Voyageurs National Park and Wind Cave National Park are two of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the United States. Both parks offer unique and unforgettable experiences that are perfect for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike. But which one is the best for you?
Do you want to explore pristine wilderness lakes, canoe through hidden bays, and search for wolves and moose on the shores of Voyageurs National Park? Or do you want to venture underground into the mysterious and labyrinthine Wind Cave, where you can witness the beauty of rare mineral formations and the delicate dance of bats?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these two parks and compare them in terms of their natural beauty, wildlife, and recreational opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a first-time camper, you’ll find plenty of information to help you decide which park is right for you. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable adventure, as we explore the wonders of Voyageurs National Park vs Wind Cave National Park.
Hiking Trails in Voyageurs National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Voyageurs National Park is located in northern Minnesota and is known for its abundant water-based recreation opportunities. The park has over 40 miles of hiking trails, offering a variety of experiences for visitors. Some of the easiest hikes include the Kettle Falls Trail, a 1.7-mile loop that takes you through the forest to the scenic Kettle Falls, and the Rainy Lake Vista Trail, a 1.3-mile hike with stunning views of Rainy Lake.
Wind Cave National Park, located in southwestern South Dakota, is famous for its unique geology and underground caves. The park has over 30 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Some of the easiest hikes include the Rankin Ridge Nature Trail, a 0.7-mile loop that takes you through the prairie landscape and provides panoramic views, and the Wind Cave Canyon Trail, a 2.5-mile trek through the winding canyon. The park’s hardest hike is the Pronghorn Loop Trail, a 5.5-mile strenuous hike that involves steep ascents and descents and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Both parks offer a range of hiking experiences for visitors, from easy walks to challenging hikes. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a strenuous adventure, both Voyageurs National Park and Wind Cave National Park have something to offer.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Voyageurs 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 | 5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Wind Cave National Park
| 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 | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Voyageurs National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Voyageurs National Park and Wind Cave National Park offer unique wildlife experiences to visitors. Voyageurs is known for its diverse aquatic life, including beavers, loons, and bald eagles. The park also has a healthy population of black bears, moose, and wolves. Visitors may also see otters, muskrats, and foxes along the park’s many waterways.
Wind Cave National Park, on the other hand, is home to a variety of subterranean species, including bats and cave-adapted insects. Above ground, the park has a thriving herd of bison, pronghorns, and elk. Visitors may also spot mule deer, coyotes, and badgers. The park is also a prime location for bird watching, with species like the golden eagle and the ferruginous hawk often seen soaring above the prairies.
Both parks offer ample opportunities for wildlife viewing, whether it be on land or in the water. Whether you’re looking for a chance to see unique species like the cave-adapted insects at Wind Cave or the diverse aquatic life at Voyageurs, both parks offer a truly unforgettable experience.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Voyageurs National Park and Wind Cave National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Voyageurs National Park | Wind Cave 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
| Voyageurs National Park | Wind Cave 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 | Weasels |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Mountain Lion |
| Mink | Mink |
| Common Gray Fox | Mule Deer |
| Plains Wolf | Wolf |
| American Badger | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Ermine | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Snowshoe Hare | Badger |
| River Otter | Ermine |
| Masked Shrew | Fringed Myotis |
Amphibians
| Voyageurs National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Wood Frog | Tiger Salamander |
| Woodhouses Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
| Voyageurs National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Brook Trout |
| Longnose Sucker | Fathead Minnow |
| Green Sunfish | Long Nose Dace |
| Bluegill | Black Bullhead |
| Fathead Minnow | Creek Chub |
| Golden Shiner | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Ellpout | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Voyageurs National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Bull Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Milksnake |
Insects
| Voyageurs National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfer | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary |
Beautiful Landscapes in Voyageurs National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Voyageurs National Park is located in northern Minnesota and spans over 218,000 acres of wilderness. It boasts beautiful landscapes and is known for its vast network of interconnected waterways, including lakes, bays, and channels. Visitors can take a scenic boat tour or rent a canoe to fully take in the natural beauty of the park. The park is also home to several hiking trails, including the Kabetogama Peninsula Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s lakes and forests.
Wind Cave National Park, located in South Dakota, is a unique park that is known for its natural cave systems. The park is home to the fourth longest cave system in the world, with over 140 miles of explored passageways. Visitors can take a guided tour of the caves, where they will see unique formations like boxwork and frostwork. The park also offers scenic drives, such as the Wildlife Loop Road, which takes visitors through the park’s beautiful grasslands and offers opportunities to see wildlife like bison, pronghorns, and elk.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the United States, whether it’s the vast waterways of Voyageurs National Park or the unique cave systems of Wind Cave National Park. Whether you are looking for a scenic boat tour or a guided cave tour, both parks offer something truly special and unforgettable.
Things To-Do and Activities in Voyageurs National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Voyageurs National Park and Wind Cave National Park are two of the United States’ most popular national parks, and they each offer unique experiences for visitors.
Voyageurs National Park is located in northern Minnesota and is known for its extensive water-based recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, and canoeing. Visitors can explore the park’s many lakes and waterways, including the Kabetogama Peninsula and Namakan Lake, and see wildlife such as moose, beaver, and bald eagles. There are also many opportunities for camping, hiking, and snowmobiling in the park.
Wind Cave National Park, located in South Dakota, is known for its unique cave system and diverse wildlife, including bison, elk, and pronghorns. Visitors can tour the cave, take part in ranger-led activities and wildlife viewing, and hike on trails such as the Rankin Ridge Trail. The park also features prairies, canyons, and forests, making it a great place for nature lovers and bird watchers.
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a hiker, a camper, or a wildlife lover, both Voyageurs National Park and Wind Cave National Park offer something for everyone. Each park offers unique opportunities to explore, discover, and connect with nature, making them both must-visit destinations for anyone interested in the great outdoors.
Best Time to Visit Voyageurs National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Voyageurs National Park and Wind Cave National Park are both unique and beautiful destinations, but they offer vastly different experiences due to their seasonal weather patterns.
Voyageurs National Park, located in Minnesota, experiences warm summers with average temperatures in the 70s and cool winters with average temperatures in the 20s. Summer is the best time to visit Voyageurs National Park as visitors can enjoy boating, fishing and camping in the warm weather. Winter is a great time for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, but visitors should be prepared for cold temperatures and snow.
On the other hand, Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota experiences a more moderate climate with hot summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures can reach 90 degrees and winter temperatures can drop to 0 degrees. Wind Cave is known for its unique cave system, and summer is the best time to visit as the caves are more accessible due to the mild weather. Winter is a great time to visit for those interested in cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, but visitors should be aware that the caves may be closed due to the risk of ice and snow.
In conclusion, whether you are looking for a summer adventure or a winter wonderland, both Voyageurs National Park and Wind Cave National Park have something to offer. Before planning your trip, it is important to consider the seasonal weather patterns to ensure that you have the best possible experience.
Family Friendliness of Voyageurs National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Voyageurs National Park, located in northern Minnesota, is a great destination for families looking for a unique outdoor experience. With its stunning network of interconnected waterways and serene lakes, kids will love exploring the waterways by boat or kayak. The park also offers a variety of educational programs and ranger-led activities that are designed to engage children and help them learn about the natural world.
Wind Cave National Park, on the other hand, is a bit more challenging for families with young children. Although the park is known for its stunning caves and rich wildlife, the caves themselves can be difficult to explore with young children, who may have trouble navigating the tight spaces and steep stairs. Additionally, the park is located in a more remote area, which may not be as convenient for families with young children.
That being said, both parks offer a wealth of opportunities for families to explore the great outdoors and learn about the unique natural wonders of the United States. Ultimately, the best park for a family to visit will depend on the ages and interests of the children, as well as the family’s preferences and travel style.