Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most unique and awe-inspiring parks in the United States. Both parks boast of breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and diverse recreational opportunities that make them perfect destinations for adventure enthusiasts, nature lovers, and families alike. But what makes these two parks different from each other and which one is the best fit for your next outdoor escapade?
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a wonderland of geothermal activity, where visitors can witness the power of volcanic forces firsthand. With its steaming vents, boiling mud pots, and bubbling hot springs, this park is a living testament to the power of Mother Nature. On the other hand, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a vast and rugged wilderness, where visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of glaciers, towering peaks, and pristine wilderness. With over 13 million acres of protected lands, this park is one of the largest national parks in the world.
In this article, we will delve into the unique features of Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, and compare them to help you decide which park is the best fit for your next outdoor adventure. Whether you’re looking for a thrilling geothermal experience, a chance to explore pristine wilderness, or a combination of both, this article has got you covered. So, get ready to embark on a journey of discovery as we compare two of the most remarkable parks in the United States!
Hiking Trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most unique and diverse national parks in the United States. Both parks boast a variety of hiking trails ranging from easy walks to strenuous backcountry adventures.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is known for its diverse landscape, featuring everything from lush meadows to volcanic craters. The park’s most popular hike is the Lassen Peak trail, which takes you to the top of the park’s most active volcano. While the hike is strenuous, it offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The park also has several easier hikes, such as the Bumpass Hell trail, which takes you through a steamy volcanic area, and the Mill Creek Falls trail, which is a short and easy walk to a beautiful waterfall.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is the largest national park in the United States and is home to some of the country’s tallest peaks. The park is a great destination for experienced hikers, with several challenging trails that take you through glaciers, valleys, and high mountain passes. The park’s most popular hike is the Root Glacier trail, which takes you to the edge of a massive glacier. The park also has several easier hikes, such as the Nabesna Road trail, which is a scenic drive that offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
In conclusion, both Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer a variety of hiking trails for all skill levels. Whether you’re looking for an easy walk or a challenging backcountry adventure, these parks have something for everyone.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lassen Peak | 8207.634 | 599.8464 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Kings Creek Falls Trail | 4345.218 | 143.8656 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cinder Cone Nature Trail | 7724.832 | 317.9064 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Brokeoff Mountain Trail | 12230.984 | 786.9936 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Mill Creek Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 237.744 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Manzanita Lake Loop | 3057.746 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Devil’s Kitchen Trail | 7402.964 | 187.7568 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chaos Crags Trail | 6437.36 | 301.752 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cluster Lakes Loop Trail | 16737.136 | 451.7136 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Boiling Springs Lake Loop Trail | 3701.482 | 75.8952 | Easy | loop | 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 Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique wildlife experiences for visitors. Lassen is home to diverse forests, meadows, and volcanic landscapes that support numerous species of mammals such as black bears, mountain lions, and mule deer. The park is also home to over 200 species of birds, including the western tanager and the mountain bluebird.
Wrangell – St Elias, on the other hand, is a massive wilderness area that encompasses 9.7 million acres. This park is home to large mammals such as grizzly bears, caribou, and moose, as well as smaller mammals like red squirrels and beavers. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 170 species of birds, including the bald eagle and the Steller’s jay. Wrangell – St Elias also boasts a significant number of endemic plant species, such as the Wrangellia root and the St Elias Alpine forget-me-not.
In conclusion, both Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique wildlife experiences for visitors. While Lassen is known for its diverse forests and volcanic landscapes, Wrangell – St Elias is a massive wilderness area with a wide variety of large mammals and endemic plant species. Regardless of which park you choose, be sure to bring your binoculars and camera to capture the stunning wildlife.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Lassen Volcanic 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 |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| American Beaver | Coyote |
| Muskrat | American Beaver |
| Bobcat | Muskrat |
| Striped Skunk | Little Brown Bat |
| Raccoon | Black Bear |
| Black Bear | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Red Fox |
| Hoary Bat | Puma |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Mink |
| Mountain Lion | Mule Deer |
| Mink | Wolf |
| Mule Deer | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Gray Fox | Snowshoe Hare |
| Wolf | Land Otter |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Common Shrew |
| Snowshoe Hare | Water Shrew |
| Fringed Myotis | Red Squirrel |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Montane Shrew |
| Yuma Myotis | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Bighorn Sheep | Lynx |
| Montane Shrew | Wolverine |
| Long-Tailed Vole | American Marten |
| Ringtail | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Virginia Opossum | Grizzly Bear |
| Wolverine | Meadow Vole |
Fish
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Redband Trout | Steelhead |
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brown Trout | Lake Trout |
| Fathead Minnow | Northern Pike |
| Golden Shiner | Burbot |
| Silver Salmon | Silver Salmon |
| King Salmon | King Salmon |
| Mottled Sculpin | Slimy Sculpin |
| Speckled Dace | Threespine Stickleback |
| Brown Bullhead | Sockeye Salmon |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Wood Frog |
Insects
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Silvery Blue |
| Painted Lady | Clouded Sulphur |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Buckeye | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Lassen Volcanic National Park, located in California, is known for its volcanic landscapes and thermal features. The park is home to Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world, and is surrounded by scenic lakes, meadows and forests. Visitors can witness the park’s geothermal wonders by hiking to the top of Lassen Peak or by exploring the park’s many hot springs and mud pots.
Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska is the largest national park in the United States, and boasts stunning mountain landscapes and glaciers. The park is home to nine of the 16 highest peaks in the United States, including Mount St. Elias, which stands at 18,008 feet. Visitors can explore the park’s glaciers on foot or by helicopter, or they can camp, hike, and fish in its valleys and rivers. The park is also home to historic mining sites, including the ghost town of Kennecott, a former copper-mining town that has been preserved as a National Historic Landmark.
Things To-Do and Activities in Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique outdoor experiences for visitors. Both parks offer scenic drives, popular camping spots, and opportunities for wildlife viewing, but each park has its own specialties.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is known for its active volcanic landscape and geothermal features, including the famous Bumpass Hell and Boiling Springs Lake. Visitors can also explore the park’s numerous hiking trails, fishing spots, and picnic areas. In the winter, Lassen offers snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is the largest national park in the country and is a mecca for backcountry enthusiasts. The park offers opportunities for backpacking, mountaineering, and glacier trekking, as well as scenic flights and rafting trips down the Copper River. Visitors can also explore the historic Kennecott Mines, a National Historic Landmark, and search for wildlife such as caribou, grizzly bears, and wolves.
Both parks offer a variety of recreational opportunities, but Lassen Volcanic National Park is best for those interested in geothermal features and volcanic landscapes, while Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is ideal for backcountry enthusiasts looking for untamed wilderness and opportunities for adventure.
Best Time to Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. They both offer unique experiences and different types of weather, making each park ideal for visit during different times of the year.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in northern California and has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters. The best time to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park is during the summer months of June to September, when temperatures are warm and the park is accessible. Winter months can be harsh and snowy, making it difficult to access the park’s trails and roads.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, has a sub-arctic climate with long, cold winters and short, mild summers. The best time to visit Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is during the summer months of June to August, when temperatures are mild and the park is accessible. Winter months can be harsh and snowy, making it difficult to access the park’s trails and roads. Additionally, many of the park’s popular attractions, such as glaciers and icefields, are best viewed during the summer when they are more visible.
In conclusion, the seasonal weather at both Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve affects when is the best time of year to visit each park. While Lassen Volcanic National Park is best visited during the summer months, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is best visited during the summer months for mild temperatures and accessibility to popular attractions.
Family Friendliness of Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Lassen Volcanic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most spectacular national parks in the United States. Both are great options for families, but they do have some differences in terms of family-friendliness.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a great choice for families with younger children. With its varied landscapes, including hot springs, lakes, and hiking trails, there is something for everyone. The park also has a range of educational programs and family-friendly activities. There are several picnic areas, campgrounds, and other amenities that make it a great option for families.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is better suited for families with older children. The park is immense, with a vast wilderness that is best explored through backpacking and wilderness camping. There are several ranger-led programs and guided tours that can help families get the most out of their visit, but it does require a bit more effort and preparation than Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Overall, Lassen Volcanic National Park is the better option for families with younger children, while Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is better for families with older children who are looking for a more rugged and adventurous experience. Both parks are beautiful and offer unique experiences, so it ultimately depends on the interests and needs of your family.