Acadia National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are two of the most beloved parks in the United States, each offering unique and incredible experiences for visitors. If you’re looking for a vacation that combines stunning natural beauty, thrilling outdoor activities, and rich cultural history, then these two parks are a must-see. From the rocky coastlines of Acadia to the otherworldly landscapes of Joshua Tree, these two parks are perfect for those who love to explore the great outdoors. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a nature lover, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, these parks have something to offer everyone. So pack your bags, grab your hiking boots, and get ready to discover the beauty and wonder of Acadia and Joshua Tree National Parks.
Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Acadia National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are both well-known for their hiking trails, but they offer vastly different experiences.
Acadia National Park, located on the coast of Maine, is home to a diverse range of hiking trails that vary in difficulty. The easiest hike in the park is the Jordan Pond Path, a 3-mile round trip hike that offers beautiful views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains. The Precipice Trail and the Jordan Pond Path are considered more challenging hikes, with steep inclines and rocky terrain.
Joshua Tree National Park, located in Southern California, is known for its rugged desert landscape and unique Joshua trees. The park has several easy hikes, such as the Cholla Cactus Garden and the Hidden Valley Nature Trail. The park is also home to several challenging hikes, such as the Ryan Mountain Trail and the 49 Palms Oasis Trail. Both trails offer great views of the park, but the climbs are steep and the trail can be rocky.
Overall, both parks offer a range of hiking trails for visitors of all abilities, but the terrain and landscapes of the two parks are quite different. Acadia National Park is known for its rugged coastlines and lush forests, while Joshua Tree National Park is known for its vast deserts and unique Joshua trees.
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 Joshua Tree National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Mountain Trail | 4828.02 | 325.8312 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Barker Dam Nature Trail | 2896.812 | 19.812 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hidden Valley Nature Trail | 1609.34 | 34.7472 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Lost Palms Oasis | 11587.248 | 312.7248 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Arch Rock Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 7.9248 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail | 4506.152 | 188.976 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail | 11104.446 | 277.9776 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Skull Rock Nature Trail | 2735.878 | 48.768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail | 321.868 | 1.8288 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Willow Hole Trail | 10943.512 | 74.9808 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Acadia National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Acadia National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are both known for their diverse and unique wildlife. In Acadia National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of animals such as white-tailed deer, moose, foxes, and black bears. The park is also home to a wide variety of bird species, including the peregrine falcon, common loon, and the bald eagle. Visitors may also encounter a variety of reptiles and amphibians, including the northern water snake, the painted turtle, and the American toad. The park also features a variety of plants, including the pink lady’s slipper, the wild columbine, and the hobblebush.
On the other hand, Joshua Tree National Park is known for its namesake Joshua trees, as well as a diverse array of cacti, shrubs, and wildflowers. Visitors can also expect to see a variety of animals such as bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and rattlesnakes. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the greater roadrunner, the golden eagle, and the cactus wren. Visitors may also encounter a variety of reptiles and amphibians, including the desert iguana, the desert spadefoot toad, and the desert horned lizard. In summary, while both parks offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences, Joshua Tree National Park is known for its cactus and desert animals, and Acadia National Park is known for its forest animals and birds.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Acadia National Park and Joshua Tree National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Acadia National Park | Joshua Tree 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 | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
| Muskrat | Bobcat |
| Big Brown Bat | Deer Mouse |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Hoary Bat |
| Little Brown Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Deer Mouse | House Mouse |
| Raccoon | Cougar |
| Black Bear | Mule Deer |
| Porcupine | Gray Fox |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Hoary Bat | American Badger |
| Cross Fox | Californian Myotis |
| New York Weasel | Snowhsoe Hare |
| House Mouse | Fringed Myotis |
| Mink | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Gray Wolf | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Bonaparte’s Weasel | Pallid Bat |
| Varying Hare | Ringtail |
| Masked Shrew | Desert Cottontail |
| Water Shrew | Virginia Opossum |
| Red Squirrel | Black-Tailed Jackrabbit |
| Virginia Deer | Brush Deermouse |
| Canada Lynx | Western Spotted Skunk |
Fish
| Acadia National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Goldfish |
| Native Brook Trout | |
| Loch Leven Brown Trout | |
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| Togue | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Acadia National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Leopard Frog | Canyon Treefrog |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Acadia National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Ringneck Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Eastern Garter Snake | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Milk Snake | Common Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake |
Insects
| Acadia National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Acadia National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Acadia National Park, located on the coast of Maine, boasts some of the most iconic landscapes in the northeastern United States. The park is home to Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak on the east coast, offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding mountains. Visitors can also explore the park’s rocky coastline, including the Precipice Trail, a challenging hike with stunning views of the ocean. Other popular landscapes include Jordan Pond, a clear mountain lake surrounded by towering peaks, and Thunder Hole, a rocky inlet where waves crash against the cliffs creating a thundering sound.
On the other hand, Joshua Tree National Park, located in southern California, offers a completely different landscape with its desert terrain and iconic Joshua Trees. The park is known for its massive rock formations, including Skull Rock and Hidden Valley, which provide great opportunities for rock climbing and scrambling. Visitors can also explore the park’s unique ecosystem, which includes the famous Joshua Trees as well as other desert plants and animals. Other natural wonders include the Cholla Cactus Garden and Keys View, which offers panoramic views of the Coachella Valley. Both Acadia and Joshua Tree National Parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes that are sure to leave visitors in awe.
Things To-Do and Activities in Acadia National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Acadia National Park in Maine and Joshua Tree National Park in California offer very different outdoor experiences. Acadia is known for its rugged coastlines, dense forests, and a variety of hiking trails that offer breathtaking views. The park is home to a diverse array of wildlife including black bears, moose, and a wide variety of bird species. Popular activities at Acadia include hiking, camping, and rock climbing.
On the other hand, Joshua Tree National Park is known for its otherworldly desert landscapes and the iconic Joshua trees that give the park its name. The park is home to a wide variety of desert plants and animals, including the desert tortoise and the Joshua tree itself. The park is also a popular destination for rock climbing, stargazing, and wildlife viewing.
While both parks offer unique and memorable experiences, the main difference is that Joshua tree National Park is desert park with rocky terrain and arid conditions, while Acadia National Park is a lush green forest park with rugged coastlines, lakes, and mountains. Both of them are popular for hiking, camping, and rock climbing but Joshua tree National Park is more suitable for those who want to explore the desert and do stargazing while Acadia National Park is more suitable for those who want to explore the forest and the coast.
Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Acadia National Park, located in Maine, USA, offers a wide range of weather conditions throughout the year. The summers are warm and mild, with average temperatures reaching around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The fall brings cooler temperatures and stunning foliage, with peak leaf-peeping season typically occurring in late September and early October. The winters in Acadia can be harsh, with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, making it a popular destination for winter sports like skiing and snowshoeing. Spring is a transitional season, with mild temperatures and the emergence of new plant growth.
In contrast, Joshua Tree National Park, located in California, USA, has a much drier and warmer climate. The park is known for its hot summers, with temperatures often reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The spring and fall are milder, with average temperatures in the 80s. The winter brings cooler temperatures and can bring occasional rain and snowfall, but it is generally a dry season.
When it comes to the best time to visit, Acadia National Park offers a variety of activities and experiences throughout the year, making it a great destination in any season. The fall offers the stunning foliage and mild weather, while the winter offers opportunities for winter sports. Joshua Tree National Park is best visited during the spring and fall when temperatures are milder and more comfortable for outdoor activities. The summer months can be extremely hot and not ideal for hiking and other outdoor activities.
Family Friendliness of Acadia National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Acadia National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are both family-friendly, but each park offers a unique experience for families.
Acadia National Park, located in Maine, is known for its rugged coastal beauty and offers a wide variety of activities for families. Hiking is a popular activity, with many trails that range in difficulty, making it perfect for families with children of all ages. There are also many carriage roads that are perfect for biking and picnicking. In addition, the park has a visitor center that offers educational programs and ranger-led activities for children.
Joshua Tree National Park, located in California, is known for its unique desert landscape and offers a different type of experience for families. The park is home to the Joshua tree, which is a unique type of cactus that is found only in the Mojave Desert. Families can explore the park’s many hiking trails, including easy nature walks, and harder hikes to rock formations and desert vistas. Children will also enjoy the park’s ranger-led programs and the Junior Ranger program.
Both parks offer a great way to spend time in nature and create a memorable experience for families. It depends on what type of experience you want for your family. If you want a coastal experience with great hiking and biking opportunities, Acadia National Park would be a better option. If you want a desert experience with unique and different type of landscape, Joshua Tree National Park would be a great option.