Arches National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are two of the most spectacular national parks in the United States, each offering unique and awe-inspiring landscapes and experiences. Arches is known for its otherworldly red rock formations and stunning natural arches, while Denali is home to North America’s highest peak, Mount Denali, and an abundance of wildlife. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to explore rugged wilderness, witness breathtaking natural wonders and enjoy outdoor activities. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, these two parks have something for everyone. So pack your bags, grab your hiking boots and get ready to explore two of America’s most beautiful and diverse national parks.
Hiking Trails in Arches National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are both known for their spectacular hiking trails, but they offer very different experiences. Arches National Park is located in the desert of southern Utah and features a wide variety of hikes, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. The park is most famous for its towering red rock arches, which can be seen on hikes such as the Delicate Arch Trail and the Landscape Arch Trail. Additionally, the Park Avenue Trail and the Double O Arch Trail are some of the easiest hikes in the park, perfect for families and those looking for a leisurely stroll.
Denali National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in the heart of Alaska’s wilderness and offers some of the most challenging and remote hikes in the country. The park is home to North America’s highest peak, Denali, and visitors can take a bus tour to the park’s backcountry for a chance to spot wildlife, like bears, and see the mountain up close. The hike to the summit of Denali is one of the most difficult and strenuous hikes in the park and requires proper planning, training, and equipment. The park also offers the easy hike to the Savage River Loop Trail, which is perfect for families and those looking for a leisurely stroll.
Overall, Arches National Park is a great destination for visitors looking for a wide variety of hiking options, while Denali National Park & Preserve is a must-see destination for those looking for a true wilderness experience and willing to take on a challenging hike.
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 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Denali National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Healy Overlook Trail | 6920.162 | 507.7968 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Horseshoe Lake Trail | 3379.614 | 119.7864 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Triple Lakes Trail | 29772.79 | 1124.712 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bison Gulch | 11265.38 | 1178.9664 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rock Creek Trail | 7081.096 | 287.7312 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Taiga Trail | 2574.944 | 62.7888 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| McKinley Station Trail | 4667.086 | 113.9952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mount Thorofare Ridge Loop | 6598.294 | 507.7968 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| McKinley Bar Trail | 7402.964 | 295.9608 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Tiaga Loop and Horseshoe Lake Trail to Beaver Dam | 4828.02 | 158.8008 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Arches National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are both home to a diverse array of wildlife. In Arches National Park, visitors can expect to see animals such as mule deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and a variety of small mammals. The park is also home to many bird species, including golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and peregrine falcons. Plant life in the park includes sagebrush, juniper, and piñon pine.
In contrast, Denali National Park & Preserve is known for its large mammals such as grizzly bears, wolves, and caribou. Visitors also have the chance to see Dall sheep, moose, and lynx. The park is also home to many bird species such as ptarmigans, gyrfalcons, and golden eagles. The plant life in the park is varied, with tundra, spruce, and aspen being just a few of the many types of vegetation found in the park.
In summary, Arches National Park is known for its unique rock formations and desert wildlife, while Denali National Park & Preserve is known for its vast wilderness and the abundance of large mammals. Both parks offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Arches National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Arches National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Arches National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | Mink |
| Raccoon | Wolf |
| Black Bear | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Porcupine | Snowshoe Hare |
| Silver-Haired Bat | River Otter |
| Hoary Bat | Common Shrew |
| Red Fox | Water Shrew |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Squirrel |
| House Mouse | Montane Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Lynx |
| American Mink | Wolverine |
| Mule Deer | American Marten |
| Common Gray Fox | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Grizzly Bear |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Meadow Vole |
| American Badger | Moose |
| California Myotis | Least Weasel |
| Northern River Otter | Pygmy Shrew |
Reptiles
| Arches National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
| 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 |
Amphibians
| Arches National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Arches National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Longnose Sucker |
| Green Sunfish | Lake Trout |
| Bluegill | Northern Pike |
| Fathead Minnow | Burbot |
| Common Carp | Coho Salmon |
| Speckled Dace | Chinook Salmon |
| Yellow Bullhead | Slimy Sculpin |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Beautiful Landscapes in Arches National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park is famous for its striking red rock formations and natural arches, with over 2,000 of them spread throughout the park. The most iconic arch in the park is Delicate Arch, which is a popular spot for hiking and photography. Visitors can also explore the Park Avenue and Balanced Rock, which are other famous landmarks in the park.
Denali National Park & Preserve is home to North America’s highest peak, Mount Denali, at 20,310 feet tall. The park offers unparalleled views of the mountain and surrounding wilderness, which can be seen from various viewpoints such as the Denali Park Road, and the Savage River. The park also boasts of beautiful landscapes such as the tundra, glaciers, and the taiga forest that is home to an array of wildlife. The park is also home to the Kantishna Hills, which is a range of mountains that offer spectacular views of the surrounding wilderness.
Both parks offer visitors an opportunity to witness the beauty of nature. Arches National Park is famous for its red rock formations and natural arches, while Denali National Park & Preserve is known for its stunning mountain ranges and wildlife.
Things To-Do and Activities in Arches National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are both popular national parks in the United States, but they offer different types of activities and experiences for visitors.
Arches National Park is located in Utah and is known for its more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, as well as its red rock formations and desert landscape. Popular activities at Arches include hiking on trails such as the Delicate Arch Trail, which leads to one of the most famous arches in the park, and the Park Avenue Trail, which offers views of other famous arches such as the Courthouse Towers. Visitors can also take scenic drives on the park’s main road, which offers views of many of the park’s arches and rock formations.
Denali National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and is known for its stunning wilderness and wildlife. The park is home to North America’s highest peak, Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), which is a popular destination for mountaineers and climbers. Other popular activities at Denali include wildlife viewing, such as bears, wolves, and caribou, as well as hiking and backpacking on the park’s many trails. Visitors can also take bus tours into the park, which offer views of the park’s wilderness and wildlife.
In summary, Arches National Park is known for its natural sandstone arches and red rock formations, while Denali National Park & Preserve is known for its wilderness, wildlife, and North America’s highest peak. Visitors to Arches can enjoy hiking and scenic drives, while visitors to Denali can enjoy hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing, and bus tours.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park, located in Utah, has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park experiences the most visitors during the summer months, with peak temperatures often reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer is also the best time to visit for those interested in hiking and exploring the park’s many trails. Spring and fall are also pleasant seasons to visit, with milder temperatures and fewer crowds. Winter can be cold, with occasional snow and ice, and many of the park’s facilities and roads may be closed.
Denali National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. The park experiences the most visitors during the summer months, when the weather is milder and the park’s facilities and roads are open. Summer is also the best time to visit for those interested in hiking and exploring the park’s many trails, as well as viewing wildlife such as bears, caribou, and wolves. Fall can also be a good time to visit, with fewer crowds and the chance to see the Northern Lights. Winter is extremely cold and snowy, and many of the park’s facilities and roads may be closed.
Overall, the best time to visit Arches National Park would be during Spring and Fall, while the best time to visit Denali National Park & Preserve would be during Summer. However, considering the visitors and facilities, summer would be the best time for both the parks.
Family Friendliness of Arches National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Both Arches National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are great options for families looking to experience the beauty and wonder of nature. However, each park offers a different type of experience and has its own set of family-friendly amenities and activities.
Arches National Park is considered to be more family-friendly in terms of accessibility and ease of hiking. The park has a variety of easy to moderate trails that are suitable for families with children of all ages. Some of the most popular family-friendly hikes include the Park Avenue Trail, the Double Arch Trail, and the Delicate Arch Trail. Additionally, the park has a number of picnic areas and visitor centers that provide educational opportunities for children.
Denali National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a more remote and rugged destination that may be more challenging for families with young children. The park has a limited road system and most of the park’s trails are considered to be strenuous. However, the park does offer a variety of ranger-led activities and educational programs for children, as well as scenic bus tours that allow visitors to see the park’s wildlife and natural beauty without having to hike.
Overall, Arches National Park would be considered more family-friendly, as it has more accessible trails and facilities. Denali National Park & Preserve, while still a great option for families, may be more challenging for those traveling with young children.