Acadia National Park and Arches National Park are like two sides of a coin, both offering a unique and unforgettable experience to visitors. Imagine yourself in Acadia, where you can hike on the rocky coastline and enjoy the refreshing breeze of the Atlantic Ocean, or in Arches, where you can stand in awe of the 2,000 natural stone arches that tower above the red rock deserts of Utah. Both parks offer a diverse range of outdoor activities, from strenuous hikes to leisurely strolls. But what truly sets these two parks apart is their distinct and mesmerizing landscapes. From the jagged cliffs of Acadia to the towering sandstone arches of Arches, these parks offer vastly different, yet equally breathtaking views. So, whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or simply looking for a peaceful escape, both Acadia and Arches have something to offer, and this article will take you on a journey to discover the best of these two magnificent parks.
Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park and Arches National Park
Acadia National Park and Arches National Park both offer an array of hiking trails that cater to different skill levels and interests.
Acadia National Park boasts over 120 miles of hiking trails, including the Precipice Trail, a 1.5-mile hike with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding islands. This hike is considered easy and is perfect for those looking for a leisurely stroll with minimal elevation gain. Another popular easy hike is the Jordan Pond Nature Trail, a 2.6-mile loop that takes you around the beautiful Jordan Pond. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the park offers the Jordan Pond Path to the Bubbles, a 3.5-mile hike with a steep climb to the summit of South Bubble Mountain. This hike is considered moderate to strenuous and offers panoramic views of the park.
Arches National Park is home to over 50 miles of hiking trails, including the Park Avenue Trail, a 1.8-mile hike that takes you through a stunning canyon with towering red rock walls. This hike is considered easy and is perfect for those looking for a leisurely stroll with minimal elevation gain. However, the park also offers some of the most challenging hikes, such as the Devils Garden Trail, an 8.2-mile hike that takes you through the park’s most famous arches, including Landscape Arch, the longest natural arch in the world. This hike is considered strenuous, with a significant elevation gain and rocky terrain. Another challenging hike is the Delicate Arch trail, a 3-mile hike that takes you to the park’s most famous arch, The Delicate Arch, this hike is considered moderate to strenuous, steep and rocky in sections.
Overall, both Acadia National Park and Arches National Park offer a diverse range of hiking trails that cater to different skill levels and interests. Both parks offer easy nature walks, as well as more challenging hikes for experienced hikers. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or an adrenaline rush, both parks have something to offer.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Beehive Loop Trail | 2253.076 | 148.7424 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Cadillac North Ridge Trail | 6437.36 | 340.7664 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Jordan Pond Full Loop Trail | 5471.756 | 28.956 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Ocean Path and Gorham Mountain Loop Trail | 4988.954 | 181.9656 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail Loop | 12070.05 | 684.8856 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Precipice, Orange and Black and Champlain North Ridge Trail Loop | 3379.614 | 319.7352 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Ocean Path Trail: Thunder Hole and Monument Cove | 7242.03 | 113.9952 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Great Head Trail (Short Option) | 2574.944 | 91.7448 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| South Bubble Mountain and Jordan Pond Loop | 2253.076 | 149.9616 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cadillac Summit Loop Trail | 482.802 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Arches National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delicate Arch Trail | 4988.954 | 186.8424 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Devils Garden Loop Trail with 7 Arches | 12070.05 | 325.8312 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Double Arch Trail | 804.67 | 9.7536 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Fiery Furnace and Surprise Arch | 2735.878 | 132.8928 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Landscape Arch Trail | 3057.746 | 78.9432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail | 1931.208 | 51.816 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Balanced Rock Loop Trail | 482.802 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Park Avenue Trail | 2896.812 | 90.8304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Sand Dune Arch Trail | 482.802 | 32.9184 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Wolfe Ranch and Petroglyph Trail | 804.67 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Acadia National Park and Arches National Park
Acadia National Park and Arches National Park offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife, each unique to its respective ecosystem.
Acadia National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including mammals such as white-tailed deer, moose, foxes, and black bears. Visitors may also spot various bird species such as the peregrine falcon, osprey, and the Canada warbler. The park also offers a wide variety of plants, including the eastern white pine, spruce, and balsam fir trees, as well as wildflowers such as lady slipper orchids, pink lady slipper and trailing arbutus.
Arches National Park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including mammals such as desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, and coyotes. Visitors may also spot various bird species such as the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, and the great horned owl. The park is also home to a wide variety of plants, including the juniper, pinyon pine, and sagebrush, as well as wildflowers such as cactus flowers, evening primrose, and desert Indian paintbrush.
Overall, both Acadia National Park and Arches National Park offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife, each unique to its respective ecosystem. While Acadia National Park offers visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of mammals, birds, and plants that are commonly seen in the northeastern forests, Arches National Park offers visitors the opportunity to see wildlife, birds, and plants that are typical of desert environments. Both parks offer a great opportunity to observe nature and enjoy the diverse wildlife and flora of the United States.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Acadia National Park and Arches National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Acadia National Park | Arches 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
| Acadia National Park | Arches 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 |
| Cross Fox | Red Fox |
| New York Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mink | Mountain Lion |
| Gray Wolf | American Mink |
| Bonaparte’s Weasel | Mule Deer |
| Varying Hare | Common Gray Fox |
| Masked Shrew | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Water Shrew | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Red Squirrel | American Badger |
| Virginia Deer | California Myotis |
| Canada Lynx | Northern River Otter |
Fish
| Acadia National Park | Arches National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Native Brook Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Loch Leven Brown Trout | Bluegill |
| Largemouth Bass | Fathead Minnow |
| Fathead Minnow | Common Carp |
| Golden Shiner | Speckled Dace |
| Togue | Yellow Bullhead |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Acadia National Park | Arches National Park |
|---|---|
| Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Bullfrog | Tiger Salamander |
| Wood Frog | American Bullfrog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Reptiles
| Acadia National Park | Arches National Park |
|---|---|
| Ringneck Snake | Gophersnake |
| Eastern Garter Snake | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Milk Snake | Eastern Racer |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard |
Beautiful Landscapes in Acadia National Park and Arches National Park
Acadia National Park and Arches National Park both offer visitors a wide variety of natural landscapes and features to enjoy.
Acadia National Park is known for its rugged coastal beauty, with its most famous landscape being Cadillac Mountain. At 1,530 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the east coast of the United States and offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding islands. The park is also home to several lakes and ponds, including Jordan Pond, which is known for its crystal-clear water and beautiful surroundings. Other natural features include the Precipice Trail, a 1.5-mile hike with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, and the Jordan Pond Path to the Bubbles, a 3.5-mile hike with panoramic views of the park.
Arches National Park is known for its otherworldly landscapes, and its most famous landscape is the Delicate Arch. The Delicate Arch is a natural arch that stands at 46 feet tall and is considered one of the most iconic natural arches in the world. The park is also home to over 2,000 natural stone arches, including Landscape Arch, the longest natural arch in the world, and Double Arch, which is considered one of the most photographed arches in the park. Other natural features include the Park Avenue Trail, a 1.8-mile hike that takes you through a stunning canyon with towering red rock walls, and the Devils Garden Trail, an 8.2-mile hike that takes you through the park’s most famous arches.
Overall, both Acadia National Park and Arches National Park offer visitors a wide variety of natural landscapes and features to enjoy. From the rugged coastal beauty of Acadia National Park to the otherworldly landscapes of Arches National Park, both parks offer something truly unique and unforgettable. Whether you’re looking to take in the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean or explore the natural stone arches of Utah, both parks are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Things To-Do and Activities in Acadia National Park and Arches National Park
Acadia National Park and Arches National Park both offer a wide variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, but they have different specialties and popular activities.
Acadia National Park is known for its hiking and outdoor activities. The park’s rocky coastline, mountains, and forests offer a diverse range of hiking trails, from easy nature walks to challenging mountaintop ascents. One of the most popular trails is the Precipice Trail, a challenging hike that offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Other popular activities include camping, biking, and rock climbing. Visitors can also take a drive on the 27-mile Park Loop Road, which provides access to the park’s main attractions, including the Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain, and Sand Beach.
Arches National Park, on the other hand, is known for its natural stone arches and other rock formations. The park’s main attraction is the Delicate Arch, which is a must-see for any visitor. The park also offers several hiking trails that take visitors to some of the most spectacular arches in the park, such as the Double Arch and the Landscape Arch. Visitors can also take a scenic drive on the 18-mile Park Road, which provides access to the park’s main attractions. Other popular activities include rock climbing, photography, and ranger-led tours.
In conclusion, Acadia National Park is popular for its hiking and outdoor activities, while Arches National Park is known for its natural stone arches and other rock formations. Both parks offer a variety of activities that allow visitors to explore the natural beauty of the area. Visitors to Acadia can enjoy hiking, biking, rock climbing, and scenic drives while visitors to Arches can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, photography and ranger-led tours.
Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park and Arches National Park
Acadia National Park and Arches National Park are both located in different regions of the United States, resulting in vastly different seasonal weather patterns.
Acadia National Park, located in Maine, experiences four distinct seasons. The summer months of June through August are the warmest and most popular time to visit, with average temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s. This is also the peak season for tourism, and the park can get quite crowded. Fall is a great time to visit, with mild temperatures and spectacular foliage. The park is famous for its fall foliage and the colors of the trees are breathtaking. The winter months can be harsh, with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. However, if you’re an avid skier or snowshoer, this can be a great time to visit. Spring is also a good time to visit, with temperatures warming up and the park starting to come back to life after a long winter.
Arches National Park, located in Utah, has a much different climate. The park experiences hot summers, with temperatures reaching well into the 90s during the day. This makes the summer months the least popular time to visit the park, as it can be quite hot and dry. Spring and fall are the best times to visit, as temperatures are mild and comfortable, and the crowds are much smaller. The winter months can be cold, but the park is less crowded and the snowfall can make for some beautiful landscapes.
In conclusion, the best time to visit Acadia National Park would be during the spring and fall, while the best time to visit Arches National Park would be during the spring and fall. However, if you’re looking for specific activities, like skiing or snowshoeing in Acadia, or hiking and rock climbing in Arches, you may want to plan your visit accordingly.
Family Friendliness of Acadia National Park and Arches National Park
Both Acadia National Park and Arches National Park are great options for families looking to spend time in nature, but they do have some differences when it comes to family-friendliness.
Acadia National Park offers a wide range of activities that are suitable for families with children of all ages. The park has several well-maintained hiking trails that are suitable for children of all ages and abilities, including the Jordan Pond Path, which is a relatively easy 2.5-mile hike with beautiful views of Jordan Pond. The park also offers a variety of ranger-led activities, such as guided bird watching and stargazing, which are great ways to introduce children to nature. In addition, the park has a campground that is open seasonally, which is a great option for families looking to spend a few days in the park.
Arches National Park, on the other hand, is a bit more challenging for families with small children. The park’s main attraction is the natural stone arches, which can only be accessed by hiking on rough and steep trails. While the park does have a few shorter and easier trails, such as the Park Avenue Trail, the majority of the hikes in the park are not suitable for small children or strollers. Additionally, the park’s desert environment can be harsh and unforgiving, with temperatures often reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with small children, Acadia National Park is a better option as it has more family-friendly activities, such as easier hiking trails and ranger-led activities. Arches National Park may be more challenging for families with small children due to the rough terrain and harsh weather conditions.