Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most spectacular parks in Alaska. Both are known for their breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife and unique geological formations, but they are also unique in their own right. In this article, we will compare and contrast these two parks to help you decide which one is the best for your next Alaskan adventure.
Kenai Fjords is a truly magical place, with glaciers calving into the ocean, whales breaching and otters playing in the water. The park offers visitors a chance to see Alaska’s stunning coastal landscapes and wildlife in their natural habitats. On the other hand, Wrangell – St Elias is the largest national park in the United States, covering a massive 13.2 million acres. It is a wilderness lover’s paradise, with rugged mountains, glaciers and ice fields, and an abundance of wildlife, including grizzly bears and caribou.
So, which park is right for you? Do you want to experience the majesty of glaciers and wildlife along the coast, or do you want to explore the rugged wilderness of Alaska’s interior? In the rest of this article, we will dive into the details of each park and help you decide which one is the best fit for your next adventure.
Hiking Trails in Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, both offering a wide variety of hiking trails and stunning natural beauty. However, they differ in terms of the difficulty and type of hikes available.
Kenai Fjords National Park is known for its stunning coastal views and easy to moderate hikes. The Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield trails are popular options, offering breathtaking views of glaciers and the surrounding ocean. For those seeking a more challenging hike, the Resurrection Pass trail offers a strenuous, multi-day trek through the park’s interior.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a true wilderness destination, offering backcountry hikes for experienced hikers only. The park’s size and remote location make it a perfect place for those seeking a more challenging and remote hiking experience. The park’s most popular hike, the Root Glacier trail, offers a strenuous hike to the base of the glacier, where visitors can explore the unique landscape and ice formations. For those seeking an even more challenging hike, the Wrangell Mountains offer a variety of high-altitude summits and backcountry treks.
In conclusion, both Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer a variety of hiking trails, but they differ in terms of difficulty and type of hikes available. Whether you’re looking for an easy coastal hike or a challenging backcountry trek, these parks have something for everyone.
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 Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
| 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 | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two incredible locations for wildlife viewing in Alaska. Both parks offer unique habitats that attract a variety of species. Visitors to Kenai Fjords National Park will have the chance to view marine mammals such as whales, sea otters, and seals from the coastal areas, while also having the opportunity to see land-based animals like moose and black bears. In Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, visitors will be able to see a larger variety of land-based wildlife, including caribou, Dall sheep, and grizzly bears.
When it comes to birdwatching, both parks offer opportunities to see a diverse array of species, but Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is particularly known for its large populations of bald eagles and peregrine falcons. In contrast, Kenai Fjords National Park is home to a variety of seabirds, including puffins, murres, and kittiwakes.
Both parks are also rich in plant life, with Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offering a diverse range of habitats, including tundra, taiga, and alpine regions, while Kenai Fjords National Park is known for its lush coastal rainforest. Regardless of which park you visit, you’re sure to see some truly incredible wildlife and experience the beauty of Alaska’s natural landscapes.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & 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 | 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 | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Mink | Puma |
| Black-Tailed Deer | Mink |
| Gray Wolf | Mule Deer |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Wolf |
| California Myotis | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Snowshoe Hare | Snowshoe Hare |
| Northern River Otter | Land Otter |
| Masked Shrew | Common Shrew |
| Red Squirrel | Water Shrew |
| Montane Shrew | Red Squirrel |
| Lynx | Montane Shrew |
| Wolverine | Long-Tailed Vole |
| American Marten | Lynx |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Wolverine |
| Brown Bear | American Marten |
| Meadow Mouse | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Moose | Grizzly Bear |
| Pygmy Shrew | Meadow Vole |
Fish
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Redband Trout | Steelhead |
| Longnose Sucker | Longnose Sucker |
| Burbot | Lake Trout |
| Silver Salmon | Northern Pike |
| Chinook Salmon | Burbot |
| Slimy Sculpin | Silver Salmon |
| Threespine Stickleback | King Salmon |
| Red Salmon | Slimy Sculpin |
| Pink Salmon | Threespine Stickleback |
| Chum Salmon | Sockeye Salmon |
| Dolly Varden | Pink Salmon |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Wood Frog |
Insects
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur |
Beautiful Landscapes in Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Kenai Fjords National Park is a beautiful place to visit for those who are looking for a unique outdoor experience. The park is located in the state of Alaska and is home to many breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders. The most famous landscape in the park is the Harding Icefield, which is a massive ice field that covers over 700 square miles. The ice field is surrounded by towering mountain ranges and glaciers that flow into the sea. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the ice field and glaciers by taking a scenic boat tour or by hiking to one of the many scenic overlooks in the park.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is another beautiful national park located in Alaska. It is the largest national park in the United States, covering over 13.2 million acres. The park is home to several beautiful mountain ranges, including the Wrangell and St. Elias Mountains. Visitors can explore these spectacular landscapes by taking a scenic drive, hiking, or even by flying over the park in a small plane. The park is also home to several glaciers and ice fields, including the Malaspina Glacier, which is one of the largest glaciers in the world. In addition, the park has several beautiful waterfalls and streams that are surrounded by lush forests and wildlife.
Things To-Do and Activities in Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, is renowned for its stunning glaciers and marine wildlife. Visitors can take a boat tour to see glaciers up close, go kayaking in the fjords, or whale watching. Wildlife sightings of otters, seals, and orcas are common. Hiking opportunities also exist, but glaciers and wildlife viewing are the main draws.
Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve, also in Alaska, is the largest national park in the United States. It offers a range of activities, from glaciers and wildlife viewing to backcountry hiking and mountaineering. The park features the Wrangell and St. Elias mountain ranges, which offer challenging hikes and scenic vistas. Visitors can also take scenic drives and enjoy the diverse wildlife, including caribou, grizzly bears, and moose.
In conclusion, both Kenai Fjords and Wrangell – St. Elias National Parks offer unique experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. For those interested in glaciers and marine wildlife, Kenai Fjords is the way to go. For those seeking a more diverse range of activities, including backcountry hiking and mountaineering, Wrangell – St. Elias may be the better choice.
Best Time to Visit Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are both located in Alaska and offer stunning landscapes and unique wildlife experiences. However, the seasonal weather patterns of each park can greatly impact the best time of year to visit.
Kenai Fjords National Park experiences a more temperate climate, with average summer temperatures ranging from 40-60°F and winter temperatures hovering around 20-30°F. This milder weather makes summer the ideal time to visit, with opportunities for hiking, kayaking, whale watching and more. Winter weather can bring snow and ice, making it a popular time for backcountry skiing and snowboarding.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, has a much colder climate, with average summer temperatures only reaching 30-40°F and winter temperatures dropping to -20°F or lower. Despite the harsh weather, the park is a popular destination for backcountry skiing, snowmobiling and dog sledding. Summer weather is more mild, with opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing, but be prepared for rain and fog.
In conclusion, the best time to visit both Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve will depend on the type of activities you are interested in pursuing. If you are looking for milder weather and a wider range of recreational opportunities, Kenai Fjords National Park is the better option. If you are more interested in winter sports and backcountry adventures, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve may be the better choice.
Family Friendliness of Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, is a great choice for families who want to experience the beauty of glaciers, wildlife, and stunning landscapes. The park offers several ranger-led activities and guided boat tours that are both educational and fun for kids. For families with younger children, there are also short and easy trails that lead to glaciers and wildlife viewing areas.
On the other hand, Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve is the largest national park in the US, located in Alaska and boasts a diverse range of landscapes, including glaciers, mountains, and valleys. The park offers a variety of experiences for families, including guided hikes, camping, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The park is more remote than Kenai Fjords, which can make it a more challenging trip for families with young children, but the stunning scenery and opportunities for adventure make it a great option for families looking for a more rugged outdoor experience.
In conclusion, both parks offer unique experiences for families, and the best choice depends on the age of the children and the family’s preferences. Kenai Fjords is a great option for families with younger children who want a more accessible and educational experience, while Wrangell-St. Elias is best for families looking for a more adventurous and remote trip.