Kenai Fjords National Park and Wind Cave National Park are two of America’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Both parks boast unique geological formations and diverse wildlife, making it difficult to choose which one to visit. With this comparison article, you’ll be able to determine which park is right for you. Whether you’re a nature lover, an outdoor adventurer, or simply in search of breathtaking views, these two parks have something to offer.
Wind Cave National Park, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is known for its intricate and mysterious cave system. With over 140 miles of explored passages, Wind Cave is the fourth longest cave in the world. The cave’s unique formations, including boxwork and frostwork, are some of the most unusual found anywhere.
Kenai Fjords National Park, meanwhile, is located in Alaska and is a true natural wonder. The park offers visitors a chance to experience the rugged beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, from its glaciers to its abundant wildlife. With over 700 miles of coastline, Kenai Fjords is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the raw beauty of the Great North. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or simply looking to take in the views, you won’t be disappointed.
Hiking Trails in Kenai Fjords National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska is known for its stunning coastal landscapes and abundant wildlife. On the other hand, Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota is famous for its intricate cave system and rolling prairies.
When it comes to hiking trails, Kenai Fjords offers a range of options from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes is the Exit Glacier Trail, a 1.8-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to the face of the glacier. For a more strenuous hike, the Harding Icefield Trail is a popular 8.2-mile round trip hike that offers breathtaking views of the icefield and the surrounding mountains.
Wind Cave National Park also has a variety of hiking trails, but they are generally easier compared to those at Kenai Fjords. The Park has several short nature trails that wind through the prairies and offer great views of the surrounding landscape. For a longer hike, the Rankin Ridge Trail is a 4.6-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to the top of a hill for panoramic views of the surrounding area.
In conclusion, both Kenai Fjords and Wind Cave National Parks offer diverse and beautiful hiking experiences. While Kenai Fjords has more challenging hikes and stunning coastal landscapes, Wind Cave offers easier hikes and marvels beneath the earth. Both parks are worth visiting for any outdoor enthusiast.
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 Wind Cave National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Kenai Fjords National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park and Wind Cave National Park are two vastly different environments that offer unique wildlife experiences.
At Kenai Fjords, visitors can expect to see a diverse range of marine mammals, including orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, and harbor seals. This park also offers sightings of a variety of bird species, including bald eagles, puffins, and cormorants. The park’s coastal rainforest is home to a variety of plant species, including Sitka spruce and western hemlock.
Wind Cave National Park, on the other hand, is home to a variety of mammals such as bison, elk, and pronghorns. Visitors may also spot black-tailed deer, coyotes, and badgers. The park’s diverse bird population includes species like the western meadowlark, the mountain bluebird, and the American goldfinch. The park also contains a variety of plants, including prairie grasses and wildflowers.
In conclusion, both Kenai Fjords National Park and Wind Cave National Park provide unique wildlife experiences that are well worth exploring. Whether you’re interested in marine mammals or prairie animals, both parks have something to offer.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Kenai Fjords National Park and Wind Cave National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Wind Cave 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 | Wind Cave 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 | Weasels |
| Red Squirrel | House Mouse |
| Montane Shrew | Mountain Lion |
| Lynx | Mink |
| Wolverine | Mule Deer |
| American Marten | Wolf |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Brown Bear | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Meadow Mouse | Badger |
| Moose | Ermine |
| Pygmy Shrew | Fringed Myotis |
Fish
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Redband Trout | Brook Trout |
| Longnose Sucker | Fathead Minnow |
| Burbot | Long Nose Dace |
| Silver Salmon | Black Bullhead |
| Chinook Salmon | Creek Chub |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Red Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden |
Amphibians
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouses Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Bull Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Milksnake |
Insects
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfer | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary |
Beautiful Landscapes in Kenai Fjords National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park is located in Alaska and is famous for its stunning coastal landscapes and glaciers. Visitors can see the Harding Icefield, which is one of the largest icefields in North America and covers over 700 square miles. The park is also home to Aialik Bay, which is known for its crystal-clear waters and abundant marine wildlife. Kayaking and whale watching are popular activities in the park.
Wind Cave National Park, located in South Dakota, is known for its unique and intricate cave system. Wind Cave is one of the longest and most complex caves in the world and features a rare formation called boxwork. The park also features rolling prairies, mixed-grass prairies, and pine forests that are home to a variety of wildlife species, including bison, elk, and pronghorns. Hiking, camping, and touring the cave system are popular activities in the park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Kenai Fjords National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park is located in Alaska and is known for its breathtaking glaciers and wildlife. Popular activities at Kenai Fjords include whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can take a tour boat to see the glaciers and wildlife up close, or they can kayak on their own and get a more personal experience. In addition to these activities, visitors can also go fishing, camping, and hiking.
Wind Cave National Park, located in South Dakota, is well-known for its extensive cave system, which is one of the longest and most complex in the world. Popular activities at Wind Cave include cave tours, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can take a guided tour of the caves to learn about the unique geology and formations, or they can explore the surface trails to see bison, elk, and other wildlife. In addition to these activities, visitors can also go camping and fishing.
Both Kenai Fjords and Wind Cave offer a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors, but they differ in the type of activities they offer. While Kenai Fjords is known for its glaciers and wildlife, Wind Cave is known for its caves and wildlife. Whether you prefer to be on the water or underground, both parks have something to offer for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Kenai Fjords National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park and Wind Cave National Park are two very different national parks, each with its own unique weather patterns and best times to visit. Kenai Fjords National Park is located in Alaska and is known for its stunning glaciers and abundant wildlife. The weather in Kenai Fjords can be dramatically different depending on the season, with warm and sunny summers, and cold and snowy winters. The best time to visit is during the summer months from June to August when temperatures are mild and the glaciers are easily accessible.
Wind Cave National Park, located in South Dakota, is known for its unique cave system and diverse wildlife. The weather in Wind Cave can be quite extreme, with hot summers and cold winters. The best time to visit is during the spring and fall months when temperatures are mild and the park’s unique cave system is open for exploration. The summer months can be quite hot, with temperatures reaching over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, making it less enjoyable to explore the park’s cave system.
When comparing the two parks, it is clear that they have very different weather patterns and the best time to visit varies greatly. Visitors to Kenai Fjords should plan their trip during the summer months for the best weather and accessibility to the park’s attractions, while visitors to Wind Cave should plan their trip during the spring or fall for mild temperatures and optimal cave exploration.
Family Friendliness of Kenai Fjords National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, offers breathtaking views of glaciers, wildlife, and the fjords. This park is also family-friendly and offers many activities for families with children. For example, families can take a boat tour to see whales, sea lions, and other marine life, or go on a guided hike to see glaciers up close. In addition, the park has a visitors’ center with educational exhibits and a ranger-led junior ranger program for kids.
Wind Cave National Park, located in South Dakota, is also a great destination for families. This park is known for its unique cave formations and diverse wildlife, including bison, pronghorns, and elk. The park offers several ranger-led activities, including cave tours and wildlife walks, that are great for families with children. In addition, the park has a picnic area, campground, and a junior ranger program, making it easy for families to spend an entire day at the park.
In conclusion, both Kenai Fjords National Park and Wind Cave National Park are great destinations for families with children. However, if you’re looking for a more outdoor-oriented experience, Kenai Fjords National Park may be the better option, with its glaciers, boat tours, and hiking opportunities. On the other hand, if you’re interested in a more cave-focused experience, Wind Cave National Park offers unique cave formations and a variety of ranger-led activities. Ultimately, the best park for families will depend on their individual interests and preferences.