Katmai National Park & Preserve and Olympic National Park are two of the most beautiful and unique national parks in the United States. Both parks offer breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife and a wealth of recreational opportunities. But which one is best for your next adventure? In this article, we’ll compare these two parks and help you decide which one is right for you.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is famous for its brown bears and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a volcanic landscape unlike anything else in the world. Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is located in Washington and offers a diverse range of landscapes, from the pristine Pacific coastline to the towering peaks of the Olympic Mountains.
So, are you ready to explore the wilds of Alaska or the lush forests of Washington? Do you want to watch brown bears catch salmon or hike through the rainforest? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these two parks and help you decide which one is the perfect destination for your next outdoor adventure.
Hiking Trails in Katmai National Park & Preserve and Olympic National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife and unique geological features, including the famous Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. The park offers a range of hiking trails, from easy walks to strenuous backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes is the Brooks River Trail, a 2.5-mile round trip that leads to Brooks Falls, where visitors can observe brown bears fishing for salmon. The park’s hardest hike is the Novarupta Trail, a strenuous 7-mile round-trip that leads to the site of the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century.
Olympic National Park is located in Washington State and is known for its diverse landscapes, including temperate rainforests, wild beaches, and rugged mountain ranges. The park offers a wide range of hiking trails, from easy walks to challenging backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes is the Hoh River Trail, a 17.4-mile round-trip that leads through the heart of the Hoh Rainforest. The park’s hardest hike is the Mount Olympus, an strenuous 22-mile round-trip that leads to the summit of the park’s highest peak.
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 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 Katmai National Park & Preserve and Olympic National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve and Olympic National Park are two parks with vastly different ecosystems. Katmai is known for its abundance of wildlife, particularly brown bears, which can be seen fishing for salmon in Brooks River. The park also boasts a healthy population of moose, caribou, and wolves. Visitors to Katmai are likely to see a variety of birds, including bald eagles and puffins, and they may also see whales and seals in the surrounding waters.
In contrast, Olympic National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, but it is best known for its lush temperate rainforest. The park is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, including black bears, elk, deer, and a variety of bird species, such as the spotted owl and the marbled murrelet. The park also boasts a rich variety of plant life, including Douglas firs and western red cedars, as well as a variety of ferns, mosses, and other understory plants.
Each park offers unique opportunities to see a variety of wildlife and to experience different ecosystems. Visitors to Katmai are likely to have a more rugged, wilderness experience, while visitors to Olympic National Park are more likely to have a lush, temperate rainforest experience. Regardless of which park you choose, be prepared for an unforgettable experience observing the diverse wildlife and natural beauty of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Katmai National Park & Preserve and Olympic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Katmai National Park & Preserve | 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 |
| Northern Flicker | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Merlin | Northern Flicker |
| 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 | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Little Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Black Bear | Striped Skunk |
| Porcupine | Little Brown Bat |
| Red Fox | Deer Mouse |
| Mink | Raccoon |
| Gray Wolf | Black Bear |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Porcupine |
| Varying Hare | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Northern River Otter | Red Fox |
| Masked Shrew | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Squirrel | House Mouse |
| Montane Shrew | Wolf |
| Lynx | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Wolverine | Long-Eared Myotis |
| American Marten | California Myotis |
| Grizzly Bear | Snowshoe Rabbit |
| Meadow Vole | North American River Otter |
| Moose | Fringe-Tailed Myotis |
| Least Weasel | Masked Shrew |
| Pygmy Shrew | Water Shrew |
| Meadow Jumping Mouse | Western Big-Eared Bat |
| Northern Bog Lemming | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
Fish
| Katmai National Park & Preserve | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Redband Trout | Steelhead/Rainbow Trout |
| Longnose Sucker | Brook Trout |
| Lake Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Northern Pike | Salish Sucker |
| Burbot | Coho Salmon |
| Silver Salmon | Chinook Salmon |
| King Salmon | Longnose Dace |
| Slimy Sculpin | Speckled Dace |
| Threespine Stickleback | Threespine Stickleback |
| Sockeye Salmon | Sockeye Salmon |
| Pink Salmon | Pink Salmon |
| Chum Salmon | Chum Salmon |
| Dolly Varden | Dolly Varden |
| Arctic Grayling | Cutthroat Trout |
Amphibians
| Katmai National Park & Preserve | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Bullfrog |
Reptiles
| Katmai National Park & Preserve | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Katmai National Park & Preserve | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee |
Beautiful Landscapes in Katmai National Park & Preserve and Olympic National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve is located in southern Alaska and is known for its stunning landscapes, including the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, an area filled with active volcanic vents. The park is also home to Brooks Falls, a famous spot for observing brown bears as they catch salmon. Olympic National Park, located in Washington state, is known for its diverse landscapes, including the Hoh Rainforest, which receives over 140 inches of rain annually, and the Olympic Mountains, which rise over 7,000 feet above sea level.
Visitors to Olympic National Park can also explore the Sol Duc Falls, a scenic waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation, and Hurricane Ridge, a popular ski and snowboard area offering panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains. Another popular attraction is the Quinault Rainforest, which features towering trees and rushing rivers. Both parks offer unique and breathtaking landscapes that are sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors.
Things To-Do and Activities in Katmai National Park & Preserve and Olympic National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve and Olympic National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, attracting millions of visitors every year. Both parks offer a range of activities to visitors, but there are some significant differences in terms of the types of activities that are popular at each park.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is known for its incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly its famous brown bears. Visitors can take guided tours to see the bears in their natural habitat, and many people also enjoy fishing for salmon in the park’s rivers and lakes.
On the other hand, Olympic National Park is more focused on its natural beauty, with visitors flocking to see its stunning landscapes and waterfalls. Some of the most popular activities at the park include camping, kayaking, and exploring the park’s lush rainforests.
Both parks are also home to a range of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, and boating. However, Olympic National Park is known for its more strenuous hikes, including the challenging Hurricane Ridge Trail, while Katmai National Park is better suited for more leisurely walks, such as the Brooks Falls Trail.
Ultimately, both parks are incredible destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, and the choice between Katmai National Park & Preserve and Olympic National Park will likely come down to personal preference and the specific activities you are interested in pursuing. Whether you’re a nature lover, a wildlife enthusiast, or an adrenaline junkie, there’s something for everyone at these stunning parks.
Best Time to Visit Katmai National Park & Preserve and Olympic National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve in Alaska and Olympic National Park in Washington are two unique and breathtaking national parks in the United States. While both parks offer exceptional scenic beauty, the seasonal weather in each park varies greatly.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its rugged beauty, abundant wildlife, and world-famous Brooks River. Summer temperatures in the park can reach up to 60°F and are relatively mild, with long daylight hours. In contrast, winter temperatures can drop to below freezing and the park experiences limited daylight hours.
Olympic National Park in Washington, on the other hand, experiences a temperate maritime climate with warm summers and cool, wet winters. From June to September, temperatures in the park average in the mid-60s to low 70s with limited rainfall. Winter temperatures in the park can drop to the mid-40s and the park experiences substantial rainfall.
The weather patterns in each park greatly impact when is the best time of year to visit. For those seeking wildlife viewing opportunities, summer is the best time to visit Katmai National Park & Preserve. Winter is the best time to visit Olympic National Park for those seeking a peaceful, quiet atmosphere and the opportunity to experience the park’s unique winter landscapes.
Family Friendliness of Katmai National Park & Preserve and Olympic National Park
Katmai National Park & Preserve and Olympic National Park offer different experiences for families traveling with children. Katmai is known for its stunning wildlife and scenic beauty, particularly for its famous Brooks Falls where visitors can observe bears fishing for salmon. While visitors must be cautious, the park offers guided bear viewing tours to ensure a safe and educational experience for families.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is better for families who enjoy hiking and exploring. The park features vast forests, stunning mountain vistas, and picturesque beaches. The park offers a variety of hikes, from easy walks to challenging treks, and is home to a number of campgrounds and picnic areas. Families can also participate in ranger-led programs, such as nature walks and campfire talks, to learn more about the park’s ecosystem and its inhabitants.
Both parks have amenities for families such as campgrounds, picnic areas, and restrooms. However, Olympic National Park is more developed, with more options for dining and accommodations. Katmai is more remote and rustic, offering fewer amenities and a more rugged experience.
In conclusion, both Katmai National Park & Preserve and Olympic National Park are great destinations for families, but depending on your interests and activities, one may be a better fit than the other. For families interested in wildlife viewing, Katmai is a great option. For families who love hiking and exploring, Olympic National Park offers a variety of opportunities.