Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime? Look no further than Arches National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. These two parks offer vastly different experiences but are both equally breathtaking in their own way. Arches National Park, located in the desert of Utah, is a land of red rocks and natural stone arches that will leave you in awe. Meanwhile, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, located in the far north of Alaska, is a true wilderness experience, where you can hike through pristine tundra and spot unique Arctic wildlife. Whether you’re looking for a desert adventure or an Arctic expedition, these parks have something for everyone. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore the natural wonders that Arches National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve have to offer.
Hiking Trails in Arches National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both known for their unique and beautiful landscapes, but they offer very different hiking experiences.
Arches National Park is located in the desert of Utah and offers a variety of hiking trails that range in difficulty from easy to strenuous. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail and the Park Avenue Trail, which are both relatively flat and offer great views of the park’s famous rock formations. Other popular hikes in the park include the Devils Garden Trail, which is a moderate hike that offers great views of the park’s many arches, and the Fiery Furnace Trail, which is a strenuous hike that takes hikers through a maze of narrow canyons and rock formations.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in the Arctic region of Alaska and offers a completely different hiking experience. Due to the park’s remote location and rugged terrain, most of the hiking trails in the park are backcountry trails and require a high level of fitness, experience and preparation. The park does not have any designated trails and visitors will have to navigate using a map and compass. Due to this, it’s not recommended for beginners or families with children. The park’s most strenuous hike is the Brooks Range, which is a challenging hike that offers great views of the park’s rugged wilderness and wildlife.
In summary, Arches National Park offers a variety of hiking trails that range in difficulty from easy to strenuous, making it a great destination for hikers of all skill levels. Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a much more remote and rugged destination, with most of the hiking trails in the park being backcountry trails that require a high level of fitness, experience and preparation, making it more suitable for experienced hikers.
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 Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shark Valley Trail | 25427.572 | 6.7056 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Anhinga Trail | 2414.01 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook Trail | 321.868 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Gumbo Limbo Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
Long Pine Key Trail | 24944.77 | 0 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Mahogany Hammock Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
Everglades Coastal Prairie Trail | 27358.78 | 4.8768 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Pinelands Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
Everglades National Park East Entrance to Flamingo Scenic Route | 58258.108 | 7.9248 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
Nine Mile Pond | 8851.37 | 0 | Easy | loop | 5 |
Wildlife in Arches National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both home to a variety of unique wildlife, but the types of animals, birds, and plants that you’ll see at each park are quite different.
Arches National Park, located in the desert of Utah, is home to a variety of desert-dwelling animals such as rock squirrels, desert cottontails, and lizards. Visitors may also spot mule deer, bighorn sheep, and coyotes. Birds commonly seen in the park include the peregrine falcon, turkey vulture, and great horned owl. The park is also home to a variety of cacti and other desert plants, including the Joshua tree and yucca.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, located in the far north of Alaska, is home to a variety of Arctic wildlife such as grizzly bears, wolves, and caribou. Visitors may also spot musk oxen, wolverines, and moose. Birds commonly seen in the park include the golden eagle, gyrfalcon, and rough-legged hawk. The park is also home to a variety of tundra plants, including the Arctic willow and moss campion.
Overall, Arches National Park is home to a variety of desert-dwelling animals and plants, while Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is home to a variety of Arctic wildlife and plants. Visitors should keep in mind that these are wild animals, and should always follow park guidelines and regulations for viewing wildlife safely and responsibly.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Arches National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Arches National Park | Gates Of The Arctic 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 | Savannah Sparrow |
Savannah Sparrow | Hermit Thrush |
Great Blue Heron | American Kestrel |
Hermit Thrush | Bald Eagle |
American Kestrel | Northern Pintail |
Bald Eagle | American Wigeon |
Song Sparrow | Green-Winged Teal |
European Starling | American Pipit |
Northern Pintail | Swainson’s Thrush |
American Wigeon | Hairy Woodpecker |
Green-Winged Teal | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Mammals
Arches National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
American Beaver | American Beaver |
Muskrat | Muskrat |
Big Brown Bat | Black Bear |
Bobcat | Porcupine |
Striped Skunk | Red Fox |
Little Brown Bat | Mink |
Deer Mouse | Wolf |
Raccoon | Short-Tailed Weasel |
Black Bear | Varying Hare |
Porcupine | River Otter |
Silver-Haired Bat | Common Shrew |
Hoary Bat | Red Squirrel |
Red Fox | Montane Shrew |
Long-Tailed Weasel | Lynx |
House Mouse | Wolverine |
Mountain Lion | American Marten |
American Mink | Grizzly Bear |
Mule Deer | Meadow Vole |
Common Gray Fox | Moose |
Long-Legged Myotis | Least Weasel |
Long-Eared Myotis | Pygmy Shrew |
American Badger | Northern Bog Lemming |
California Myotis | |
Northern River Otter |
Reptiles
Arches National Park | Gates Of The Arctic 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 | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
Tiger Salamander | |
American Bullfrog | |
Woodhouse’s Toad | |
Red-Spotted Toad | |
Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
Arches National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
---|---|
Largemouth Bass | Longnose Sucker |
Green Sunfish | Lake Trout |
Bluegill | Northern Pike |
Fathead Minnow | Eelpout |
Common Carp | King Salmon |
Speckled Dace | Slimy Sculpin |
Yellow Bullhead | Chum Salmon |
Dolly Varden | |
Arctic Grayling |
Beautiful Landscapes in Arches National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park is located in Utah and is known for its over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, as well as other unique rock formations such as balanced rocks, spires, and fins. Some of the most famous landscapes in the park include Delicate Arch, which is the park’s most recognizable and photographed feature, as well as Landscape Arch, which is the longest natural arch in the park at over 306 feet. Other notable landscapes in the park include the Windows Section, which is a group of arches that are closely located together, and the Park Avenue section, which features towering red rock cliffs that resemble a city skyline.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its rugged wilderness and untouched landscapes. The park is home to several mountain ranges, including the Brooks Range, which is the northernmost mountain range in North America. The park also features many rivers, including the Noatak River and the Alatna River, which offer excellent opportunities for rafting and canoeing. Other natural features that can be seen during a visit to the park include the Arctic Divide, which separates the drainages of the Arctic Ocean and the Bering Sea, and the Anaktuvuk Pass, which is a high mountain pass that provides spectacular views of the surrounding wilderness.
Things To-Do and Activities in Arches National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park is located in Moab, Utah, and is known for its more than 2,000 natural stone arches, as well as other unique rock formations. The park is popular for hiking, camping, rock climbing, and sightseeing. Some of the most popular hikes include the Delicate Arch Trail, the Double Arch Trail, and the Landscape Arch Trail. The park also offers ranger-led tours, as well as backcountry camping for those who want to explore more remote areas.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is located in northern Alaska and is known for its remote wilderness and stunning natural beauty. The park is popular for backpacking, hiking, and camping, as well as fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing. Some of the most popular activities include hiking to the Endicott Mountains, fishing for Arctic grayling, and viewing the Northern Lights. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, and caribou, which can be viewed with the help of a local guide.
Both of these parks offer a wide variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, but they are quite different in terms of their natural environments and the type of activities they offer. Arches National Park is located in a desert environment and is known for its unique rock formations, while Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is located in a remote wilderness area and is known for its wildlife and stunning natural beauty. Both parks offer opportunities for hiking, camping, and sightseeing, but Arches National Park also offers rock climbing, while Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve also offers fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park, located in Utah, has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park experiences the majority of its precipitation during the monsoon season from July to September, with occasional thunderstorms. The best time to visit Arches National Park is during the spring and fall months of April-June and September-November, when temperatures are mild and the park is less crowded.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short summers. The park experiences the majority of its precipitation during the summer months of June-August, with occasional thunderstorms. The best time to visit Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is during the summer months of June-August, when temperatures are milder and the park’s rivers and lakes are accessible for fishing and boating. However, the park’s remote location and harsh weather conditions make it more suitable for experienced hikers and backpackers.
Family Friendliness of Arches National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park is generally considered more family-friendly than Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. Arches National Park has many short, easy hikes that are suitable for children, such as the Delicate Arch trail and the Park Avenue trail. There are also many picnic areas and restrooms available. In contrast, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is a remote wilderness area with no developed facilities or trails. It is a challenging and remote location, best suited for experienced hikers and backpackers. So if you are traveling with children, Arches National Park would be a better choice for your family vacation.