Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park are two of America’s hidden gems. These national parks offer a unique blend of natural beauty, adventure and breathtaking landscapes that are sure to leave you in awe. Whether you are a nature lover, an adventurer or simply looking for a change of scenery, these two parks offer something for everyone.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is famous for its brown bears, who gather in large numbers to feast on the salmon that run through Brooks River. The park is also home to Mount Katmai, a massive stratovolcano that towers over the surrounding landscape. Visitors to the park can take a scenic flight, go fishing, kayaking or even participate in a bear-viewing tour.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the other hand, is located in California and is famous for its unique volcanic landscapes. The park is home to Lassen Peak, a massive volcano that last erupted in 1915. Visitors to the park can hike to the top of Lassen Peak, explore the underground wonders of Bumpass Hell or simply relax and take in the breathtaking views. Whether you are an experienced hiker or just looking for a scenic drive, Lassen Volcanic National Park is a must-see destination.
Hiking Trails in Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, and Lassen Volcanic National Park, located in California, are two popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to explore and hike through diverse landscapes and scenic vistas.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is known for its rugged wilderness, with many trails that lead to remote areas. The park has a variety of trails, from easy hikes to difficult backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes in the park is the Brooks Camp Trail, which is a short, flat hike that takes visitors to Brooks Camp, a popular spot for viewing brown bears. On the other hand, the hardest hike in the park is the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a steep, strenuous hike that takes visitors through a volcanic valley filled with steam vents and ash-filled craters.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is famous for its volcanic landscapes, and many of the park’s trails offer visitors the opportunity to explore the park’s geothermal features. The park has a range of trails, from easy hikes to challenging backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes in the park is the Manzanita Lake Trail, which is a short, flat hike that takes visitors around Manzanita Lake. On the other hand, the hardest hike in the park is the Lassen Peak Trail, which is a steep, strenuous hike that takes visitors to the summit of Lassen Peak, an active volcano.
In conclusion, whether you prefer rugged wilderness hikes or geothermal-filled landscapes, both Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park offer visitors a range of hiking options to choose from. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, both parks are sure to provide a unique and unforgettable experience.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Katmai National Park & Preserve
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brooks Falls | 4667.086 | 63.7032 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Dumpling Mountain | 4828.02 | 225.8568 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lassen Peak | 8207.634 | 599.8464 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Kings Creek Falls Trail | 4345.218 | 143.8656 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Cinder Cone Nature Trail | 7724.832 | 317.9064 | Hard | loop | 5 |
Brokeoff Mountain Trail | 12230.984 | 786.9936 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Mill Creek Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 237.744 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Manzanita Lake Loop | 3057.746 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Devil’s Kitchen Trail | 7402.964 | 187.7568 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Chaos Crags Trail | 6437.36 | 301.752 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Cluster Lakes Loop Trail | 16737.136 | 451.7136 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Boiling Springs Lake Loop Trail | 3701.482 | 75.8952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park are two unique and captivating natural destinations in the United States. Both parks offer a wide range of wildlife and outdoor experiences, but they are different in many ways.
At Katmai National Park & Preserve, visitors can witness the largest concentration of brown bears in the world. Brown bears roam the Brooks River and surrounding areas in search of salmon. Other wildlife commonly seen at Katmai include moose, caribou, and a variety of bird species, such as bald eagles, gulls, and terns.
On the other hand, Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to a diverse range of plant and animal life, including black bears, deer, and numerous bird species, such as the Clark’s nutcracker, mountain chickadee, and the red-breasted nuthatch. The park is also home to a unique ecosystem created by the volcanic activity, including boiling mud pots, steaming vents, and subalpine meadows that support a variety of wildflowers and other plant species.
In conclusion, both Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park offer visitors the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife in their natural habitats. Whether you are a fan of mammals, birds, or plants, these parks have something for everyone.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Katmai National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic 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 |
Northern Flicker | Red-Tailed Hawk |
Merlin | Northern Flicker |
Barn Swallow | Merlin |
Savannah Sparrow | Barn Swallow |
Hermit Thrush | Savannah Sparrow |
American Kestrel | Great Blue Heron |
Bald Eagle | Hermit Thrush |
Song Sparrow | American Kestrel |
European Starling | Bald Eagle |
Northern Pintail | Song Sparrow |
American Wigeon | European Starling |
Green-Winged Teal | Northern Pintail |
American Pipit | American Wigeon |
Swainson’s Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
Katmai National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
---|---|
Coyote | American Beaver |
American Beaver | Muskrat |
Muskrat | Bobcat |
Little Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
Black Bear | Raccoon |
Porcupine | Black Bear |
Red Fox | Silver-Haired Bat |
Mink | Hoary Bat |
Gray Wolf | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Short-Tailed Weasel | Mountain Lion |
Varying Hare | Mink |
Northern River Otter | Mule Deer |
Masked Shrew | Gray Fox |
Red Squirrel | Wolf |
Montane Shrew | Long-Eared Myotis |
Lynx | Snowshoe Hare |
Wolverine | Fringed Myotis |
American Marten | Western Harvest Mouse |
Grizzly Bear | Yuma Myotis |
Meadow Vole | Bighorn Sheep |
Moose | Montane Shrew |
Least Weasel | Long-Tailed Vole |
Pygmy Shrew | Ringtail |
Meadow Jumping Mouse | Virginia Opossum |
Northern Bog Lemming | Wolverine |
Fish
Katmai National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
---|---|
Redband Trout | Redband Trout |
Longnose Sucker | Brook Trout |
Lake Trout | Brown Trout |
Northern Pike | Fathead Minnow |
Burbot | Golden Shiner |
Silver Salmon | Silver Salmon |
King Salmon | King Salmon |
Slimy Sculpin | Mottled Sculpin |
Threespine Stickleback | Speckled Dace |
Sockeye Salmon | Brown Bullhead |
Pink Salmon | |
Chum Salmon | |
Dolly Varden | |
Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
Katmai National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
---|---|
Wood Frog | Bullfrog |
Reptiles
Katmai National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
---|---|
Gopher Snake | |
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
Racer | |
Western Rattlesnake | |
Ring-Necked Snake | |
Sagebrush Lizard | |
Common Garter Snake | |
Common Kingsnake | |
Rubber Boa | |
Striped Whipsnake | |
Western Whiptail | |
Western Skink | |
Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
Katmai National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
---|---|
Orange Sulphur | |
Painted Lady | |
Monarch Butterfly | |
American Painted Lady | |
Common Checkered-Skipper | |
Honey Bee | |
Buckeye | |
Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its stunning landscapes and natural wonders, including the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a volcanic ash-filled valley dotted with steam vents. The park is also home to the Brooks River, which is a popular spot for bear viewing, as well as the famous Brooks Falls, where visitors can observe Alaskan brown bears as they catch salmon.
Lassen Volcanic National Park in California is also famous for its volcanic landscapes, including Lassen Peak, the park’s most prominent feature. The park is also home to several geothermal features, such as boiling mud pots, fumaroles and hot springs. Visitors can hike to the top of Lassen Peak for a panoramic view of the park or take a scenic drive through the park to view its other wonders. The park also has several beautiful lakes, including Manzanita Lake and Lake Helen, which offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy fishing, boating, and other water activities.
Both parks offer visitors the chance to experience unique and beautiful landscapes that are not found in many other places. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking views, opportunities for outdoor recreation, or simply a chance to escape into nature, Katmai and Lassen Volcanic National Parks are definitely worth a visit.
Things To-Do and Activities in Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve in Alaska and Lassen Volcanic National Park in California are both popular destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. While both parks offer a variety of recreational opportunities, they differ in the types of activities they offer.
Katmai is best known for its salmon fishing and bear viewing opportunities. Visitors can fish for salmon in the Brooks River or book a guided bear viewing tour to see the park’s famous brown bears up close. The park also offers scenic flights to see the volcanoes and glaciers of the Alaskan wilderness.
Lassen Volcanic Park, on the other hand, is a popular destination for hiking and camping. The park’s most popular trail is the Lassen Peak trail, which takes hikers to the summit of the park’s most famous volcano. The park also offers opportunities for backpacking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and fishing in its high-altitude lakes. In the winter, the park is a popular destination for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Whether you’re looking to fish for salmon, hike to a volcano’s summit, or simply enjoy the natural beauty of these parks, both Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park offer something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park are two unique parks with distinct seasonal weather patterns. Katmai is located in Alaska and is known for its rugged wilderness and scenic beauty. The park experiences long, cold winters with average temperatures ranging from -20°F to 20°F, and short, mild summers with average temperatures ranging from 40°F to 60°F. The park is best visited in the summer months when the weather is warm, making it easier to explore the park’s scenic beauty and wildlife.
On the other hand, Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in California and is known for its volcanic activity, including steam vents, hot springs, and geysers. The park experiences warm summers with average temperatures ranging from 60°F to 80°F, and cold, snowy winters with average temperatures ranging from 20°F to 40°F. The park is best visited in the summer months when the weather is warm and the snow has melted, making it easier to explore the park’s unique features. However, the park’s winter months offer a chance to see the snow-covered volcanic landscapes, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
In conclusion, both parks offer unique opportunities for visitors and the best times to visit depend on the weather patterns and personal preferences. Whether you prefer mild summers or snowy winters, both Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park offer something for everyone.
Family Friendliness of Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park are two of the most popular parks for family vacations in the U.S. Both parks offer a wide range of outdoor activities, scenic beauty, and wildlife viewing opportunities, but they differ in terms of their family-friendly offerings.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is a great choice for families who enjoy wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation. The park is home to a large population of bears, and visitors can observe them from a safe distance at Brooks Falls. The park also offers plenty of hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and boat tours.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the other hand, is a great choice for families who are interested in geology and natural history. The park is home to a variety of volcanic features, including geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles, and visitors can learn about the volcanic history of the area through ranger-led programs and self-guided tours. The park also offers hiking trails, camping, and scenic drives.
In conclusion, both Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park are great choices for families, but they offer different types of experiences. Katmai is ideal for families who enjoy wildlife and outdoor recreation, while Lassen is perfect for families who are interested in geology and natural history.