Are you torn between visiting Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve? Both parks offer unique experiences, from hiking in the Guadalupe Mountains to watching grizzly bears fish for salmon in Katmai. But which one is right for you?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at both of these stunning national parks, comparing their highlights and must-see attractions. Whether you’re an avid hiker, wildlife enthusiast, or just looking for a peaceful escape, you’re sure to find something that suits your interests.
So, pack your bags and get ready for a virtual adventure as we dive into the exciting world of Guadalupe Mountains National Park vs Katmai National Park & Preserve. Which park will come out on top? You’ll have to read on to find out!
Hiking Trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, located in Texas, is known for its impressive 80-mile-long range of mountains and scenic vistas. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. For those looking for a challenge, the Guadalupe Peak Trail is the highest peak in Texas and offers a strenuous 8.5-mile hike to the top. On the other hand, the Dog Canyon Trail is a more moderate 4-mile hike through a canyon filled with scenic views and a peaceful atmosphere.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, offers a unique hiking experience surrounded by the stunning Alaskan wilderness. The park is home to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a volcanic valley filled with steam vents and volcanic ash. The easiest hike in the park is the Aspen Loop, a 1-mile trail through a beautiful forest filled with aspen trees. For those seeking a more strenuous hike, the Brooks Camp Trail is a 7-mile hike through a rugged and remote landscape filled with stunning views of the Brooks River and Brooks Falls.
Both Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve offer a range of hiking experiences for visitors of all skill levels. Whether you’re looking for an easy stroll through a scenic landscape or a challenging hike to a breathtaking summit, these parks have something to offer for everyone.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guadalupe Peak Texas Highpoint Trail | 13035.654 | 873.8616 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Devil’s Hall Trail | 5793.624 | 175.8696 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| McKittrick Canyon Trail | 32508.668 | 1330.7568 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Smith Spring Trail | 3862.416 | 117.9576 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Hunter Peak | 12552.852 | 809.8536 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| El Capitan Trail | 15449.664 | 514.8072 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Pratt Lodge via McKittrick Canyon Trail | 7724.832 | 103.9368 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Devil’s Hall Loop Trail | 5954.558 | 179.832 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Bush Mountain | 20116.75 | 1085.6976 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Pine Springs to McKittrick Canyon | 28485.318 | 1239.9264 | Moderate | point to point | 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 Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve are two of America’s most beautiful natural parks, each with its unique features and attractions.
One of the main differences between the two parks is the type of wildlife you’ll see. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to a diverse range of animals, including black bears, mountain lions, and white-tailed deer. The park is also a popular destination for birdwatching, with over 150 species of birds, including the Mexican spotted owl and the golden eagle.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is famous for its brown bears. Visitors flock to the park to see the world’s largest concentration of brown bears, as well as other wildlife, such as moose, caribou, and wolves. The park is also a great place for birdwatching, with over 200 species of birds, including the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon.
In terms of vegetation, Guadalupe Mountains National Park boasts a variety of forests, including pine, oak, and juniper, as well as an array of cacti, shrubs, and wildflowers. Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, features dense forests of spruce, hemlock, and birch, as well as wetlands and meadows.
Both parks offer visitors a unique and unforgettable experience, whether you’re interested in wildlife, birdwatching, or simply exploring the great outdoors.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Guadalupe 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 |
| American Wigeon | Green-Winged Teal |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
| American Pipit | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Katmai National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Big Brown Bat | American Beaver |
| Bobcat | Muskrat |
| Striped Skunk | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Black Bear |
| Raccoon | Porcupine |
| Black Bear | Red Fox |
| Porcupine | Mink |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Gray Wolf |
| Hoary Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Varying Hare |
| Mountain Lion | Northern River Otter |
| Mule Deer | Masked Shrew |
| Common Gray Fox | Red Squirrel |
| Gray Wolf | Montane Shrew |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Lynx |
| American Badger | Wolverine |
| California Myotis | American Marten |
| Fringed Myotis | Grizzly Bear |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Meadow Vole |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Moose |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Least Weasel |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis | Pygmy Shrew |
| Bighorn Sheep | Meadow Jumping Mouse |
| White-Tailed Deer | Northern Bog Lemming |
Fish
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Katmai National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Redband Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Burbot | |
| Silver Salmon | |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Katmai National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Sonoran Gophersnake | |
| Eastern Racer | |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Prairie Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Desert Kingsnake | |
| Texas Night Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Desert Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Big Bend Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Katmai National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Katmai National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | |
| Painted Ladies | |
| Monarch | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, located in West Texas, boasts the highest peak in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, and the scenic McKittrick Canyon. Visitors can hike to the summit of Guadalupe Peak for stunning panoramic views of the area, or explore the colorful and unique landscapes of McKittrick Canyon, famous for its fall foliage.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, in Alaska, is known for its brown bears and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a valley filled with ash and steam vents from the eruption of Novarupta in 1912. Visitors can watch brown bears fish for salmon in Brooks River, or hike through the volcanic landscapes of the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.
Both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes that are truly a wonder to behold. Whether it’s hiking to the summit of Guadalupe Peak, exploring the colorful McKittrick Canyon, or observing the brown bears of Katmai, there is something for every nature lover to enjoy.
Things To-Do and Activities in Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas and Katmai National Park & Preserve in Alaska offer unique outdoor experiences to visitors. In Guadalupe Mountains, visitors can enjoy scenic drives, camping, and wildlife viewing. The park’s highest point, Guadalupe Peak, attracts hikers and offers stunning views. Horseback riding and backpacking are also popular activities in the park. On the other hand, Katmai is famous for its brown bears and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a volcanic landscape filled with steam vents and fumeroles. Visitors come to Katmai for bear watching, fishing, and backpacking.
Both parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing. However, the difference in climate and geography means that the activities offered are quite different. Guadalupe Mountains is perfect for those looking for a more temperate outdoor experience, while Katmai is ideal for those seeking a rugged and remote wilderness experience. Whether you prefer scenic drives or backpacking, both parks offer unique and memorable experiences for visitors.
Best Time to Visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve are two unique and beautiful parks located in different parts of the United States. The seasonal weather at these parks affects the best time to visit.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in Texas and experiences hot summers and cool winters. The park is best visited in the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the wildflowers are in bloom. During the summer months, temperatures can reach over 100°F, making outdoor activities difficult. Winter can bring snow and ice, making some trails and roads impassable.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and experiences a subarctic climate. Summer is the best time to visit as the weather is warm and the park’s famous brown bears are active and feeding on the abundant salmon in the Brooks River. Winter is extremely cold and the park is largely inaccessible due to snow and ice. Spring and fall bring milder weather, but the bears are less active and the salmon runs are over.
In conclusion, the seasonal weather at Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve strongly affects when is the best time to visit each park. Plan your trip accordingly to ensure the best possible experience.
Family Friendliness of Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve are two unique and beautiful destinations for families looking for outdoor adventures.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is known for its stunning scenic views and hiking opportunities. The park offers several trails suitable for families, including the McKittrick Canyon Trail, which is a mild, 3-mile hike through a lush canyon and offers glimpses of waterfalls and colorful foliage. Additionally, the park has picnic areas and scenic drives that are perfect for families with young children who may not be up for more strenuous hikes.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is best known for its brown bears and the Brooks Falls viewing platform, where visitors can observe these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. While this park does not have as many trails as Guadalupe Mountains, it does offer unique and thrilling adventures for families, including bear viewing boats and guided hikes. However, young children may be intimidated by the large and potentially dangerous bears, so it is important to consider this before visiting.
In conclusion, both Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve offer unique and rewarding experiences for families. However, for families with young children who are looking for a more relaxed and nature-filled experience, Guadalupe Mountains National Park would be the better choice. Those who are up for a bit more excitement and a chance to observe wild brown bears should consider visiting Katmai National Park & Preserve.