If you’re looking for a wild and rugged adventure, look no further than Alaska’s national parks. With over 17 million acres of breathtaking landscapes, it’s hard to choose just one. But why choose just one?
Let’s compare two of Alaska’s gems: Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. These two parks offer unique experiences, from glistening glaciers and towering mountains to pristine lakes and wildlife-rich tundras.
In this article, we’ll delve into the rugged beauty of Lake Clark and the massive expanse of Wrangell-St. Elias. Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime as we compare these two magnificent parks. Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a first-time visitor, you won’t want to miss this comparison of two of Alaska’s most stunning national parks. So, grab your gear, strap on your boots and let’s get ready to explore!
Hiking Trails in Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of Alaska’s largest and most breathtaking national parks. Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, ranging from easy walks to strenuous backcountry treks.
At Lake Clark, one of the easiest trails is the Port Alsworth Nature Trail, a 1.5-mile loop that winds through the town of Port Alsworth and offers views of Lake Clark. For those seeking a more challenging hike, the Tanalian Falls Trail is a 5-mile round trip hike that takes you to the base of Tanalian Falls, a beautiful waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve also offers a variety of hiking trails, including the Root Glacier Trail, an easy 2-mile hike that takes you to the edge of Root Glacier. For those seeking a more strenuous hike, the Kennicott Glacier Trail is a 8.5-mile round trip hike that takes you to the base of Kennicott Glacier and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Both parks also offer opportunities for backcountry hiking, including multi-day treks through remote wilderness areas. Whether you are a seasoned hiker or just starting out, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer something for everyone.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
| 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 | 4.7 |
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 Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is known for its diverse wildlife, including brown bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. The park also has a large population of bald eagles, as well as a variety of waterfowl that can be seen along its many rivers and lakes.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, boasts a more varied landscape and as a result, a wider range of wildlife. Visitors to the park can expect to see caribou, Dall sheep, moose, and grizzly bears, as well as a variety of bird species including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and many species of waterfowl.
In terms of plant life, both Lake Clark and Wrangell-St. Elias are home to a vast array of flora, including wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. However, due to the differences in climate and topography, the types of plants found in each park can vary greatly. For example, Lake Clark is known for its lush forests and tundra, while Wrangell-St. Elias is home to glaciers, alpine meadows, and deserts.
In conclusion, both Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences. Whether you’re interested in seeing grizzly bears and caribou or bald eagles and moose, both parks have something to offer.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Lake Clark National Park & Preserve | 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 |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | European Starling |
| American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Wigeon |
| American Pipit | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Lake Clark National Park & Preserve | 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 |
| Gray Wolf | Mink |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Mule Deer |
| Snowshoe Hare | Wolf |
| Northern River Otter | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Masked Shrew | Snowshoe Hare |
| Water Shrew | Land Otter |
| Red Squirrel | Common Shrew |
| Montane Shrew | Water Shrew |
| Lynx | Red Squirrel |
| Wolverine | Montane Shrew |
| American Marten | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Brown Bear | Lynx |
| Meadow Vole | Wolverine |
| Moose | American Marten |
| Least Weasel | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Pygmy Shrew | Grizzly Bear |
| Meadow Jumping Mouse | Meadow Vole |
Fish
| Lake Clark National Park & Preserve | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Steelhead | Steelhead |
| Longnose Sucker | Longnose Sucker |
| Lake Trout | Lake Trout |
| Northern Pike | Northern Pike |
| Burbot | Burbot |
| Silver Salmon | Silver Salmon |
| King Salmon | King Salmon |
| Slimy Sculpin | Slimy Sculpin |
| Threespine Stickleback | Threespine Stickleback |
| Sockeye Salmon | Sockeye Salmon |
| Pink Salmon | Pink Salmon |
| Chum Salmon | Chum Salmon |
| Dolly Varden | Dolly Varden |
| Arctic Grayling | Cutthroat Trout |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Lake Clark National Park & Preserve | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Wood Frog |
Insects
| Lake Clark National Park & Preserve | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur |
Beautiful Landscapes in Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is located in Southwest Alaska and is famous for its pristine wildness and natural beauty. The park is a combination of rugged mountains, glaciers, and the largest lake in the park system, Lake Clark. Visitors can enjoy scenic flights, camping, and fishing trips, as well as hiking and backpacking opportunities. The park also offers stunning views of the Aleutian Range, which includes the active volcano Mount Redoubt.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is the largest national park in the United States, covering over 13 million acres. The park is a massive wilderness area and is home to some of the tallest peaks in North America, including Mount Saint Elias, which reaches 18,008 feet. Visitors can explore glaciers, glistening valleys, and breathtaking mountain vistas. The park also offers opportunities for backpacking, camping, and rafting trips, as well as scenic drives and wildlife viewing opportunities. Whether you’re a hiker or a photographer, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the great outdoors.
Things To-Do and Activities in Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest and most spectacular national parks in the United States. Both offer a variety of outdoor recreational activities for visitors to enjoy, but each park has its own unique attractions and experiences.
Lake Clark is known for its stunning scenery and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Visitors can take part in bear viewing tours, where they can observe Alaskan brown bears in their natural habitat. Other popular activities include fishing for salmon, kayaking and rafting on the park’s numerous waterways, and scenic flights to see the park’s glaciers and mountains from above.
Wrangell-St. Elias is a hiker’s paradise, with its diverse and rugged terrain offering a range of challenging trails through forests, across glaciers and up mountains. The park is also a popular destination for backcountry camping, fishing, and scenic drives. Visitors can also take part in guided tours to explore the park’s glaciers and learn about the history of the area’s mining and native cultural heritage.
Both parks offer incredible opportunities for outdoor adventure and exploration, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Whether you’re looking for a more strenuous hiking and backcountry camping experience, or a more relaxed and scenic wildlife viewing adventure, either of these parks will not disappoint.
Best Time to Visit Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of Alaska’s most beautiful national parks. Both parks offer unique experiences and stunning scenery, but the weather in each park can vary greatly depending on the season.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is located in Southcentral Alaska and experiences a temperate maritime climate. Summer temperatures in the park range from the mid-50s to mid-60s, while winter temperatures range from the low to mid-30s. The best time to visit Lake Clark is June through September, when the weather is warm and dry. Visitors can enjoy activities such as fishing, hiking, and boating during these months.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Southcentral Alaska and experiences a more extreme continental climate. Summer temperatures in the park range from the mid-50s to low-60s, while winter temperatures can drop to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The best time to visit Wrangell – St Elias is during the summer months, June through August, when the weather is warm and dry. Visitors can take advantage of the park’s scenic drives, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Winter visitors to the park can enjoy snow sports such as skiing and snowboarding.
In conclusion, both Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique and beautiful experiences, but the weather in each park can greatly affect the best time to visit. Summer is the best time to visit Lake Clark, while winter is the best time to visit Wrangell – St Elias.
Family Friendliness of Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of Alaska’s most stunning national parks. While both offer breathtaking landscapes, they differ in terms of family-friendliness.
Lake Clark is considered more family-friendly, with a range of activities suitable for children and families. The park offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking, and kayaking. Children can also participate in ranger-led programs, such as campfire talks, nature walks, and wildlife watching. Additionally, the park provides several family-friendly accommodations, including lodges and cabins.
Wrangell – St Elias, on the other hand, is a more rugged and challenging park, making it less suitable for families with young children. The park offers opportunities for backcountry camping, mountaineering, and glaciers trekking. However, the remote location and lack of facilities make it a more difficult park to visit with children. It is recommended for families with older children who are comfortable with more strenuous activities.
In conclusion, Lake Clark is the better choice for families traveling with young children, while Wrangell – St Elias is better suited for families with older children or those seeking more challenging adventures.