“Take a trip to the land of extremes, where scorching deserts and towering peaks collide. On one hand, you have Death Valley National Park, where temperatures soar to unimaginable heights and the land is parched and unforgiving. On the other hand, there’s Guadalupe Mountains National Park, where towering peaks rise from the desert floor, offering a cool refuge and breathtaking vistas. Both parks offer unique experiences and adventures, but the question remains: which one will you choose for your next outdoor excursion? Join us as we explore the contrasting landscapes and must-see attractions of Death Valley and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks.”
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Death Valley and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks offer unique hiking experiences. Death Valley is known for its hot, dry climate and challenging hikes like the 21-mile round trip to the bottom of Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America. On the other hand, Guadalupe Mountains has a more temperate climate and easier hikes like the 1.5-mile round trip to the top of Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas. However, it also has strenuous hikes such as the 8.4-mile round trip to the summit of El Capitan. Both parks offer diverse landscapes, from sand dunes and salt flats in Death Valley to the rugged peaks and canyons of Guadalupe Mountains.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail | 2896.812 | 2.7432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Trail | 4506.152 | 62.7888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Zabriskie Point | 643.736 | 15.8496 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dante’s View Trail | 2574.944 | 109.728 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Telescope Peak Trail | 19312.08 | 1012.8504 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Golden Canyon Trail to Red Cathedral | 4667.086 | 174.9552 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch Loop via Zabriskie Point | 9334.172 | 332.8416 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Mosaic Canyon Trail | 5632.69 | 324.9168 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Death Valley Natural Bridge Road | 6920.162 | 304.8 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Darwin Falls Trail via Old Toll Road | 3057.746 | 68.8848 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guadalupe Peak Texas Highpoint Trail | 13035.654 | 873.8616 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Devil’s Hall Trail | 5793.624 | 175.8696 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| McKittrick Canyon Trail | 32508.668 | 1330.7568 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Smith Spring Trail | 3862.416 | 117.9576 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Hunter Peak | 12552.852 | 809.8536 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| El Capitan Trail | 15449.664 | 514.8072 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Pratt Lodge via McKittrick Canyon Trail | 7724.832 | 103.9368 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Devil’s Hall Loop Trail | 5954.558 | 179.832 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Bush Mountain | 20116.75 | 1085.6976 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Pine Springs to McKittrick Canyon | 28485.318 | 1239.9264 | Moderate | point to point | 5 |
Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Death Valley NP is known for its unique and diverse wildlife, including bighorn sheep, golden eagles, and desert tortoises. Guadalupe Mountains NP is also home to a diverse set of wildlife, including black bears, cougars, and over 60 species of birds such as the Mexican jay and the Colima warbler. While both parks offer the chance to see a variety of wildlife, Guadalupe Mountains NP has more forested areas and a wider range of elevations, which leads to a greater diversity of plant life, including oaks, pines, and madrones. In contrast, Death Valley NP is primarily a desert environment with a smaller variety of plant life, including creosote bush, Joshua trees, and wildflowers.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Death Valley National Park | Guadalupe Mountains 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 | American Wigeon |
| American Wigeon | Green-Winged Teal |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Death Valley National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Muskrat | Big Brown Bat |
| Big Brown Bat | Bobcat |
| Bobcat | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Deer Mouse |
| Deer Mouse | Raccoon |
| Raccoon | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mountain Lion | Mountain Lion |
| Mule Deer | Mule Deer |
| Gray Fox | Common Gray Fox |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Gray Wolf |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Badger | American Badger |
| Californian Myotis | California Myotis |
| Fringed Myotis | Fringed Myotis |
| Common Shrew | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Western Small-Footed Myotis |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Bighorn Sheep |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis | White-Tailed Deer |
Reptiles
| Death Valley National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Sonoran Gophersnake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Eastern Racer |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Prairie Ring-Necked Snake |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Rubber Boa | Common Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Desert Kingsnake |
| Smith������S Black-Headed Snake | Texas Night Snake |
| Tree Lizard | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Desert Striped Whipsnake |
| Glossy Snake | Smith’s Black-Headed Snake |
| Long-Nosed Snake | Big Bend Tree Lizard |
| Western Fence Lizard | Eastern Collared Lizard |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Insects
| Death Valley National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Orange Sulfur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Ladies |
| Monarch Butterfly | Monarch |
| American Lady | American Painted Lady |
| Red Admiral | Common Checkered-Skipper |
| Mourning Cloak | Clouded Sulphur |
| Cabbage White | Variegated Fritillary |
| Silvery Blue | Buckeye |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | Gray Hairstreak |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Death Valley National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Mosquitofish | Green Sunfish |
| Goldfish |
Amphibians
| Death Valley National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Tiger Salamander |
| Canyon Treefrog | American Bullfrog |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Death Valley National Park is known for its unique and diverse landscapes, including the Badwater Basin, which is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, and the salt flats that surround it. The park also features some of the largest sand dunes in the United States, as well as the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and the Eureka Sand Dunes. The park’s rugged mountain ranges, including the Panamint Range, are also popular attractions.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to the Guadalupe Peak, which is the highest point in Texas at an elevation of 8,751 feet. The park’s prominent feature is its series of rugged peaks and canyons, including the McKittrick Canyon, which is renowned for its autumn colors. The park also features several scenic drives and hiking trails, including the popular Devil’s Hall trail, which leads to a narrow canyon with towering walls.
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Death Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park are both popular parks in the US, but they differ in their top activities. Death Valley is known for its diverse landscapes, including sand dunes, salt flats, and canyons, which attract visitors for scenic drives and stargazing. Guadalupe Mountains, on the other hand, is known for its scenic hiking trails, including the iconic Guadalupe Peak, which is the highest point in Texas. In addition, Guadalupe Mountains also offers camping, bird watching, and scenic drives through the park. Both parks also offer ranger-led programs and educational opportunities for visitors.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Death Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park have vastly different climates. Death Valley is one of the hottest and driest places in the world, with summer temperatures often exceeding 120°F. Winter temperatures are mild, but storm systems can bring heavy rain and flash floods. The best time to visit Death Valley is in the spring when temperatures are pleasant and the wildflowers are in bloom.
On the other hand, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is in the mountains, and the weather is much cooler. Summer temperatures are in the 80s-90s°F, while winter temperatures can drop below freezing with snowfall. Winter is the best time to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park if you’re interested in snow sports, while the fall is the best time to see the changing colors of the leaves.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Death Valley National Park is better for older kids and teenagers who are interested in exploring and learning about unique landscapes and geology, while Guadalupe Mountains National Park is better for younger children who enjoy easier trails and outdoor recreation. Death Valley features a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and scenic drives, but is known for its harsh environment and extreme heat, making it less suitable for younger children. On the other hand, Guadalupe Mountains has a visitors center, picnic areas, campgrounds, and a variety of trails including the family-friendly McKittrick Canyon Trail, making it a better choice for families with young kids.