White Sands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most unique and diverse national parks in the United States. Both offer breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife, and an unforgettable experience for visitors. But which one is better for you? In this article, we’ll compare White Sands and Wrangell – St Elias, so you can choose which park to visit based on your interests.
White Sands National Park is a surreal landscape of white gypsum sand dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see. It’s a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, with hiking, sandboarding, and stargazing opportunities. Meanwhile, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is the largest national park in the country and home to glaciers, mountains, and pristine wilderness. It’s a remote and rugged destination that’s perfect for adventure seekers.
So, which park is right for you? Read on to find out!
Hiking Trails in White Sands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
White Sands National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two vastly different parks located in the United States. White Sands is located in New Mexico and is famous for its white sand dunes that stretch for miles. Wrangell-St. Elias is located in Alaska and is known for its glaciers and towering peaks.
The hiking trails at White Sands are relatively easy and perfect for those who want a leisurely walk in the sand. The park has several trails, including the Alkali Flat Trail, which is a 2-mile loop that takes visitors through the park’s famous white sand dunes. Another popular trail is the Interdune Boardwalk, a short, 0.75-mile trail that provides access to the park’s dunes.
Wrangell-St. Elias, on the other hand, offers challenging hikes that require a high level of fitness and experience. The park has several backcountry trails, including the Root Glacier Trail, which is a 7-mile hike that takes visitors through a stunning landscape of glaciers and towering peaks. Another popular trail is the Mount Bona Trail, a 14-mile hike that takes visitors to the summit of Mount Bona, which is one of the tallest peaks in the park.
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 |
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 White Sands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
White Sands National Park and Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve are both unique and spectacular in their own ways. However, when it comes to wildlife, these parks offer vastly different experiences.
White Sands is primarily known for its vast, otherworldly dunes of white gypsum sand and the plants and animals that have adapted to the harsh desert environment. Visitors may see species such as pronghorn antelope, jackrabbits, roadrunners, and rattlesnakes. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the greater roadrunner, golden eagle, and several species of owl.
In contrast, Wrangell – St. Elias is a remote wilderness area that is home to a wide range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, moose, caribou, and mountain goats. The park is also a popular destination for birdwatching, with over 170 species of birds known to inhabit the area, including the bald eagle and the hawk. Visitors may also have the chance to see rare and elusive species such as the lynx, the gyrfalcon, and the peregrine falcon.
While both parks are home to unique and fascinating wildlife, Wrangell – St. Elias offers a much wider variety of species and a greater chance for wildlife sightings. However, visitors to White Sands will be able to enjoy a more intimate and up-close experience with the fascinating desert wildlife that calls this park home.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at White Sands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| White Sands 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 |
| 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
| White Sands 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 |
| Black Bear | Mule Deer |
| Porcupine | Wolf |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Hoary Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Red Fox | Land Otter |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Common Shrew |
| House Mouse | Water Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Red Squirrel |
| Mink | Montane Shrew |
| Common Gray Fox | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Plains Wolf | Lynx |
| American Badger | Wolverine |
| Ermine | American Marten |
| Snowshoe Hare | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| River Otter | Grizzly Bear |
| Masked Shrew | Meadow Vole |
Amphibians
| White Sands National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Wood Frog |
Fish
| White Sands National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Steelhead |
| Longnose Sucker | Longnose Sucker |
| Green Sunfish | Lake Trout |
| Bluegill | Northern Pike |
| Fathead Minnow | Burbot |
| Golden Shiner | Silver Salmon |
| Lake Trout | King Salmon |
| Northern Pike | Slimy Sculpin |
| Ellpout | Threespine Stickleback |
| Mottled Sculpin | Sockeye Salmon |
| Slimy Sculpin | Pink Salmon |
| Longnose Dace | Chum Salmon |
| Black Crappie | Dolly Varden |
| Black Bullhead | Cutthroat Trout |
| Creek Chub | Arctic Grayling |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Insects
| White Sands National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur |
Beautiful Landscapes in White Sands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
White Sands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of America’s most beautiful and diverse national parks. Both parks offer visitors breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders, but each park has its own unique features that make it stand out.
White Sands National Park is famous for its stunning white sand dunes that cover over 275 square miles of desert. The dunes are made of gypsum crystals and are a unique and awe-inspiring sight to behold. Visitors can hike, picnic, or even sled down the dunes, making it a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its rugged and remote wilderness. The park is home to Mount St. Elias, the second tallest peak in the United States, as well as glaciers, fjords, and old-growth forests. It is a true wilderness experience and a great destination for those looking for a backpacking or camping adventure. The park is also home to historic mining towns, including the Kennicott Mine, which is a must-visit for history buffs.
In conclusion, whether you’re looking for a unique desert experience or a rugged wilderness adventure, these two national parks have something to offer everyone. Whether you prefer sand dunes or glaciers, both parks are sure to leave you in awe with their stunning landscapes and natural wonders.
Things To-Do and Activities in White Sands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
White Sands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two distinct and diverse national parks in the United States. While White Sands offers visitors a unique landscape of white gypsum sand dunes, Wrangell – St Elias offers a rugged, mountainous terrain with glaciers and valleys.
At White Sands, popular activities include hiking, sand sledding, and stargazing. Visitors can take a scenic drive on Dunes Drive, hike on one of the park’s trails, or rent a sled and enjoy the soft and squishy sand. The park’s location in the Chihuahuan Desert also provides clear night skies for stargazing.
Wrangell – St Elias, on the other hand, offers a range of outdoor activities including hiking, backpacking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to glaciers, alpine tundra, and a diverse array of wildlife, including bears, moose, and caribou. Visitors can take a scenic drive on the Nabesna Road and go on a backpacking trip to explore the remote wilderness. The park is also a popular destination for fishing, with opportunities to catch salmon and other species in its rivers and streams.
Both parks offer visitors a unique and exciting outdoor experience, but the type of experience will depend on the individual’s interests and preferred activities. Whether you prefer a desert landscape or a mountainous terrain, both White Sands and Wrangell – St Elias have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit White Sands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
White Sands National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two unique and stunning national parks in the United States. While both are beautiful and offer unique experiences, the weather at each park is quite different and can greatly affect the best time to visit.
White Sands National Park is located in southern New Mexico and is known for its stunning white sand dunes that contrast against the blue sky. The weather in this area is classified as a desert climate, with hot summers and cool winters. The best time to visit is during the spring and fall months, when the temperature is more mild and comfortable for outdoor activities. Summer months can be extremely hot and temperatures can reach over 100°F, making it more difficult to enjoy the park’s outdoor activities.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is one of the largest national parks in the United States. The weather in this area is classified as a subarctic climate, with long, cold winters and short, mild summers. The best time to visit is during the summer months, when the weather is more mild and the park’s scenic beauty is at its peak. The winter months can be extremely cold and snow can accumulate to several feet, making it more challenging to enjoy the park’s outdoor activities.
Family Friendliness of White Sands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
White Sands National Park and Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most beautiful parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique experiences and breathtaking scenery, but which one is better for families traveling with children?
White Sands National Park is known for its white sand dunes, which can be a fun and unique experience for children. There are several hiking trails available, and visitors can also participate in ranger-led tours and educational programs. The park has picnic areas and restrooms, making it a great option for families who want to spend the day outdoors.
Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a massive park that covers over 13 million acres. While the park is great for those who love backpacking and wilderness adventures, it may not be the best option for families with young children. The park has limited facilities and services, so families may need to be prepared for a more primitive camping experience.
In conclusion, White Sands National Park is a better option for families traveling with children. The park has more family-friendly facilities and services, and offers a unique and educational experience for kids. Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve is better suited for those who are looking for a more rugged and remote wilderness experience.