests? Whatever your style, both Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve have something to offer. We’ll explore the best trails, scenic drives, and hidden gems in each park, so you can decide which one is right for you.
So, pack your hiking boots, grab your camera, and get ready to take a journey through two of the most magnificent national parks in America. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a first-time visitor, you’re sure to be inspired and amazed by the beauty and wonder of these parks. So, which one will you choose?
Hiking Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in Tennessee and North Carolina, is renowned for its scenic beauty, historical significance, and diverse range of recreational activities. Some of the most popular hikes in the park include the Alum Cave Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, and the Rainbow Falls Trail, which leads to a picturesque waterfall. For those looking for a more strenuous hike, the Mount Le Conte Trail is a challenging climb that offers incredible views from its summit.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is a wilderness lover’s paradise, offering a range of trails for all levels of hikers. One of the easiest hikes in the park is the Root Glacier Trail, which leads visitors to the stunning Root Glacier, while the more challenging Mount St. Elias Trail is a strenuous hike that requires proper planning and preparation. The park is also home to the longest designated wilderness coast in the United States, offering breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and abundant wildlife.
Both parks offer a range of hiking experiences, from scenic and leisurely walks to challenging and strenuous hikes. Whether you’re looking for stunning views, historical significance, or a wilderness adventure, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve have something to offer 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 Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in Tennessee and North Carolina, is known for its diverse range of temperate forest wildlife, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys. The park is also home to over 200 species of birds, including the well-known Eastern Bluebird and the colorful Scarlet Tanager.
On the other hand, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska is known for its large populations of Alaskan brown bears and caribou, as well as its abundant birdlife, including the beautiful Steller’s Jay and the majestic Bald Eagle. In addition to these mammals, visitors to Wrangell – St Elias can also see a variety of fish species in the park’s rivers and streams, including salmon and Arctic grayling.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also famous for its rich plant life, including over 100 native species of trees and a vast array of wildflowers and ferns. In contrast, Wrangell – St Elias is characterized by its diverse range of vegetation, including spruce, hemlock, and birch forests, as well as alpine tundra and glaciers.
Overall, both parks offer unique and unforgettable wildlife experiences, with Great Smoky Mountains National Park offering a more temperate and forested landscape, while Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offers a more rugged and remote wilderness experience, complete with glaciers and abundant opportunities to view large mammals such as Alaskan brown bears and caribou.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Wrangell – St Elias 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 | 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 Smoky Mountains National Park | Wrangell – St Elias 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 | Puma |
| Raccoon | Mink |
| Black Bear | Mule Deer |
| Porcupine | Wolf |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Hoary Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Red Fox | Land Otter |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Common Shrew |
| House Mouse | Water Shrew |
| Panther (Mountain Lion) | Red Squirrel |
| Mink | Montane Shrew |
| Gray Fox | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Gray Wolf | Lynx |
| Snowshoe Hare | Wolverine |
| River Otter | American Marten |
| Masked Shrew | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Water Shrew | Grizzly Bear |
| Red Squirrel | Meadow Vole |
Fish
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Steelhead |
| 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 | Cutthroat Trout |
| Goldfish | Arctic Grayling |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Insects
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Silvery Blue |
| Painted Lady | Clouded Sulphur |
| 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 Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most famous national parks in the US. Both are renowned for their breathtaking landscapes, stunning mountain ranges, and other natural wonders.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in the Appalachian Mountains and is known for its rolling hills and dense forests. Visitors can enjoy scenic drives, scenic overlooks, and numerous waterfalls. In addition, the park is also home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and elk.
Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and is home to some of the tallest peaks in the country, including Mount St. Elias, which stands at 18,008 feet. Visitors can explore glaciers, fjords, and other unique landscapes, as well as witness the park’s diverse wildlife, including caribou, moose, and grizzly bears.
Both Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique and unforgettable experiences for visitors. Whether you’re looking for scenic mountain views, breathtaking waterfalls, or a chance to witness the diversity of wildlife in their natural habitats, these parks are sure to deliver.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The park is famous for its stunning scenic drives, such as the Blue Ridge Parkway and Cades Cove, which offer breathtaking views of the rolling hills and lush forests. Visitors also love to explore the park on horseback, bike or foot, with over 800 miles of trails to choose from. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity, with opportunities to see black bears, deer, and elk.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska is a completely different experience, with its rugged wilderness and glaciers. The park is a popular destination for backcountry camping, with opportunities to hike and fish in remote areas. Visitors also love to take scenic flights over the park, which offer stunning views of the glaciers and mountains. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity, with opportunities to see caribou, grizzly bears, and moose. Visitors can also explore the park by rafting on the Copper River, which offers a unique perspective on the park’s beauty.
Both parks offer a wealth of outdoor activities for visitors, from scenic drives and wildlife viewing to backcountry camping and rafting. Whether you are looking for a peaceful escape in nature or an adrenaline-fueled adventure, both Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve have something to offer.
Best Time to Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest national parks in the United States, offering unique experiences and diverse landscapes. In terms of weather, both parks offer different experiences throughout the year.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in the Appalachian Mountains and experiences a humid subtropical climate. The summer months are warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the low-80s. Winter is cold, with temperatures averaging in the mid-30s. This park is best visited in the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and the foliage is at its peak.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and experiences an arctic climate. The park is covered in snow for much of the year, with temperatures averaging in the low-20s during the winter months. Summer is short, with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to the low-60s. The park is best visited during the summer months, when the snow has melted and visitors can access the park’s glaciers and wildlife.
In conclusion, the seasonal weather at both Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve greatly affects when is the best time of year to visit each park. Visitors should plan their trips accordingly to ensure they experience the best that each park has to offer during their visit.
Family Friendliness of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. If you’re traveling with children, you might be wondering which park is better to visit. Both parks offer unique experiences and opportunities for families, but there are some key differences between the two.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is more family-friendly than Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. The park is smaller and has more developed areas, making it easier to access and explore with young children. It also has a number of educational activities and programs designed specifically for families, as well as a variety of short and easy hiking trails that are perfect for kids. Additionally, the park is located in a more densely populated area, so there are plenty of nearby towns and cities with amenities like restaurants and hotels.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a vast wilderness area that is less developed and less accessible. This park is more challenging for families with young children, as it requires more planning and preparation. The park is also much larger, so it can be difficult to explore all of its many attractions in a single trip. However, for families who are looking for an adventure and are willing to put in the effort, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve offers a unique and unforgettable experience.