Are you torn between visiting a relaxing hot spring or a rugged, adventurous wilderness? Look no further! In this article, we’ll compare Hot Springs National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve and help you decide which is the better destination for your next trip.
Hot Springs National Park, located in Arkansas, offers visitors the chance to soak in natural hot springs, hike scenic trails, and learn about the history of bathing culture in America. On the other hand, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska boasts the largest national park in the country, with glaciers, mountains, and pristine wilderness as far as the eye can see.
Both parks offer unique experiences, but which one is right for you? Read on to find out!
Hiking Trails in Hot Springs National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Hot Springs National Park is located in Arkansas and features scenic hiking trails that range from easy walks to strenuous hikes. One of the most popular trails is the Hot Springs Mountain Tower trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area from the top of Hot Springs Mountain. This trail is considered easy and is a great option for families and those looking for a leisurely hike.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska, on the other hand, features challenging hikes for the more experienced hiker. The Root Glacier Trail is a strenuous hike that takes you to the face of the glacier and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Mount Bona Hike is a strenuous, multi-day hike that takes you to the summit of Mount Bona, the fourth highest peak in Alaska. This hike is not for the faint of heart and requires proper equipment and experience.
Both parks offer unique hiking experiences for visitors of all levels of experience. Hot Springs National Park is perfect for those looking for a leisurely hike and beautiful views, while Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is ideal for experienced hikers looking for a challenge. Whether you are a seasoned hiker or a beginner, both parks offer 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 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 Hot Springs National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Hot Springs National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are both stunning natural destinations, but they offer very different wildlife experiences.
Hot Springs National Park is known for its diverse array of bird species, including the Wood Duck, Prothonotary Warbler, and the American Goldfinch. This park is also home to a number of small mammals, including raccoons, squirrels, and opossums.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is home to a wide variety of larger mammals, such as moose, caribou, bears, and wolves. In addition to these mammals, visitors to this park may also be able to spot Eagles, Falcons and other bird species. The park is also home to a rich array of plant life, including wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.
Whether you’re looking for birds, mammals, or plants, both Hot Springs National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique and unforgettable wildlife experiences. So, choose the one that interests you the most and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Hot Springs National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Hot Springs 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
| Hot Springs 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 |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Wolf |
| Hoary Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | Snowshoe Hare |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Land Otter |
| House Mouse | Common Shrew |
| Mink | Water Shrew |
| Gray Fox | Red Squirrel |
| North American River Otter | Montane Shrew |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Long-Tailed Vole |
| White-Tailed Deer | Lynx |
| Virginia Opossum | Wolverine |
| Eastern Red Bat | American Marten |
| White-Footed Mouse | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Norway Rat | Grizzly Bear |
| Eastern Cottontail | Meadow Vole |
Amphibians
| Hot Springs National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Wood Frog |
Fish
| Hot Springs National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Steelhead |
| Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
| Bluegill | Lake Trout |
| Fathead Minnow | Northern Pike |
| Golden Shiner | Burbot |
| European Carp | Silver Salmon |
| Yellow Bullhead | King Salmon |
| Graceful Catfish | Slimy Sculpin |
| Black Crappie | Threespine Stickleback |
| Black Bullhead | Sockeye Salmon |
| Mosquitofish | Pink Salmon |
| Creek Chub | Chum Salmon |
| Brown Bullhead | Dolly Varden |
| Goldfish | Cutthroat Trout |
| Smallmouth Bass | Arctic Grayling |
Insects
| Hot Springs National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur |
Beautiful Landscapes in Hot Springs National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Hot Springs National Park:
Located in central Arkansas, Hot Springs is a park known for its thermal springs and bathhouses. The most famous landmark within the park is the historic Bathhouse Row, where visitors can still bathe in the hot springs today. The park also offers scenic drives, such as the West Mountain Drive, which provides stunning views of the Ouachita Mountains. Additionally, visitors can hike to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower for panoramic views of the city and park below.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve:
Located in Alaska, Wrangell-St. Elias is one of the largest national parks in the United States, home to towering mountain ranges and glaciers. The park is best known for the St. Elias Mountains, which include Mount St. Elias, the second tallest peak in the country. Visitors can also explore the Kennicott Glacier, the largest glacier in the park, and the Wrangell Mountains, which offer opportunities for backcountry hiking and mountaineering. The park also offers scenic drives, such as the McCarthy Road, which winds through the stunning Wrangell-St. Elias wilderness.
Things To-Do and Activities in Hot Springs National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Hot Springs National Park and Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two very different kinds of parks that offer unique experiences. Hot Springs is a smaller park located in central Arkansas and is best known for its natural hot springs. The park offers scenic drives, picnic areas, and hiking trails, as well as a bathhouse where visitors can soak in the hot springs.
Wrangell – St. Elias, on the other hand, is a massive wilderness area in Alaska. The park is the largest national park in the country, and it offers visitors a chance to experience the rugged Alaskan wilderness. The park is popular for backpacking, mountaineering, and dispersed camping. It is also home to glaciers, glaciers valleys, and numerous wildlife species, including brown bears, moose, and caribou. The park’s size and remote location make it a destination for those looking for a true wilderness experience.
Overall, the most popular activities at Hot Springs National Park and Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve are very different. Hot Springs is best suited for those who want to relax and enjoy the natural hot springs, while Wrangell – St. Elias is for those who want to explore the rugged Alaskan wilderness and participate in outdoor activities such as backpacking, mountaineering and camping.
Best Time to Visit Hot Springs National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Hot Springs National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. While both are breathtakingly beautiful, they offer very different experiences and weather conditions.
Hot Springs National Park is located in Arkansas and is known for its hot springs that reach temperatures of over 143°F. The park has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The best time to visit Hot Springs is in the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and there is little rainfall. Summer temperatures can reach over 90° F, making it uncomfortable for most visitors.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and is known for its glaciers, mountains, and wildlife. The park has a subarctic climate, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. The best time to visit Wrangell – St Elias is in the summer, when temperatures are warmer and the days are longer. Winter temperatures can reach below -40° F, making it too cold for most visitors.
Both parks have unique weather conditions that affect when the best time to visit is, so it’s important to plan your trip accordingly. If you prefer warm weather and mild temperatures, Hot Springs National Park is the better choice. If you enjoy cool weather and outdoor activities, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is the way to go.
Family Friendliness of Hot Springs National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Hot Springs National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve both offer unique and memorable experiences for families, but they differ in terms of their family-friendliness. Hot Springs National Park is a more accessible option for families, with a wide range of amenities and activities that cater to kids of all ages. The park features a scenic drive with several stops, each offering stunning views of the natural hot springs. The park also has picnic areas, a park store, and a museum that provides educational programs for children.
On the other hand, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a more rugged and remote destination that requires a little more adventure and planning. This park is ideal for families who love outdoor activities and exploring remote wilderness. The park offers opportunities for hiking, backpacking, and camping, but it’s important to note that many of these activities are not beginner-friendly and require a certain level of physical fitness. However, the park’s vast size and abundance of wildlife make it a truly unique experience for families who want to immerse themselves in nature.
In conclusion, both Hot Springs National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer great experiences for families, but it ultimately depends on the family’s interests and desired level of adventure. If you’re looking for an easier, more accessible option with plenty of amenities, Hot Springs National Park is the better choice. But if you’re up for an adventure and want to immerse yourself in remote wilderness, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is the perfect destination.