Mesa Verde National Park and Shenandoah National Park are two of America’s most stunning natural wonders. Both are breathtakingly beautiful, each offering a unique experience for visitors. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a nature photographer, or just someone looking for a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, these two parks are a must-visit.
One of the most striking differences between Mesa Verde and Shenandoah is their contrasting landscapes. Mesa Verde is located in the southwestern United States, in the heart of the Colorado Plateau. This region is known for its towering red rock formations, rolling hills, and serene deserts. Shenandoah, on the other hand, is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where the lush forests and rolling hills create a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
Each park offers a unique experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Whether it’s exploring the ancient ruins of Mesa Verde or taking a scenic drive through the rolling hills of Shenandoah, both parks are sure to capture your heart and imagination. So pack your bags, grab your hiking boots, and get ready to embark on an adventure that you’ll never forget!
Hiking Trails in Mesa Verde National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors. In Mesa Verde, the Petroglyph Point Trail is a popular and easy hike, providing stunning views of the surrounding mesas and canyons. On the other hand, the Knife Edge Trail is a challenging hike that requires scrambling over rocky terrain and navigating narrow ledges with steep drop-offs.
Shenandoah National Park is known for its scenic Skyline Drive and offers a range of hiking trails, from easy walks along streams to strenuous climbs to mountaintops. The Old Rag Mountain hike is a challenging and strenuous hike, but offers panoramic views at the summit. On the other hand, the Rose River Loop is a relatively easy hike that follows a tranquil stream and passes through lush forests.
Both parks offer a variety of hiking experiences for visitors, from easy walks to strenuous climbs. Whether you are looking for a peaceful stroll or a challenging hike, Mesa Verde and Shenandoah National Parks have something to offer for all levels of hikers.
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 Shenandoah National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Rag Mountain Loop | 13840.324 | 736.7016 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run Trails Loop | 14484.06 | 722.9856 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Dark Hollow Falls Trail | 2253.076 | 171.9072 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bearfence Mountain Trail | 1609.34 | 73.7616 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Hawksbill Gap Loop via Appalachian Trail | 4184.284 | 228.9048 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Rose River Trail | 5632.69 | 256.9464 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| White Oak Canyon Trail | 15288.73 | 733.9584 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Stony Man via Appalachian Trail | 2414.01 | 97.8408 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| South River Falls Trail | 7402.964 | 387.7056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Little Stony Man Loop via Appalachian Trail | 5471.756 | 263.9568 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Mesa Verde National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Mesa Verde National Park and Shenandoah National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique wildlife experiences, but the type of wildlife you’ll see varies greatly depending on the park you visit.
Mesa Verde National Park is located in southwestern Colorado and is known for its large herds of elk and bighorn sheep. Visitors to the park can also see a variety of birds, including eagles, hawks, and vultures. In addition to wildlife, Mesa Verde National Park is also home to a diverse range of plant life, including piñon pines, junipers, and sagebrush.
Shenandoah National Park, located in Virginia, is home to a different type of wildlife. Visitors to the park can expect to see black bears, deer, and turkeys, as well as a variety of bird species, including the scarlet tanager and the wood thrush. The park is also home to a diverse range of plant life, including hardwood forests, wildflowers, and ferns.
Both parks offer unique wildlife experiences, but the type of wildlife you’ll see varies greatly depending on the park you visit. If you’re interested in seeing large herds of elk and bighorn sheep, then Mesa Verde National Park is the park for you. If you’re interested in seeing black bears, deer, and turkeys, then Shenandoah National Park is the park for you.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Mesa Verde National Park and Shenandoah National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Mesa Verde National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| 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
| Mesa Verde National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Red Fox |
| Red Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | House Mouse |
| House Mouse | Mountain Lion |
| Mountain Lion | Gray Fox |
| Mink | River Otter |
| Mule Deer | Masked Shrew |
| Gray Fox | Water Shrew |
| Wolf | Red Squirrel |
| Long-Legged Myotis | White-Tailed Deer |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Virginia Opossum |
| Badger | Marten |
| Ermine | Northern Flying Squirrel |
Reptiles
| Mesa Verde National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Black Racer |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Ringneck Snake |
| Racer | Common Garter Snake |
| Western Rattlesnake | Common Kingsnake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Milksnake |
| Sagebrush Lizard | Eastern Fence 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 | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
| Mesa Verde National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | |
| Brook Trout | |
| Brown Trout | |
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Common Carp | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Insects
| Mesa Verde National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch | |
| American Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Mesa Verde National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado offers a unique look into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans who lived there over 700 years ago. The park’s most famous landmark is the Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America. Visitors can also explore Balcony House, which offers a glimpse into the daily life of the ancient inhabitants via its many rooms and kivas.
Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is home to the Blue Ridge Mountains and boasts over 500 miles of scenic drives and trails. Skyline Drive is the park’s most famous road and runs the length of the park, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also hike to iconic overlooks like Hawksbill Mountain and Old Rag Mountain, as well as see waterfalls like Rose and Dark Hollow Falls.
Both parks offer stunning natural beauty and unique cultural history. Whether you’re interested in exploring ancient ruins or taking in breathtaking mountain vistas, both Mesa Verde and Shenandoah have something to offer.
Things To-Do and Activities in Mesa Verde National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia both offer unique activities for visitors to enjoy.
At Mesa Verde, visitors can take guided tours of the ancient cliff dwellings, wander through the park’s campground and picnic areas, or hike various trails to see scenic vistas and explore the rugged landscape. The park also offers ranger-led activities and educational programs to help visitors learn more about the park’s rich cultural and natural history.
Shenandoah National Park features a scenic drive along Skyline Drive, which runs the entire length of the park and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also hike on over 500 miles of trails, go camping, horseback riding, or take part in ranger-led programs. The park is also a popular destination for birdwatching, with over 180 species of birds that call the park home.
Both parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and education, and each park has its own unique charm and beauty. Whether you’re a hiker, birdwatcher, or history buff, Mesa Verde National Park and Shenandoah National Park have something to offer for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Mesa Verde National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Mesa Verde National Park and Shenandoah National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. The seasonal weather at each park greatly affects the best time of year to visit.
Mesa Verde, located in southwestern Colorado, experiences warm and dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Summer temperatures average in the high 70s to low 80s, making it the perfect time for outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. Winter temperatures average in the 30s, making it a great time for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Shenandoah, located in Virginia, experiences mild to cool temperatures year-round. Summer temperatures average in the high 70s to low 80s, with occasional showers. Fall temperatures average in the 50s and 60s, with stunning foliage displays. Winter temperatures average in the 30s and 40s, with occasional snow showers. Spring temperatures average in the 50s and 60s, with blooming flowers and new growth.
In conclusion, both parks offer unique weather experiences that greatly affect the best time of year to visit. Mesa Verde’s warm and dry summers make it a perfect destination for outdoor activities, while Shenandoah’s mild to cool temperatures year-round make it a great destination for all seasons.
Family Friendliness of Mesa Verde National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Mesa Verde National Park and Shenandoah National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a unique experience for visitors, but when it comes to family-friendliness, there are some key differences to consider.
Mesa Verde National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is best known for its cliff dwellings. The park offers several ranger-led tours, including tours of the cliff dwellings, which can be an excellent way for families to learn about the history and culture of the area. However, some of the trails can be rather strenuous, so it may not be the best option for families with small children.
Shenandoah National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and is known for its scenic drives and hiking trails. The park offers a wide range of activities for families, including hiking, camping, and picnicking. The park also has several picnic areas, which are perfect for families who want to enjoy a picnic together.
In conclusion, both Mesa Verde National Park and Shenandoah National Park offer unique experiences for families, but when it comes to family-friendliness, Shenandoah National Park edges out Mesa Verde. With its wide range of activities and picnic areas, Shenandoah National Park is the better choice for families traveling with children.