New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most diverse and captivating parks in the United States. Both offer a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors, but which one is the best for your next adventure? In this article, we will explore the similarities and differences between these two magnificent parks, from the breathtaking landscapes to the diverse wildlife that call these parks home.
The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, located in West Virginia, is known for its stunning cliffs and impressive whitewater rapids that attract thrill-seekers from all over the world. On the other hand, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, boasts the largest national park in the country and is home to an array of glaciers, mountains, and wildlife that will leave you in awe.
So, whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or a nature lover, this article will help you decide which park is the right fit for your next adventure. Get ready to be transported to two of the most stunning parks in the US and discover which one will be the highlight of your next trip!
Hiking Trails in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are both well-known for their beautiful hiking trails. New River Gorge is located in West Virginia and offers a number of easy to moderate hikes, including the Endless Wall Trail which is a popular 2.5-mile hike along the rim of the New River Gorge. The trail is considered easy and offers stunning views of the gorge. Wrangell – St Elias, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and offers a much more challenging hiking experience. The park is the largest in the country and covers an area of over 8 million acres. Some of the hardest hikes in the park include the Root Glacier Trail, a strenuous 5-mile hike that takes you through the heart of the glacier, and the Bagley Icefield, a strenuous 10-mile hike that takes you to the heart of the icefield.
Both parks offer a range of hikes to suit all abilities, from easy walks to strenuous multi-day hikes. New River Gorge is perfect for those who are looking for a relaxing hike with stunning views, while Wrangell – St Elias is perfect for those who are looking for a challenge and want to test their limits. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, both parks have something to offer, making them a must-visit for anyone who loves the great outdoors.
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 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 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest national parks in the US. In terms of wildlife, both parks offer diverse and unique ecosystems, but there are some key differences between the two.
At New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, visitors are likely to see a variety of birds, including hawks, eagles, and turkey vultures, as well as deer, black bears, and coyotes. The park is also home to a rich variety of plant life, including many species of ferns, wildflowers, and deciduous trees.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is home to a greater variety of large mammals, including moose, caribou, and brown bears. The park also has a thriving bird population, including many species of waterfowl and songbirds. This park is also known for its diverse plant life, with species that range from tundra plants to old-growth forests.
Both parks offer opportunities for wildlife viewing, but the type of wildlife you’re most likely to see depends on the specific park you visit. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is ideal for bird-watching and viewing small mammals, while Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is ideal for viewing large mammals, particularly brown bears.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | 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
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | 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
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | 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
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa |
Amphibians
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
Insects
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Mourning Cloak | Silvery Blue |
| Cabbage White | Clouded Sulphur |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is famous for its namesake New River Gorge Bridge, which is the third highest steel arch bridge in the world, and offers stunning views of the New River Canyon. Visitors can hike along the rim trail, go rock climbing, and take in the breathtaking views from the overlooks. The park is also home to a diverse range of wildlife and vegetation, including the endangered Indiana bat and the rare white-tailed deer.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is one of the largest national parks in the United States, covering over 13 million acres. It is known for its stunning glacial landscapes, including glaciers, ice fields, and snow-capped peaks. Visitors can hike, camp, and take scenic drives through the park to see the glaciers, wildlife, and the Wrangell Mountains up close. One of the most popular attractions in the park is the Kennicott Glacier, a massive glacier that visitors can explore to see its stunning beauty up close.
Things To-Do and Activities in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia and Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska offer vastly different experiences for visitors. New River Gorge is a hot spot for extreme sports such as whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and zip lining. The park features over 1,000 climbing routes and is a favorite destination for adventure seekers. The New River, which runs through the park, provides ample opportunities for rafting, with rapids ranging from mild to wild.
Wrangell-St Elias, on the other hand, is a wilderness lover’s paradise. The park boasts glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and stunning vistas that can only be explored on foot or by air. Visitors can participate in backpacking trips, flightseeing tours, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to abundant wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, and moose. Hiking trails traverse the stunning landscape, providing opportunities to spot wildlife and take in the breathtaking views.
Whether you prefer the adrenaline-fueled rush of extreme sports or the peaceful serenity of a wilderness hike, both New River Gorge and Wrangell-St Elias have something to offer.
Best Time to Visit New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two unique and beautiful parks in the United States. The seasonal weather at these parks can greatly affect the best time of year to visit.
At New River Gorge, temperatures in the summer months can reach up to 90°F, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking and rafting. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, making it unsuitable for outdoor activities. However, the winter months offer breathtaking views of the frozen river and snow-covered cliffs.
Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve experiences much colder temperatures, with average winter temperatures ranging from 20-30°F. This makes it a popular destination for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 60°F, making it the perfect time for hiking, fishing, and exploring the park’s glaciers.
In conclusion, the best time to visit New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is during the summer months if you’re looking for warm weather and outdoor activities. On the other hand, Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve is best visited during the winter months for winter sports or in the summer months for hiking and exploring the park’s glaciers.
Family Friendliness of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, located in West Virginia, is a great option for families looking for outdoor adventure. The park offers a variety of recreational activities such as hiking, camping, kayaking, and rock climbing. The park also has a scenic drive, picnic areas, and several educational programs for children, making it a great place for families to explore and learn about nature.
Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is another great option for families who love the outdoors. The park offers a range of activities, including camping, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The park also has several scenic drives, as well as ranger-led programs that are perfect for families with children.
Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities and educational programs, making them great options for families. However, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is the better choice if you’re traveling with children. The park’s picnic areas, scenic drives, and educational programs make it a more child-friendly option. Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, may be a bit more challenging for families with young children, as the park is located in a remote area and some of the activities may be more strenuous.