Visitors to the United States are often faced with a difficult decision: which natural wonder to visit first? Two of the most popular options are New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pinnacles National Park. Both offer unique and breathtaking experiences, but which one is right for you?
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a place of rugged beauty, where the New River winds its way through deep gorges and towering cliffs. This is a place for adventure seekers and those who appreciate the raw power of nature. Whether you’re rock climbing, kayaking, or simply taking in the views, New River Gorge will leave you feeling exhilarated and inspired.
Pinnacles National Park, on the other hand, is a place of mystery and magic. This park is home to massive rock formations that rise up from the landscape, as if they were placed there by some ancient force. Here you can hike through narrow canyons, explore caves, and marvel at the sheer size and beauty of the towering spires. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a peaceful escape, Pinnacles National Park is sure to captivate you with its unique and otherworldly beauty.
So, which one is right for you? Do you prefer the rugged excitement of New River Gorge or the mysterious beauty of Pinnacles National Park? Keep reading to find out!
Hiking Trails in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pinnacles National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pinnacles National Park are two popular parks for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking is one of the most popular activities in both parks and each park offers unique trails with varying levels of difficulty.
At New River Gorge, the easiest hike is the Endless Wall Trail. This 2.5-mile trail offers stunning views of the New River and is a great option for families or those looking for a leisurely hike. For more experienced hikers, the Nuttall Sandstone Trail is a challenging hike that takes you through rocky terrain and steep inclines.
At Pinnacles National Park, the easiest hike is the Balconies Cave Trail. This 1.5-mile trail takes you through caves and offers views of the park’s famous rock formations. If you’re looking for a more strenuous hike, the High Peaks Trail is a 5-mile hike that takes you to the highest point in the park and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Both New River Gorge and Pinnacles National Park offer hiking trails for all levels, from easy, family-friendly hikes to challenging hikes for experienced hikers. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely hike or an adrenaline-pumping adventure, these parks have something to offer for everyone.
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 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Pinnacles National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condor Gulch Trail to High Peaks Trail Loop | 8690.436 | 484.9368 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Old Pinnacles Trail Loop | 15288.73 | 527.9136 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Bear Gulch Day Use Area to Reservoir via Rim Trail | 2896.812 | 134.7216 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| High Peaks Trail | 10138.842 | 539.8008 | Very Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| High Peaks & Balconies Cave Loop Trail | 12713.786 | 549.8592 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Moses Spring Trail to Bear Gulch Reservoir | 1770.274 | 96.9264 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies | 8207.634 | 150.876 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Balconies Trail | 13196.588 | 592.836 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Juniper Canyon Trail to High Peaks | 5793.624 | 383.7432 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Balconies Cave Trail | 4184.284 | 121.92 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pinnacles National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pinnacles National Park are two unique destinations for wildlife enthusiasts. New River Gorge is located in West Virginia and is known for its diverse range of animals, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and river otters. The park also offers opportunities to see a variety of bird species, such as the pileated woodpecker, Baltimore oriole, and the great blue heron. In addition, New River Gorge is home to a number of rare plant species, including wildflowers, ferns, and mosses.
Pinnacles National Park, on the other hand, is located in California and is known for its abundance of wildlife, including the California Condor, the American Peregrine Falcon, and the Western Spotted Skunk. The park is also home to a number of bird species, such as the ash-throated flycatcher, the acorn woodpecker, and the black phoebe. Additionally, Pinnacles National Park is home to a diverse range of plant species, including chaparral, oak woodland, and riparian habitats.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pinnacles National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Pinnacles 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 | 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 | Great Blue Heron |
| Northern Pintail | Hermit Thrush |
| American Wigeon | American Kestrel |
| Green-Winged Teal | Bald Eagle |
| American Pipit | Song Sparrow |
| Killdeer | European Starling |
| Brown-Headed Cowbird | Swainson’s Thrush |
| Hairy Woodpecker | Killdeer |
| Red-Breasted Nuthatch | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
| White-Crowned Sparrow | Hairy Woodpecker |
| Northern Shoveler | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Mammals
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Pinnacles National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
| Muskrat | Bobcat |
| Big Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Bobcat | Little Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Deer Mouse |
| Little Brown Bat | Raccoon |
| Deer Mouse | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Raccoon | Hoary Bat |
| Black Bear | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Porcupine | House Mouse |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Puma |
| Hoary Bat | Mule Deer |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Gray Fox |
| House Mouse | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Mountain Lion | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Black-Tailed Deer | North American Badger |
| Wolf | California Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Fringed Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Ermine | Townsends’ Big-Eared Bat |
| California Myotis | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Snowshoe Hare | Western Small-Footed Bat |
| North American River Otter | Yuma Myotis |
| Masked Shrew | Pallid Bat |
Fish
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Pinnacles National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Eastern Brook Trout | Fathead Minnow |
| Brown Trout | Threespine Stickleback |
| Coho Salmon | Mosquitofish |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Kokanee | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Pinnacles National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Gophersnake |
| Common Garter Snake | Yellow-Bellied Racer |
| Rubber Boa | Ringneck Snake |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Gartersnake | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| California Kingsnake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Night Snake | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Western Skink | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Pinnacles National Park |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Bullfrog |
Insects
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Pinnacles National Park |
|---|---|
| Mourning Cloak | Orange Sulphur |
| Cabbage White | Painted Lady |
| Silvery Blue | Monarch |
| Purplish Copper | American Lady |
| Anise Swallowtail | Red Admiral |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Buckeye | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pinnacles National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pinnacles National Park are two of the most iconic national parks in the United States. New River Gorge is known for its famous New River Gorge Bridge, which offers breathtaking views of the New River Canyon. The park is also home to numerous hiking trails, including the Endless Wall Trail, which provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. In addition to the bridge, the park is famous for its scenic waterfalls, including the Lower Falls, which is a popular spot for picnicking and swimming.
Pinnacles National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its unique rock formations and caves. The park is home to towering spires and unusual rock formations, which make it one of the most unique and visually stunning parks in the country. The park is also home to a number of hiking trails, including the High Peaks Trail, which offers incredible views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors to Pinnacles can also explore the park’s caves, including the Bear Gulch Cave, which is a popular spot for spelunking and exploring the unique geology of the park.
Things To-Do and Activities in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pinnacles National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pinnacles National Park are two popular parks that offer unique and exciting outdoor experiences. New River Gorge is known for its stunning scenery and thrilling outdoor adventures, including rock climbing, white-water rafting, and zip-lining. The park is also home to some of the best hiking trails in the region, where visitors can explore the stunning natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains.
Pinnacles National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its unique rock formations and diverse wildlife. The park offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, rock climbing, and wildlife watching. Visitors can explore the park’s many trails and caves, where they can see the rare California Condor and witness the beauty of the park’s unique rock formations. The park also offers several scenic drives, where visitors can take in the stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Both parks offer a range of outdoor activities to suit every taste and fitness level, from leisurely hikes to more challenging outdoor adventures. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an outdoor adventurer, or just looking for a beautiful place to escape the city, both New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pinnacles National Park have something to offer.
Best Time to Visit New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pinnacles National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia and Pinnacles National Park in California are two of the most unique parks in the United States. The seasonal weather at these parks is vastly different, making the best time to visit each park different as well.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures can reach up to 90°F and winter temperatures can drop down to 20°F. The best time to visit the park is in the spring or fall when temperatures are milder. The park is also known for its beautiful fall foliage and spring wildflowers, making these seasons a great time to visit.
Pinnacles National Park has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters. Summer temperatures can reach up to 100°F and winter temperatures can drop down to 40°F. The best time to visit the park is in the spring or fall when temperatures are mild and there is less chance of rain. The park is famous for its unique rock formations and the spring is the best time to see the wildflowers in bloom.
In conclusion, both New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pinnacles National Park have unique climates that affect the best time of year to visit. While New River Gorge is best visited in the spring or fall, Pinnacles is best visited in the spring or fall.
Family Friendliness of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pinnacles National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pinnacles National Park are two popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique experiences and are great destinations for families. However, when it comes to a family-friendly atmosphere, there are some key differences between the two.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is known for its stunning scenery, including a bridge that is over 1,000 feet above the New River. The park also offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and kayaking. However, some of the trails and activities in the park may be too challenging for younger children.
On the other hand, Pinnacles National Park is a great option for families with younger children. The park features easy trails and picnic areas, as well as a variety of wildlife, including California Condors. Additionally, the park offers a Junior Ranger program, which encourages children to learn about the park and its wildlife.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with children and looking for a family-friendly national park, Pinnacles National Park may be the best option. It offers easy trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, and educational programs for kids. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, while still a great destination for families, may be better for older children and teenagers who are interested in outdoor activities and challenging trails.