Katmai National Park & Preserve in Alaska and North Cascades National Park in Washington are two of the most breathtaking and unique parks in the United States. Both offer breathtaking landscapes and endless outdoor adventure opportunities, but they couldn’t be more different. In this article, we will be comparing the two parks and highlighting what makes each one special.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is famous for its grizzly bears, who come to fish for salmon in the Brooks River. The park also boasts a rich cultural history, with the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a unique volcanic landscape unlike anything else on earth.
North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, is known for its rugged peaks, glaciers, and alpine lakes. This park is a true wilderness experience, with fewer visitors and a more remote location. The park offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, including backpacking, hiking, and rock climbing.
So, whether you’re a nature lover, an outdoor adventurer, or just looking for a unique and unforgettable vacation, both Katmai National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park are must-visit destinations. In the following sections, we will dive deeper into each park and explore what makes them so special.
Hiking Trails in Katmai National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but they offer different experiences. Katmai is known for its bear viewing opportunities and the famous Brooks Falls, while North Cascades is famous for its rugged peaks, glaciers, and alpine lakes.
When it comes to hiking, Katmai has a few trails that are relatively easy, including the Brooks River Trail, which is a 2.2-mile round trip hike along the Brooks River to Brooks Falls. Another easy hike is the Naknek Lake Trail, which is a 3.5-mile round trip hike along the lake shore.
North Cascades, on the other hand, offers a range of hiking difficulties, including some of the hardest hikes in the National Park System. The Park has several multi-day backpacking trips, such as the Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail, which offer breathtaking views of the rugged peaks and glaciers in the park. For a shorter hike, the Thunder Creek Trail is a 9.4-mile round trip hike that takes you through old-growth forest and along Thunder Creek.
Regardless of your hiking ability, both Katmai National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park offer unforgettable experiences that are well worth a visit.
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 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 Katmai National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is famous for its population of brown bears. Visitors can watch the bears fish for salmon in Brooks River, where the bears gather to feed during the summer months. The park is also home to a variety of other wildlife, including moose, caribou, and foxes.
North Cascades National Park, located in Washington State, is a mountainous park that is home to a diverse array of wildlife. Visitors may see black bears, mountain goats, marmots, and elk while exploring the park. The park is also a popular destination for birdwatchers, as it is home to over 200 species of birds, including the bald eagle, the peregrine falcon, and the western tanager.
Both parks offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities, but each park has its own distinct flora and fauna. Katmai is known for its large population of brown bears and its scenic views of Brooks River, while North Cascades is known for its diverse bird and mammal populations and its stunning mountain landscapes. Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast or simply looking for a natural escape, both Katmai National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park are worth visiting.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Katmai National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Katmai National Park & Preserve | 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 |
| Northern Flicker | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Merlin | Merlin |
| Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Hermit Thrush | Great Blue Heron |
| American Kestrel | Hermit Thrush |
| Bald Eagle | American Kestrel |
| Song Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
| European Starling | Song Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | European Starling |
| American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Wigeon |
| American Pipit | Green-Winged Teal |
| Swainson’s Thrush | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Katmai National Park & Preserve | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Red Fox |
| Montane Shrew | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Lynx | House Mouse |
| Wolverine | Puma |
| American Marten | Mink |
| Grizzly Bear | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Meadow Vole | Wolf |
| Moose | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Least Weasel | Western Long-Eared Bat |
| Pygmy Shrew | Ermine |
| Meadow Jumping Mouse | California Myotis |
| Northern Bog Lemming | Snowshoe Hare |
Fish
| Katmai National Park & Preserve | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Redband Trout | Redband Trout |
| Longnose Sucker | Brook Trout |
| Lake Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Northern Pike | Longnose Sucker |
| Burbot | Lake Trout |
| Silver Salmon | Burbot |
| King Salmon | Silver Salmon |
| Slimy Sculpin | King Salmon |
| Threespine Stickleback | Slimy Sculpin |
| Sockeye Salmon | Longnose Dace |
| Pink Salmon | Threespine Stickleback |
| Chum Salmon | Kokanee |
| Dolly Varden | Pink Salmon |
| Arctic Grayling | Chum Salmon |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Amphibians
| Katmai National Park & Preserve | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Katmai National Park & Preserve | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Western Yellowbelly Racer | |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Katmai National Park & Preserve | 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 Katmai National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park are two of the most stunning national parks in the United States. They both offer breathtaking views and natural wonders that draw visitors from all over the world.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is famous for its massive volcanic eruption that created the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. This landscape is a unique, otherworldly view of ash-filled valleys and towering steam vents. Visitors can also see the famous Brooks Falls, where brown bears come to catch salmon in the Brooks River. The park also offers scenic vistas from its rugged coastline and the chance to see whales, sea lions, and other marine wildlife.
North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, is a hiker’s paradise and is home to over 300 glaciers and numerous alpine lakes. The park’s rugged peaks and deep valleys offer breathtaking views of the North Cascades mountain range and the surrounding landscape. Visitors can hike along the Pacific Crest Trail or explore the park’s many campgrounds, picnic areas, and scenic drives. The park also offers opportunities for rock climbing, kayaking, and fishing in its many lakes and rivers.
Things To-Do and Activities in Katmai National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, attracting millions of visitors each year. Both parks offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is known for its spectacular brown bear viewing opportunities. Visitors can watch as the bears fish for salmon in Brooks Falls, often getting up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. In addition to bear viewing, visitors can also explore the park’s vast wilderness on a backpacking trip or go fishing in one of its many rivers and lakes.
North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, is a hiker’s paradise. With over 300 miles of trails, visitors can explore the park’s rugged mountain terrain, glaciers, and alpine lakes. The park is also home to an abundance of wildlife, including mountain goats, black bears, and bald eagles. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives through the park, as well as fishing and boating on one of its many lakes.
In conclusion, whether you are looking for an up-close encounter with brown bears or an epic hike through rugged mountain terrain, both Katmai National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park offer something for everyone. With their unique offerings and breathtaking beauty, these parks are must-visit destinations for anyone looking to explore the great outdoors.
Best Time to Visit Katmai National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, and North Cascades National Park, located in Washington, offer vastly different weather experiences. Katmai has a subarctic climate with cool, wet summers and cold, snowy winters. Average summer temperatures range from 40-60°F, and winter temperatures can drop as low as -40°F. The park experiences high precipitation year-round, with the majority of it falling as snow during the winter months. This climate makes visiting the park during the summer months, June through August, the best time for viewing wildlife and exploring the park’s scenic beauty.
North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, has a temperate rainforest climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Average summer temperatures range from 60-70°F, and winter temperatures can drop as low as 20°F. The park experiences high precipitation year-round, with the majority of it falling as rain during the winter months. This climate makes visiting the park during the summer months, June through September, the best time for hiking and exploring the park’s scenic beauty. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives and camping during these months, as well as fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities.
Family Friendliness of Katmai National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve and North Cascades National Park are both excellent destinations for families who love nature and outdoor activities. However, both parks offer different experiences, making one more family-friendly than the other.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is known for its famous brown bears and spectacular salmon runs. The park offers ample opportunities for bear viewing and fishing. Visitors can also hike and kayak in the park’s stunning wilderness. The park’s remote location and lack of developed infrastructure, however, can make it a challenge for families with young children.
North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, is a more developed park with a variety of family-friendly activities. The park offers scenic drives, easy hikes, and camping opportunities. The park is also home to several lakes, where families can swim, fish, and paddle. In addition, the park is surrounded by small towns with restaurants, shops, and hotels, making it more convenient for families.
In conclusion, North Cascades National Park is the better option for families traveling with young children. The park’s well-developed infrastructure and variety of family-friendly activities make it an excellent destination for families looking for a fun and accessible outdoor experience. While Katmai National Park & Preserve is a unique and breathtaking wilderness destination, it is better suited for families with older children or more experienced outdoor enthusiasts.