Indiana Dunes National Park and North Cascades National Park are two of the most spectacular and diverse national parks in the United States. With miles of beaches, towering sand dunes, and lush forests, both parks offer a unique and breathtaking experience to nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking for a serene escape into the wilderness or an action-packed adventure, these parks have something to offer everyone.
In this article, we’ll be comparing these two national parks and highlighting the best features of each. From stunning scenic views to incredible wildlife, we’ll take you on a journey through both parks and give you an inside look at what makes each one special. So, grab a coffee, sit back, and get ready for an epic adventure as we explore the beauty and diversity of Indiana Dunes National Park and North Cascades National Park!
Hiking Trails in Indiana Dunes National Park and North Cascades National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to difficult. The park has over 15 miles of trails to explore, including the Calumet Dune Trail, which is a 1.5-mile loop through the dunes, and the Cowles Bog Trail, a 2-mile loop through a marsh and dune ecosystem. The park also offers more challenging hikes, such as the 3-mile trail to Mount Tom, which offers stunning views of Lake Michigan.
North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, boasts over 300 miles of hiking trails, including easy hikes such as the 0.8-mile trail to Diablo Lake Overlook and the 1.2-mile trail to the historic Ross Lake Resort. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the park offers trails such as the 7.2-mile climb to the summit of Sahale Mountain, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Another popular hike is the 8.2-mile portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs through the park and offers views of glaciers and alpine meadows.
Both parks offer a variety of hiking experiences, from easy nature walks to strenuous mountain climbs. Whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, Indiana Dunes and North Cascades both have something to offer.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Indiana Dunes National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowles Bog Trail | 6920.162 | 64.9224 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Little Calumet River Trail Loop | 6276.426 | 50.9016 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| West Beach Loop with Scallop Dunes and Long Lake Trail | 5471.756 | 78.9432 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Dune Succession and West Beach Walk | 4345.218 | 43.8912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| West Beach Loop | 1770.274 | 28.956 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Miller Woods Trail | 6115.492 | 40.8432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dune Ridge Trail | 1448.406 | 26.8224 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Tolleston Dunes | 5149.888 | 52.7304 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beach Trail to Waverly Beach | 1609.34 | 5.7912 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Indiana’s Lake Michigan Shoreline Scenic Drive | 35083.612 | 84.7344 | Moderate | point to point | 3.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in North Cascades National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lake Trail | 8529.502 | 291.9984 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail | 17541.806 | 1175.9184 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sourdough Mountain Trail | 14644.994 | 1555.6992 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail to Cottonwood Camp | 25588.506 | 1422.8064 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail | 10460.71 | 542.8488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sahale Arm Trail to Quien Sabe Glacier | 19955.816 | 1651.7112 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk | 3057.746 | 21.9456 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Fourth of July Pass via Panther Creek Trail | 14966.862 | 759.8664 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Ruby Mountain Summit via Fourth of July and Thunder Creek Trail | 23335.43 | 1949.8056 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
| Gorge Creek Falls Trail | 804.67 | 11.8872 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
Wildlife in Indiana Dunes National Park and North Cascades National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park and North Cascades National Park are two of the most diverse and unique parks in the United States. They offer different wildlife experiences to visitors.
At Indiana Dunes, visitors can expect to see many species of birds and butterflies, including the endangered Kirtland’s Warbler and the Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid. Other common animals include white-tailed deer, beaver, muskrat, and coyote. This park is also home to many species of reptiles and amphibians, including the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, which is a threatened species in the state.
North Cascades National Park is known for its diverse range of wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, and elk. This park also offers breathtaking views of birds of prey, including bald eagles and ospreys. In addition, the park is home to many species of fish, such as salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout, which are a great source of food for the wildlife that live in the park. The park also boasts an array of wildflowers, including the native lupine and the delicate pink phlox, which bloom in the spring and summer.
In conclusion, both parks offer unique wildlife experiences to visitors, but Indiana Dunes National Park has a focus on bird and butterfly species, while North Cascades National Park has a focus on larger mammals, birds of prey, and fish species.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Indiana Dunes National Park and North Cascades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Indiana Dunes National Park | North Cascades 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 | 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 | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Indiana Dunes National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Porcupine |
| Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Red Fox | Hoary Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Fox |
| House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mink | House Mouse |
| Gray Fox | Puma |
| North American River Otter | Mink |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Black-Tailed Deer |
| White-Tailed Deer | Wolf |
| Virginia Opossum | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Eastern Red Bat | Western Long-Eared Bat |
| White-Footed Mouse | Ermine |
| Norway Rat | California Myotis |
| Eastern Cottontail | Snowshoe Hare |
Amphibians
| Indiana Dunes National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog |
Fish
| Indiana Dunes National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Largemouth Bass |
| Fathead Minnow | Longnose Sucker |
| Golden Shiner | Lake Trout |
| European Carp | Burbot |
| Yellow Bullhead | Silver Salmon |
| Graceful Catfish | King Salmon |
| Black Crappie | Slimy Sculpin |
| Black Bullhead | Longnose Dace |
| Mosquitofish | Threespine Stickleback |
| Creek Chub | Kokanee |
| Brown Bullhead | Pink Salmon |
| Goldfish | Chum Salmon |
| Smallmouth Bass | Dolly Varden |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| Indiana Dunes National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Western Yellowbelly Racer | |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Indiana Dunes National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Indiana Dunes National Park and North Cascades National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and is known for its sand dunes, beaches, and wetlands. One of the most popular destinations within the park is Mount Baldy, a towering sand dune that provides stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can hike to the top of the dune or take a leisurely stroll along the beach. Another popular area within the park is West Beach, a long sandy beach that is perfect for sunbathing, picnicking, and swimming.
North Cascades National Park, located in Washington State, is a hiker’s paradise. The park is home to an extensive network of trails that lead to some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the United States. One of the most famous landscapes in the park is the Cascade Pass, which provides breathtaking views of the North Cascades mountain range. Another popular destination is the Diablo Lake Overlook, which offers stunning views of the turquoise-colored lake surrounded by mountains. The park is also home to many waterfalls, including the beautiful and easily accessible Cascade Falls.
Things To-Do and Activities in Indiana Dunes National Park and North Cascades National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park and North Cascades National Park are two popular national parks located in the United States. Both parks offer unique experiences and a wide range of activities for visitors, but there are some key differences between the two.
Indiana Dunes National Park is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and is known for its beautiful beaches and diverse landscape. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, and beach activities such as sunbathing and swimming at this park.
North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, is located in Washington State and is known for its breathtaking mountain scenery, glaciers, and alpine lakes. Visitors to this park can enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, and water sports such as kayaking and rafting.
In both parks, visitors can also take part in ranger-led programs and educational activities, as well as enjoy scenic drives and wildlife viewing opportunities. Regardless of the activity, both Indiana Dunes National Park and North Cascades National Park provide visitors with breathtaking natural beauty and a chance to connect with nature.
Best Time to Visit Indiana Dunes National Park and North Cascades National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park and North Cascades National Park are two of the most beautiful parks in the US, with each offering its own unique features and experiences. When it comes to seasonal weather, the two parks could not be more different. The Indiana Dunes is located in the Midwest and has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters. The best time to visit is from May to September, with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the high 80s. On the other hand, North Cascades National Park, located in the Pacific Northwest, has a much more moderate climate, with cool summers and mild winters. The best time to visit is from July to September, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the mid-60s. This weather means that visitors can enjoy scenic views and outdoor activities in a comfortable environment.
In terms of activities, the two parks offer a wide range of options. At Indiana Dunes, visitors can enjoy sand dunes, hiking trails, and beaches, while North Cascades offers stunning views of the mountains, lakes, and forests. Both parks are great for outdoor enthusiasts, but the best time to visit will depend on what you hope to get out of your trip. Whether you’re looking for a warm summer getaway or a more moderate, scenic experience, both parks have something to offer.
Family Friendliness of Indiana Dunes National Park and North Cascades National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park and North Cascades National Park are both great options for families, but each park offers different experiences for children. Indiana Dunes is located on the shores of Lake Michigan and offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and beachcombing. The park’s 15,000 acres of sand dunes, forests, wetlands, and prairies offer a unique and diverse landscape for kids to explore. Additionally, the park has a number of family-friendly nature programs, including ranger-led hikes, campfire programs, and beach walks.
North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, is known for its rugged beauty and stunning views of the mountains. The park is home to over 300 glaciers and offers a variety of outdoor activities for families, including hiking, camping, and rock climbing. The park’s remote location and challenging terrain, however, can make it a bit more difficult for younger children. That being said, the park does offer a number of family-friendly nature programs, such as ranger-led hikes and campfire programs, which can help introduce kids to the park’s unique landscapes and wildlife.
In conclusion, both parks are great for families and offer unique experiences for kids. If you’re traveling with younger children, Indiana Dunes National Park with its variety of outdoor activities and family-friendly programs, is a better option. Meanwhile, North Cascades National Park is better for families with older children who are looking for a more challenging outdoor experience.