Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are both unique and beautiful destinations, but they differ in many ways. From the rolling grasslands of Theodore Roosevelt to the towering peaks of Wrangell – St Elias, both parks offer stunning scenery and a variety of recreational opportunities. But which one is right for you?
If you’re looking for a more traditional national park experience, with well-developed trails and amenities, Theodore Roosevelt might be the way to go. On the other hand, if you’re an adventurer at heart and don’t mind roughing it a bit, Wrangell – St Elias will offer a more rugged, backcountry experience.
So, grab your hiking boots, pack your camping gear, and let’s compare these two amazing parks. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a scenic drive, we’ll help you decide which park is right for your next national park adventure.
Hiking Trails in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry adventures. However, there are notable differences between the two parks in terms of hiking opportunities.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, located in North Dakota, has a relatively small network of hiking trails. However, these trails offer stunning landscapes of rolling hills, prairies, and badlands. One of the easiest hikes in the park is the Painted Canyon Trail, a 1.5-mile loop that takes visitors through a colorful canyon filled with unique rock formations. The park’s toughest hike is the Wind Canyon Trail, a 4-mile round trip hike that follows a strenuous path to the top of a cliff with stunning views of the badlands.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is the largest national park in the United States and offers a much larger and more diverse range of hiking opportunities. The park’s easiest hike is the Root Glacier Trail, a 2-mile round trip hike that offers a unique opportunity to walk on a glacier. The park’s hardest hike is the Mount Blackburn Trail, a challenging 16-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to the summit of one of the highest peaks in the park. The trail is strenuous and requires a high level of physical fitness, but the views from the top are truly breathtaking.
In conclusion, both Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique and diverse hiking experiences for visitors. Whether you are looking for an easy nature walk or a challenging backcountry adventure, these parks have something for everyone.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Canyon Trail | 804.67 | 16.764 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Caprock Coulee Loop | 6115.492 | 159.7152 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Painted Canyon Nature Trail | 1770.274 | 78.9432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Petrified Forest Trail | 16415.268 | 253.8984 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Maah Daah Hey Trail | 229009.082 | 4614.9768 | Hard | point to point | 4.5 |
| Lower Paddock Creek Trail | 11587.248 | 127.7112 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Buck Hill Trail | 643.736 | 16.764 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ridgeline Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 33.8328 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Coal Vein Trail | 965.604 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Buckhorn Trail | 19633.948 | 324.9168 | Hard | loop | 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 Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, located in North Dakota, is well known for its population of bison, elk, and pronghorns. It’s also a great place for bird watching, as the park is home to over 200 species of birds, including the majestic golden eagle. One of the park’s most popular attractions is the scenic drive through the park, where visitors can see herds of bison and pronghorns grazing in the rolling hills.
Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is one of the largest parks in the United States, covering an area of over 13 million acres. It is a wilderness area and home to a diverse array of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, and moose. Bird Watchers can also enjoy a variety of species, including the Steller’s jay, the bald eagle, and the common loon. The park is also home to a number of plant species, including the beautiful fireweed, which grows in abundance in the park’s meadows.
In conclusion, both Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve offer a unique and diverse wildlife experience for visitors. Whether you are interested in seeing large mammals, bird watching, or exploring the park’s plant life, both parks offer a truly unforgettable experience.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Theodore Roosevelt 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 |
| Merlin | Merlin |
| Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | 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 |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | Puma |
| Raccoon | Mink |
| Porcupine | Mule Deer |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Wolf |
| Hoary Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | Snowshoe Hare |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Land Otter |
| House Mouse | Common Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Water Shrew |
| Mink | Red Squirrel |
| Mule Deer | Montane Shrew |
| Gray Wolf | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Lynx |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Wolverine |
| Badger | American Marten |
| Snowshoe Hare | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| North American River Otter | Grizzly Bear |
| Masked Shrew | Meadow Vole |
Reptiles
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Bullsnake | |
| Racer | |
| Rattlesnake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
Amphibians
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Longnose Sucker | Steelhead |
| Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
| Bluegill | Lake Trout |
| Flathead Minnow | Northern Pike |
| Golden Shiner | Burbot |
| Carp/European Carp | Silver Salmon |
| Northern Pike | King Salmon |
| Burbot | Slimy Sculpin |
| Longnose Dace | Threespine Stickleback |
| Channel Catfish | Sockeye Salmon |
| Black Bullhead | Pink Salmon |
| Creek Chub | Chum Salmon |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Insects
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur |
Beautiful Landscapes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in North Dakota and is known for its badlands formations and prairie landscape. The park offers scenic drives, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities. One of the most famous landscapes in the park is the Painted Canyon, which showcases the vibrant colors and unique rock formations of the badlands. Another notable feature is the Petrified Forest Loop Trail, which is a 1.5-mile hike that takes visitors through a piece of ancient forest that has been preserved for millions of years.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is one of the largest national parks in the United States. It is known for its stunning glaciers, towering peaks, and rugged wilderness. One of the most famous landscapes in the park is the Root Glacier, which is a large glacier that visitors can hike on and explore. Another notable feature is the St. Elias Mountains, which are some of the tallest mountains in North America and offer breathtaking views for those who are willing to make the climb. Visitors can also take a scenic drive along the McCarthy Road to see the stunning views of the park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of the American wilderness, but each park has its own unique set of activities and attractions.
At Theodore Roosevelt National Park, visitors can enjoy scenic drives, wildlife viewing, and horseback riding. The park is known for its diverse landscape, which includes prairies, badlands, and river valleys. Visitors can also take part in ranger-led programs and camp in one of the park’s many campgrounds.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a remote wilderness area that offers opportunities for backcountry camping, mountaineering, and kayaking. The park is home to some of the highest peaks in North America and is a popular destination for those seeking adventure. Visitors can also take scenic flights over the park to see its glaciers, rivers, and mountains from above.
Both parks have something to offer for every type of traveler, whether you are looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life or you are seeking an adventure in the wilderness. Choose Theodore Roosevelt National Park for a more relaxed, scenic experience or Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve for a more rugged, adventurous experience.
Best Time to Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most visited parks in the United States. While both parks are known for their scenic beauty, they differ in their seasonal weather patterns. This affects when is the best time to visit each park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in North Dakota and has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures can reach up to 90°F, while winter temperatures can drop to below 0°F. The park is best visited in the spring and fall when temperatures are more pleasant, and the wildlife is most active.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, mild summers. Summer temperatures average around 50°F, while winter temperatures can drop to below -40°F. The park is best visited in the summer when the weather is mild and the park is accessible by road.
Both parks offer unique experiences, but the best time to visit depends on the type of experience you are looking for. If you prefer warm weather and the chance to see wildlife, spring and fall are the best times to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park. If you prefer mild weather and the chance to explore the park by road, summer is the best time to visit Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve.
Family Friendliness of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are both ideal destinations for families seeking outdoor adventure. However, each park has its own unique set of features and amenities that make them better suited for different types of families.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is considered to be more family-friendly, with its accessibility and well-developed visitor facilities. The park has multiple scenic drives, picnic areas, and easy hiking trails, making it an ideal destination for families with young children. Additionally, the park offers ranger-led programs and educational activities, making it a great choice for families who want to learn about the natural and cultural history of the area.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is better suited for families who are looking for a more rugged wilderness experience. The park is vast, covering over 13 million acres, and offers a variety of backcountry opportunities for experienced hikers and campers. While there are visitor facilities in the park, they are limited, making it a better choice for families who are looking for a true backcountry experience.
In conclusion, both Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are great destinations for families seeking outdoor adventure. However, families with young children are better off visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park, while families who are looking for a more rugged wilderness experience should consider visiting Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve.