Mesa Verde and Zion National Park are two of the most breathtaking national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique and stunning landscapes, rich history, and a variety of outdoor activities. But how do these two parks compare? Are they similar or completely different? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Mesa Verde and Zion National Park and compare their natural beauty, history, and recreational opportunities. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a history buff, or just looking for a relaxing vacation destination, this article will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision. So buckle up, grab a pen and paper, and get ready to discover which park is right for you.
Hiking Trails in Mesa Verde National Park and Zion National Park
Mesa Verde National Park and Zion National Park both offer unique and breathtaking hiking experiences for visitors. At Mesa Verde, hikes through ancient ruins and dwellings of ancestral Puebloans are a highlight. The Petroglyph Point Trail is an easy hike that leads to a panoramic view of the surrounding mesas and offers the opportunity to see petroglyphs up close. On the other hand, the steep and strenuous Spruce Tree House Trail takes visitors through a deep canyon to the Park’s largest cliff dwelling.
Zion National Park offers a wider range of hiking options, including easier trails like the Riverside Walk and more challenging hikes like Angels Landing. The Riverside Walk is a flat and easy hike along the Virgin River that offers stunning views of the surrounding cliffs and is suitable for all ages. Angels Landing, on the other hand, is a strenuous hike that requires visitors to climb steep switchbacks and use chains for support in some areas. Despite the challenges, the views from the top are unparalleled and well worth the effort.
Both parks offer a diverse range of hiking experiences, from easy walks to strenuous climbs. Whether exploring ancient ruins at Mesa Verde or taking in the awe-inspiring views at Zion, visitors are sure to have a memorable hiking experience.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Mesa Verde National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petroglyph Point Trail | 4184.284 | 131.9784 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cliff Palace Loop Trail | 643.736 | 25.908 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Balcony House Loop Trail | 643.736 | 27.7368 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mesa Verde Point Lookout Trail | 3379.614 | 161.8488 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Soda Canyon Overlook Trail | 1931.208 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mesa Verde National Park Scenic Drive | 24140.1 | 797.9664 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Long House Trail | 3379.614 | 86.868 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Step House Trail | 1287.472 | 46.9392 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Knife Edge Trail | 3218.68 | 46.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Prater Ridge Trail | 11748.182 | 311.8104 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Zion National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angels Landing Trail | 6598.294 | 492.8616 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| The Zion Narrows Riverside Walk | 2896.812 | 62.7888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Zion Canyon Overlook Trail | 1609.34 | 64.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Watchman Trail | 4988.954 | 196.9008 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| The Subway Trail | 11265.38 | 397.764 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Weeping Rock Trail | 482.802 | 23.7744 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Zion Narrows Trail to Imlay Temple and Big Spring | 13840.324 | 1268.8824 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Lower Emerald Pool Trail | 2092.142 | 34.7472 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Emerald Pools Trail | 4667.086 | 184.7088 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Hidden Canyon Trail | 4828.02 | 283.7688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Mesa Verde National Park and Zion National Park
Mesa Verde National Park, located in southwestern Colorado, is known for its ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings and stunning vistas. Wildlife in the park includes a variety of bird species, such as the black-throated sparrow, the canyon wren, and the white-throated swift. You may also see mule deer, pronghorn, and sometimes even elk. The park is also home to a diverse array of plants, including piñon pine and juniper trees, as well as sagebrush and yucca.
Zion National Park, located in southern Utah, is known for its stunning red rock canyons and towering peaks. Wildlife in the park includes a variety of bird species, such as the American dipper, the Peregrine Falcon, and the Canyon Wren. Visitors may also see mule deer, bighorn sheep, and even mountain lions. The park is also home to a diverse array of plants, including cottonwoods, willows, and sagebrush, as well as unique species such as the Zion snail and the Zion pennyroyal.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Mesa Verde National Park and Zion National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Mesa Verde National Park | Zion 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
| Mesa Verde National Park | Zion 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 | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Mountain Lion |
| Mink | Mule Deer |
| Mule Deer | Gray Fox |
| Gray Fox | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Wolf | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | American Badger |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Ermine |
| Badger | California Myotis |
| Ermine | Fringed Myotis |
Reptiles
| Mesa Verde National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Gophersnake |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Racer | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Western Rattlesnake | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Sagebrush Lizard | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | Common Kingsnake |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Nightsnake |
| Nightsnake | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Milksnake | Striped Whipsnake |
| Striped Whipsnake | Smith’s Black-Headed Snake |
| Tree Lizard | Tree Lizard |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | Western Whiptail |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Western Skink |
| Glossy Snake | Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Mesa Verde National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Red-Spotted Toad | Red-Spotted Toad |
| Plains Spadefoot | Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Mesa Verde National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | |
| Brook Trout | |
| Brown Trout | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Goldfish |
Beautiful Landscapes in Mesa Verde National Park and Zion National Park
Mesa Verde National Park, located in southwestern Colorado, is famous for its ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings, including the famous Cliff Palace. The park also offers scenic drives, hiking trails, and breathtaking overlooks of the surrounding mesas and canyons. Visitors can take a guided tour of the cliff dwellings and learn about the history and culture of the Puebloan people.
Zion National Park, located in southern Utah, is known for its towering sandstone cliffs, including the iconic Zion Canyon and the famous Narrows hike. The park also features scenic drives, hiking trails, and numerous waterfalls. Visitors can take a scenic drive through the park or hike to one of the many overlooks for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. With its unique geology and breathtaking scenery, Zion National Park offers a truly unforgettable experience for visitors.
Things To-Do and Activities in Mesa Verde National Park and Zion National Park
Mesa Verde National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a unique and diverse range of activities, making them great destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Some of the most popular activities at Mesa Verde include exploring the historic cliff dwellings and hiking the park’s trails. Visitors can also take guided tours of the cliff dwellings and attend ranger-led programs. On the other hand, Zion National Park is known for its stunning canyons, towering cliffs and breathtaking views. Hiking, camping, canyoneering, and rock climbing are just a few of the many activities that visitors can enjoy in the park. The park also offers ranger-led programs and shuttle services to help visitors get around and make the most of their trip.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed experience, both parks offer scenic drives, picnic areas, and campgrounds. Mesa Verde also has a visitor center with exhibits and information about the park’s history and culture. Zion National Park, on the other hand, has several scenic viewpoints along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, including the famous Zion Canyon Overlook. Whether you’re an avid hiker or just looking for a scenic drive, both Mesa Verde and Zion National Park have something to offer for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Mesa Verde National Park and Zion National Park
Mesa Verde National Park, located in southwestern Colorado, is known for its well-preserved ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. The park experiences a semi-arid climate with warm summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures average in the 80s, while winter temperatures can dip into the teens. Snowfall is common from October through April, and the park is often closed during the winter months due to snow and ice.
Zion National Park, located in southwestern Utah, is known for its stunning red rock formations and canyons. The park experiences a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures can reach into the 90s, while winter temperatures average in the 40s. Snow and ice are rare, but flash flooding can occur during the summer monsoon season.
Due to its more extreme temperatures and snow, the best time to visit Mesa Verde is during the spring and fall months. The park is open year-round, but the snow can make it difficult to access some of the cliff dwellings during the winter.
Zion National Park is best visited during the spring and fall months as well, when temperatures are mild and the risk of flash flooding is lower. The park can be visited year-round, but the hot summer temperatures can make hiking and exploring the park difficult.
Overall, both Mesa Verde and Zion National Parks offer unique and breathtaking landscapes, but the weather and seasonal conditions should be considered when planning a visit.
Family Friendliness of Mesa Verde National Park and Zion National Park
Mesa Verde National Park, located in southwestern Colorado, offers an opportunity to explore ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings and learn about the culture of these indigenous people. The park offers ranger-led tours of the cliff dwellings and a museum showcasing artifacts from the area.
Zion National Park, located in southwestern Utah, is known for its dramatic red rock formations and scenic hikes. The park has several trails that are suitable for families, including the Riverside Walk and the Emerald Pools Trail, both of which offer stunning views without too much strenuous hiking. The park also offers junior ranger programs for kids to participate in.
When it comes to which park is more family-friendly, it depends on the interests of your family. If your family is interested in learning about ancient cultures, then Mesa Verde may be the better option. However, if your family is more interested in scenic hikes and outdoor activities, then Zion is the clear choice. Both parks offer unique experiences and opportunities for families to learn and connect with nature, so ultimately the decision will come down to personal preference.