Hot Springs National Park and Olympic National Park are two of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the United States. Both parks offer unique landscapes and experiences for visitors, but which one is better? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these two national parks and compare them in terms of their natural beauty, recreational activities, and overall vibe.
On the one hand, Hot Springs National Park is known for its therapeutic hot springs and historic bathhouses. Visitors can soak in the warm waters and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty of the Ouachita Mountains. On the other hand, Olympic National Park boasts rugged coastal beaches, lush rainforests, and towering mountain peaks. With so much variety, it’s no wonder that Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse national parks in the country.
So, which one is the ultimate destination for nature lovers? Is it the healing hot springs of Hot Springs National Park or the diverse landscapes of Olympic National Park? Read on to find out!
Hiking Trails in Hot Springs National Park and Olympic National Park
Hot Springs National Park is located in Arkansas and Olympic National Park is located in Washington. Both parks offer scenic hiking trails but have different terrains.
Hot Springs National Park has a network of over 26 miles of trails ranging from easy to strenuous hikes. The easiest hike is the Grand Promenade, a paved trail that leads to the historic bathhouses. On the other hand, the Hot Springs Mountain Tower trail is a challenging 1.5-mile hike to the tower that offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Olympic National Park has over 900 miles of trails, ranging from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry adventures. The easiest hike is the Hall of Mosses Trail, a 0.8-mile stroll through a moss-draped forest. The most challenging hike is the Hurricane Ridge trail, a strenuous 5.5-mile hike that leads to the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, offering panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains.
In conclusion, both Hot Springs National Park and Olympic National Park have different terrains and offer a wide range of hiking trails for all skill levels. Whether you are looking for an easy nature walk or a strenuous backcountry adventure, these parks have something for everyone.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Hot Springs National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Trail | 20921.42 | 722.9856 | Hard | loop | 4 |
| West Mountain Trail | 3057.746 | 107.8992 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Goat Rock Trail | 3862.416 | 115.824 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Gulpha Gorge Trail | 1931.208 | 116.7384 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| The Grand Promenade and Side Trails | 1931.208 | 33.8328 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Dead Chief Trail | 4345.218 | 121.92 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Hot Springs Mountain Trail | 5310.822 | 204.8256 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Peak Trail | 2092.142 | 108.8136 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Sugarloaf Mountain Via Sunset Trail | 11426.314 | 592.836 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Goat Rock via Dead Chief Trail | 2092.142 | 87.7824 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Olympic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge | 4988.954 | 242.9256 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Storm King | 6276.426 | 638.8608 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail | 2574.944 | 77.724 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh Rain Forest Hall of Moss | 1609.34 | 23.7744 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Marymere Falls Trail | 2735.878 | 90.8304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh River Trail | 52786.352 | 1558.7472 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| High Divide – Seven Lakes Basin Loop | 30577.46 | 1617.8784 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Ruby Beach | 2253.076 | 20.7264 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Staircase Rapids Loop | 3379.614 | 64.9224 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spruce Railroad Trail: Lake Crescent | 18024.608 | 131.9784 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Hot Springs National Park and Olympic National Park
Hot Springs National Park and Olympic National Park are two of the most popular parks in the United States. Each park is unique in its own right and offers visitors a chance to experience diverse wildlife.
Hot Springs National Park is located in central Arkansas and is known for its hot springs and geothermal features. Visitors to the park can expect to see a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, raccoons, skunks, and squirrels. The park is also home to a number of bird species, including the Tufted Titmouse, the Woodpecker, and the Northern Cardinal.
Olympic National Park is located in Washington State and is known for its diverse ecosystems, including temperate rainforests, alpine meadows, and coastal beaches. Visitors to the park can expect to see a variety of wildlife, including black bears, elk, mountain goats, and river otters. The park is also home to a number of bird species, including the Bald Eagle, the Harlequin Duck, and the Peregrine Falcon.
Both parks offer visitors a chance to see unique and diverse wildlife, but Olympic National Park is more diverse in terms of its ecosystems and wildlife. Whether you’re interested in warm springs and geothermal features, or diverse ecosystems and wildlife, both parks are sure to offer an unforgettable experience.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Hot Springs National Park and Olympic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Hot Springs National Park | Olympic 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 | 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 | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Hot Springs National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Striped Skunk |
| Striped Skunk | Little Brown Bat |
| Little Brown Bat | Deer Mouse |
| Deer Mouse | Raccoon |
| Raccoon | Black Bear |
| Black Bear | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Red Fox |
| Red Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | House Mouse |
| House Mouse | Wolf |
| Mink | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Gray Fox | Long-Eared Myotis |
| North American River Otter | California Myotis |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Snowshoe Rabbit |
| White-Tailed Deer | North American River Otter |
| Virginia Opossum | Fringe-Tailed Myotis |
| Eastern Red Bat | Masked Shrew |
| White-Footed Mouse | Water Shrew |
| Norway Rat | Western Big-Eared Bat |
| Eastern Cottontail | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
Amphibians
| Hot Springs National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Bullfrog |
Fish
| Hot Springs National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Steelhead/Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Largemouth Bass |
| Fathead Minnow | Salish Sucker |
| Golden Shiner | Coho Salmon |
| European Carp | Chinook Salmon |
| Yellow Bullhead | Longnose Dace |
| Graceful Catfish | Speckled Dace |
| Black Crappie | Threespine Stickleback |
| Black Bullhead | Sockeye Salmon |
| Mosquitofish | Pink Salmon |
| Creek Chub | Chum Salmon |
| Brown Bullhead | Dolly Varden |
| Goldfish | Cutthroat Trout |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Hot Springs National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Hot Springs National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee |
Beautiful Landscapes in Hot Springs National Park and Olympic National Park
Hot Springs National Park is located in central Arkansas and is best known for its thermal springs and the historic bathhouses that were built around them. The park’s main attraction is the Bathhouse Row, a collection of eight historic bathhouses along Central Avenue. Hot Springs National Park is also home to scenic hiking trails, including the Hot Springs Mountain Tower, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is located in Washington State and is known for its diverse landscapes, from the rugged coastlines to the snowy peaks of the Olympic Mountains. The park is home to some of the tallest trees in the world, including the Douglas fir and Sitka spruce. The Hoh Rainforest is one of the park’s most famous landscapes, known for its lush vegetation and high rainfall. The Sol Duc Falls is another popular spot, offering visitors stunning views of the waterfall and the surrounding landscape.
Things To-Do and Activities in Hot Springs National Park and Olympic National Park
Hot Springs National Park and Olympic National Park are two popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Hot Springs National Park is located in Arkansas and is home to natural hot springs, while Olympic National Park is located in Washington and is known for its diverse landscapes, including forests, coastline, and mountains.
At Hot Springs National Park, visitors can enjoy soaking in the natural hot springs, which are fed by the hot water from the underground thermal springs. The park also offers scenic drives, ranger-led tours, and hiking trails that take visitors through the beautiful Ozark Mountains. In addition, visitors can explore the historic Bathhouse Row, which houses a number of grand bathhouses from the early 20th century.
At Olympic National Park, visitors can participate in a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to several scenic lakes, including Lake Crescent and Sol Duc Hot Springs, which offer opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming. The park’s lush old-growth forests are a popular destination for hikers, who can explore the many miles of trails that wind through the forest. The park’s rugged coastline is also a popular destination for kayaking and whale watching.
In conclusion, both Hot Springs National Park and Olympic National Park offer a range of outdoor activities that visitors can enjoy. Whether you’re looking to soak in natural hot springs, hike through scenic forests, or kayak along the coast, these parks have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Hot Springs National Park and Olympic National Park
Hot Springs National Park, located in Arkansas, boasts warm, humid summers and mild winters. During the summer months, temperatures average in the low 90s, making it a popular time for visitors to enjoy the park’s hot springs and hike its trails. Winter temperatures are generally in the mid-40s, providing a mild reprieve from the heat of the summer.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, located in Washington, experiences a much different climate. The park’s location on the Olympic Peninsula and its diverse terrain lead to a range of weather patterns. In the low-lying areas, summers are cool and temperate, while winters are rainy and damp. In the higher elevations, however, heavy snowfall and sub-freezing temperatures are common during the winter months.
When deciding when to visit each park, it’s important to consider the weather. Hot Springs National Park is best enjoyed during the summer months, when visitors can take advantage of the warm weather and soak in the park’s hot springs. Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is best visited during the summer months in the low-lying areas and during the winter months in the higher elevations for those who enjoy winter sports.
Family Friendliness of Hot Springs National Park and Olympic National Park
Hot Springs National Park and Olympic National Park are two of America’s most popular national parks. Both offer a unique and exciting experience for families with children. However, when it comes to family-friendliness, the two parks differ in a number of ways.
Hot Springs National Park is a great option for families who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, soaking in hot springs, and exploring the scenic beauty of the park. The park offers a variety of easy to moderate trails, some of which lead to the hot springs, where families can relax and soak in the warm mineral waters.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is a more rugged and challenging park, which may not be ideal for families with younger children. The park offers a variety of activities, including hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, but the trails can be steep and challenging. Additionally, the park’s remote location can make it more difficult for families to access some of the park’s attractions.
In conclusion, Hot Springs National Park is the better option for families with children. The park offers a variety of easy to moderate trails, hot springs for soaking, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor exploration. On the other hand, Olympic National Park is better suited for families with older children or those who are looking for a more challenging outdoor adventure.