Mesa Verde National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are two of the most iconic and breathtaking national parks in the US. Both parks offer a unique and awe-inspiring experience for visitors. In this article, we will take a closer look at these two parks, comparing and contrasting their natural beauty, history, and activities. Whether you’re a nature lover, history buff, or just looking for a fun and educational adventure, Mesa Verde and New River Gorge have something to offer.
Mesa Verde is home to the largest archaeological preserve in the country, with thousands of ancient cliff dwellings that will leave you in awe. The park provides a glimpse into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans who lived in the area over 700 years ago. On the other hand, New River Gorge is a modern-day playground for adventure seekers, with breathtaking views, world-class rock climbing, and white-water rafting opportunities.
So, join us on this exciting journey as we explore the wonders of Mesa Verde and New River Gorge, comparing and contrasting their natural beauty, rich history, and thrilling activities. Get ready for a wild ride as we take you on a journey through two of America’s most beautiful and diverse national parks.
Hiking Trails in Mesa Verde National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Mesa Verde National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, each offering its own unique set of hiking trails.
Mesa Verde is known for its well-preserved cliff dwellings, which can be viewed on several easy hikes, such as the Spruce Tree House and Cliff Palace trails. The park also offers a strenuous hike to the Sun Temple, which provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
New River Gorge, on the other hand, is famous for its rugged topography and challenging hikes. The Kaymoor Trail is one of the park’s most popular hikes, offering scenic views of the New River and its surrounding cliffs. For those seeking a more strenuous hike, the Endless Wall Trail provides a challenging climb to the top of the New River Gorge Bridge.
Both parks offer a diverse range of hiking experiences, from easy walks to strenuous climbs. Whether you are an experienced hiker or a beginner, both Mesa Verde and New River Gorge have trails that will suit your needs and provide you with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Mesa Verde National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Petroglyph Point Trail | 4184.284 | 131.9784 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Cliff Palace Loop Trail | 643.736 | 25.908 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Balcony House Loop Trail | 643.736 | 27.7368 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Mesa Verde Point Lookout Trail | 3379.614 | 161.8488 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Soda Canyon Overlook Trail | 1931.208 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Mesa Verde National Park Scenic Drive | 24140.1 | 797.9664 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
Long House Trail | 3379.614 | 86.868 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Step House Trail | 1287.472 | 46.9392 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Knife Edge Trail | 3218.68 | 46.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Prater Ridge Trail | 11748.182 | 311.8104 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tolmie Peak Trail | 8851.37 | 463.9056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Skyline Trail | 8529.502 | 535.8384 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
Comet and Christine Falls | 6920.162 | 610.8192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Camp Muir Route Via Skyline Trail | 13518.456 | 1403.9088 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail | 15127.796 | 780.8976 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
Naches Peak Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 193.8528 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Spray Park Trail to Mount Pleasant | 11104.446 | 635.8128 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Mount Fremont Lookout Trail | 9012.304 | 348.996 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
Pinnacle Peak Saddle Trail | 3862.416 | 321.8688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Summerland Trail | 13196.588 | 655.9296 | Moderate | out and back | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Mesa Verde National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Mesa Verde National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are two iconic national parks in the United States, each with its own unique wildlife. At Mesa Verde, visitors can expect to see a variety of mammals, including coyotes, pronghorns, and mule deer, as well as a diverse array of birds, including hawks, eagles, and the endangered peregrine falcon. Additionally, Mesa Verde is home to a wide range of plant species, including junipers, pinyon pines, and sagebrush.
On the other hand, New River Gorge is known for its abundant wildlife, including white-tailed deer, black bears, and elk, as well as a variety of bird species, such as the turkey vulture, great blue heron, and the pileated woodpecker. The park is also home to a diverse array of wildflowers and other plants, including mountain laurel, rhododendron, and hemlock.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty and diversity of the natural world, but each has its own unique wildlife that sets it apart. Whether you’re interested in seeing majestic birds of prey or observing the behavior of large mammals, both Mesa Verde and New River Gorge have something to offer.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Mesa Verde National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Mesa Verde National Park | New River Gorge National Park and 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 | Great Horned Owl |
American Robin | Red-Tailed Hawk |
Great Horned Owl | Barn Swallow |
Red-Tailed Hawk | Savannah Sparrow |
Northern Flicker | Great Blue Heron |
Merlin | Hermit Thrush |
Barn Swallow | European Starling |
Savannah Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
Great Blue Heron | American Wigeon |
Hermit Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
American Kestrel | American Pipit |
Bald Eagle | Killdeer |
Song Sparrow | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
European Starling | Hairy Woodpecker |
Northern Pintail | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
American Wigeon | White-Crowned Sparrow |
Green-Winged Teal | Northern Shoveler |
Mammals
Mesa Verde National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
American Beaver | American Beaver |
Muskrat | Muskrat |
Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
Bobcat | Bobcat |
Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
Raccoon | Raccoon |
Black Bear | Black Bear |
Porcupine | Porcupine |
Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
Red Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Long-Tailed Weasel | House Mouse |
House Mouse | Mountain Lion |
Mountain Lion | Black-Tailed Deer |
Mink | Wolf |
Mule Deer | Long-Legged Myotis |
Gray Fox | Long-Eared Myotis |
Wolf | Ermine |
Long-Legged Myotis | California Myotis |
Long-Eared Myotis | Snowshoe Hare |
Badger | North American River Otter |
Ermine | Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
Mesa Verde National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
---|---|
Gopher Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Common Garter Snake |
Racer | Rubber Boa |
Western Rattlesnake | |
Ring-Necked Snake | |
Sagebrush Lizard | |
Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
Side-Blotched Lizard | |
Nightsnake | |
Milksnake | |
Striped Whipsnake | |
Tree Lizard | |
Eastern Collared Lizard | |
Eastern Fence Lizard | |
Glossy Snake |
Amphibians
Mesa Verde National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
---|---|
Northern Leopard Frog | Tiger Salamander |
Tiger Salamander | |
Woodhouse’s Toad | |
Red-Spotted Toad | |
Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
Mesa Verde National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
---|---|
Rainbow Trout | |
Eastern Brook Trout | |
Brown Trout | |
Coho Salmon | |
Chinook Salmon | |
Mottled Sculpin | |
Slimy Sculpin | |
Threespine Stickleback | |
Kokanee | |
Pink Salmon | |
Dolly Varden | |
Cutthroat Trout |
Insects
Mesa Verde National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
---|---|
Mourning Cloak | |
Cabbage White | |
Silvery Blue | |
Purplish Copper | |
Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Mesa Verde National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Mesa Verde National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located in southwestern Colorado. The park is best known for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, including the famous Cliff Palace. Visitors can tour several of these dwellings, including the Balcony House and the Long House, which offer a unique glimpse into the lives of the ancient Puebloans.
On the other hand, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is located in West Virginia and is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in the Appalachian Mountains. The park is best known for the New River Gorge Bridge, which is the third highest steel arch bridge in the world. Visitors can hike the trails that lead to breathtaking overlooks, including the Endless Wall Trail, which offers views of the New River Gorge and the surrounding landscape. The park is also home to several waterfalls, including the Kaymoor Falls and the Fayette Station Falls, which are popular destinations for visitors.
Things To-Do and Activities in Mesa Verde National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Mesa Verde National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, each offering unique experiences for visitors. Mesa Verde, located in Colorado, is best known for its ancient cliff dwellings, built by the Ancestral Puebloans over 700 years ago. Visitors can explore these dwellings through ranger-led tours and self-guided walks. In addition, the park offers scenic drives, picnic areas, and camping facilities.
New River Gorge, located in West Virginia, is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. The park is home to the New River, which is popular for rafting, kayaking, and fishing. Rock climbing and ziplining also draw visitors to the park. The park also offers scenic drives, picnic areas, and camping facilities, as well as hiking trails that take visitors to breathtaking overlooks of the New River Gorge Bridge.
Both parks offer visitors the chance to connect with nature and experience the beauty of the American landscape. Whether you are interested in exploring ancient ruins, rafting down a river, or simply taking in the scenery, Mesa Verde and New River Gorge have something to offer for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Mesa Verde National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Mesa Verde National Park, located in southwestern Colorado, is known for its prehistoric cliff dwellings. On the other hand, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia is famous for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. The seasonal weather in these parks can greatly impact when is the best time of year to visit.
Mesa Verde has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The summer months (June-August) can get quite hot, with average temperatures in the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, and snow is a common occurrence in the park. The best time to visit is in the spring (April-May) or fall (September-October), when temperatures are mild and the park’s vegetation is in full bloom.
New River Gorge, on the other hand, has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. The summers are warm, with average temperatures in the 80s, while winters can be cold with temperatures in the 30s. The park is known for its beautiful fall foliage, making autumn (October-November) the best time to visit. In the winter, the park is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Snow and ice are common in the park during this time, making it a great time to visit if you enjoy outdoor activities in the snow.
In conclusion, the seasonal weather in both Mesa Verde National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve greatly affects when is the best time to visit. While Mesa Verde is best visited in spring or fall, New River Gorge is best experienced during the autumn or winter. Regardless of when you choose to visit, both parks offer unique and unforgettable experiences.
Family Friendliness of Mesa Verde National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Mesa Verde National Park is a great option for families who want to explore ancient Native American culture. The park offers guided tours of cliff dwellings, as well as educational programs for children. The park also has picnic areas, campgrounds, and easy hiking trails. Parents can bring their children to learn about the history and culture of the Ancestral Pueblo people.
On the other hand, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is better suited for families that enjoy outdoor recreation. The park has rock climbing, rafting, hiking, and fishing opportunities. The park also offers ranger-led programs and a visitors center with interactive displays. Younger children may enjoy the park’s Junior Ranger program.
Overall, both parks offer unique opportunities for families to experience history, culture, and nature. However, if you are traveling with young children and want a more educational experience, Mesa Verde may be the better choice. If your family enjoys outdoor recreation, New River Gorge is a great option for your next adventure.