Kenai Fjords National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are two of the most stunning natural wonders in the United States. Both offer breathtaking views, unique geological formations, and rich history. But which one is right for you? If you’re trying to decide between the two, you’re in for a treat because this article will dive into the differences and similarities of each park.
Have you ever dreamed of exploring glaciers, watching whales, and kayaking in icy fjords? Then Kenai Fjords National Park is the place for you. This park is located in Alaska and covers over 600,000 acres of stunning wilderness and wildlife. From the snow-capped mountains to the turquoise waters, you’ll be in awe of the beauty that surrounds you.
On the other hand, Mesa Verde National Park offers a unique and fascinating look into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans. This park is located in Colorado and is home to over 4,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. You’ll be transported back in time as you explore the ancient ruins and learn about the culture and history of one of the most advanced civilizations of the 13th century.
Hiking Trails in Kenai Fjords National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park and Mesa Verde National Park offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore.
At Kenai Fjords, the Harding Icefield Trail is a challenging but rewarding hike, offering panoramic views of the icefield, glaciers and the surrounding fjords. Other popular trails include Exit Glacier and Aialik Bay, which provide opportunities to see glaciers up close and explore the park’s unique coastal ecosystem. For those looking for an easier hike, the Trail of Blue Ice offers a leisurely stroll through the park’s subalpine forest.
Mesa Verde National Park is renowned for its cliff dwellings, and the park offers several trails that allow visitors to explore the ancient ruins. The Petroglyph Point Trail is a moderate hike that takes visitors to a rock art site, while the Spruce Tree House Trail is a short, accessible trail that leads to one of the largest cliff dwellings in the park. For a tougher hike, the Knife Edge Trail takes visitors along a narrow ridge with exposure to steep drop-offs.
Both parks offer stunning natural beauty and a wide range of hiking experiences, whether you’re seeking an easy stroll or a challenging backcountry adventure.
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 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Mesa Verde National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petroglyph Point Trail | 4184.284 | 131.9784 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cliff Palace Loop Trail | 643.736 | 25.908 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Balcony House Loop Trail | 643.736 | 27.7368 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mesa Verde Point Lookout Trail | 3379.614 | 161.8488 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Soda Canyon Overlook Trail | 1931.208 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mesa Verde National Park Scenic Drive | 24140.1 | 797.9664 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Long House Trail | 3379.614 | 86.868 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Step House Trail | 1287.472 | 46.9392 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Knife Edge Trail | 3218.68 | 46.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Prater Ridge Trail | 11748.182 | 311.8104 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Wildlife in Kenai Fjords National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska and Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado are both unique and stunning national parks, each offering visitors a chance to see diverse wildlife.
At Kenai Fjords, visitors can expect to see a variety of marine mammals such as humpback whales, sea lions, and seals, as well as a variety of bird species including bald eagles, puffins, and auklets. In the park’s coastal regions, visitors may also spot bears, moose, and other land mammals. Alaska’s coastal temperate rainforest is home to a variety of plant species, including Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and Alaska cedar, as well as other vegetation such as ferns, mosses, and wildflowers.
At Mesa Verde, visitors can expect to see a range of wildlife including pronghorns, mule deer, and elk. The park sits in the middle of the Four Corners region, a transition zone between the arid Southwest and the moist Rocky Mountains, making it home to a variety of plant species such as pinyon pines, junipers, and sagebrush. Visitors may also see a range of bird species including the American Kestrel, the Western Tanager, and the Common Raven.
Overall, both parks offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences, with Kenai Fjords highlighting the stunning beauty of Alaska’s coastal regions and Mesa Verde showcasing the diversity of the Four Corners region. Whether you’re a birdwatcher, a nature enthusiast, or a wildlife lover, both parks are sure to leave you in awe.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Kenai Fjords National Park and Mesa Verde National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Mesa Verde 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 |
| 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 |
Mammals
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Mesa Verde 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 |
| Black-Tailed Deer | Raccoon |
| Gray Wolf | Black Bear |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Porcupine |
| California Myotis | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Snowshoe Hare | Hoary Bat |
| Northern River Otter | Red Fox |
| Masked Shrew | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Squirrel | House Mouse |
| Montane Shrew | Mountain Lion |
| Lynx | Mink |
| Wolverine | Mule Deer |
| American Marten | Gray Fox |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Wolf |
| Brown Bear | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Meadow Mouse | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Moose | Badger |
| Pygmy Shrew | Ermine |
Fish
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Redband Trout | |
| Longnose Sucker | |
| Burbot | |
| Silver Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Red Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden |
Amphibians
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Beautiful Landscapes in Kenai Fjords National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park is located in Alaska and is known for its stunning glaciers and fjords. The park is home to the Harding Icefield, which is a massive icefield that covers over 700 square miles. Visitors can take boat tours to see the glaciers up close and watch as they calve into the ocean. Another popular attraction is the Exit Glacier, which is one of the most easily accessible glaciers in Alaska. Visitors can hike to the glacier and get a close-up view of its beauty.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, is known for its ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings. The park is home to over 4,000 archaeological sites, including the famous Cliff Palace and Spruce Tree House. These ancient dwellings offer a glimpse into the lives of the Puebloan people who lived in the area over 700 years ago. Visitors can also explore the park’s mesa tops, which offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The park also has several hiking trails, including the Petroglyph Point Trail, which offers a unique opportunity to see ancient rock art.
Both parks offer unique and breathtaking landscapes that are sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors. Whether you’re looking for glaciers and fjords or ancient cliff dwellings and mesa tops, Kenai Fjords National Park and Mesa Verde National Park offer a diverse range of natural and cultural wonders.
Things To-Do and Activities in Kenai Fjords National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park and Mesa Verde National Park offer vastly different experiences for visitors. Kenai Fjords is a coastal park located in Alaska and is known for its stunning glaciers and marine wildlife, including whales, seals, and sea lions. Visitors can take boat tours of the fjords, go kayaking, or take a scenic flight to see the glaciers up close.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in Colorado, is a cultural park with a focus on the history and architecture of the Ancestral Pueblo people. The park is famous for its cliff dwellings and offers guided tours of the ancient ruins. Visitors can also hike the trails and learn about the Native American culture through museum exhibits and ranger-led programs.
Both parks provide unique opportunities to experience the beauty and history of the American wilderness. Whether it’s exploring the glaciers and marine life of Kenai Fjords or discovering the ancient ruins and cultural heritage of Mesa Verde, there are plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy. While both parks attract different types of visitors, they both offer breathtaking experiences that showcase the natural and cultural wonders of the United States.
Best Time to Visit Kenai Fjords National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park and Mesa Verde National Park offer vastly different landscapes and experiences for visitors, but both are greatly impacted by seasonal weather patterns.
Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, experiences long, harsh winters with temperatures averaging below freezing and heavy snowfall. Summer months offer milder temperatures and longer daylight hours, making it the prime time for outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and whale watching.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in southwestern Colorado, experiences hot summers with temperatures averaging in the high 80s and mild winters with temperatures hovering in the 40s and 50s. Summer is the best time to visit for those interested in exploring the park’s ancient cliff dwellings, as many of the park’s trails and tours are only open during this time. Winter offers a quieter, more serene experience for visitors, but with limited access to park amenities and attractions.
Visitors should consider the seasonal weather patterns when planning a trip to either of these national parks. Kenai Fjords is best visited in the summer, while Mesa Verde is best enjoyed in the summer for its cliff dwellings and in the winter for a quieter experience.
Family Friendliness of Kenai Fjords National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska and Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado are both popular national parks. However, they are very different in terms of family-friendliness. Kenai Fjords National Park is made up of glaciers, fjords, and wildlife, making it a great place for adventure-seekers. The park offers ranger-led boat tours, kayaking trips, and hiking trails. While all of these activities can be exciting for families, they can also be challenging for young children. The park is remote and harsh, so it’s important to be prepared for the elements.
Mesa Verde National Park, on the other hand, is a great option for families with young children. The park is home to ancient Native American cliff dwellings, which can be explored through ranger-led tours or self-guided walks. There are also several picnic areas and easy hiking trails, making it a great place to spend a day with the family. The park is also located in a more mild climate, with comfortable temperatures and less harsh weather compared to Kenai Fjords National Park.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with young children, Mesa Verde National Park is the better option. However, if you’re looking for an adventure and don’t mind a more challenging environment, Kenai Fjords National Park is a great choice.