Jake Cain is an entrepreneur and writer from Cincinnati, Ohio. He spends his free time driving around the country in his late 90’s conversion van, affectionately known as the “Monster Van” with his wife and 3 boys.
Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park are two of the most unique and awe-inspiring parks in the United States. These two parks offer vastly different experiences, yet both are equally mesmerizing. If you are looking for a rugged and mountainous adventure, then Rocky Mountain National Park is for you. However, if you want a more otherworldly and surreal experience, then White Sands National Park is the place to be.
In this article, we will be comparing the two parks and highlighting the best things that each park has to offer. From breathtaking hikes to surreal landscapes, you will not want to miss what these parks have in store. Whether you are a seasoned hiker or just looking for a relaxing day in nature, both parks offer something for everyone.
So, grab your hiking shoes, pack a picnic, and join us as we explore Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park. Get ready to be transported to two of the most beautiful and unique places in the United States.
Hiking Trails in Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park are two of the most popular outdoor destinations in the United States. Both parks offer a number of incredible hiking trails, each with its own unique features.
Rocky Mountain National Park is known for its challenging hiking trails, with many of them reaching above treeline to offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Some of the most popular hikes in the park include the Keyhole Route, Longs Peak, and the Chasm Lake Trail. The Keyhole Route is a difficult hike that takes you to the top of Longs Peak, the park’s tallest peak. The hike is a strenuous one, but it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The Chasm Lake Trail is another popular hike, which takes you to the shores of Chasm Lake, surrounded by towering peaks.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, offers much easier hikes, with many of them being short, flat walks through the stunning white sand dunes. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Dunes Drive and the Alkali Flat Trail. The Dunes Drive is a scenic drive through the park that offers stunning views of the white sand dunes. The Alkali Flat Trail is a short, flat hike that takes you through the heart of the dunes. Both of these hikes are great for families and those who are looking for a relaxing hike.
In conclusion, both Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park offer a wide range of hiking trails, from easy walks to challenging summits. No matter what your hiking preference is, both parks have something to offer.
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 |
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 Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park are two unique national parks that offer different wildlife viewing experiences. At Rocky Mountain National Park, visitors can see a variety of wildlife including elk, bighorn sheep, and moose. Additionally, bird watchers can enjoy sightings of the American bald eagle and peregrine falcon, as well as a variety of songbirds. The park is also home to several species of reptiles, including the western rattlesnake, and a variety of mammals, including the black and grizzly bear.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is known for its diverse desert wildlife, including the pronghorn antelope, roadrunner, and jackrabbit. Birds such as the greater roadrunner and the Gambel’s quail can also be seen. Visitors can also spot several species of reptiles, including the rattlesnake, and a variety of insects, such as the tarantula. The park is also home to several species of cacti and other desert plants, including the creosote bush and the yucca.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Rocky Mountain 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 |
| Merlin | Merlin |
| Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Rocky Mountain National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mountain Lion | House Mouse |
| Mink | Mountain Lion |
| Mule Deer | Mink |
| Gray Fox | Common Gray Fox |
| Gray Wolf | Plains Wolf |
| Long-Legged Myotis | American Badger |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Ermine |
| Badger | Snowshoe Hare |
| Ermine | River Otter |
| Snowshoe Hare | Masked Shrew |
Fish
| Rocky Mountain National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brown Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Western Longnose Sucker | Bluegill |
| Mottled Sculpin | Fathead Minnow |
| Speckled Dace | Golden Shiner |
| Cutthroat Trout | Lake Trout |
| Northern Pike | |
| Ellpout | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Rocky Mountain National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Rocky Mountain National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Rocky Mountain National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park, located in Colorado, is known for its stunning mountain ranges, majestic peaks and alpine lakes. Visitors can hike scenic trails, drive the famous Trail Ridge Road, or even go horseback riding to take in the breathtaking views. One of the park’s most famous landmarks is Longs Peak, which stands at 14,259 feet and offers a challenging hike for experienced climbers.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is home to the world’s largest gypsum dune field. The brilliant white sands contrast against the blue sky, creating a surreal landscape that is truly a sight to behold. Visitors can take a scenic drive, hike, or even go sledding on the dunes. The park also features several trails that lead to stunning vistas, including the Interdune Boardwalk, which offers views of the dunes, wildlife, and the surrounding mountains.
Both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes that are sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors. Whether you prefer to explore the rugged peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park or admire the otherworldly dunes of White Sands National Park, both parks offer a chance to connect with nature and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Things To-Do and Activities in Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, and they offer a wide range of activities for visitors. In Rocky Mountain National Park, visitors can enjoy scenic drives, wildlife watching, camping, and fishing. One of the most popular drives is the Trail Ridge Road, which takes visitors to the top of the Continental Divide. Along the way, visitors can see elk, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife. Camping is also popular in the park, with over 300 campsites available. Fishing is also a popular activity, with several streams and lakes within the park offering excellent opportunities for anglers.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is known for its unique, white sand dunes. Visitors can enjoy hiking and sand sledding on the dunes, as well as stargazing and wildlife watching. The park is also home to several hiking trails that take visitors through the dunes and surrounding desert landscape. Stargazing is also a popular activity, with the dark skies above the park offering excellent viewing opportunities for celestial objects. Wildlife watching is also a popular activity, with visitors having the chance to see pronghorns, kit foxes, and other desert animals.
Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park are two very different parks with very different climates. Rocky Mountain National Park is located in Colorado and has a subalpine climate. The park gets a lot of snow in the winter and temperatures can drop below freezing. In the summer, temperatures are relatively mild and visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking and camping. The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park is during the summer months, when the weather is the most pleasant.
White Sands National Park is located in New Mexico and has a hot desert climate. The park is extremely hot during the summer months, with temperatures often reaching over 100°F. Winter temperatures are much milder, but the park can still get quite cold at night. The best time to visit White Sands National Park is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are more moderate. During these seasons, visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking and camping.
In conclusion, the weather at both Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park can have a significant impact on when is the best time to visit. If you’re looking for a cool, mild climate with plenty of outdoor activities, then Rocky Mountain National Park is the perfect place to visit in the summer. If you’re looking for a more moderate climate with plenty of outdoor activities, then White Sands National Park is the perfect place to visit in the spring or fall.
Family Friendliness of Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park are two wildly different destinations that both offer unique experiences for families. Rocky Mountain National Park is a mountainous park located in Colorado and offers stunning views, hiking trails, and wildlife sightings. It’s a great choice for families who are looking for outdoor adventure and enjoy outdoor activities such as camping and hiking. On the other hand, White Sands National Park is located in New Mexico and is unique because of its white sand dunes that are made of gypsum crystals. It’s a great destination for families who are looking for a more relaxed experience, as the park offers picnic areas, ranger-led programs, and opportunities to explore the sand dunes.
In terms of family-friendliness, both parks have something to offer but for different reasons. Rocky Mountain National Park is perfect for families who are looking for a more physically demanding experience, while White Sands National Park is better for families who want a more relaxed, leisurely experience. The park’s wide open spaces and sand dunes provide a unique and exciting environment for children to explore and play in. Additionally, the park’s picnic areas and ranger-led programs make it a great place for families to spend time together and learn about the park’s unique ecosystem.
In conclusion, both Rocky Mountain National Park and White Sands National Park are great destinations for families, but each park offers a different type of experience. If you’re traveling with children and are looking for a more adventurous experience, Rocky Mountain National Park is the perfect destination. If you’re seeking a more relaxed and leisurely experience, White Sands National Park is the better option.