Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park are two of the most diverse and beautiful national parks in the United States. They are both unique in their own way and offer visitors a chance to explore nature in its purest form. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking mountain vistas or sprawling sand dunes, these two parks have you covered.
Shenandoah National Park is a hidden gem located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. This park offers visitors the opportunity to hike through lush forests, explore cascading waterfalls, and catch glimpses of wildlife such as deer and black bears. The park also features scenic drives, including the famous Skyline Drive, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is a unique desert landscape nestled in the heart of New Mexico. This park is home to the world’s largest gypsum sand dune field, which stretches for miles and provides visitors with a surreal and otherworldly experience. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and stargazing, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Hiking Trails in Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park
Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park are two beautiful locations in the United States that offer unique hiking experiences. Shenandoah National Park, located in Virginia, is known for its rolling hills, scenic views, and dense forests. In contrast, White Sands National Park in New Mexico is famous for its eponymous white sand dunes.
In Shenandoah National Park, the easiest hike is the Rose River Falls Trail, which is a 1.6-mile loop that takes you to a beautiful waterfall. For a more challenging hike, try the Old Rag Mountain Trail, a difficult 9-mile hike with steep sections and rocky terrain.
White Sands National Park offers a different kind of hiking experience. The easiest hike is the Dunes Drive, a scenic road that takes you through the heart of the park. For a more strenuous hike, try the Alkali Flat Trail, a 4-mile hike through the dunes that offers stunning views of the surrounding desert.
Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails for different levels of difficulty and interest. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely walk or a challenging hike, both Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park have something to offer.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Shenandoah National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Rag Mountain Loop | 13840.324 | 736.7016 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run Trails Loop | 14484.06 | 722.9856 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Dark Hollow Falls Trail | 2253.076 | 171.9072 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bearfence Mountain Trail | 1609.34 | 73.7616 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Hawksbill Gap Loop via Appalachian Trail | 4184.284 | 228.9048 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Rose River Trail | 5632.69 | 256.9464 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| White Oak Canyon Trail | 15288.73 | 733.9584 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Stony Man via Appalachian Trail | 2414.01 | 97.8408 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| South River Falls Trail | 7402.964 | 387.7056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Little Stony Man Loop via Appalachian Trail | 5471.756 | 263.9568 | Moderate | loop | 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 Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park
Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia and covers over 200,000 acres of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is known for its diverse wildlife, including black bears, deer, and over 200 species of birds such as the Wood Thrush and Wild Turkey. The park also has a variety of plant life, including dogwoods, rhododendrons, and mountain laurels.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is unique in that it is home to the largest gypsum dune field in the world. Despite its desert environment, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including jackrabbits, roadrunners, and rattlesnakes. Visitors may also see bird species such as the Greater Roadrunner and Ladder-backed Woodpecker. The park also has a variety of cacti and other desert plants.
In conclusion, both Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park offer unique wildlife experiences. Shenandoah is known for its diverse wildlife in the Blue Ridge Mountains, while White Sands offers a chance to see unique desert species in the world’s largest gypsum dune field. Whether you’re a birdwatcher, wildlife enthusiast, or just looking for a chance to see some amazing animals and plants, these parks are definitely worth a visit.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Shenandoah 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
| Shenandoah 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 |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Porcupine |
| Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Red Fox | Hoary Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Fox |
| House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mountain Lion | House Mouse |
| Gray Fox | Mountain Lion |
| River Otter | Mink |
| Masked Shrew | Common Gray Fox |
| Water Shrew | Plains Wolf |
| Red Squirrel | American Badger |
| White-Tailed Deer | Ermine |
| Virginia Opossum | Snowshoe Hare |
| Marten | River Otter |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Masked Shrew |
Fish
| Shenandoah National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brown Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Largemouth Bass | Bluegill |
| Green Sunfish | Fathead Minnow |
| Bluegill | Golden Shiner |
| Common Carp | Lake Trout |
| Mottled Sculpin | Northern Pike |
| Longnose Dace | Ellpout |
| Yellow Bullhead | Mottled Sculpin |
| Creek Chub | Slimy Sculpin |
| Brown Bullhead | Longnose Dace |
| Smallmouth Bass | Black Crappie |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Shenandoah National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Shenandoah National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Black Racer | |
| Ringneck Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Milksnake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Shenandoah 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 | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park
Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia and known for its scenic Skyline Drive, which offers breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Visitors can hike to the top of Old Rag Mountain, one of the park’s most famous landmarks, for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Another popular destination is Dark Hollow Falls, a 70-foot waterfall that can be reached via a 1.4-mile trail. The park offers over 500 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to strenuous backcountry treks.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is famous for its expansive dunes of white gypsum sand. Visitors can hike, sled, or even sandboard down the dunes, and take in the unique beauty of this otherworldly landscape. The park also offers opportunities for stargazing, as it has some of the darkest skies in the country. The park’s location in the Chihuahuan Desert means visitors can also see a variety of desert wildlife, including reptiles, insects, and mammals like pronghorns and jackrabbits.
Things To-Do and Activities in Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park
Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park offer unique outdoor experiences for visitors. Shenandoah’s main attraction is its scenic Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road that winds through the park and offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition to scenic drives, visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding. White Sands National Park is famous for its large white sand dunes, which visitors can explore on foot, by sled, or by taking a scenic drive. While hiking is also available, it’s not as popular as exploring the sand dunes.
Camping is a popular activity at both parks, with Shenandoah offering a variety of options, including backcountry camping and drive-in campsites. White Sands, on the other hand, only offers backcountry camping.
Fishing is another popular activity at Shenandoah, with streams and rivers running through the park offering opportunities for trout and bass fishing. White Sands does not offer fishing opportunities.
In conclusion, both Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park offer unique outdoor experiences for visitors, with scenic drives, camping, and hiking being popular activities at both parks. Shenandoah offers more diverse activities, such as fishing, horseback riding, and a variety of camping options, while White Sands is known for its large sand dunes and opportunities for dune exploration.
Best Time to Visit Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park
Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park are two popular national parks in the United States. Both offer unique experiences, but they have different seasonal weather patterns and conditions.
Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia and is known for its lush green forests, rolling hills, and scenic drives. The weather in Shenandoah varies greatly depending on the season. Summer temperatures can reach into the high 80s, while winters can be very cold with temperatures dropping into the low 20s. Spring and fall are the best times to visit, as the weather is mild and the foliage is stunning. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing during these seasons.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is famous for its vast white sand dunes that stretch for miles. The weather at White Sands is hot and dry, with summer temperatures reaching into the high 90s. Winters are mild with temperatures in the 60s, making it a great time to visit for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and picnicking. However, visitors should be prepared for strong winds, which can make it difficult to hike on the sand dunes.
In conclusion, the seasonal weather at both Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park has a significant impact on the best time to visit. While Shenandoah is best visited in the spring or fall, White Sands is best visited in the winter or early spring. Both parks offer unique experiences and stunning natural beauty, making them worth a visit no matter the season.
Family Friendliness of Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park
Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia and is known for its scenic Skyline Drive, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities. It offers a range of outdoor activities suitable for families including picnicking, fishing, and camping. The park has several picnic areas, campgrounds, and hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty, making it a great place to spend a fun-filled day with kids. Additionally, the park’s Junior Ranger program engages kids and encourages them to learn about the park’s history and environment.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, features a unique landscape of white sand dunes that stretch for miles. The park offers a variety of activities for families including sand sledding, picnicking, and hiking. The park’s visitor center has interactive exhibits and educational programs for children, making it a great place for families to learn about the park’s unique ecosystem and history. The park’s easy-to-follow trails make it accessible for families with young children, and its remote location means it’s often less crowded than other parks, providing a peaceful and serene environment for families to enjoy.
In conclusion, both Shenandoah National Park and White Sands National Park are family-friendly destinations, offering a range of activities suitable for families with kids of all ages. However, families with younger children may prefer White Sands National Park due to its easy-to-follow trails and peaceful environment, while families with older kids may enjoy the variety of activities offered at Shenandoah National Park.