Olympic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most diverse and mesmerizing national parks in America. Both parks offer a unique and unforgettable experience to visitors, but they are vastly different in size, landscape, and activities. With Olympic National Park, you’ll find a temperate rainforest, stunning coastline, and towering mountains that are home to a diverse array of wildlife. Meanwhile, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a rugged and remote wilderness that spans over 13 million acres, making it the largest national park in the United States.
In this article, we’ll be comparing these two amazing parks in terms of their size, top attractions, and activities. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just looking for a peaceful escape from the city, you’ll find something to love about both Olympic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. So grab your hiking boots, pack a picnic, and get ready to explore two of America’s most breathtaking national parks!
Hiking Trails in Olympic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Olympic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both are known for their stunning natural beauty and challenging hiking trails. However, there are a few key differences between the two parks that are worth mentioning.
At Olympic National Park, there are many easy-to-moderate hikes that offer stunning views of the park’s lush forests, pristine lakes, and rugged coastlines. Some of the most popular easy hikes include the Spruce Nature Trail, the Hall of Mosses, and the Hurricane Ridge Trail. For those looking for a more strenuous hike, there are several challenging trails, including the Seven Lakes Basin, the Mount Ellinor, and the Mount Olympus. These hikes offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, but they are also physically demanding and not recommended for inexperienced hikers.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its rugged wilderness and challenging hikes. The park is home to some of the tallest peaks in North America, and the hikes here are often strenuous and require a high level of physical fitness. Some of the most challenging hikes in the park include the Root Glacier Trail, the Donoho Basin Trail, and the Cottonwood Creek Trail. However, there are also several easier hikes in the park, including the Nizina River Trail, the Copper River Trail, and the Mc Carthy Road. These hikes offer stunning views of the park’s glaciers, valleys, and rivers, and are suitable for hikers of all skill levels.
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 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 Olympic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Olympic National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most stunning natural areas in the United States, both offering breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife.
Olympic National Park is known for its lush temperate rain forests and rugged coastline, where visitors may spot black bears, elk, deer, and a variety of bird species such as the Olympic marmot, bald eagle, and pigeon guillemot. Additionally, the park is home to a number of endemic plant species, including the Olympic manzanita and the Olympic peninsula onion.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is the largest national park in the US and boasts a diverse range of habitats, from glaciers and alpine tundra to boreal forests and salmon-filled rivers. It is a popular spot for wildlife viewing, with species such as moose, caribou, wolves, and grizzly bears frequently seen by visitors. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 170 species of birds, including the bald eagle, gyrfalcon, and Steller’s jay.
Both parks offer unique opportunities for wildlife viewing, but Wrangell-St. Elias is a particularly good choice for those interested in large mammals and birdwatching, while Olympic National Park is ideal for those interested in temperate rain forests and coastal ecosystems.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Olympic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Olympic National Park | 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 |
| 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 | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Black Bear |
| Little Brown Bat | Porcupine |
| Deer Mouse | Red Fox |
| Raccoon | Puma |
| Black Bear | Mink |
| Porcupine | Mule Deer |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Wolf |
| Red Fox | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Snowshoe Hare |
| House Mouse | Land Otter |
| Wolf | Common Shrew |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Water Shrew |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Red Squirrel |
| California Myotis | Montane Shrew |
| Snowshoe Rabbit | Long-Tailed Vole |
| North American River Otter | Lynx |
| Fringe-Tailed Myotis | Wolverine |
| Masked Shrew | American Marten |
| Water Shrew | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Western Big-Eared Bat | Grizzly Bear |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Meadow Vole |
Fish
| Olympic National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Steelhead/Rainbow Trout | Steelhead |
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Largemouth Bass | Lake Trout |
| Salish Sucker | Northern Pike |
| Coho Salmon | Burbot |
| Chinook Salmon | Silver Salmon |
| Longnose Dace | King Salmon |
| Speckled Dace | Slimy Sculpin |
| Threespine Stickleback | Threespine Stickleback |
| Sockeye Salmon | Sockeye Salmon |
| Pink Salmon | Pink Salmon |
| Chum Salmon | Chum Salmon |
| Dolly Varden | Dolly Varden |
| Cutthroat Trout | Cutthroat Trout |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Olympic National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Olympic National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Wood Frog |
Insects
| Olympic National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee | Silvery Blue |
| Clouded Sulphur |
Beautiful Landscapes in Olympic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Olympic National Park is located in the state of Washington and is known for its diverse landscapes that range from temperate rainforests to alpine meadows to rugged coastline. One of the most famous landscapes in the park is the Hoh Rainforest, which is considered one of the largest temperate rainforests in the US. Another popular spot is Hurricane Ridge, a scenic drive that offers panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains and the surrounding landscape.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is the largest national park in the US and is home to some of the tallest mountains in North America. The park is known for its stunning glaciers, including the famous Kennicott Glacier, which is one of the largest glaciers in the park. Visitors can also explore the Wrangell Mountains, which offer opportunities for backcountry hiking, mountaineering, and other outdoor adventures. The park also features the Chitina River, which is a popular spot for fishing and rafting.
Things To-Do and Activities in Olympic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Olympic National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve both offer unique experiences for visitors. Olympic National Park, located in Washington State, is known for its diverse landscapes, including rainforests, rugged coastline, and alpine meadows. Popular activities include exploring the Hoh Rainforest, visiting the Sol Duc Hot Springs, and taking scenic drives to view the stunning mountain vistas.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, boasts a vast wilderness area with glaciers, mountains, and valleys. Visitors can go dog sledding, snowmobiling, and backcountry skiing in the winter months. In the summer, they can go rafting, fishing, and exploring the Kennicott Mine. Both parks offer opportunities for wildlife viewing, with Olympic National Park known for its populations of elk and mountain goats, and Wrangell-St. Elias for its caribou and grizzly bears.
While both parks offer breathtaking landscapes and unique experiences, the type of visitor each park attracts can vary. Olympic National Park is a popular destination for families and those seeking a more mild wilderness experience, while Wrangell-St. Elias attracts more adventurous visitors looking for a true backcountry experience. Regardless of personal preferences, both parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and a chance to connect with nature.
Best Time to Visit Olympic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Olympic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two vastly different national parks in terms of weather and climate. Olympic National Park, located in Washington state, has a temperate rainforest climate with high levels of rainfall throughout the year. In the summer months, temperatures average in the mid-60s to low-70s and can reach into the high 80s. In the winter months, temperatures average in the mid-40s to low-50s and can dip into the 30s. The best time to visit Olympic National Park is in the summer months when the weather is mild and there is less rainfall.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. In the summer months, temperatures average in the mid-50s to low-60s and can reach into the 70s. In the winter months, temperatures average in the low-20s to low-30s and can dip into the negative digits. The best time to visit Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is in the summer months when the weather is mild and there is less snow, making it easier to access the park’s many glaciers, rivers, and valleys.
Family Friendliness of Olympic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Olympic National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest national parks in the United States. Both offer a variety of outdoor activities for families to enjoy, but there are some differences in terms of accessibility and family-friendliness.
Olympic National Park is a great option for families due to its accessibility and the variety of activities available. There are multiple trails for hiking, including the popular Hurricane Ridge where visitors can see stunning views of the Olympic Mountains. The park also offers ranger-led activities, campfire programs and educational workshops for children. Additionally, the park has a variety of facilities, including campgrounds, picnic areas, and restaurants.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a remote wilderness park that requires more effort to reach, but offers a unique and unparalleled wilderness experience. This park is not as accessible as Olympic National Park, but is still a great option for families who are looking for a more adventurous experience. Visitors can explore glaciers, go rafting, fishing, and even flight-see over the park. However, there are limited facilities in the park, so families will need to be self-sufficient and prepared for backcountry camping.
In conclusion, if you are traveling with children and looking for a more accessible and family-friendly park, Olympic National Park is the better option. However, if you are up for a more adventurous and rugged experience, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a great place to explore.