Isle Royale National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are two of the most beautiful and unique national parks in the United States. Both offer breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences, but they each have their own unique character and charm. Whether you’re looking for a remote wilderness adventure or a chance to see some of the world’s most magnificent wildlife, these two parks have something for everyone.
Isle Royale National Park is a remote and rugged island located in the middle of Lake Superior. Visitors come here for its pristine wilderness and its abundance of wildlife, including moose and wolves. With limited access and facilities, Isle Royale is the perfect place for those seeking a true wilderness experience.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and boasts one of the most stunning coastlines in the world. It is home to glaciers, whales, and a diverse array of marine life, making it a popular destination for wildlife viewing and adventure activities. Whether you’re kayaking, hiking, or simply taking in the beauty of the fjords, Kenai Fjords is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Hiking Trails in Isle Royale National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Isle Royale National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are two of the most beautiful national parks in the USA. Both offer a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to strenuous hikes. In this section, we’ll compare the hiking trails at each park to help you decide which one is right for you.
Isle Royale National Park is an island located in Lake Superior and is only accessible by boat or seaplane. While the park is small, it offers some of the most challenging hikes in the country. The Minong Ridge Trail is one of the most challenging hikes in the park, but it also offers some of the most stunning views. The trail is over 20 miles long and offers spectacular views of Lake Superior and the surrounding islands.
In contrast, Kenai Fjords National Park is located in Alaska and is known for its glaciers and fjords. The park offers several easy hikes, including the Exit Glacier Trail, which is a 1.8-mile round-trip hike to the base of the Exit Glacier. This trail is paved and offers excellent views of the glacier and surrounding mountains. For those looking for a more strenuous hike, the Harding Icefield Trail is a 7.2-mile round-trip hike that takes you to the top of the Harding Icefield. This hike is strenuous and offers breathtaking views of the icefield and surrounding mountains.
Both Isle Royale National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park offer unique hiking experiences, so it ultimately depends on personal preference and fitness level. Whether you prefer challenging hikes with stunning views or easy walks with breathtaking scenery, these two parks have something to offer for everyone.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Isle Royale National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenstone Ridge Trail: Windigo to Tobin Harbor | 63568.93 | 1216.7616 | Hard | point to point | 4 |
| Rainbow Cove Trail | 2253.076 | 21.9456 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
| Malone Bay to Hatchett Lake | 37658.556 | 664.7688 | Moderate | out and back | 0 |
| Ishpeming Trail to Ishpeming Point | 23496.364 | 339.852 | Moderate | out and back | 0 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Kenai Fjords National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Isle Royale National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Isle Royale National Park, located in Lake Superior, is known for its diverse array of wildlife, including wolves, moose, foxes and beavers. The park is also home to a variety of bird species such as the common loon, bald eagle, and peregrine falcon. In addition to the wildlife, visitors to Isle Royale can also enjoy hiking and exploring the park’s diverse ecosystems, including forests, lakes and shorelines.
Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, is famous for its abundant marine wildlife, including whales, sea lions, and porpoises. The park is also home to a variety of bird species such as the tufted puffin, common murre, and bald eagle. Visitors to Kenai Fjords can enjoy exploring the park by boat, kayak or on foot and viewing glaciers and fjords. In addition to the marine wildlife, visitors may also see land animals such as black and brown bears, caribou, and moose.
Both Isle Royale and Kenai Fjords offer unique opportunities to see and interact with a wide variety of wildlife. Whether you’re interested in observing wolves and moose in Isle Royale or whales and sea lions in Kenai Fjords, these parks offer unforgettable experiences for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Isle Royale National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Isle Royale National Park | Kenai Fjords 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 | Merlin |
| Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| 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
| Isle Royale National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Black Bear |
| Little Brown Bat | Porcupine |
| Deer Mouse | Red Fox |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Mink |
| Hoary Bat | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Red Fox | Gray Wolf |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Mink | California Myotis |
| Gray Wolf | Snowshoe Hare |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Northern River Otter |
| Snowshoe Hare | Masked Shrew |
| North American River Otter | Red Squirrel |
| Canada Lynx | Montane Shrew |
| Marten | Lynx |
| Moose | Wolverine |
| Red Bat | American Marten |
| Norway Rat | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Southern Red-Backed Vole | Brown Bear |
| Northern Long-Eared Bat | Meadow Mouse |
| Moose | |
| Pygmy Shrew |
Fish
| Isle Royale National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Redband Trout | Redband Trout |
| Coaster Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brown Trout | Burbot |
| Longnose Sucker | Silver Salmon |
| Harvey Lake Fathead Minnow | Chinook Salmon |
| Golden Shiner | Slimy Sculpin |
| Lake Trout | Threespine Stickleback |
| Northern Pike | Red Salmon |
| Ellpout | Pink Salmon |
| Coho Salmon | Chum Salmon |
| Chinook Salmon | Dolly Varden |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Creek Chub |
Amphibians
| Isle Royale National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Isle Royale National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Isle Royale National Park is a remote island located in Lake Superior, known for its rugged wilderness and diverse landscapes. The park’s most famous feature is its rocky shorelines, which offer stunning views of the lake and its many bays and inlets. Visitors to Isle Royale can also hike through dense forests, cross bogs and swamps, and explore the park’s numerous lakes and streams.
Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, is famous for its stunning glaciers and fjords. The park’s most famous feature is the Harding Icefield, which covers over 300 square miles and provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Visitors to Kenai Fjords can also see glaciers calving into the ocean, watch for whales and other marine life, and hike through the park’s many trails to explore its diverse landscapes.
Things To-Do and Activities in Isle Royale National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Isle Royale National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. While both offer breathtaking scenery and opportunities for outdoor recreation, they each have distinct features that attract visitors.
At Isle Royale, visitors enjoy hiking, boating, and fishing. The park is known for its remote wilderness, so visitors can get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in nature. Many visitors also come to the park to see the moose and wolves that live on the island.
At Kenai Fjords, visitors love to kayak, whale watch, and go on glacier hikes. The park is located near the coast of Alaska and boasts stunning views of glaciers and marine wildlife. Visitors can also take boat tours to see the glaciers up close and to observe the abundant wildlife in the area.
Both parks offer opportunities for adventure and relaxation. Whether visitors are looking for a remote wilderness experience or a unique coastal adventure, Isle Royale and Kenai Fjords have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Isle Royale National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Isle Royale National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both located in the United States and offer unique outdoor experiences. However, their seasonal weather patterns are quite different, which affects the best time of year to visit each park.
Isle Royale National Park is located in Lake Superior and is known for its long, cold winters and mild summers. The average temperature during the winter months is around 20°F (-6°C) and during the summer months it is around 60°F (15°C). The park is only accessible by boat or seaplane during the summer months, as the lake is frozen during the winter months. Winter activities at Isle Royale include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. Summer activities include hiking, camping, and kayaking.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and is known for its subarctic climate. The park experiences cool, rainy weather with temperatures ranging from 40°F (4°C) to 60°F (15°C) during the summer months and 20°F (-6°C) to 30°F (-1°C) during the winter months. The best time to visit Kenai Fjords is during the summer months when the weather is mild and the park’s glaciers, wildlife, and fjords are easily accessible. Winter activities at Kenai Fjords include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding. Summer activities include kayaking, whale watching, and hiking.
Family Friendliness of Isle Royale National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Isle Royale National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both popular destinations for visitors to the United States. However, they have different characteristics that make them better suited to different types of travelers.
When it comes to family-friendliness, Kenai Fjords National Park is the better choice. The park is more accessible, as it is located on the mainland and is easy to reach by car or by plane. Additionally, there are several ranger-led activities for families to enjoy, such as boat tours and wildlife watching.
In contrast, Isle Royale National Park is more remote and requires a longer journey to reach. It is only accessible by boat or seaplane, which can make it more challenging for families with young children to visit. However, the park offers excellent opportunities for backcountry camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing, making it a great destination for families who are looking for a wilderness adventure.
In conclusion, for families looking for a more accessible, easy-to-reach national park with plenty of ranger-led activities, Kenai Fjords National Park is the better choice. However, for families who are seeking a more remote, wilderness experience, Isle Royale National Park is a great option.