Kobuk Valley National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest and most remote parks in Alaska, offering visitors a chance to experience the rugged and wild beauty of this great state. Both parks offer a wealth of natural wonders, from towering mountains and glaciers, to pristine wilderness and wildlife.
Kobuk Valley National Park is known for its stunning sand dunes, created by the powerful Kobuk River, which is one of the few rivers in the world that creates sand dunes. Visitors can hike to the top of the dunes for a breathtaking view, or even camp in the valley for a truly unique wilderness experience.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a true adventurer’s playground, with opportunities for backpacking, mountaineering, and river rafting. With 13.2 million acres of wilderness, this park is home to some of the tallest peaks in North America and the largest concentration of glaciers in the country. Visitors can witness the majesty of glaciers calving into the sea or even take a scenic flight over the park to see the glaciers from above.
So, which park is right for you? If you’re looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind wilderness experience, read on to find out more about these two incredible parks in Alaska.
Hiking Trails in Kobuk Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Kobuk Valley National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest national parks in Alaska, with an abundance of hiking trails to explore.
Kobuk Valley National Park is home to the famous 40-mile long Kobuk River sand dunes, which visitors can hike through on the Sand Dunes Trail. This hike is considered easy, taking visitors through a unique landscape of towering sand dunes. On the other hand, the hardest hike in Kobuk Valley is the Caribou Creek Trail, a 14-mile trek through the wilderness to Caribou Creek Pass.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is an immense park with a variety of hiking trails for all levels, from easy nature walks to strenuous backpacking trips. The park’s highlight is the Root Glacier Trail, a 2.5-mile hike on a glacial outwash plain. Another easy hike in the park is the Draney Glacier Trail, a 2-mile trail through a beautiful alpine landscape. For a more challenging experience, visitors can hike the Mount Blackburn Trail, a strenuous 19-mile trek to the summit of Mount Blackburn, the park’s highest peak.
Both parks offer unique and diverse hiking experiences, making them great destinations for outdoor enthusiasts.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Kobuk Valley 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 | 4.6 |
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 Kobuk Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska is known for its stunning sand dunes, while Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is known for its vast wilderness. Both parks offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities.
In Kobuk Valley National Park, visitors may encounter brown bears, moose, wolves, and caribou. The park’s sand dunes also provide habitat for numerous bird species, such as the sandpiper and plover. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of plant species, including Arctic cotton, fireweed, and dwarf birch.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, black bears, Dall sheep, and mountain goats. The park is also a popular destination for birdwatchers, with over 169 species of birds recorded in the park, including the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon. The park’s diverse landscapes, ranging from glaciers to alpine tundra, support a variety of plant life, including wildflowers, mosses, and lichens.
In conclusion, both Kobuk Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities in Alaska. Whether you’re interested in observing bears, birds, or plants, these parks offer something for everyone.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Kobuk Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Kobuk Valley 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 |
| Northern Flicker | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Merlin | Northern Flicker |
| Savannah Sparrow | Merlin |
| American Kestrel | Barn Swallow |
| Bald Eagle | Savannah Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | Great Blue Heron |
| American Wigeon | Hermit Thrush |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Kestrel |
| American Pipit | Bald Eagle |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Song Sparrow |
| White-Crowned Sparrow | European Starling |
| Northern Shoveler | Northern Pintail |
| Golden Eagle | American Wigeon |
| Rough-Legged Hawk | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Kobuk Valley National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Black Bear | Little Brown Bat |
| Porcupine | Black Bear |
| Red Fox | Porcupine |
| Mink | Red Fox |
| Wolf | Puma |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Mink |
| Snowshoe Hare | Mule Deer |
| River Otter | Wolf |
| Common Shrew | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Squirrel | Snowshoe Hare |
| Montane Shrew | Land Otter |
| Lynx | Common Shrew |
| Wolverine | Water Shrew |
| American Marten | Red Squirrel |
| Grizzly Bear | Montane Shrew |
| Moose | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Least Weasel | Lynx |
| Pygmy Shrew | Wolverine |
| Northern Bog Lemming | American Marten |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | |
| Grizzly Bear | |
| Meadow Vole |
Fish
| Kobuk Valley National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Longnose Sucker | Steelhead |
| Lake Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Northern Pike | Lake Trout |
| Burbot | Northern Pike |
| Coho Salmon | Burbot |
| King Salmon | Silver Salmon |
| Slimy Sculpin | King Salmon |
| Alaskan Stickleback | Slimy Sculpin |
| Pink Salmon | Threespine Stickleback |
| Chum Salmon | Sockeye Salmon |
| Dolly Varden | Pink Salmon |
| Arctic Grayling | Chum Salmon |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Kobuk Valley National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Wood Frog |
Insects
| Kobuk Valley National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur |
Beautiful Landscapes in Kobuk Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Kobuk Valley National Park is located in northern Alaska and is renowned for its sand dunes, which are the largest in the Arctic. The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, which reach heights of up to 100 feet, are a unique feature of the park that visitors can explore on a guided tour or on their own. In addition to the sand dunes, the park is home to the Kobuk River, which provides stunning views of the surrounding wilderness.
Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve is located in southern Alaska and is one of the largest parks in the US, covering over 13 million acres. The park is home to several mountain ranges, including the Wrangell Mountains, and features several glaciers, including the largest glacier in North America, the Malaspina Glacier. Visitors can hike to the top of Mount St. Elias, one of the tallest peaks in the park, for stunning views of the surrounding wilderness and glaciers. The park also offers opportunities for backcountry camping and rafting on the Copper River.
Both Kobuk Valley National Park and Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique landscapes and natural wonders that are sure to captivate visitors. Whether you’re interested in exploring sand dunes or glaciers, both parks offer a wealth of opportunities for outdoor adventure and breathtaking views of the Alaskan wilderness.
Things To-Do and Activities in Kobuk Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Kobuk Valley National Park and Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest and most popular national parks in Alaska, and offer a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy.
Kobuk Valley National Park is best known for its sand dunes, which are formed by the Kobuk River and are some of the largest sand dunes in the world. Visitors to the park can go on scenic drives, camp, and explore the dunes on foot, either on their own or as part of a guided tour. The park is also home to a number of wildlife species, including caribou, wolves, and grizzly bears, making it a popular destination for wildlife viewing.
Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a vast and remote wilderness area that covers over 13 million acres. Visitors to the park can go backpacking, fishing, and hunting. The park is also home to a number of glaciers, including the Root Glacier and the Kennicott Glacier, and visitors can go on guided tours to explore these glaciers and learn about the geology of the area. In addition, the park is a popular destination for mountaineering, with several peaks over 16,000 feet and challenging routes.
Both parks offer a unique and unforgettable wilderness experience for visitors, but the type of activities offered will depend on which park you choose to visit. Whether you’re looking for scenic drives, wildlife viewing, or challenging outdoor adventures, both Kobuk Valley National Park and Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Kobuk Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Kobuk Valley National Park and Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two unique parks in Alaska that both offer visitors a chance to experience the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. While both parks are located in the same state, they have different weather patterns that visitors should consider when planning their trip.
Kobuk Valley National Park is located in northwest Alaska, and the weather here is characterized by cool temperatures and high rainfall. In the summer months, temperatures can reach into the 60s, but the park is still susceptible to rain and clouds. In the winter, the park experiences very cold temperatures and a lot of snow. Because of the weather, the best time to visit Kobuk Valley National Park is during the summer months, when the weather is at its warmest and the park is accessible.
Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in south-central Alaska. The weather here is characterized by warm summers and cold winters, with temperatures ranging from the high 30s to the low 60s during the summer months. In the winter, temperatures can drop well below zero and the park is often covered in snow. Because of the weather, the best time to visit Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve is during the summer months, when the weather is at its warmest and the park is accessible.
Family Friendliness of Kobuk Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Kobuk Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of Alaska’s largest and most stunning national parks.
Kobuk Valley is known for its sand dunes, which tower hundreds of feet above the valley floor and provide a unique and captivating environment for visitors. This park is relatively remote and doesn’t have many amenities, but it is a great choice for families who are looking for a secluded and peaceful outdoor experience.
Wrangell – St Elias, on the other hand, is a vast wilderness area that offers a diverse range of landscapes, including glaciers, mountains, and valleys. The park has a few small communities and lodges within its boundaries, making it a good choice for families who want a bit more comfort and convenience. Visitors can take guided tours, go fishing, and enjoy scenic drives, making this park a good choice for families who want a little bit of everything.
In conclusion, both parks offer unique and beautiful experiences for families who are looking to explore Alaska’s wilderness. If you’re traveling with children who love adventure and the great outdoors, Kobuk Valley is a great choice. If you’re looking for a more comfortable and convenient experience, Wrangell – St Elias is the better option.