Are you ready for an adventure that will take you from the red rock formations of the desert to the rugged wilderness of an island? Then come along and discover the unique beauty of Arches National Park and Isle Royale National Park. These two national parks may be vastly different, but they both offer breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences that will leave you wanting more. From the iconic natural arches of Arches to the serene isolation of Isle Royale, these parks offer something for everyone. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or an outdoor enthusiast, you’re sure to find something that will capture your imagination. So pack your bags and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime as we explore the wonders of Arches National Park and Isle Royale National Park.
Hiking Trails in Arches National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Arches National Park and Isle Royale National Park are both popular hiking destinations, but they offer very different experiences. Arches National Park is located in southern Utah and is known for its stunning red rock formations, including more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches. Isle Royale National Park is located in Michigan and is made up of a remote island in Lake Superior. The park is known for its rugged wilderness and diverse wildlife.
In Arches National Park, some of the easiest hikes include the Park Avenue Trail and the Double Arch Trail. Both of these trails are relatively short and easy, and they offer great views of the park’s iconic arches. The Park Avenue Trail is a 1.5-mile round trip hike that takes you through a narrow canyon and past some of the park’s most famous arches. The Double Arch Trail is a 0.5-mile round trip hike that leads to two large arches side by side.
Isle Royale National Rock Harbor is one of the easiest hikes in Isle Royale National Park. This trail is a 2.5-mile round trip hike that takes you along the shore of Rock Harbor and offers great views of the lake and the park’s rugged wilderness.
In contrast, some of the hardest hikes in Arches National Park include the Delicate Arch Trail and the Fiery Furnace Trail. The Delicate Arch Trail is a 3-mile round trip hike that takes you to the park’s most famous arch and offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. However, the trail is steep and rocky in some places, and it can be challenging for hikers who are not used to steep terrain. The Fiery Furnace Trail is a guided hike that takes you through a narrow slot canyon and past some of the park’s most unique rock formations. The hike is strenuous and requires scrambling over rocks and scrambling through tight spaces.
Isle Royale National park’s Minong Trail is one of the most difficult hike in the park. The trail is a 45-mile hike that takes you through the rugged backcountry of the island and offers great views of the lake and the park’s diverse wildlife. However, the trail is challenging and requires hikers to be in good physical condition and well-prepared for backcountry hiking. The trail is often steep and rocky, and the weather can be unpredictable, making it a difficult hike.
Both parks offer unique and beautiful hiking experiences, but they are very different. Arches National Park is known for its red rock formations and iconic arches, while Isle Royale National Park is known for its rugged wilderness and diverse wildlife. Hikers of all skill levels will find hikes that suit their abilities at both parks.
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 Isle Royale National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenstone Ridge Trail: Windigo to Tobin Harbor | 63568.93 | 1216.7616 | Hard | point to point | 4 |
| Rainbow Cove Trail | 2253.076 | 21.9456 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
| Malone Bay to Hatchett Lake | 37658.556 | 664.7688 | Moderate | out and back | 0 |
| Ishpeming Trail to Ishpeming Point | 23496.364 | 339.852 | Moderate | out and back | 0 |
Wildlife in Arches National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Arches National Park and Isle Royale National Park are both home to a diverse range of wildlife. In Arches, visitors can spot animals such as mule deer, bighorn sheep, and desert tortoises. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and red-tailed hawks. Visitors may also see various reptiles and amphibians, such as rattlesnakes and lizards. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of cacti, wildflowers and other plants that thrive in the desert environment.
Isle Royale National Park is known for its unique ecosystem and diverse array of wildlife. The park is home to a variety of mammals, such as moose, wolves, and beavers. Visitors may also spot a variety of bird species, such as the common loon, bald eagle, and peregrine falcon. The park is also home to a diverse array of fish, including lake trout and lake herring. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of wildflowers and other plants that thrive in the island’s environment.
While both parks offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities, Isle Royale is known for its remote and pristine wilderness, making it a prime spot for observing wolves and moose in their natural habitat. Arches, on the other hand, is known for its red rock formations, and the desert wildlife that thrive in the park.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Arches National Park and Isle Royale National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Arches National Park | Isle Royale 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
| Arches National Park | Isle Royale National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Striped Skunk |
| Striped Skunk | Little Brown Bat |
| Little Brown Bat | Deer Mouse |
| Deer Mouse | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Raccoon | Hoary Bat |
| Black Bear | Red Fox |
| Porcupine | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Mink |
| Hoary Bat | Gray Wolf |
| Red Fox | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Snowshoe Hare |
| House Mouse | North American River Otter |
| Mountain Lion | Canada Lynx |
| American Mink | Marten |
| Mule Deer | Moose |
| Common Gray Fox | Red Bat |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Norway Rat |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Southern Red-Backed Vole |
| American Badger | Northern Long-Eared Bat |
| California Myotis | |
| Northern River Otter |
Reptiles
| Arches National Park | Isle Royale National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Isle Royale National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Arches National Park | Isle Royale National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Coaster Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Brown Trout |
| Fathead Minnow | Longnose Sucker |
| Common Carp | Harvey Lake Fathead Minnow |
| Speckled Dace | Golden Shiner |
| Yellow Bullhead | Lake Trout |
| Northern Pike | |
| Ellpout | |
| Coho Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Creek Chub |
Beautiful Landscapes in Arches National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Arches National Park is located in eastern Utah and is known for its more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the iconic Delicate Arch. Other notable landscapes in the park include the Windows Section, which features several large arches in close proximity to each other, and the Park Avenue area, which features a large rock formation resembling a canyon street. Visitors can also hike to the top of Balanced Rock, a large rock formation that appears to be precariously balanced on a smaller rock.
Isle Royale National Park is located in Lake Superior, and is known for its rugged wilderness and remote location. The park features rocky cliffs, dense forests, and over 400 lakes and streams. Visitors to the park can explore the backcountry by hiking on the many trails, or by taking a boat tour of the park’s rocky coastlines and offshore islands. Some of the famous landscapes in the park include the Mount Desor, a rocky peak that offers a panoramic view of the park, and the Lookout Louise, a rocky outcropping that provides a vantage point over the island’s interior. Another popular spot is Tobin Harbor, where visitors can see several shipwrecks that have been preserved in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior.
Things To-Do and Activities in Arches National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Arches National Park and Isle Royale National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but the activities available at each park are quite different.
Arches National Park is located in eastern Utah and is known for its over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. The most popular activities at Arches include hiking, sightseeing, and photography. Visitors can explore the park’s many trails, including the famous Delicate Arch Trail, and take in the stunning red rock formations and arches that the park is known for.
Isle Royale National Park, on the other hand, is located in Lake Superior and is known for its remote wilderness, rugged terrain, and unique wildlife. The most popular activities at Isle Royale include backpacking, camping, and canoeing. Visitors can explore the park’s many lakes and streams, and hike the rugged wilderness trails that lead to scenic vistas and secluded beaches.
In summary, Arches National Park is known for its red rock formations and arches, and visitors enjoy activities such as hiking, sightseeing, and photography. Isle Royale National Park is known for its remote wilderness, rugged terrain, and unique wildlife, and visitors enjoy activities such as backpacking, camping, and canoeing.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Arches National Park and Isle Royale National Park have vastly different weather patterns. Arches National Park is located in the desert region of Utah and experiences hot summers and mild winters. The park’s peak tourist season is during the spring and fall months when temperatures are more comfortable for outdoor activities. The summer months can be extremely hot, with temperatures often reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This can make some of the park’s popular hikes and outdoor activities dangerous during this time.
Isle Royale National Park is located in the northern region of Lake Superior and experiences cool summers and cold winters. The park is only accessible by boat or seaplane, and the travel season is limited to the summer months. During the summer, temperatures average in the mid-60s to low-70s Fahrenheit, making it comfortable for outdoor activities. The park is covered in snow during winter, making it inaccessible, and the lake is frozen over.
In summary, the best time to visit Arches National Park is during the spring and fall months when temperatures are mild and more comfortable for outdoor activities. The best time to visit Isle Royale National Park is during the summer months when the weather is mild, and the park is accessible by boat. Visitors should be prepared for extreme heat during summer months in Arches and for cold and snowy weather during winter in Isle Royale.
Family Friendliness of Arches National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Both Arches National Park and Isle Royale National Park are great options for families looking to experience the beauty of nature, however, they offer different types of experiences that may make one more suitable for your family than the other.
Arches National Park is considered to be more family-friendly than Isle Royale National Park. The park has several short and easy trails that are perfect for families with small children, such as the Park Avenue Trail, which is a half-mile trail that leads to a viewpoint of the Park Avenue rock formation. The park also offers a Junior Ranger program that allows children to learn about the park’s geology, wildlife, and history while they explore. Additionally, there are several picnic areas and playgrounds in the park.
Isle Royale National Park, on the other hand, is a more rugged and remote wilderness destination. While the park is still suitable for families, it is better for families with older children who are interested in hiking and camping. The park’s main attraction is its backcountry hiking trails and boat tours, which can be challenging for younger children. Additionally, the park’s remote location and limited amenities can make it more difficult for families with small children.
Overall, if you’re traveling with small children and looking for a more family-friendly experience, Arches National Park may be a better option. However, if your family is interested in a rugged wilderness experience and older children, Isle Royale National Park is a great choice.