Mammoth Cave National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the United States. Both parks offer visitors a chance to escape into the great outdoors and explore unique landscapes unlike anything else in the world.
So, what sets these two parks apart and which one should you add to your bucket list? If you’re a fan of underground adventures, then Mammoth Cave National Park is the place for you. This massive cave system is the longest known in the world, offering visitors a chance to explore its dark, mysterious depths.
On the other hand, if you’re seeking an adventure in the great outdoors, then Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is the place for you. This massive park is home to towering peaks, vast glaciers and an array of wildlife, making it a true wilderness paradise.
So, whether you’re a fan of underground adventures or outdoor thrills, these two parks are sure to offer a unique and unforgettable experience.
Hiking Trails in Mammoth Cave National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Mammoth Cave National Park is located in Kentucky and is home to the longest cave system in the world. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Some of the easiest hikes include the River Styx Spring Trail, a 1-mile hike that takes you past a crystal-clear spring, and the Domes and Dripstones Trail, a 0.75-mile hike that takes you through a variety of cave formations.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is one of the largest national parks in the United States. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Some of the easiest hikes include the Root Glacier Trail, a 2.5-mile hike that takes you along a glacier, and the McCarthy Road Trail, a 1.5-mile hike that takes you along an abandoned road. Some of the hardest hikes in the park include the Mount St. Elias Summit Trail, a 17-mile hike that takes you to the top of one of the tallest mountains in the United States, and the Nabesna Glacier Trail, a 15-mile hike that takes you along a glacier.
Both Mammoth Cave National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy. Whether you are looking for an easy hike or a challenging adventure, these parks have something for everyone.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Mammoth Cave National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green River Bluffs Trail | 7242.03 | 169.7736 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cedar Sink Trail | 2896.812 | 70.7136 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mammoth Cave National Park Scenic Drive | 17541.806 | 173.736 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Sinkhole Trail | 3862.416 | 108.8136 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Echo River Spring and Sinkhole Loop | 4988.954 | 122.8344 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Echo River and River Styx Springs Trail | 5471.756 | 129.8448 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Sal Hollow and Buffalo Creek Loop Trail | 8690.436 | 100.8888 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Dixon Cave Trail Loop | 2414.01 | 83.82 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| First Creek Lake Trail | 5793.624 | 158.8008 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| McCoy Hollow Trail | 19794.882 | 434.9496 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
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 Mammoth Cave National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Mammoth Cave National Park is located in Kentucky and is famous for its extensive cave system. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, coyotes, and bats. Visitors can also spot bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and pileated woodpeckers. In addition to these animals, the park is also home to a variety of reptiles, such as the timber rattlesnake and the eastern box turtle.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is a unique and diverse wilderness that offers a different experience from Mammoth Cave. The park is home to a variety of large mammals, including moose, caribou, and grizzly bears. Visitors can also spot a variety of bird species, including the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon. The park is also home to a diverse range of plant life, including tundra, spruce forests, and alpine meadows.
Both parks offer unique wildlife experiences, but Wrangell-St Elias is particularly special due to its abundance of large mammals and diverse plant life. Visitors to the park can expect to see a wide range of wildlife, including some of the largest mammals in North America. Additionally, the park’s location in Alaska means that visitors can also experience the beauty of the Arctic tundra and the boreal forest.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Mammoth Cave National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Mammoth Cave 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
| Mammoth Cave National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | Puma |
| Raccoon | Mink |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Mule Deer |
| Hoary Bat | Wolf |
| Red Fox | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Snowshoe Hare |
| House Mouse | Land Otter |
| Mink | Common Shrew |
| Gray Fox | Water Shrew |
| Western Long-Eared Bat | Red Squirrel |
| River Otter | Montane Shrew |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Long-Tailed Vole |
| White-Tailed Deer | Lynx |
| Virginia Opossum | Wolverine |
| Meadow Vole | American Marten |
| Eastern Red Bat | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| White-Footed Mouse | Grizzly Bear |
| Norway Rat | Meadow Vole |
Fish
| Mammoth Cave National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Steelhead |
| Largemouth Bass | Longnose Sucker |
| Green Sunfish | Lake Trout |
| Bluegill | Northern Pike |
| Golden Shiner | Burbot |
| Common Carp | Silver Salmon |
| Yellow Bullhead | King Salmon |
| Channel Catfish | Slimy Sculpin |
| Black Crappie | Threespine Stickleback |
| Black Bullhead | Sockeye Salmon |
| Mosquitofish | Pink Salmon |
| Creek Chub | Chum Salmon |
| Goldfish | Dolly Varden |
| Smallmouth Bass | Cutthroat Trout |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Mammoth Cave National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Mammoth Cave National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Black Racer | |
| Ringneck Snake | |
| Eastern Garter Snake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Mammoth Cave National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Silvery Blue |
| Commom Wood Nymph | Clouded Sulphur |
Beautiful Landscapes in Mammoth Cave National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Mammoth Cave National Park, located in Kentucky, is famous for its massive underground cave system, the longest in the world, stretching over 400 miles. Visitors can take guided tours to explore the cave’s intricate labyrinth of tunnels, passageways, and rooms filled with stunning rock formations.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and boasts breathtaking landscapes of glaciers, snowcapped peaks, and abundant wildlife. The park is home to several of the tallest mountain ranges in North America, including Mount St. Elias, which stands at 18,008 feet. The park is also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for backpacking, fishing, and mountaineering.
Both parks offer unique natural wonders that make them truly special. Whether exploring the underground world of Mammoth Cave or admiring the spectacular views of the Wrangell Mountains, visitors are sure to be in awe of the beauty and diversity of these magnificent parks.
Things To-Do and Activities in Mammoth Cave National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Mammoth Cave National Park and Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest and most diverse parks in the United States. While both offer stunning natural beauty and a range of outdoor activities, each park has its own unique offerings.
At Mammoth Cave National Park, visitors can explore the world’s longest known cave system, with over 400 miles of mapped passages. Guided tours through the caves are available year-round, ranging from easy walks to challenging crawls. In addition to caving, visitors can also enjoy hiking, fishing, and kayaking in the park’s scenic above-ground areas.
Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its rugged wilderness, towering peaks, and glaciers. Visitors can explore the park’s backcountry on foot, by car, or by air, and enjoy a range of activities such as hiking, backpacking, fishing, and mountaineering. The park also offers opportunities for rafting, kayaking, and even dog-sledding in the winter months.
Whether you’re looking to explore underground caves or take on a challenging hike, both Mammoth Cave National Park and Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or simply looking for a relaxing day in nature, these parks are sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
Best Time to Visit Mammoth Cave National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska offer vastly different landscapes and experiences for visitors, and the seasonal weather in each park plays a significant role in determining when is the best time to visit.
Mammoth Cave National Park experiences a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters. Summer temperatures average in the mid-80s, making it a popular time for visitors to explore the park’s famous cave system. Winter temperatures average in the mid-40s, making it a quieter time to visit, but the caves remain a constant temperature year-round, making them a great destination regardless of the season.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is located in the heart of Alaska and experiences a subarctic climate with long, harsh winters and short, mild summers. Summer temperatures average in the mid-50s, making it a popular time for visitors to explore the park’s glaciers and wildlife. Winter temperatures can drop to below freezing, making it a challenging time to visit, but the park offers unique winter recreation opportunities such as dog sledding and snowmobiling.
When considering a visit to either park, it’s important to keep in mind the seasonal weather and how it may impact your desired activities. Whether you’re looking to explore underground caves or glaciers, plan your trip accordingly to make the most of your experience.
Family Friendliness of Mammoth Cave National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Mammoth Cave National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most popular parks in the United States. Both offer incredible natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. However, they differ when it comes to being family-friendly.
Mammoth Cave is a great option for families with young children. The park offers several ranger-led tours that are specifically designed for families, including the Wild Cave Tour, the Domes and Dripstones Tour, and the Frozen Niagara Tour. These tours are shorter in length and easier for young children to handle. The park also has picnic areas and campgrounds, making it easy for families to spend a full day or even a weekend exploring the park.
Wrangell – St Elias, on the other hand, is a more challenging park for families. The park is vast, with few developed areas and limited facilities. The wilderness is rugged and remote, making it difficult for young children to explore and enjoy. Additionally, the park offers more strenuous activities, such as backpacking, mountaineering, and kayaking, which may not be suitable for younger children.
Overall, if you are traveling with children, Mammoth Cave National Park is the better option. The park provides plenty of opportunities for family-friendly activities and is easier for young children to navigate. Wrangell – St Elias, on the other hand, is a better option for families with older children or for those who are looking for more challenging outdoor activities.