New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Virgin Islands National Park are two of the most popular and stunning national parks in the United States. These two parks offer vastly different experiences, from the rugged and wild terrain of the New River Gorge to the tropical paradise of the Virgin Islands. Whether you’re an adventure-seeker, nature lover, or just looking for a relaxing escape, both of these parks have something to offer.
In this article, we will compare New River Gorge and Virgin Islands National Park, highlighting the unique features and attractions that each park has to offer. With breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and endless opportunities for recreation, these two parks are the perfect destinations for anyone looking to explore the great outdoors. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through two of America’s most incredible national parks!
Hiking Trails in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Virgin Islands National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia and Virgin Islands National Park in the U.S. Virgin Islands offer unique hiking experiences. Both parks offer a range of trails from easy to challenging, with breathtaking views and diverse landscapes.
New River Gorge National Park is known for its strenuous hikes, including the Endless Wall Trail which offers a strenuous but rewarding hike along the cliffs of the New River Gorge. For those looking for an easier trail, the Fern Creek Trail is a 2.6-mile hike that meanders through a lush forest with a waterfall at the end.
In contrast, Virgin Islands National Park is known for its easier hikes, such as the Reef Bay Trail, a 2.8-mile trail that leads through lush tropical forests to a serene bay. However, the park also offers its share of challenging hikes, including the Ram Head Trail, which is a strenuous 3.7-mile hike to the top of a cliff with panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea.
Both parks offer diverse and exhilarating hiking experiences, and whether you are looking for an easy nature walk or a strenuous hike to the top of a cliff, both New River Gorge and Virgin Islands National Parks have something to offer.
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 Virgin Islands National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wind Canyon Trail | 804.67 | 16.764 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Caprock Coulee Loop | 6115.492 | 159.7152 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Painted Canyon Nature Trail | 1770.274 | 78.9432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Petrified Forest Trail | 16415.268 | 253.8984 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Maah Daah Hey Trail | 229009.082 | 4614.9768 | Hard | point to point | 4.5 |
Lower Paddock Creek Trail | 11587.248 | 127.7112 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Buck Hill Trail | 643.736 | 16.764 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Ridgeline Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 33.8328 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Coal Vein Trail | 965.604 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Buckhorn Trail | 19633.948 | 324.9168 | Hard | loop | 4.6 |
Wildlife in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Virgin Islands National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, located in West Virginia, is home to a diverse array of animals, including white-tailed deer, black bear, and eastern coyote. Birdwatchers can spot numerous bird species, including the raven, pileated woodpecker, and the wild turkey. The park also boasts a variety of plants, including the paw paw tree and the hemlock tree.
Virgin Islands National Park, located on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is a prime location for wildlife viewing. Visitors can spot a variety of reptiles, including the green sea turtle, the hawksbill turtle, and the iguana. Birdwatching is also popular, with species including the bananaquit and the eastern kingbird. The park is home to a diverse array of plants, including the manchineel tree, the seagrape tree, and the red mangrove.
Both parks provide unique opportunities for wildlife viewing, but New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers a wider variety of terrestrial wildlife, while Virgin Islands National Park offers a greater diversity of marine wildlife and bird species. Regardless of which park you choose, be sure to bring binoculars and a camera to capture the beauty of the wildlife in these amazing national parks.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Virgin Islands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Virgin Islands 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 |
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 | 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 | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Virgin Islands 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 | 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 Wolf |
Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
Ermine | Long-Eared Myotis |
California Myotis | Badger |
Snowshoe Hare | Snowshoe Hare |
North American River Otter | North American River Otter |
Masked Shrew | Masked Shrew |
Fish
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Virgin Islands National Park |
---|---|
Rainbow Trout | Longnose Sucker |
Eastern Brook Trout | Green Sunfish |
Brown Trout | Bluegill |
Coho Salmon | Flathead Minnow |
Chinook Salmon | Golden Shiner |
Mottled Sculpin | Carp/European Carp |
Slimy Sculpin | Northern Pike |
Threespine Stickleback | Burbot |
Kokanee | Longnose Dace |
Pink Salmon | Channel Catfish |
Dolly Varden | Black Bullhead |
Cutthroat Trout | Creek Chub |
Reptiles
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Virgin Islands National Park |
---|---|
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Bullsnake |
Common Garter Snake | Racer |
Rubber Boa | Rattlesnake |
Sagebrush Lizard | |
Common Garter Snake | |
Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
Amphibians
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Virgin Islands National Park |
---|---|
Tiger Salamander | Northern Leopard Frog |
Tiger Salamander | |
Woodhouse’s Toad | |
Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Virgin Islands National Park |
---|---|
Mourning Cloak | |
Cabbage White | |
Silvery Blue | |
Purplish Copper | |
Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Virgin Islands National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Virgin Islands National Park offer unique and diverse landscapes for visitors to enjoy.
New River Gorge National Park is located in West Virginia and is known for its stunning cliffs and canyons. The New River Gorge Bridge, one of the highest steel arch bridges in the world, offers a breathtaking overlook of the river below. The park’s rugged terrain also provides ample opportunities for adventure, including rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and hiking.
Virgin Islands National Park, on the other hand, is located in the U.S. Virgin Islands and is known for its pristine beaches and turquoise waters. Visitors can snorkel, kayak, or sail the crystal clear waters to see the diverse marine life and coral reefs. The park also features lush tropical forests that are home to a variety of exotic wildlife. Hiking trails through the park offer stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and nearby islands.
Both parks offer visitors a chance to experience the beauty of nature, whether it be the rugged cliffs and canyons of New River Gorge or the turquoise waters and tropical forests of Virgin Islands.
Things To-Do and Activities in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Virgin Islands National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Virgin Islands National Park are two unique outdoor destinations offering diverse experiences to visitors.
New River Gorge National Park, located in West Virginia, is famous for its stunning sandstone cliffs and opportunities for rock climbing, white-water rafting, and mountain biking. Visitors can also explore the park’s numerous trails for hiking and scenic drives for breathtaking views of the New River Gorge Bridge.
Virgin Islands National Park, located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, boasts miles of pristine beaches and turquoise waters ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and sailing. It also features lush tropical forests and hiking trails, offering opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife encounters.
Both parks offer unique experiences and a chance to escape into nature. New River Gorge National Park appeals to adventure-seekers with its challenging rock climbing and white-water rafting, while Virgin Islands National Park attracts beach-goers and water sports enthusiasts. Both parks provide opportunities for hiking, exploring scenic views, and wildlife encounters, making them ideal destinations for nature lovers.
Best Time to Visit New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Virgin Islands National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Virgin Islands National Park are two popular National Parks in the United States, but they have vastly different climates. The New River Gorge National Park is located in West Virginia and has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 90°F, making it perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and rock climbing. Winter temperatures average around 40°F, with occasional snow and ice, making it a great destination for winter sports.
On the other hand, Virgin Islands National Park is located in the tropical Caribbean and experiences warm and humid weather year-round. Temperatures range from the mid-70s to the low 80s, with occasional rain showers. The park is best visited from December to May, when rainfall is at its lowest and the weather is most pleasant for outdoor activities like snorkeling and hiking.
In conclusion, both New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Virgin Islands National Park offer unique weather experiences. Whether you prefer a temperate climate with four distinct seasons or warm and tropical weather, there is a National Park for everyone to explore and enjoy.
Family Friendliness of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Virgin Islands National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia and Virgin Islands National Park in the U.S. Virgin Islands both offer unique experiences for families, but which one is better for travelers with children may depend on personal preferences and activities.
New River Gorge offers a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and white-water rafting. It also has several campgrounds and picnic areas for families to enjoy, making it a great option for those who enjoy adventure and the great outdoors. Additionally, the park has a visitors center and several ranger-led programs aimed at educating children about the natural world.
On the other hand, Virgin Islands National Park is a tropical paradise with beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and snorkeling spots. Its calm waters and easy-to-navigate trails make it ideal for families with smaller children. The park also has a visitors center and ranger-led programs, but with a focus on the island’s unique cultural and historical heritage.
In conclusion, both parks offer fantastic opportunities for families, but the better choice may depend on individual preferences and the type of experience desired. For families looking for an outdoor adventure, New River Gorge is an excellent option, while for those seeking a more relaxed, tropical getaway, Virgin Islands National Park is the way to go.