Park Comparison
Great Sand Dunes & Preserve vs Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve
Two iconic parks, different strengths. Here's how they stack up.
Updated
The Quick Take
Great Sand Dunes & Preserve
North America's tallest sand dunes rise 750 feet against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, with alpine lakes and tundra at 13,000 feet above.
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve
America's largest park holds nine of the continent's sixteen highest peaks, including Mount St. Elias, with glaciers you can drive to.
At a Glance
The Crowd Picture
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve sees less than half the visitors Great Sand Dunes & Preserve gets, which translates to a noticeably different crowd experience on trails and at viewpoints.
Great Sand Dunes & Preserve
Great Sand Dunes & Preserve welcomes 438K visitors annually across 233 square miles — about 1,878 visitors per square mile. Congestion is moderate, peaking in July. A long comfortable season helps spread crowds across 7 months.
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve welcomes 81,670 visitors annually across 20,626 square miles — about 4 visitors per square mile. Congestion is low, peaking in July. With only 0 comfortable months, visitors concentrate into a short window.
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve edges out Great Sand Dunes & Preserve on elbow room, though both can get busy in peak season.
When to Go
Click any month to see how conditions compare side-by-side.
Trails & Activities
Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve has more trail mileage for exploration.
Great Sand Dunes & Preserve Top Activities
- photography 9/10
- stargazing 9/10
- hiking 8/10
- backpacking 8/10
- horseback riding 7/10
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve Top Activities
- rock climbing 9/10
- scenic driving 9/10
- photography 9/10
- hiking 8/10
- backpacking 8/10
Camping
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offers significantly more camping options.
The Bottom Line
Choose Great Sand Dunes & Preserve if you...
- Want to experience Star Dune
- Are looking for world-class stargazing
- Are visiting with teenagers
- Want more camping options (139 sites vs 10)
Choose Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve if you...
- Want to experience Mount St. Elias
- Are looking for world-class rock climbing
- Are an adventure seeker looking for thrills
- Want more trail options (70 miles vs 35)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Great Sand Dunes & Preserve or Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve?
It depends on what you're looking for. Great Sand Dunes & Preserve is known for Star Dune, while Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve is known for Mount St. Elias. Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve is less crowded, making it the better pick if solitude matters to you.
Is Great Sand Dunes & Preserve or Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve more crowded?
Great Sand Dunes & Preserve has a congestion index of 4.7/10 and receives 438K visitors per year. Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve scores 3/10 with 81,670 annual visitors. Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve is the quieter option.
When is the best time to visit Great Sand Dunes & Preserve vs Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve?
The best month to visit Great Sand Dunes & Preserve is September, while Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve is best visited in June. The different peak seasons mean you could visit one in spring and the other in fall.
Which has better hiking, Great Sand Dunes & Preserve or Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve?
Great Sand Dunes & Preserve has 35 trail miles and Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve has 70. Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve offers significantly more trail variety.