Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park are two of the most unique and awe-inspiring natural wonders in the United States. Both parks offer unforgettable landscapes, breathtaking scenery and endless opportunities for adventure and exploration. But which one is right for you? In this article, we will compare and contrast these two incredible parks, so you can choose the perfect destination for your next outdoor adventure.
Whether you’re a hiker, a camper, or simply a lover of all things beautiful, Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park offer something for everyone. From the rugged and misty peaks of Olympic to the rolling dunes of White Sands, each park offers a truly unique and unforgettable experience. So, pack your bags and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime, because we’re about to take you on a journey through two of America’s most breathtaking national parks!
Hiking Trails in Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park
Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park both offer unique hiking experiences.
Olympic National Park is known for its lush rain forests, rugged coastlines, and majestic mountain ranges. The park features over 600 miles of trails, ranging from easy walks to strenuous backcountry adventures. Some of the easiest hikes include the Spruce Nature Trail and the Hoh River Trail, both of which offer stunning views of the park’s diverse landscapes. For those seeking a more challenging outing, the Hurricane Ridge Trail or the Seven Lakes Basin are recommended. Both offer steep climbs, but are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is known for its striking white sand dunes that stretch across 275 square miles. The park offers several hiking trails, including the Alkali Flat Trail, which is a popular option for those looking for an easy hike. For those seeking a more strenuous hike, the Interdune Boardwalk offers a challenging climb to the top of the dunes. Both trails offer unique and breathtaking views of the stark white sand dunes contrasted against the blue sky.
In conclusion, both Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park offer unique and diverse hiking experiences, with a variety of trails ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry adventures. Whether you’re interested in exploring lush forests, rugged coastlines, or stunning sand dunes, there’s a trail for everyone at these national parks.
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 White Sands 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 | 6 |
Wildlife in Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park
Olympic National Park in Washington State is renowned for its diverse range of wildlife. From black bears to river otters, visitors can expect to encounter a variety of mammals. The park is also a popular destination for birdwatchers, as it provides habitat for over 200 species of birds, including the American Bald Eagle. Additionally, the park is home to several species of native fish, including salmon and steelhead.
On the other hand, White Sands National Park in New Mexico is primarily known for its unique white sand dunes. While it may not have as much wildlife diversity as Olympic National Park, it still offers visitors the opportunity to see a variety of desert animals. Commonly seen wildlife in the park includes the Jackrabbit, Roadrunner, and rattlesnakes. For birdwatchers, the park is a great destination to see birds like the Greater Roadrunner, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, and Verdin. Additionally, the park is home to a number of cacti and other desert plants.
In conclusion, while both parks offer unique wildlife experiences, Olympic National Park is known for its diverse range of animals and birds, while White Sands National Park is known for its desert wildlife and plants. Ultimately, the choice between the two parks will depend on the individual’s interests and what they hope to see while visiting.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Olympic National Park | White Sands 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 | White Sands 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 | White Sands 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 | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Olympic National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Wood Frog |
Insects
| Olympic National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee |
Beautiful Landscapes in Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park
Olympic National Park is located in Washington state and is well-known for its diverse landscapes, including forests, mountains, and beaches. The most famous landscape in the park is the Hoh Rainforest, a temperate rainforest that is home to towering trees, lush vegetation, and numerous species of wildlife. Another popular attraction is Hurricane Ridge, a mountain ridge that offers panoramic views of the park and the surrounding mountains.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is famous for its vast fields of white sand dunes that are constantly shifting and changing with the wind. The dunes are made up of gypsum crystals and are the largest of their kind in the world. One of the most popular activities in the park is hiking or sledding on the dunes, which is a unique and breathtaking experience. The park also features a scenic drive that takes visitors through the heart of the dunes, offering stunning views and opportunities for photography.
In conclusion, both Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park offer unique and stunning landscapes that are sure to leave visitors in awe. Whether it’s exploring the lush rainforest in Olympic National Park or playing in the ever-shifting sands of White Sands National Park, these parks are sure to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Things To-Do and Activities in Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park
Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park are two popular national parks in the United States, each offering unique experiences to visitors. While Olympic National Park is known for its lush rainforests, rugged coastline, and towering mountains, White Sands National Park is famous for its otherworldly landscape of white sand dunes that seem to go on forever.
Visitors to Olympic National Park can go backpacking, fishing, and wildlife watching. The park’s diverse ecosystems provide opportunities for visitors to see everything from black bears and elk, to bald eagles and sea otters. The park also offers scenic drives and car camping, allowing visitors to easily experience the beauty of the park.
People visiting White Sands National Park love to go sledding down the sand dunes, have picnics, and stargaze. The park’s unique environment provides a dazzling array of colors and textures, making it a popular spot for photography and sightseeing. Visitors can also go hiking and take guided ranger-led tours to learn more about the park’s unique ecosystem and history.
In conclusion, Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park are both incredible places to visit, each offering unique experiences and activities. Whether you’re a nature lover, hiker, or photographer, these parks have something to offer everyone.
Best Time to Visit Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park
Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park are two beautiful parks located in different regions of the US. The seasonal weather at these parks is vastly different and affects the best time to visit each park.
Olympic National Park is located in the Pacific Northwest and experiences a mild and rainy climate. Summer months are usually the driest, but the park can still receive rain even in July and August. Winter months can bring heavy snow and strong winds, making some areas of the park inaccessible. The best time to visit Olympic National Park is during the summer months, when the weather is mild and the park’s lush greenery is at its best.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is located in the desert Southwest and experiences a hot and dry climate. Summer temperatures can reach over 100°F, making it too hot for some visitors. Winter temperatures are mild, but the park can receive occasional snow and freezing temperatures. The best time to visit White Sands National Park is during the spring and fall months, when temperatures are mild and comfortable for outdoor activities.
In conclusion, the seasonal weather at Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park is vastly different and affects the best time to visit each park. Visitors should consider the weather conditions when planning a trip to either of these parks.
Family Friendliness of Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park
Olympic National Park and White Sands National Park are two of the most popular parks in the United States. They both offer unique experiences, but when it comes to family-friendliness, the two parks differ greatly.
Olympic National Park is a great place for families who enjoy the great outdoors. There are plenty of trails for hiking, camping opportunities, and scenic views that will leave you in awe. The park’s diverse landscapes, ranging from temperate rainforests to glaciers, also offer endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. However, the park is not without its challenges. Some trails can be strenuous and the park can be crowded, especially during peak season.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is a more relaxed and kid-friendly destination. The park’s main attraction, the white sand dunes, are a perfect place for families to play and explore. There are also ranger-led programs available, in addition to picnic areas and camping facilities. While the park is not as diverse as Olympic, it is much more accessible and easier to navigate, making it a great option for families with young children.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with children, White Sands National Park is the more family-friendly option. It’s a great place for families to play and relax, with plenty of opportunities for exploration and adventure. However, if you’re looking for a more challenging outdoor experience, Olympic National Park is the way to go.