Acadia National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most beloved national parks in the United States. Both offer visitors a chance to experience breathtaking natural beauty and a wide variety of outdoor activities. Acadia National Park is located on the coast of Maine and is known for its rugged coastline, lush forests, and beautiful mountain vistas. Zion National Park, located in Utah, is famous for its towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and sparkling waterfalls. Both parks offer visitors an opportunity to explore the great outdoors, but each one has its own unique character and charm. Whether you’re a hiker, a nature lover, or just looking for a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature, both Acadia and Zion National Parks are sure to impress. If you’re curious to know more about these two national parks, read on to find out what makes them so special and to learn about the best activities and sights to experience while you’re there.
Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park and Zion National Park
Acadia National Park and Zion National Park both offer visitors a wide variety of hiking trails to explore, ranging from easy to challenging.
At Acadia National Park, some of the easiest hikes include the Jordan Pond Path, which is a 3-mile round trip hike that offers beautiful views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains. Another easy hike is the Precipice Trail, which is a 1-mile round trip hike that offers beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding mountains. For a more challenging hike, the Precipice Trail is a strenuous hike that ascends steep iron rungs and ladders, it’s a 1.4-mile hike that takes about 4-5 hours to complete.
At Zion National Park, some of the easiest hikes include the Riverside Walk, which is a 2.2-mile round trip hike that offers beautiful views of the Virgin River and the surrounding cliffs. Another easy hike is the Pa’rus Trail, which is a 3.5-mile round trip hike that offers beautiful views of the park’s cliffs and wildlife. For a more challenging hike, Angels Landing is a strenuous hike that climbs steep switchbacks and culminates in a narrow ridge with steep drop-offs on either side. The hike is 5 miles and takes about 4-6 hours to complete.
In summary, both Acadia National Park and Zion National Park offer visitors a wide variety of hiking trails to explore, with trails for all skill levels. While both parks offer easy hikes for visitors looking for a more leisurely experience, both also offer more challenging hikes for the more experienced hiker. Both parks offer beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes and offer a great opportunity to explore nature and enjoy the great outdoors.
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 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 Acadia National Park and Zion National Park
Acadia National Park and Zion National Park are both known for their diverse and abundant wildlife. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of animals, birds, and plants, but the types of wildlife you’ll see will vary depending on the park you visit.
At Acadia National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of wildlife including white-tailed deer, moose, black bears, and coyotes. Other common mammals in the park include red squirrels, porcupines, beavers, and raccoons. Visitors may also see a variety of bird species such as the peregrine falcon, the osprey, and the bald eagle. The park is also home to a number of amphibians and reptiles, including the eastern newt, the red-spotted newt, and the wood frog.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is home to a different set of wildlife, including desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, mountain lions, and bobcats. Visitors may also see a variety of bird species such as the golden eagle, the peregrine falcon, and the turkey vulture. The park is also home to a number of lizards, snakes, and rodents.
When it comes to plants, both parks have a diverse range of flora. Acadia National Park is home to a number of deciduous and coniferous trees such as white pine, eastern hemlock, and yellow birch. The park is also home to a number of wildflowers such as the Canada mayflower and the pink lady’s slipper. Zion National Park, on the other hand, is home to a number of desert plants such as Joshua trees, yucca, and prickly pear cactus. The park also has a number of wildflowers such as the desert mariposa lily and the scarlet monkeyflower.
In conclusion, both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife, but the types of animals, birds, and plants you’ll see will vary depending on the park you visit. If you’re interested in seeing a variety of birds, mammals, and wildflowers, Acadia National Park may be a better option. If you’re interested in seeing desert wildlife and plants, Zion National Park may be a better choice.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Acadia National Park and Zion National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Acadia 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
| Acadia 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 |
| Cross Fox | Red Fox |
| New York Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mink | Mountain Lion |
| Gray Wolf | Mule Deer |
| Bonaparte’s Weasel | Gray Fox |
| Varying Hare | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Masked Shrew | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Water Shrew | American Badger |
| Red Squirrel | Ermine |
| Virginia Deer | California Myotis |
| Canada Lynx | Fringed Myotis |
Fish
| Acadia National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Native Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Loch Leven Brown Trout | Brown Trout |
| Largemouth Bass | Speckled Dace |
| Fathead Minnow | Channel Catfish |
| Golden Shiner | Goldfish |
| Togue | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Acadia National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Bullfrog | Tiger Salamander |
| Wood Frog | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Reptiles
| Acadia National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Ringneck Snake | Gophersnake |
| Eastern Garter Snake | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Milk Snake | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Beautiful Landscapes in Acadia National Park and Zion National Park
Acadia National Park and Zion National Park are both known for their stunning natural landscapes.
Acadia National Park is famous for its rugged coastline, which offers visitors breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the most famous landscapes in the park include Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest point on the east coast of the US and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. Other must-see landscapes include Jordan Pond, which is a serene mountain lake surrounded by hiking trails, and Thunder Hole, a natural rock formation that creates a thundering sound when waves crash into it.
Zion National Park is famous for its towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and sparkling waterfalls. Some of the most famous landscapes in the park include Angels Landing, a steep and strenuous hike that offers awe-inspiring views of the surrounding cliffs and canyons. Another popular hike is the Narrows, a hike through the narrow canyons of the Virgin River that offers spectacular views of the park’s towering cliffs. Another must-see landscape is the Emerald Pools, which is a series of waterfalls and pools that are surrounded by lush greenery.
In conclusion, both Acadia National Park and Zion National Park are famous for their beautiful landscapes, but they each have their unique natural features. While Acadia National Park is famous for its rugged coastline, Jordan Pond and Thunder Hole. Zion National Park is famous for its towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and sparkling waterfalls, Angels Landing, the Narrows and the Emerald Pools are the most popular natural features. Both parks offer visitors an opportunity to experience different landscapes and to enjoy their natural beauty.
Things To-Do and Activities in Acadia National Park and Zion National Park
Acadia National Park and Zion National Park are both popular national parks that offer visitors a wide variety of activities to enjoy. Both parks offer a range of outdoor activities, but the types of activities you can do will vary depending on the park you visit.
Acadia National Park is known for its hiking trails, which offer visitors the opportunity to explore the park’s diverse landscape. Some of the most popular trails in the park include the Precipice Trail, which is a strenuous hike that takes you to the top of Champlain Mountain and offers stunning views of the park and the surrounding area, and the Jordan Pond Path, which is a 3-mile round-trip hike that takes you around Jordan Pond and offers beautiful views of the pond and the surrounding mountains. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives such as Park Loop Road and Cadillac Mountain, where you can take in the beautiful views of the park.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is known for its dramatic scenery, which includes towering cliffs, deep canyons, and unique rock formations. The park’s most popular activities include hiking and backpacking, with popular trails such as Angels Landing and the Narrows, that are considered to be strenuous and require a good level of fitness. The park also offers a variety of scenic drives and overlooks, such as the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway and the Kolob Canyons Road, which offer visitors the opportunity to take in the park’s breathtaking scenery. Additionally, visitors can also enjoy activities such as rock climbing, canyoneering, and camping.
In conclusion, both parks offer visitors a wide variety of activities to enjoy, but the types of activities you can do will vary depending on the park you visit. If you’re interested in hiking, scenic drives and beautiful views, Acadia National Park may be a better option. If you’re interested in more strenuous activities such as hiking and rock climbing, and looking for dramatic scenery, Zion National Park may be a better choice.
Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park and Zion National Park
Acadia National Park and Zion National Park both have very different seasonal weather patterns, which can affect the best time of year to visit each park.
Acadia National Park, located on the coast of Maine, has a moderate climate with cool summers and cold winters. The park is known for its beautiful fall foliage, which peaks in late September to early October. The best time to visit the park for hiking and outdoor activities is between late May and early October, when temperatures are mild and the weather is generally sunny and dry. However, it’s important to note that the park can be quite foggy and cloudy during the summer months, so it’s best to be prepared for any weather conditions.
Zion National Park, located in southern Utah, has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park is known for its beautiful red rock formations and canyons, which are best viewed in the spring and fall when temperatures are milder. The best time to visit the park for hiking and outdoor activities is between April and October, when temperatures are mild and the weather is generally sunny and dry. However, it’s important to note that the park can be quite hot and dry during the summer months, so it’s best to be prepared for any weather conditions.
In summary, the best time to visit Acadia National Park is between late May and early October, when temperatures are mild and the weather is generally sunny and dry. The best time to visit Zion National Park is between April and October, when temperatures are mild and the weather is generally sunny and dry. Both Parks have different seasons and weather conditions, it’s important to be prepared for any weather conditions while visiting.
Family Friendliness of Acadia National Park and Zion National Park
Both Acadia National Park and Zion National Park are great options for families looking to experience the beauty of the great outdoors. However, each park offers a unique experience for families and may be better suited for different types of travelers.
Acadia National Park is a great option for families with children of all ages. The park offers a wide variety of family-friendly activities, including hiking, biking, and picnicking. The park’s many carriage roads and hiking trails offer easy, level walking and biking paths that are perfect for families with young children. Additionally, the park offers a variety of ranger-led activities for children, including nature walks, campfire programs, and junior ranger programs.
On the other hand, Zion National Park is a great option for families with older children or teens. The park offers a wide variety of hiking trails that range in difficulty, including some strenuous and challenging hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows. The park also has a free shuttle service that runs through the park, allowing visitors to easily access many of the park’s popular attractions. This service is particularly useful for families with children, as it allows them to avoid the hassle of parking and navigating the park on foot.
In conclusion, both Acadia National Park and Zion National Park are family-friendly and offer a wide variety of activities for visitors of all ages. However, Acadia National Park is more suitable for families with young children, offering a variety of easy carriage roads and hiking trails, as well as ranger-led activities for children. On the other hand, Zion National Park is more suitable for families with older children or teens, offering a variety of challenging hikes and the convenience of a free shuttle service.