Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are both located in the American Southwest and offer visitors a chance to explore the unique and rugged landscapes of the desert. While both parks are known for their incredible rock formations and natural beauty, they have distinct differences that make them both worth visiting. Imagine yourself standing in front of towering red rock arches in Arches, or wandering among twisted Joshua trees in Joshua Tree, both parks offer a unique and unforgettable experience. From the challenging hikes and rock climbing opportunities, to the quiet moments of stargazing and wildlife watching, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in these two desert wonderlands. Keep reading to discover the many ways these parks are different, and to find out which one might be the perfect destination for your next adventure.
Hiking Trails in Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are both popular destinations for hiking, but the trails at each park offer unique experiences.
Arches National Park is known for its over 2,000 natural sandstone arches and offers a variety of hiking trails that range in difficulty. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Park Avenue Trail and the Windows Loop Trail. The Park Avenue Trail is a 1.5-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a narrow canyon filled with towering red rock formations. The Windows Loop Trail is a 1.6-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors past some of the park’s most famous arches, including the North Window and the South Window.
On the other hand, Joshua Tree National Park is known for its unique desert landscape and offers a variety of hiking trails that range in difficulty. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail and the Ryan Mountain Trail. The Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail is a 0.25-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a field of cholla cactus. The Ryan Mountain Trail is a 3-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors to the summit of Ryan Mountain for panoramic views of the park.
For the harder hikes, in Arches National Park, the Devil’s Garden Trail is a 7.2-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through some of the most remote and rugged areas of the park. The trail features several arches, including Landscape Arch, which is one of the longest natural arches in the world. In Joshua Tree National Park, the Lost Palms Oasis Trail is a 7.2 miles round-trip hike that takes visitors through a rocky desert landscape to a secluded oasis of palm trees.
In summary, Arches National Park is known for its over 2,000 natural sandstone arches and offers a variety of hiking trails that range in difficulty, including easy hikes like Park Avenue Trail and Windows Loop Trail and the more challenging hike Devil’s Garden Trail. Joshua Tree National Park is known for its unique desert landscape and offers a variety of hiking trails that range in difficulty, including easy hikes like Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail and Ryan Mountain Trail, and a challenging hike like Lost Palms Oasis Trail.
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 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 Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are both located in the western United States and are known for their unique and diverse wildlife. While both parks offer an opportunity to see a wide variety of animals, birds, and plants, there are some notable differences between the two.
Animals commonly seen in Arches National Park include desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, and a variety of reptiles such as the desert horned lizard, collared lizard, and the Gila monster. The park is also home to a wide variety of birds, including the turkey vulture, red-tailed hawk, and the American kestrel.
In contrast, Joshua Tree National Park is home to a more diverse array of wildlife, including animals such as the desert tortoise, black-tailed jackrabbit, and the desert cottontail, as well as predators such as the mountain lion, bobcat, and the American black bear. Joshua Tree is also a great place for bird watching, with over 250 species of birds that have been recorded in the park, some of the most common include the roadrunner, rock wren, and the cactus wren.
Both parks are also home to a wide variety of plants. Arches National Park is known for its unique geologic features, such as the park’s eponymous arches and its red rock formations, as well as the Juniper and Pinyon pine forests that can be found in the park. Joshua Tree National Park is known for its distinctive Joshua Trees, which are only found in the Mojave Desert, as well as other desert plants such as the cholla cactus, agave, and the creosote bush.
Overall, while both parks are worth visiting for their unique wildlife, Joshua Tree National Park offers a wider variety of animals, birds and plants to see. Arches National Park is more known for its unique geologic features, and Joshua Tree National Park is a great place for birdwatching and viewing desert wildlife.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Arches 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
| Arches 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 |
| Red Fox | Californian Myotis |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Snowhsoe Hare |
| House Mouse | Fringed Myotis |
| Mountain Lion | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| American Mink | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Mule Deer | Pallid Bat |
| Common Gray Fox | Ringtail |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Desert Cottontail |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Virginia Opossum |
| American Badger | Black-Tailed Jackrabbit |
| California Myotis | Brush Deermouse |
| Northern River Otter | Western Spotted Skunk |
Reptiles
| Arches National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Gopher Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Eastern Racer | Common Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Smith’s Black-Headed Snake |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Glossy Snake |
| Nightsnake | Long-Nosed Snake |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard |
Amphibians
| Arches National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Canyon Treefrog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Arches National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Goldfish |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Common Carp | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead |
Insects
| Arches 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 Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are both known for their unique and spectacular landscapes.
Arches National Park, located in eastern Utah, is known for its over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. The park’s most famous landscape is the Delicate Arch, which is one of the most recognizable and iconic landmarks in the park. Visitors can hike to the arch and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding red rock formations and desert landscape. Other famous landscapes in the park include the Windows Section, which features several large arches including the North Window and the South Window, and the Park Avenue Trail, which takes visitors through a narrow canyon filled with towering red rock formations.
Joshua Tree National Park, located in Southern California, is known for its unique desert landscape, which is characterized by the Joshua trees, for which the park is named. The most famous landscape in the park is the Joshua Tree Forest, which is home to thousands of Joshua Trees, and visitors can hike through the forest and admire the unique tree. Other famous landscapes in the park include the Cholla Cactus Garden, which is home to thousands of cholla cactus, and the Hidden Valley, which is a secluded valley surrounded by towering rock formations.
In summary, Arches National Park is known for its over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the famous Delicate Arch, the Windows Section, and Park Avenue Trail, while Joshua Tree National Park is known for its unique desert landscape, including the Joshua Tree Forest, the Cholla Cactus Garden, and the Hidden Valley.
Things To-Do and Activities in Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Both parks offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.
Arches National Park is known for its unique rock formations, including over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. The park is also home to a variety of hiking trails, with options for visitors of all skill levels. Some popular hikes include the Delicate Arch Trail and the Park Avenue Trail. In addition, the park also offers ranger-led tours and camping opportunities.
Joshua Tree National Park, on the other hand, is known for its namesake Joshua trees, as well as its unique rock formations and vast desert landscape. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, with options for visitors of all skill levels. Some popular hikes include the Hidden Valley Nature Trail and the Ryan Mountain Trail. The park also offers camping opportunities and ranger-led tours. Joshua tree is also famous for Rock Climbing.
Both parks also offer opportunities for wildlife viewing and birdwatching. Visitors can also take scenic drives to view the various landscapes and rock formations. Additionally, both parks offer ranger-led activities and educational programs.
Overall, visitors to Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park can expect a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, scenic drives, ranger-led activities, and educational programs. Both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes that are sure to delight visitors.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are both located in the western United States and have similar desert climates, but there are some notable differences in their seasonal weather patterns.
Arches National Park is located in eastern Utah and has a high desert climate, characterized by hot summers, mild winters, and low humidity. The summer months of June, July, and August are the warmest, with daytime temperatures reaching into the high 90s and even reaching 100°F or higher. Winters are mild, with daytime temperatures in the 50s and nighttime temperatures dropping below freezing. Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit, with comfortable temperatures and mild weather.
Joshua Tree National Park is located in southern California and also has a high desert climate, characterized by hot summers, mild winters, and low humidity. The summer months of June, July, and August are the warmest, with daytime temperatures reaching into the high 90s and even reaching 100°F or higher. Winters are mild, with daytime temperatures in the 50s and nighttime temperatures dropping below freezing. However, the nights can be colder than Arches National Park, especially in the higher elevations of the park. Spring and fall are also the best seasons to visit, with comfortable temperatures and mild weather.
It’s important to note that both parks can be quite hot during the summer, with daytime temperatures reaching well above 100°F. If you’re planning a visit during the summer, it’s important to be prepared for the heat and to bring plenty of water. Also, the monsoon season which is from July to September, it can bring some flash floods and thunderstorms.
In summary, both Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are best visited during the spring and fall seasons when temperatures are mild, and the weather is comfortable. If you’re planning a summer visit, be prepared for hot temperatures and bring plenty of water. Also, be aware of the potential for monsoon season in Joshua Tree National Park.
Family Friendliness of Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Both Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are family-friendly and offer a variety of activities for visitors of all ages, but each park has its own unique features that make it better suited for families depending on their preferences.
Arches National Park offers a variety of easy hiking trails that are suitable for children, such as the Park Avenue Trail and the Windows Loop Trail. These trails are short and relatively flat, and offer great opportunities for children to explore and learn about the park’s natural wonders. The park also has a Junior Ranger program, which is an interactive educational program that allows children to learn about the park’s natural and cultural resources while earning a badge. Additionally, the park has picnic areas, campgrounds, and restroom facilities throughout the park.
On the other hand, Joshua Tree National Park offers a variety of easy hiking trails and rock climbing opportunities, Joshua Tree National Park is a great place for families who enjoy outdoor activities. The park also has a Junior Ranger program, which is an interactive educational program that allows children to learn about the park’s natural and cultural resources while earning a badge. There are also picnic areas and campgrounds throughout the park.
In summary, both Arches National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are family-friendly and offer a variety of activities for visitors of all ages, but Arches National Park is better suited for families who want to hike and explore the park’s natural wonders, while Joshua Tree National Park is better suited for families who want to hike and enjoy other outdoor activities.