Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are two of the most unique and captivating national parks in the United States. Both offer stunning landscapes and breathtaking views that are sure to leave you in awe. However, these parks are vastly different and offer unique experiences to visitors. Whether you’re into exploring ancient ruins, observing active volcanoes, or simply taking in the beauty of nature, these two parks are sure to satisfy.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a one-of-a-kind destination that combines the power and beauty of volcanic activity with lush tropical forests and the rich culture of Hawaiian history. With its active Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, visitors have the opportunity to witness the creation of new land before their very eyes.
Mesa Verde National Park, on the other hand, is a showcase of ancient Native American culture, offering a unique look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who inhabited the area over 700 years ago. The park is home to some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the world and offers visitors a glimpse into the past, with relics and artifacts that paint a picture of a time long gone.
Hiking Trails in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are two of the most unique national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails to explore.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is known for its active volcanoes and scenic landscapes, with trails ranging from easy walks to strenuous hikes. Some of the easiest hikes include the Kilauea Iki Trail, a 4-mile hike through a lush rainforest and across the crater floor of Kilauea Iki Volcano, and the Devastation Trail, a 1-mile hike through a volcanic landscape. On the other hand, the toughest hike in the park is the Mauna Loa Summit Trail, a strenuous 19-mile hike to the summit of Mauna Loa, the largest volcano in the world.
Mesa Verde National Park is a cultural park, showcasing the homes and structures of the Ancestral Puebloan people. The park offers a variety of hikes, from easy walks to strenuous backcountry adventures. Some of the easiest hikes include the Petroglyph Point Trail, a 1-mile hike to a cliff dwelling, and the Spruce Tree House Trail, a 0.3-mile hike to one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the park. The hardest hike in the park is the Wetherill Mesa Trail, a 4-mile hike to the remote cliff dwellings on Wetherill Mesa.
Both parks offer a unique hiking experience, with something for everyone, from easy walks to strenuous hikes.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilauea Iki Trail and Crater Rim Trail | 4828.02 | 209.7024 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Kalapana Lava Viewing | 15288.73 | 196.9008 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Pu’u Huluhulu via Napau Crater Trail | 4023.35 | 94.7928 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Halema���uma���u Steam Bluff and Sulfur Banks | 2092.142 | 24.9936 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Puu Loa Petroglyphs Trail | 1931.208 | 25.908 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Mauna Loa via Observatory Trail and Summit Trail | 20760.486 | 905.8656 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Devastation Trail to Puu Puai Overlook | 1609.34 | 37.7952 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| End of Chain of Craters Road Trail to Lava Viewing | 16576.202 | 130.7592 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Sandalwood (Iliahi) Trail | 1931.208 | 13.716 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Halema’uma’u Trail | 2735.878 | 130.7592 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Mesa Verde National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petroglyph Point Trail | 4184.284 | 131.9784 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cliff Palace Loop Trail | 643.736 | 25.908 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Balcony House Loop Trail | 643.736 | 27.7368 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mesa Verde Point Lookout Trail | 3379.614 | 161.8488 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Soda Canyon Overlook Trail | 1931.208 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mesa Verde National Park Scenic Drive | 24140.1 | 797.9664 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Long House Trail | 3379.614 | 86.868 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Step House Trail | 1287.472 | 46.9392 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Knife Edge Trail | 3218.68 | 46.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Prater Ridge Trail | 11748.182 | 311.8104 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Wildlife in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, both known for their unique landscapes and abundant wildlife. While both parks are home to a variety of species, the types of wildlife you’ll see at each park are quite different.
At Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, visitors will have the opportunity to see a wide range of exotic birds, including the Hawaiian goose and the endangered nene. Additionally, the park is home to a number of unique mammals, such as the Hawaiian hoary bat and the Hawaiian monk seal. Plant life is also abundant at this park, with visitors able to see native species like the ōhiʻa lehua and the hala.
Mesa Verde National Park, on the other hand, is home to a number of species of birds and mammals commonly found in the southwestern United States, including the rock squirrel, the black-tailed deer, and the golden eagle. The park is also home to a number of unique plant species, including the pinyon pine and the Utah juniper.
In conclusion, both Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide range of unique and fascinating wildlife. Whether you’re interested in exotic birds, rare mammals, or unique plant species, both parks are well worth a visit.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Canada Goose | Northern Harrier |
| Great Blue Heron | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
| Rock Pigeon | Osprey |
| House Sparrow | Tree Swallow |
| Northern Mockingbird | Mallard |
| Black-Crowned Night-Heron | Canada Goose |
| Wild Turkey | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
| Barn Owl | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| Cattle Egret | American Robin |
| Sanderling | Great Horned Owl |
| Ring-Necked Pheasant | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Chukar | Northern Flicker |
| Ruddy Turnstone | Merlin |
| Northern Cardinal | Barn Swallow |
| California Quail | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | |
| Hermit Thrush | |
| American Kestrel | |
| Bald Eagle | |
| Song Sparrow | |
| European Starling | |
| Northern Pintail | |
| American Wigeon | |
| Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| House Mouse | Coyote |
| Norway Rat | American Beaver |
| ‘Iole | Muskrat |
| Domestic Cattle | Big Brown Bat |
| Feral Hog | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | |
| Little Brown Bat | |
| Deer Mouse | |
| Raccoon | |
| Black Bear | |
| Porcupine | |
| Silver-Haired Bat | |
| Hoary Bat | |
| Red Fox | |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | |
| House Mouse | |
| Mountain Lion | |
| Mink | |
| Mule Deer | |
| Gray Fox | |
| Wolf | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| Badger | |
| Ermine |
Amphibians
| Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Honey Bee |
Reptiles
| Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Beautiful Landscapes in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is located on the Big Island of Hawai’i and is known for its active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Visitors can see steam vents, volcanic craters, and the still-growing island of new lava. The park features hiking trails, including the Kīlauea Iki Trail, which takes visitors through a volcanic crater, and the Devastation Trail, which showcases the effects of a volcanic eruption.
Mesa Verde National Park is in southwestern Colorado and is home to Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. The most famous of these is the Cliff Palace, which is considered the largest cliff dwelling in North America. Visitors can also see the Spruce Tree House, another well-known cliff dwelling, as well as other ancient ruins. The park offers ranger-led tours, as well as scenic drives, hiking trails, and overlooks.
Things To-Do and Activities in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are two vastly different parks located in two distinct parts of the country.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is located on the Big Island of Hawaii and is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kīlauea. Visitors to the park can hike through the volcanic landscapes, visit the Jaggar Museum and its overlook of the caldera, and attend ranger-led programs to learn about the park’s geology and cultural history.
On the other hand, Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado is known for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, including the famous Cliff Palace. Visitors can take a ranger-led tour of the cliff dwellings, hike the park’s trails and explore its mesa-top villages.
Both parks offer unique and unforgettable experiences, but while Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is popular among geology and nature enthusiasts, Mesa Verde appeals to history buffs and archaeologists. Regardless of visitors’ interests, both parks offer opportunities to explore stunning landscapes and learn about the rich cultural history of the regions they protect.
Best Time to Visit Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are two of the most beautiful and unique parks in the United States. The parks have different seasonal weather patterns, which affect the best time to visit each park.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is located on the Big Island of Hawai’i and is home to two active volcanoes- Kilauea and Mauna Loa. The park has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. The average temperature ranges from 60-80°F. The park experiences light rainfall throughout the year, but the wettest months are November to March. During these months, visitors can expect some road closures due to heavy rainfall.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in Southwest Colorado, has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The average temperature ranges from 40-70°F. The park experiences the most visitors during the summer months, when temperatures are warm and comfortable. The winter months can be quite cold and snowy, making it difficult to access many of the park’s attractions. Visitors should plan accordingly and bring warm clothing if visiting during the winter months.
In conclusion, both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes, but the seasonal weather patterns should be considered when planning a visit. The tropical climate of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park makes it a great destination year-round, while Mesa Verde National Park is best visited during the summer months.
Family Friendliness of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks are family-friendly, but they offer different experiences.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a unique park with its active volcanoes, steam vents and lava fields. The park has a visitors center that offers a lot of educational programs and ranger-led hikes. Additionally, there are many easy hikes that are suitable for families with children. However, some areas of the park can be quite dangerous, so it’s important to follow the park’s guidelines.
Mesa Verde National Park, on the other hand, is a great park for families who are interested in history and archaeology. The park offers a wealth of information about the lives of the ancient Pueblo people who lived in the area. The park has several guided tours that are designed for families and children. Additionally, there are several easy hiking trails and picnic areas for families to enjoy.
Both parks are great options for families, but the best park for families with children will depend on their interests. If your family is interested in volcanoes and geology, then Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a great choice. If your family is interested in history and archaeology, then Mesa Verde National Park is a great choice.