Virgin Islands National Park vs Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

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Virgin Islands National Park vs Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve

The Virgin Islands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most unique and captivating national parks in the United States. Both offer visitors a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life and explore some of the most pristine and breathtaking landscapes in the country. But which one is right for you?

Do you want to bask in the sun on a tropical beach and snorkel in crystal-clear waters? Then the Virgin Islands National Park might be the perfect choice. Or would you rather hike through rugged, snow-capped mountains and glimpse glaciers that have been frozen for thousands of years? Then Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve might be more your style.

In this article, we’ll compare and contrast these two incredible national parks, highlighting their unique features, recreational opportunities, and must-see attractions. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just now starting to plan your next adventure, this comparison will give you a better understanding of what each park has to offer and help you decide which one is the best fit for your next trip.

Hiking Trails in Virgin Islands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

Virgin Islands National Park and Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two unique national parks with distinct hiking trails, each offering an unforgettable outdoor experience.

Virgin Islands National Park boasts a variety of trails that range from easy to difficult, including the Cinnamon Bay Trail, which is an easy hike that takes visitors through a lush, tropical forest to the serene Cinnamon Bay beach. On the other hand, the challenging Reef Bay Trail takes hikers through a strenuous descent to the historic Reef Bay Sugar Plantation, showcasing the island’s rich cultural heritage.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is the largest national park in the United States, offering a diverse range of trails including the Root Glacier Trail, which is an easy hike that leads visitors to the stunning Root Glacier, and the challenging McCarthy Road, a rough and remote trail that takes hikers deep into the heart of the park’s wilderness.

For those seeking a more strenuous hike, the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve offers the challenging Mount Drum trail, a strenuous hike that takes visitors to the summit of Mount Drum, the park’s highest peak, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness and glaciers.

Both parks offer an incredible outdoor experience, with a range of trails to suit all levels of hikers. Whether you are looking for an easy stroll or a challenging hike, both Virgin Islands National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve offer something for everyone.

Most Popular Hiking Trails in Virgin Islands 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 4.6

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 Virgin Islands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve and Virgin Islands National Park differ in both size and wildlife. Wrangell – St Elias is the largest national park in the US and encompasses over 13 million acres of rugged wilderness. Visitors can expect to see a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, mountain goats, and caribou. The park is also home to a large population of Dall sheep and is a popular destination for birdwatching, with over 170 species of birds recorded in the park.

Virgin Islands National Park, on the other hand, is much smaller, covering just over 7,000 acres on the island of St. John. Despite its size, the park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, and a variety of bird species, such as the brown pelican and the bananaquit. The park is also known for its lush vegetation and its coral reefs, which are home to a variety of fish and other marine life.

Both parks offer unique opportunities to view wildlife in their natural habitats. However, if you are looking for a more remote and rugged wilderness experience, with the chance to see large predators like grizzly bears and caribou, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you are interested in exploring a tropical island with abundant marine life and lush vegetation, Virgin Islands National Park is the way to go.

Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Virgin Islands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.

Birds

Virgin Islands 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

Virgin Islands 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

Virgin Islands National Park Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Bullsnake
Racer
Rattlesnake
Sagebrush Lizard
Common Garter Snake
Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard

Amphibians

Virgin Islands National Park Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Northern Leopard Frog Wood Frog
Tiger Salamander
Woodhouse’s Toad
Plains Spadefoot

Fish

Virgin Islands 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

Virgin Islands National Park Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Silvery Blue
Clouded Sulphur

Beautiful Landscapes in Virgin Islands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

Virgin Islands National Park is located on St John in the US Virgin Islands, and is known for its stunning beaches, lush tropical vegetation, and crystal-clear waters. Visitors can explore the beautiful landscapes by hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking. The popular Trunk Bay beach is a must-visit, with its clear water and white sand, it is considered one of the best beaches in the world.

Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is the largest national park in the United States and boasts a diverse range of landscapes, including glaciers, mountains, and valleys. The park is home to many of Alaska’s tallest peaks, including Mount St Elias, which stands at 18,008 feet. Visitors can also explore glaciers, including the Malaspina Glacier, which is one of the largest piedmont glaciers in the world, and can be seen from the park’s scenic drives.

Both Virgin Islands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique and breathtaking landscapes that visitors can explore and enjoy. Whether you are looking for stunning beaches, towering mountains, or glaciers, these parks offer a diverse range of natural wonders that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Things To-Do and Activities in Virgin Islands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

Virgin Islands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are both popular tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year. Both parks offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy, from hiking and exploring to boating and fishing. However, each park offers unique experiences that set it apart from the other.

In Virgin Islands National Park, visitors can enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean. The park’s beaches are also popular for sunbathing and swimming. Visitors can also take a boat tour to explore the nearby islands and cays.

Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, offers a more rugged and wilderness-oriented experience. The park is home to glaciers, alpine tundra, and the largest national park in the country. Visitors can take guided tours to see wildlife such as caribou, grizzly bears, and moose. They can also go backpacking and camping in the remote wilderness areas of the park.

Both parks offer a wide range of outdoor activities and stunning natural scenery, making them great destinations for visitors looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation or an adventure in the wilderness, these parks have something for everyone.

Best Time to Visit Virgin Islands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

Virgin Islands National Park and Wrangell- St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two popular national parks in the United States. With a difference of over 3,000 miles between the two, the seasonal weather also varies greatly.

The Virgin Islands National Park, located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, has a tropical climate with warm temperatures and high humidity year-round. The dry season runs from January to April, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to low 80s. The rainy season runs from May to December, with temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s. The park is open year-round and is best visited during the dry season, as the rain can make hiking and other outdoor activities difficult.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, mild summers. The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is from May to September, when temperatures range from the mid-40s to mid-60s. Winter temperatures can be extremely cold and snow can make access to the park difficult.

In conclusion, both Virgin Islands National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve have unique weather patterns that affect when is the best time to visit. The Virgin Islands National Park is best visited during the dry season, while Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is best visited during the summer months, when temperatures are mild and access to the park is easiest.

Family Friendliness of Virgin Islands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve and Virgin Islands National Park are two popular national parks located in the United States. Both parks offer unique experiences and are great options for families to visit. However, each park offers different levels of family-friendliness.

Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve offers a more rugged and adventurous experience. With over 13 million acres of land, there are numerous opportunities for families to explore and hike. The park also offers camping options, which is a great way for families to bond and get closer to nature. However, this park is not as accessible as Virgin Islands National Park, and the trails can be challenging for young children.

On the other hand, Virgin Islands National Park is a more relaxed and accessible option for families. With its pristine beaches, snorkeling, and hiking trails, there is something for everyone. The park is also relatively small, making it easier for families to navigate and explore. Additionally, the park offers numerous amenities, such as restaurants, accommodations, and shops, which make it a more convenient option for families.

In conclusion, both Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve and Virgin Islands National Park offer unique experiences for families. However, if you’re traveling with children, Virgin Islands National Park may be the better option due to its accessibility and the range of activities available for families.

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