Indiana Dunes National Park and Olympic National Park are two of the most diverse and awe-inspiring parks in the United States. Both offer a unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and cultural heritage that draws millions of visitors every year. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a nature lover, or just looking for a peaceful escape from the city, these two parks have something for everyone.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Indiana Dunes and Olympic National Park, comparing and contrasting their landscapes, activities, and attractions. From sprawling sand dunes to towering mountains, from pristine beaches to lush rainforests, these two parks offer a world of adventure. And with so much to see and do, it can be tough to decide which one to visit first. So, grab your hiking boots and buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a journey to two of America’s most breathtaking parks!
Hiking Trails in Indiana Dunes National Park and Olympic National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park and Olympic National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the country. Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to strenuous backpacking trips.
Indiana Dunes National Park has over 50 miles of hiking trails, including several easy hikes such as the Dunewood Campground Trail and the Bailly Homestead Nature Preserve Trail. For those looking for a challenge, the Dunes-Kankakee Trail is a strenuous 8-mile hike through the dunes and forests of the park.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, has over 600 miles of hiking trails. Some of the easiest hikes here include the Spruce Railroad Trail and the Hoh River Trail. For those looking for a true adventure, the challenging Hurricane Ridge Trail takes you up to the park’s highest point, offering panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains. Another strenuous hike is the Elwha River Trail, which takes you through the park’s lush rainforest and past several waterfalls.
Both parks offer a wide range of hiking options, so whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, there is something for everyone. With breathtaking views, diverse landscapes, and the opportunity to experience nature up close, these two parks are must-visits for any outdoor enthusiast.
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 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 Indiana Dunes National Park and Olympic National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and is known for its diverse wildlife. Visitors can expect to see a variety of animals, including white-tailed deer, coyotes, and beavers. The park is also home to a large number of bird species, including sandpipers, plovers, and terns. Additionally, the park has a rich plant life, with over 350 species of plants and trees, including oak, maple, and hickory trees.
Olympic National Park, located in the state of Washington, is also known for its diverse wildlife. Visitors to this park can expect to see a variety of animals, including black bears, elk, and mountain goats. The park is also home to a large number of bird species, including eagles, owls, and woodpeckers. The park’s plant life is equally diverse, with over 1,400 species of plants and trees, including Douglas fir, western red cedar, and Sitka spruce.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife in their natural habitats. However, the specific animals and plants that can be seen will depend on the time of year and the specific area of the park being visited. Regardless of the time of year, both parks offer an unforgettable experience for nature lovers looking to see some of the most unique and diverse wildlife in the United States.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Indiana Dunes National Park and Olympic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Indiana Dunes 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
| Indiana Dunes 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
| Indiana Dunes National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Bullfrog |
Fish
| Indiana Dunes 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
| Indiana Dunes National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Indiana Dunes National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee |
Beautiful Landscapes in Indiana Dunes National Park and Olympic National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is located in the state of Indiana, USA and is known for its sand dunes along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. The park is a unique blend of forests and wetlands, making it a haven for wildlife and bird watching. The most famous landscape in the park is Mount Baldy, a large sand dune that rises over 100 feet above the lake. Visitors can climb to the top of Mount Baldy for breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding landscape.
Olympic National Park, located in the state of Washington, USA, is known for its diverse landscapes including glaciers, temperate rain forests, and rugged Pacific coastlines. The most famous landscape in the park is Hurricane Ridge, a scenic mountain viewpoint that offers panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains and the surrounding valleys. The park is also home to the Hoh Rain Forest, one of the largest temperate rain forests in the world, and the Sol Duc Falls, a three-tiered waterfall surrounded by lush greenery.
Things To-Do and Activities in Indiana Dunes National Park and Olympic National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park and Olympic National Park offer very different experiences, but both are popular tourist destinations in the United States. Indiana Dunes is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and is known for its sandy beaches, dunes, and wetlands. Popular activities at Indiana Dunes include swimming, fishing, kayaking, and hiking. The park also has several campgrounds, picnic areas, and picnic shelters.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is located in Washington state and is known for its diverse landscapes, including forests, mountains, and ocean beaches. Popular activities at Olympic National Park include backpacking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife watching. The park has several campgrounds, picnic areas, and picnic shelters, as well as a number of backcountry campsites. Visitors can also take guided tours of the park, including wildlife watching tours, and there are several ranger-led programs available.
Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities and opportunities for visitors to connect with nature. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful picnic, a scenic hike, or an adrenaline-pumping adventure, both Indiana Dunes National Park and Olympic National Park have something to offer.
Best Time to Visit Indiana Dunes National Park and Olympic National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is located in the Midwest region of the United States and has a temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters. The summer months of June to August have average temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s, and the winter months of December to February have average temperatures in the mid-20s to mid-30s. This park is popular for its beach activities, so the best time to visit is from June to September. During these months, you can swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the warm weather.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Pacific Northwest and has a more varied climate. The park has three distinct climate zones: the coastal, subalpine and temperate rainforest areas. The coastal area experiences mild temperatures year-round, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to mid-50s. The subalpine area is much cooler, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to mid-40s, and the temperate rainforest area is the wettest with heavy rainfall throughout the year. The best time to visit Olympic National Park is from June to September, when the weather is dry and mild. During these months, visitors can hike, camp, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the park.
Family Friendliness of Indiana Dunes National Park and Olympic National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park and Olympic National Park are both popular destinations for families, but they offer different experiences. Indiana Dunes is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, and is known for its sandy beaches, dunes, and wetlands. The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, and swimming. There are also several picnic areas, playgrounds, and educational programs for children.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is located on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. It is known for its stunning scenery, including rainforests, glaciers, and ocean beaches. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. However, the park’s rugged terrain and remote location can make it a challenge for families with young children. Additionally, the park’s facilities and services may not be as extensive as those at Indiana Dunes.
In conclusion, both parks are great options for families, but Indiana Dunes is more family-friendly due to its accessibility and range of activities. The park’s location on the shore of Lake Michigan provides a safe and convenient environment for families, and there are many opportunities for children to learn and play. On the other hand, Olympic National Park is better suited for families with older children or those who are looking for a more adventurous experience.