Mount Rainier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most awe-inspiring destinations in America. With towering peaks, sprawling glaciers, and breathtaking vistas, these parks are the perfect destinations for anyone looking for a little adventure.
Imagine standing in front of a 14,000-foot mountain, surrounded by glaciers that stretch for miles. That’s the experience you’ll get at Mount Rainier National Park. With over 235,000 acres of protected land, this park is a nature lover’s dream. From the wildflowers in the meadows to the glaciers on the peaks, there’s always something new to discover.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a different kind of adventure. This park boasts the largest protected land area in the United States, with over 13.2 million acres of rugged wilderness. From glaciers to volcanic peaks, this park has it all. And with so much to explore, you’ll never run out of new sights to see and experiences to have. So whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just looking for a little bit of excitement, these two parks are the perfect destinations for you.
Hiking Trails in Mount Rainier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Mount Rainier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and hikers.
Mount Rainier is known for its scenic trails that offer stunning views of the park’s centerpiece, the 14,410-foot Mount Rainier. Easy hikes include the Nisqually Vista Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the Nisqually River Valley, and the Skyline Trail, a gentle hike that offers panoramic views of the park. For more experienced hikers, the Paradise Glacier Trail provides a challenging trek through glaciers and snowfields.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a hiker’s paradise, offering a variety of trails ranging from easy to challenging. The Root Glacier Trail is one of the park’s easiest hikes, offering a unique perspective of the glacier’s crevasses and ice formations. The Stairway Icefall is a more challenging hike that takes you through the heart of the Wrangell Mountains and offers breathtaking views of glaciers and peaks. For the ultimate hiking experience, the Mount St. Elias Summit Trail is a strenuous hike to the top of the second highest peak in the United States.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned hiker, both Mount Rainier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve have something to offer.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Mount Rainier National Park
| 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 | 4.5 |
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 Mount Rainier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Mount Rainier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of America’s most spectacular national parks. Both are known for their stunning natural beauty, but they are distinct in terms of the wildlife you can see there.
At Mount Rainier National Park, visitors can expect to see a wide variety of plant and animal species, including black bears, deer, elk, marmots, and mountain goats. There are also many species of birds, including bald eagles, hawks, and woodpeckers. The park is also home to many species of wildflowers, including the colorful lupine and the delicate tiger lily.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is known for its abundant wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, moose, and wolves. There are also many species of birds, including the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and gyrfalcon. The park is also home to a variety of plant life, including the towering spruce and hemlock trees, as well as the delicate wildflowers that bloom in the summer months.
In conclusion, both Mount Rainier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer visitors the chance to see a diverse range of wildlife in their natural habitats. Whether you’re interested in plants, birds, or mammals, these parks are sure to provide a memorable experience for nature lovers of all ages.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Mount Rainier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Mount Rainier 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 |
| Great Horned Owl | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | American Robin |
| Barn Swallow | Great Horned Owl |
| Savannah Sparrow | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Great Blue Heron | Northern Flicker |
| Hermit Thrush | Merlin |
| European Starling | Barn Swallow |
| Northern Pintail | Savannah Sparrow |
| American Wigeon | Great Blue Heron |
| Green-Winged Teal | Hermit Thrush |
| American Pipit | American Kestrel |
| Killdeer | Bald Eagle |
| Brown-Headed Cowbird | Song Sparrow |
| Hairy Woodpecker | European Starling |
| Red-Breasted Nuthatch | Northern Pintail |
| White-Crowned Sparrow | American Wigeon |
| Northern Shoveler | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Mount Rainier 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 |
| Black Bear | Mule Deer |
| Porcupine | Wolf |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Hoary Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Land Otter |
| House Mouse | Common Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Water Shrew |
| Black-Tailed Deer | Red Squirrel |
| Wolf | Montane Shrew |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Lynx |
| Ermine | Wolverine |
| California Myotis | American Marten |
| Snowshoe Hare | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| North American River Otter | Grizzly Bear |
| Masked Shrew | Meadow Vole |
Fish
| Mount Rainier National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Steelhead |
| Eastern Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brown Trout | Lake Trout |
| Coho Salmon | Northern Pike |
| Chinook Salmon | Burbot |
| Mottled Sculpin | Silver Salmon |
| Slimy Sculpin | King Salmon |
| Threespine Stickleback | Slimy Sculpin |
| Kokanee | Threespine Stickleback |
| Pink Salmon | Sockeye Salmon |
| Dolly Varden | Pink Salmon |
| Cutthroat Trout | Chum Salmon |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Mount Rainier National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa |
Amphibians
| Mount Rainier National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
Insects
| Mount Rainier National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Mourning Cloak | Silvery Blue |
| Cabbage White | Clouded Sulphur |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Mount Rainier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Mount Rainier National Park, located in Washington State, is famous for its iconic 14,410-foot stratovolcano, Mount Rainier. The park offers breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers, meadows, and forests, as well as an abundance of recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is the largest national park in the United States and is home to an incredible array of landscapes, including glaciers, valleys, and towering peaks. The park is also home to several active volcanoes and is a popular destination for backcountry hiking and camping. Visitors can also see the historic Kennecott Mines, a former copper mining town that is now a National Historic Landmark.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty of the natural world and to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline-fueled adventure or a peaceful escape, these parks have something to offer everyone.
Things To-Do and Activities in Mount Rainier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Mount Rainier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most popular National Parks in the United States. Both parks offer a wide range of outdoor activities for visitors, but each park has its own unique set of attractions.
Mount Rainier National Park is known for its stunning scenery, with its iconic 14,411-foot peak. Visitors can enjoy scenic drives, picnicking, camping, and wildlife viewing. In addition, Mount Rainier is a popular destination for rock climbing, as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter months.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is the largest national park in the country and offers a completely different experience. This park is known for its glaciers, rugged wilderness, and opportunities for backcountry camping and hiking. In addition, visitors can also enjoy rafting and kayaking on the park’s many rivers.
Both parks offer a unique and memorable experience for visitors, but the activities offered at each park are quite different. Mount Rainier is ideal for those who want a more relaxed, scenic experience, while Wrangell – St Elias is perfect for those who want a more adventurous, backcountry experience. Whether you’re a hiker, a nature lover, or just someone looking for a peaceful getaway, both parks offer something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Mount Rainier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Mount Rainier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of America’s most beautiful parks. Despite their beauty, the seasonal weather at these parks is quite different. Mount Rainier National Park is located in the Pacific Northwest and has a temperate, marine-influenced climate. The park experiences cool and moist weather year-round, with the warmest temperatures typically occurring in the summer months. Winter is the wettest season, with heavy snowfall and occasional storms. This weather can make it difficult to access certain areas of the park, but it also provides excellent opportunities for winter recreation, such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and has a subarctic climate. The park experiences long, cold winters with very little precipitation and short, mild summers with occasional rain. Despite its remote location, the park is accessible year-round by road, but it can be difficult to reach certain areas during the winter months due to snow and ice. Summer is the best time to visit Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve for outdoor recreation, such as hiking and wildlife viewing, as the weather is mild and the trails are clear. However, visitors should be prepared for sudden changes in weather, as storms can occur at any time of year.
Family Friendliness of Mount Rainier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Mount Rainier National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve both offer families opportunities to experience the great outdoors, but each park has unique features that may make it more family-friendly for some families.
Mount Rainier National Park is closer to urban areas, making it easier for families to access. The park offers a variety of trails and activities, including scenic drives, picnic areas, and several kid-friendly hikes. The park also has a number of ranger-led activities and educational programs designed for families.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a remote wilderness area that may be more challenging for families with young children. The park is vast, with limited road access and few established trails. However, the park is also a great destination for families who enjoy adventure and are looking for a more remote, backcountry experience.
In conclusion, both parks offer family-friendly experiences, but the level of difficulty and type of activities will vary. If you’re traveling with young children, Mount Rainier National Park may be a better choice, but if your family is up for a more challenging adventure, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is definitely worth considering.