“Are you torn between visiting the rugged peaks of Guadalupe Mountains National Park or the rolling hills of Shenandoah National Park? Well, you’re in luck! This article will give you an in-depth comparison of these two beautiful parks, highlighting their unique features, activities, and attractions.
Get ready for a wild ride as we take you on a journey through the towering canyons and towering peaks of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, where you can hike, camp and stargaze. Then, we’ll transport you to the lush forests and tranquil streams of Shenandoah National Park, where you can go for a scenic drive, go horse riding, or simply relax and enjoy the breathtaking views.
With both parks offering an array of outdoor adventures, we’ll help you decide which one is the perfect fit for your next trip. So, buckle up and get ready to discover which park will satisfy your wanderlust and leave you with unforgettable memories.
Hiking Trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park are two great parks for hiking in the United States. Both parks offer a variety of trails for hikers of all skill levels. In Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the easiest hike is the Pinery Trail, which is a 1.4 mile round trip hike through the forest. The hardest hike is the Guadalupe Peak Trail, which is a 8.5 mile round trip hike to the highest point in Texas. The trail is strenuous and requires a lot of elevation gain.
Shenandoah National Park has a similar range of hikes, with the easiest being the Rose River Loop, a 2.4 mile hike through the forest. The hardest hike in the park is the Old Rag Mountain, a 9.0 mile hike with a lot of steep elevation gain. Old Rag Mountain is one of the most popular hikes in the park, and offers stunning views from the summit.
Both parks offer a range of hikes, from easy walks to challenging, strenuous hikes. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, there’s something for everyone in these beautiful parks.
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 Shenandoah National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Rag Mountain Loop | 13840.324 | 736.7016 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run Trails Loop | 14484.06 | 722.9856 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Dark Hollow Falls Trail | 2253.076 | 171.9072 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bearfence Mountain Trail | 1609.34 | 73.7616 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Hawksbill Gap Loop via Appalachian Trail | 4184.284 | 228.9048 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Rose River Trail | 5632.69 | 256.9464 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| White Oak Canyon Trail | 15288.73 | 733.9584 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Stony Man via Appalachian Trail | 2414.01 | 97.8408 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| South River Falls Trail | 7402.964 | 387.7056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Little Stony Man Loop via Appalachian Trail | 5471.756 | 263.9568 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park both offer unique wildlife experiences for visitors. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, located in Texas, is home to a diverse range of wildlife such as black bears, mountain lions, and Mexican Gray Wolves. Visitors to the park will also see a variety of bird species including the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, and the painted bunting. The park is also home to many species of cacti, including the prickly pear and the cholla.
Shenandoah National Park, located in Virginia, is a popular destination for bird watching, with species such as the pileated woodpecker, the red-tailed hawk, and the scarlet tanager commonly seen. Visitors to the park will also see a variety of mammals including black bears, white-tailed deer, and raccoons. The park is also home to many species of wildflowers, including trillium, lady slippers, and violets.
Both parks offer a unique and diverse range of wildlife for visitors to enjoy. Whether looking to spot rare bird species, see majestic mammals, or admire colorful wildflowers, there is something for everyone at Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Shenandoah 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 | 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 |
| American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Wigeon |
| American Pipit | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Big Brown Bat | American Beaver |
| Bobcat | Muskrat |
| Striped Skunk | Big Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Bobcat |
| Raccoon | Striped Skunk |
| Black Bear | Little Brown Bat |
| Porcupine | Deer Mouse |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Raccoon |
| Hoary Bat | Black Bear |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Mountain Lion | Hoary Bat |
| Mule Deer | Red Fox |
| Common Gray Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Gray Wolf | House Mouse |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Mountain Lion |
| American Badger | Gray Fox |
| California Myotis | River Otter |
| Fringed Myotis | Masked Shrew |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Water Shrew |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Red Squirrel |
| Western Harvest Mouse | White-Tailed Deer |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis | Virginia Opossum |
| Bighorn Sheep | Marten |
| White-Tailed Deer | Northern Flying Squirrel |
Fish
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | |
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Common Carp | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Sonoran Gophersnake | Black Racer |
| Eastern Racer | Ringneck Snake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Common Garter Snake |
| Prairie Ring-Necked Snake | Common Kingsnake |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | Milksnake |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | Eastern Fence 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 | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Northern Leopard Frog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Ladies | Painted Lady |
| Monarch | Monarch |
| American Painted Lady | American Lady |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | Red Admiral |
| Clouded Sulphur | Mourning Cloak |
| Variegated Fritillary | Cabbage White |
| Buckeye | Silvery Blue |
| Gray Hairstreak | Common Checkered Skipper |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert of West Texas and is famous for its towering peaks and scenic vistas. The park’s centerpiece is Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding desert landscape. Other notable landscapes include the McKittrick Canyon, a lush riparian area surrounded by towering cliffs, and the Devil’s Hall Trail, a popular hiking route through a narrow canyon.
Shenandoah National Park, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, is famous for its scenic drives and breathtaking mountain vistas. Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road that traverses the park, offers scenic overlooks and breathtaking views of the rolling landscape. The park also boasts numerous waterfalls, including Dark Hollow Falls and Whiteoak Canyon Falls, as well as scenic hiking trails, like the Old Rag Mountain hike, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Both parks offer unique landscapes and natural wonders that make them well worth visiting.
Things To-Do and Activities in Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park are both popular destinations for those who love the great outdoors. Both parks offer a range of activities for visitors, from hiking and camping to wildlife viewing and scenic drives. Here is a detailed comparison of the most popular activities at these parks.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is known for its rugged beauty, with towering peaks and deep canyons that offer incredible vistas. Visitors to the park can take scenic drives, go birdwatching, or hike along one of the many trails that lead to breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness. In addition, the park is home to a rich history, with ancient fossil beds and abandoned mines that highlight the geological and human history of the area.
Shenandoah National Park, on the other hand, is known for its rolling hills and lush forests. This park is a popular destination for those who love scenic drives, with the Skyline Drive offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also enjoy wildlife viewing, with plenty of opportunities to see deer, black bears, and other wildlife in their natural habitats. In addition, the park is home to over 500 miles of hiking trails, offering plenty of opportunities for visitors to explore the beauty of the park on foot.
Overall, both Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Whether you love hiking, scenic drives, wildlife viewing or exploring history, these parks have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert in West Texas and experiences hot, dry summers with occasional monsoon storms and mild winters. On the other hand, Shenandoah National Park is located in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia and experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers, cool autumns with vibrant foliage, cold winters with snow and sleet, and mild springs.
Both parks are best visited in the spring and fall when temperatures are pleasant and the parks are less crowded. In Guadalupe Mountains National Park, visitors can enjoy the wildflowers in spring and the colorful foliage in the fall while in Shenandoah National Park, visitors can enjoy the scenic drives and hiking trails surrounded by the changing colors of the leaves. Winter can also be a great time to visit Shenandoah National Park for winter sports such as skiing and snowshoeing, but Guadalupe Mountains National Park may not be ideal as temperatures can drop below freezing. Summertime can be extremely hot in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, making it a less desirable time to visit, while in Shenandoah National Park, summer is a popular time for camping, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
In conclusion, the weather in Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park greatly affects when is the best time to visit each park. Visitors should consider the season and weather conditions when planning a trip to either park to ensure a enjoyable and safe visit.
Family Friendliness of Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks are family-friendly and offer a wide range of outdoor activities for visitors of all ages. However, when it comes to traveling with children, there are a few key differences between the two parks that are worth considering.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a great option for families with older children who are interested in challenging hikes and outdoor adventures. The park is home to over 80 miles of trails, including the challenging Guadalupe Peak Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and deserts. The park also offers a variety of educational programs and ranger-led activities that are designed to engage visitors of all ages.
On the other hand, Shenandoah National Park is a better option for families with younger children or those who are looking for a more relaxed outdoor experience. The park is home to over 500 miles of trails, including several easy hikes that are perfect for families. The park also offers scenic drives, picnic areas, and a variety of ranger-led programs, making it a great destination for families who want to spend time together in nature.
Ultimately, the choice between Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park will depend on the interests and preferences of your family. Both parks offer a unique and memorable experience, so it’s worth considering both options before making a decision on which park to visit.