Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are two of the most iconic parks in the United States. They are both known for their breathtaking beauty and world-renowned natural wonders. But which is the better pick? Both parks offer unique experiences, but the answer to this question depends on what you are looking for in a national park.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into both parks, comparing and contrasting their offerings. From towering mountain peaks to pristine rainforests and everything in between, we will explore the many wonders of Olympic and Rocky Mountain National Parks. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just a nature lover, you won’t want to miss this comparison. So grab your hiking boots, pack a picnic, and join us as we explore the best that these two parks have to offer.
Hiking Trails in Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to difficult.
At Olympic National Park, visitors can explore the lush rainforest on the Hoh River Trail, which provides an easy hike through the park’s famous temperate rainforest. Another popular trail is the Hurricane Ridge trail, which offers stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, but is considered a more strenuous hike.
Rocky Mountain National Park, on the other hand, is known for its rugged terrain, high altitudes, and challenging trails. The park’s most popular hike is the Trail Ridge Road, which takes visitors to the top of the Continental Divide and provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Another challenging hike is the Longs Peak Trail, which is a 14.5-mile round trip hike to the summit of Longs Peak.
Both parks offer something for every level of hiker, from easy, scenic walks to strenuous, high-altitude hikes. Whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or an adrenaline-filled adventure, Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park have something to offer.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Olympic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge | 4988.954 | 242.9256 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Storm King | 6276.426 | 638.8608 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail | 2574.944 | 77.724 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh Rain Forest Hall of Moss | 1609.34 | 23.7744 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Marymere Falls Trail | 2735.878 | 90.8304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh River Trail | 52786.352 | 1558.7472 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| High Divide – Seven Lakes Basin Loop | 30577.46 | 1617.8784 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Ruby Beach | 2253.076 | 20.7264 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Staircase Rapids Loop | 3379.614 | 64.9224 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spruce Railroad Trail: Lake Crescent | 18024.608 | 131.9784 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Rocky Mountain National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Lake Trail | 4988.954 | 215.7984 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail | 13035.654 | 537.972 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Gem Lake Trail | 4988.954 | 301.752 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Loch Lake Trail via Glacier Gorge Trail | 8690.436 | 326.7456 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Alberta Falls Trail | 2574.944 | 76.8096 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chasm Lake | 15127.796 | 792.7848 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Dream Lake Trail | 3218.68 | 129.8448 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bear Lake Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 12.8016 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Twin Sisters Peak Trail | 12070.05 | 766.8768 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ouzel Falls via Wild Basin Trail from Sandbeach Lake | 11909.116 | 361.7976 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are both great places to see wildlife, but they have very different ecosystems. Olympic National Park is located in Washington State and is primarily a temperate rainforest. The park is home to a variety of mammals such as black bears, elk, mountain lions, and Olympic marmots. You can also see many species of birds, including the Northern Pygmy Owl, the American Dipper, and the Northern Spotted Owl. In addition to the wildlife, Olympic National Park is also home to many species of plants, including Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and Douglas fir.
Rocky Mountain National Park, on the other hand, is located in Colorado and is a high-altitude ecosystem. The park is home to many different species of mammals, including elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and moose. You can also see many species of birds, including the American White Pelican, the Bald Eagle, and the Mountain Bluebird. In addition to the wildlife, Rocky Mountain National Park is also home to many species of plants, including Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and mountain hemlock.
Both parks offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities, but if you are looking for a more temperate environment, Olympic National Park may be the better choice. If you are looking for a high-altitude experience, Rocky Mountain National Park is the place to go.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Olympic National Park | Rocky Mountain 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 |
| Barn Swallow | Merlin |
| Savannah Sparrow | Barn Swallow |
| Great Blue Heron | Savannah Sparrow |
| Hermit Thrush | Great Blue Heron |
| American Kestrel | Hermit Thrush |
| Bald Eagle | American Kestrel |
| Song Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
| European Starling | Song Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | European Starling |
| American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Wigeon |
| American Pipit | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Olympic National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Bobcat |
| Little Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Deer Mouse | Little Brown Bat |
| Raccoon | Deer Mouse |
| Black Bear | Raccoon |
| Porcupine | Black Bear |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Porcupine |
| Red Fox | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Hoary Bat |
| House Mouse | Red Fox |
| Wolf | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Mountain Lion |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Mink |
| California Myotis | Mule Deer |
| Snowshoe Rabbit | Gray Fox |
| North American River Otter | Gray Wolf |
| Fringe-Tailed Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Masked Shrew | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Water Shrew | Badger |
| Western Big-Eared Bat | Ermine |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Snowshoe Hare |
Fish
| Olympic National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Steelhead/Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Largemouth Bass | Brown Trout |
| Salish Sucker | Western Longnose Sucker |
| Coho Salmon | Mottled Sculpin |
| Chinook Salmon | Speckled Dace |
| Longnose Dace | Cutthroat Trout |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| Olympic National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Western Rattlesnake |
| Rubber Boa | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Olympic National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Wood Frog |
Insects
| Olympic National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee | 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 | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Olympic National Park is located in Washington State and boasts a diverse range of landscapes, including temperate rainforests, glacier-capped mountains, and rugged Pacific coastline. One of the park’s most famous landscapes is Hurricane Ridge, a scenic drive offering panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains. Another must-see natural wonder is the Hoh Rainforest, a temperate rainforest known for its lush greenery and diverse wildlife.
Rocky Mountain National Park, located in Colorado, is home to majestic mountain ranges, alpine meadows, and pristine lakes. One of the park’s most famous landscapes is Trail Ridge Road, a scenic drive that takes visitors to the top of the Continental Divide, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Additionally, the park is home to numerous waterfalls, including Alberta Falls and Cascade Falls, as well as abundant wildlife, including elk, bighorn sheep, and moose. Whether you’re looking for a scenic drive, a hike, or simply a peaceful picnic spot, Rocky Mountain National Park has something for everyone.
Things To-Do and Activities in Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are two of the most popular parks in the United States. Both parks offer a wide range of activities for visitors, but there are some key differences that make each park unique.
Olympic National Park is known for its diverse landscapes and scenic beauty. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to many species of animals, including elk, bears, and bald eagles. Visitors can also enjoy beachcombing along the park’s rugged coastline and exploring the lush rainforests in the Hoh River Valley.
Rocky Mountain National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its stunning mountain vistas and outdoor recreation. Visitors can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to many species of animals, including elk, moose, and bighorn sheep. Visitors can also take scenic drives to get a better view of the park’s stunning mountain landscapes.
Both Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park offer unique and beautiful experiences for visitors. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful hike through a lush rainforest or a challenging hike in the mountains, these parks have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both offer a unique and breathtaking natural experience, but each park is unique in its own way. One of the main differences between the two parks is the weather conditions.
Olympic National Park is located on the Pacific coast and is known for its temperate rainforest climate. This means that the park experiences a lot of rain and mist throughout the year, especially in the fall and winter months. During the summer months, visitors can expect mild temperatures and occasional rain. The best time to visit Olympic National Park is during the summer months, when the weather is drier and milder.
On the other hand, Rocky Mountain National Park is located in the northern Rocky Mountains and experiences a much different climate. During the summer months, visitors can expect warm to hot temperatures and occasional thunderstorms. During the winter months, the park is blanketed in snow and is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park is during the summer or fall, when the weather is mild and the views are clear.
In conclusion, both Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park offer unique and stunning natural experiences, but each park is best visited at different times of the year due to the seasonal weather conditions.
Family Friendliness of Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique experiences and breathtaking scenery, making them ideal destinations for families to visit. However, when it comes to family-friendly activities and amenities, there are some differences between the two parks.
Olympic National Park is a great option for families who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and camping. The park features several easy trails that are suitable for children, including the Spruce Nature Trail and the Hoh River Trail. In addition, the park offers a variety of family-friendly campgrounds and picnic areas, making it easy to plan a fun-filled day trip or an extended camping trip.
Rocky Mountain National Park, on the other hand, is best for families who enjoy scenic drives, wildlife watching, and horseback riding. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, and bighorn sheep, making it a great destination for families who enjoy wildlife watching. Additionally, the park features several scenic drives, including the Trail Ridge Road, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. However, the park may not be as suitable for younger children, as some of the trails and activities can be strenuous.
In conclusion, both Olympic National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are family-friendly destinations, but each park offers a different type of experience. Olympic National Park is best for families who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and camping, while Rocky Mountain National Park is best for families who enjoy scenic drives and wildlife watching.