Katmai National Park & Preserve and New River Gorge National Park & Preserve are two of the most beautiful and unique national parks in the United States. These two parks offer visitors a chance to experience some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the world, as well as a range of outdoor activities that are sure to provide memories that will last a lifetime.
Whether you prefer fishing, hiking, kayaking, or simply taking in the majestic beauty of nature, both Katmai and New River Gorge have something to offer. These two parks are located on opposite sides of the country, with Katmai in Alaska and New River Gorge in West Virginia, but both offer visitors the chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in the great outdoors.
Which park is right for you? That’s the ultimate question. But in this article, we’ll explore both parks in detail and compare them side by side, highlighting their unique features and attractions. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of what each park has to offer, and you’ll be able to decide which one is the perfect destination for your next adventure.
Hiking Trails in Katmai National Park & Preserve and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Katmai National Park & Preserve and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is best known for its stunning views of the Brooks River and its famous brown bears. Hiking trails in Katmai range from easy boardwalk trails to more challenging backcountry treks. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Brooks River Trail, which is a 1.5-mile boardwalk trail that takes visitors to Brooks Falls, and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, which is a 4-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a volcanic landscape. On the other hand, the most challenging hike in Katmai is the Grosvenor Peninsula Trail, which is a 12-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors to the top of a nearby mountain.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, on the other hand, is located in West Virginia and is best known for its stunning views of the New River and its abundant wildlife. Hiking trails in New River Gorge range from easy riverside walks to more challenging backcountry treks. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Endless Wall Trail, which is a 2-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors along the New River, and the Arrowhead Trail, which is a 1-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors to an overlook of the New River. The most challenging hike in New River Gorge is the Grandview Ridge Trail, which is a 5-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors to the top of a nearby mountain.
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 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tolmie Peak Trail | 8851.37 | 463.9056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Skyline Trail | 8529.502 | 535.8384 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
Comet and Christine Falls | 6920.162 | 610.8192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Camp Muir Route Via Skyline Trail | 13518.456 | 1403.9088 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail | 15127.796 | 780.8976 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
Naches Peak Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 193.8528 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Spray Park Trail to Mount Pleasant | 11104.446 | 635.8128 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Mount Fremont Lookout Trail | 9012.304 | 348.996 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
Pinnacle Peak Saddle Trail | 3862.416 | 321.8688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Summerland Trail | 13196.588 | 655.9296 | Moderate | out and back | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Katmai National Park & Preserve and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Katmai National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its large concentration of brown bears. This park is an ideal destination for wildlife viewing and is famous for the Brooks River Falls, where visitors can observe the bears fishing for salmon. In addition to the brown bears, visitors can also spot moose, wolves, and sea otters.
On the other hand, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and river otters. The park is also a popular destination for bird-watching, with over 150 species of birds, including the Peregrine Falcon and the Raven. The park’s unique geology and vegetation also provide a habitat for a variety of plants, including wildflowers, ferns, and rhododendrons.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to experience unique and diverse wildlife. While Katmai is famous for its brown bears, New River Gorge offers a broader range of species, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and a variety of birds and plants. Regardless of which park you choose, a visit to either Katmai or New River Gorge is sure to be an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Katmai National Park & Preserve and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Katmai National Park & Preserve | New River Gorge National Park and 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 | Great Horned Owl |
American Robin | Red-Tailed Hawk |
Great Horned Owl | Barn Swallow |
Northern Flicker | Savannah Sparrow |
Merlin | Great Blue Heron |
Barn Swallow | Hermit Thrush |
Savannah Sparrow | European Starling |
Hermit Thrush | Northern Pintail |
American Kestrel | American Wigeon |
Bald Eagle | Green-Winged Teal |
Song Sparrow | American Pipit |
European Starling | Killdeer |
Northern Pintail | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
American Wigeon | Hairy Woodpecker |
Green-Winged Teal | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
American Pipit | White-Crowned Sparrow |
Swainson’s Thrush | Northern Shoveler |
Mammals
Katmai National Park & Preserve | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
American Beaver | American Beaver |
Muskrat | Muskrat |
Little Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
Black Bear | Bobcat |
Porcupine | Striped Skunk |
Red Fox | Little Brown Bat |
Mink | Deer Mouse |
Gray Wolf | Raccoon |
Short-Tailed Weasel | Black Bear |
Varying Hare | Porcupine |
Northern River Otter | Silver-Haired Bat |
Masked Shrew | Hoary Bat |
Red Squirrel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Montane Shrew | House Mouse |
Lynx | Mountain Lion |
Wolverine | Black-Tailed Deer |
American Marten | Wolf |
Grizzly Bear | Long-Legged Myotis |
Meadow Vole | Long-Eared Myotis |
Moose | Ermine |
Least Weasel | California Myotis |
Pygmy Shrew | Snowshoe Hare |
Meadow Jumping Mouse | North American River Otter |
Northern Bog Lemming | Masked Shrew |
Fish
Katmai National Park & Preserve | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
---|---|
Redband Trout | Rainbow Trout |
Longnose Sucker | Eastern Brook Trout |
Lake Trout | Brown Trout |
Northern Pike | Coho Salmon |
Burbot | Chinook Salmon |
Silver Salmon | Mottled Sculpin |
King Salmon | Slimy Sculpin |
Slimy Sculpin | Threespine Stickleback |
Threespine Stickleback | Kokanee |
Sockeye Salmon | Pink Salmon |
Pink Salmon | Dolly Varden |
Chum Salmon | Cutthroat Trout |
Dolly Varden | |
Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
Katmai National Park & Preserve | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
---|---|
Wood Frog | Tiger Salamander |
Reptiles
Katmai National Park & Preserve | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
---|---|
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
Common Garter Snake | |
Rubber Boa |
Insects
Katmai National Park & Preserve | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
---|---|
Mourning Cloak | |
Cabbage White | |
Silvery Blue | |
Purplish Copper | |
Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Katmai National Park & Preserve and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Katmai National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is famous for the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a valley filled with ash and steam vents from the eruption of Novarupta in 1912. Visitors can also see the Brooks River, home to the largest concentration of brown bears in North America, and the Naknek Lake, surrounded by mountains and glaciers.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, located in West Virginia, is known for its stunning New River Gorge Bridge, the third longest single-arch bridge in the world. The park is also home to the New River, one of the oldest rivers in North America, as well as the stunning Sandstone Falls, the largest waterfall in West Virginia. Visitors can take scenic drives and hike the many trails in the park, including the famous Endless Wall Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the New River Gorge.
Things To-Do and Activities in Katmai National Park & Preserve and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Katmai National Park & Preserve and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve both offer unique experiences for visitors. In Katmai, visitors can get up close and personal with the famous Alaskan brown bears as they come to the Brooks River to fish for salmon. In addition to bear watching, visitors can also enjoy fishing and kayaking in the park’s many waterways. On the other hand, New River Gorge offers a completely different experience with a focus on rock climbing and white water rafting. The New River Gorge Bridge is a popular spot for base jumping, and the park also offers miles of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy.
Both parks offer opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, but the experiences are quite different. While Katmai is known for its bear watching and fishing, New River Gorge is known for its rock climbing and white water rafting. Both parks offer scenic beauty and opportunities for adventure, so the choice between the two will come down to individual preferences and what kind of outdoor experiences the visitor is looking for.
Best Time to Visit Katmai National Park & Preserve and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Katmai National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its large population of brown bears and its spectacular volcanic landscape. The park’s weather is typically cool and rainy, with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to mid-50s °F during the summer months. Winter is much colder, with temperatures often dipping below freezing and snowfall being common.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, on the other hand, is located in West Virginia and is known for its abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, including rock climbing and whitewater rafting. The park’s weather is more temperate, with warm summers and cool winters. Summer temperatures typically range from the mid-70s to mid-80s °F, while winter temperatures range from the mid-30s to mid-40s °F.
The best time to visit Katmai National Park & Preserve is during the summer months, when the weather is more pleasant and the bears are more active. On the other hand, the best time to visit New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is during the fall, when the weather is still mild and the trees are showing off their autumn colors.
It is important to note that both parks can be visited year-round, but the weather and park conditions will vary greatly depending on the season. Visitors should plan accordingly and be prepared for the weather and other conditions that may arise during their visit.
Family Friendliness of Katmai National Park & Preserve and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Katmai National Park & Preserve and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are both beautiful and unique parks, but they differ when it comes to family-friendliness.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is a great choice for families who enjoy outdoor activities and wildlife viewing. The park offers opportunities to see brown bears fishing for salmon in Brooks Falls and to explore the Alagnak Wild River. Visitor centers and ranger-led programs also provide educational experiences for children.
On the other hand, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a more adventure-oriented park, ideal for families who love hiking, camping, and rock climbing. The park features over 70 miles of hiking trails, as well as a scenic drive and scenic overlooks. The park also offers recreational opportunities like fishing, kayaking, and ziplining.
Both parks offer a range of family-friendly activities, but Katmai is better for families who prefer wildlife viewing and educational experiences, while New River Gorge is better for families who enjoy adventure and outdoor recreation. Ultimately, the choice will depend on the interests and preferences of the individual family.