Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two of the most magnificent parks in the United States. Each park has its own unique beauty and is a must-see for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, and adventure seekers. Whether you’re a hiker, paddler, camper, or just love to relax in breathtaking scenery, these two parks offer something for everyone.
On the one hand, Olympic National Park is a wild and rugged park located in Washington State. With over 960,000 acres of pristine wilderness, it is a true gem for those who seek adventure. The park is home to towering mountains, ancient forests, and rugged coastlines that are waiting to be explored. On the other hand, Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota is a water-based park with over 200,000 acres of pristine lakes, rivers, and forests. This park is perfect for boaters, paddlers, and fisherman who want to explore the park’s breathtaking wilderness by water.
In this article, we will compare these two amazing parks, highlighting their unique features, activities, and what makes them stand out from each other. From the rugged peaks of Olympic National Park to the tranquil waters of Voyageurs National Park, this article will take you on an exciting journey through two of America’s most beautiful parks. Get ready to pack your bags, grab your gear and join us as we explore the wonders of Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park!
Hiking Trails in Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park offer a diverse range of hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts.
In Olympic National Park, the easiest hike is the Hurricane Ridge Trail, a 1.5-mile round trip hike with stunning views of the Olympic Mountains. Another easy hike is the Spruce Nature Trail, a 0.6-mile loop trail through a dense forest. For more challenging hikes, try the Seven Lakes Basin Trail, a 16-mile round trip hike through alpine lakes and meadows, or the challenging 17-mile round trip to the summit of Mount Olympus.
In contrast, Voyageurs National Park is known for its beautiful water-based hiking trails. The easiest hike at the park is the Rainy Lake Trail, a 1.5-mile round trip hike that offers excellent views of the surrounding water and forests. For a more challenging hike, try the Kabetogama Peninsula Trail, a 9-mile round trip hike that takes you deep into the heart of the park’s wilderness. The hardest hike in the park is the Little American Island Trail, a 12-mile round trip hike that takes you to a remote island in the park’s interior.
Both parks offer a diverse range of hiking experiences, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry adventures. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park have something for everyone.
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 Voyageurs National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two popular national parks in the United States. Olympic National Park is known for its diverse ecosystems, ranging from temperate rainforests to alpine meadows. Visitors have the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife, such as black bears, elk, mountain goats, and deer. The park is also home to a number of bird species, including the bald eagle, raven, and spotted owl. In addition, the park has a variety of plant life, including mosses, ferns, and wildflowers.
Voyageurs National Park, located in northern Minnesota, is a water-based park with a focus on boating and fishing. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including beavers, otters, moose, and bald eagles. Visitors may also see a variety of bird species, such as loons, cormorants, and pelicans. The park is also known for its diverse plant life, including cedar, spruce, and balsam fir trees.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a diverse array of wildlife and plants. However, Olympic National Park is known for its diverse ecosystems, while Voyageurs National Park is known for its water-based activities and wildlife. Whether you are interested in seeing a variety of birds and mammals or exploring diverse plant life, both parks have something to offer.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Olympic National Park | Voyageurs 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 | Voyageurs 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 | House Mouse |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Mountain Lion |
| California Myotis | Mink |
| Snowshoe Rabbit | Common Gray Fox |
| North American River Otter | Plains Wolf |
| Fringe-Tailed Myotis | American Badger |
| Masked Shrew | Ermine |
| Water Shrew | Snowshoe Hare |
| Western Big-Eared Bat | River Otter |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Masked Shrew |
Fish
| Olympic National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Steelhead/Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Largemouth Bass | Green Sunfish |
| Salish Sucker | Bluegill |
| Coho Salmon | Fathead Minnow |
| Chinook Salmon | Golden Shiner |
| Longnose Dace | Lake Trout |
| Speckled Dace | Northern Pike |
| Threespine Stickleback | Ellpout |
| Sockeye Salmon | Mottled Sculpin |
| Pink Salmon | Slimy Sculpin |
| Chum Salmon | Longnose Dace |
| Dolly Varden | Black Crappie |
| Cutthroat Trout | Black Bullhead |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Olympic National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Olympic National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Wood Frog |
Insects
| Olympic National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee |
Beautiful Landscapes in Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Olympic National Park is located in the state of Washington and is known for its diverse landscapes, including the Olympic Mountains, ancient temperate rainforests, and rugged Pacific coastline. The park’s most famous landscapes include Hurricane Ridge, a popular spot for scenic views and outdoor recreation; Lake Crescent, a crystal-clear lake surrounded by dense forests; and the Hoh Rainforest, which is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the world.
In contrast, Voyageurs National Park is located in northern Minnesota and is known for its interconnected network of waterways, including the Kabetogama Peninsula and Namakan Lake. The park’s most famous landscapes include Kabetogama Peninsula, a scenic waterway surrounded by dense forests, and Rainy Lake, a large lake dotted with islands and islets. The park is also home to the Ash River Visitor Center, which offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the park’s history and unique natural features.
Things To-Do and Activities in Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Olympic National Park, located in Washington State, is known for its diverse landscapes, from the rugged Pacific coastline to the glacier-capped Olympic Mountains. Visitors love exploring the park’s temperate rainforest, kayaking and fishing in the park’s many lakes and rivers, and camping in its backcountry. The park’s diverse habitats are home to a wide variety of wildlife, including black bears, elk, and the Olympic marmot, making it a popular destination for wildlife viewing.
Voyageurs National Park, located in Minnesota, is centered around the interconnected network of lakes and waterways that make up the park’s namesake, the Voyageurs. Visitors to the park love boating, fishing, and kayaking on the park’s lakes and waterways, as well as exploring the park’s forests and wetlands on foot or by canoe. The park is also a popular destination for stargazing, due to its remote location and minimal light pollution, and for winter sports like snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
In conclusion, both Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park offer a wide range of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy, from exploring diverse landscapes and wildlife watching to boating, fishing, and outdoor recreation. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape into nature or an action-packed outdoor adventure, these parks have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two popular national parks in the United States each offering unique experiences and different weather patterns. Olympic National Park is known for its diverse landscapes including temperate rainforests and rugged shores. The park experiences a mild and wet climate with a lot of rainfall throughout the year, particularly from October to May. Snow is rare in the lowlands, but it can fall on the mountaintops during the winter. The best time to visit is from June to September when the weather is dry and mild, making it ideal for hiking and exploring the park’s scenic beauty.
On the other hand, Voyageurs National Park is located in northern Minnesota and is known for its interconnected chain of lakes and waterways. The park experiences very cold and harsh winters with temperatures dropping below freezing and snow covering the ground from November to April. Summer temperatures are mild and pleasant, making it an ideal time for boating, fishing, and camping. The park is particularly popular during the summer months, with visitors flocking to the area to take advantage of the warm weather and scenic beauty.
In conclusion, the weather at Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park greatly affects the best time of year to visit each park. While Olympic National Park is best visited during the dry and mild summer months, Voyageurs National Park is best experienced during the warm summer months.
Family Friendliness of Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer stunning natural beauty, but when it comes to family-friendliness, they differ significantly.
Olympic National Park is a great choice for families with kids who enjoy the outdoors. The park offers a diverse range of activities, including hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Children can explore the lush rainforest, visit the sandy beaches, or hike to stunning waterfalls. With its diverse range of activities, Olympic National Park is a great choice for families who want a mix of adventure and relaxation.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, is ideal for families who love boating and water-based activities. The park is centered around four large lakes and is best explored by water. Visitors can rent boats or take guided tours, and there are plenty of opportunities for fishing, swimming, and kayaking. The park also offers a range of hiking trails and camping options, so families can spend several days exploring the beauty of Voyageurs National Park.
In conclusion, both Olympic National Park and Voyageurs National Park are great destinations for families. However, if you’re traveling with kids who enjoy the outdoors and a mix of adventure and relaxation, Olympic National Park is the better choice. If your family loves boating and water-based activities, then Voyageurs National Park is the place to be.