Arches National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are two of the most beloved national parks in the United States, but they are as different as night and day. Arches National Park, located in the desert region of Utah, is a land of red rock and endless skies, where visitors can marvel at over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, is a land of glaciers and fjords, where visitors can explore the rugged wilderness and watch whales and seals play in the icy waters. One park is all about the heat and the other is all about the cold. Both parks offer unique landscapes, but the experiences at each park are vastly different. If you’re looking for a trip that will take you from the scorching heat of the desert to the icy cold of the fjords, then keep reading!
Hiking Trails in Arches National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Arches National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors, but the types of hikes and the landscapes that can be seen on each hike are quite different.
Arches National Park, located in the desert of eastern Utah, offers a range of hikes that vary in difficulty, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry adventures. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Park Avenue Trail, which is a 1.5-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a scenic canyon and offers views of the park’s iconic Park Avenue rock formation. Another easy hike is the Windows Trail, which is a 1.2-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors to the park’s famous Double Arch and North Window. The park’s most strenuous hike is the Devils Garden Trail, which is an 8.2-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors to some of the park’s most remote and spectacular arches.
Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, offers a variety of hikes that vary in difficulty, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry adventures. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Exit Glacier Nature Trail, which is a 1.8-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors to the park’s Exit Glacier and offers views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Another easy hike is the Harding Icefield Trail, which is a 8.2-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors to the park’s Harding Icefield and offers views of the surrounding glaciers, mountains, and fjords. The park’s most strenuous hike is the Root Glacier Trail, which is a 8.2-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through the park’s rugged wilderness and offers views of glaciers, mountains, and fjords.
In summary, Arches National Park, located in the desert of eastern Utah, offers a range of hikes that vary in difficulty, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry adventures, with some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Park Avenue Trail, Windows Trail, and the most strenuous hike is the Devils Garden Trail. Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, offers a variety of hikes that vary in difficulty, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry adventures, with some of the easiest hikes in the park include Exit Glacier Nature Trail and Harding Icefield Trail and the most strenuous hike is the Root Glacier 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 Kenai Fjords National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Arches National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Arches National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife, each unique to their respective habitats.
At Arches National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of small mammals such as rock squirrels, chipmunks, and pack rats. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles, including collared lizards, fence lizards, and desert horned lizards. Visitors may also spot birds such as golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and turkey vultures. The park is also home to a variety of plants such as yucca, cactus, and sagebrush.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is home to a wide variety of marine mammals, including humpback whales, orcas, seals, and sea otters. Visitors can also expect to see a variety of seabirds, such as puffins, murres, and guillemots. The park is also home to a variety of land mammals such as bears, moose, and mountain goats. The park is also home to a variety of plants such as mosses, lichens, and wildflowers.
It’s worth noting that both parks have different seasons, and the wildlife that can be seen will vary depending on the time of year. For example, at Kenai Fjords National Park, visitors can see whales and other marine mammals during the summer months, while at Arches National Park, visitors can see a variety of reptiles and mammals year-round.
In summary, Arches National Park offers visitors a chance to see a variety of small mammals, reptiles and birds, while Kenai Fjords National Park provides visitors an opportunity to see marine mammals, seabirds and land mammals. Both parks are unique in their own way and offer visitors a chance to see a variety of wildlife in their natural habitats.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Arches National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Arches National Park | Kenai Fjords 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 | 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 | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Arches National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Black Bear | Gray Wolf |
| Porcupine | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Silver-Haired Bat | California Myotis |
| Hoary Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Red Fox | Northern River Otter |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Masked Shrew |
| House Mouse | Red Squirrel |
| Mountain Lion | Montane Shrew |
| American Mink | Lynx |
| Mule Deer | Wolverine |
| Common Gray Fox | American Marten |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Brown Bear |
| American Badger | Meadow Mouse |
| California Myotis | Moose |
| Northern River Otter | Pygmy Shrew |
Reptiles
| Arches National Park | Kenai Fjords 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 | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Arches National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
| Bluegill | Burbot |
| Fathead Minnow | Silver Salmon |
| Common Carp | Chinook Salmon |
| Speckled Dace | Slimy Sculpin |
| Yellow Bullhead | Threespine Stickleback |
| Red Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden |
Beautiful Landscapes in Arches National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Arches National Park is known for its unique rock formations, including over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. Some of the most famous landscapes at the park include the Park Avenue Trail, where visitors can walk through a narrow canyon between two towering rock walls, and the Windows Loop Trail, which offers great views of the park’s famous arches such as the famous Delicate Arch. Additionally, visitors can also hike to the top of Balancing Rock, which is a massive rock that seems to defy gravity, and also visit the famous Landscape Arch, one of the longest natural arch in the world.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is known for its remote wilderness, rugged terrain, and abundant wildlife. Some of the most famous landscapes at the park include the Exit Glacier, which visitors can hike to and explore, and the Harding Icefield, which is the largest icefield entirely within the United States. Additionally, visitors can also take a boat tour to see the Aialik Glacier, which is one of the most active glaciers in the park and offers spectacular views of ice calving into the fjord.
In both parks, visitors can also enjoy beautiful overlooks, such as the panoramic views of the valley at Arches National Park and the ocean views of the fjords at Kenai Fjords National Park. Both parks offer an abundance of natural beauty and different landscapes, and visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, sightseeing and wildlife watching.
Things To-Do and Activities in Arches National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Arches National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park both offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy, but the most popular activities at each park are quite different due to their unique landscapes and environments.
At Arches National Park, the most popular activity is hiking. The park offers a variety of trails that range from easy, short hikes to more strenuous, full-day hikes. Some of the most popular hikes in the park include the Delicate Arch Trail, which leads to the park’s most iconic feature, the Delicate Arch, and the Park Avenue Trail, which offers visitors a chance to see a variety of natural arches. The park also offers visitors a chance to take guided ranger-led hikes, and many visitors like to explore the park on their own.
At Kenai Fjords National Park, the most popular activity is wildlife viewing. Visitors can take boat tours to see whales, porpoises, sea otters, and seals in their natural habitat. Visitors can also take flightseeing tours to see bears, moose and other wildlife in the park. The park also offers visitors a chance to take guided ranger-led hikes, backpacking and camping opportunities, and fishing. The park also offers visitors a chance to take guided ranger-led hikes, and many visitors like to explore the park on their own.
In summary, while Arches National Park is known for its hiking trails, Kenai Fjords National Park is known for its wildlife viewing opportunities. Both parks offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, but the type of activities that visitors can do will vary depending on the time of year and the park’s facilities.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Arches National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are located in vastly different climates, which affects the seasonal weather and the best time of year to visit each park.
Arches National Park, located in the desert of eastern Utah, experiences hot summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures often reach into the 90s and can be quite hot, making it the least popular time to visit the park. Spring and fall are ideal seasons to visit, with comfortable temperatures and mild weather. Winter can be a great time to visit if you don’t mind the colder temperatures, as the park is less crowded and the park’s red rock formations can be quite stunning when dusted with snow.
Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, experiences cool summers and cold winters. The summer months of June through August are the most popular time to visit the park, as the weather is mild and the park’s glaciers and wildlife are easily accessible. The park’s glaciers, fjords and mountains can be seen in their full glory during this time. Fall and spring are also good times to visit, as the weather is mild and the park is less crowded. Winter is the least popular time to visit the park, as the weather is extremely cold and the park’s facilities and services are limited.
In summary, Arches National Park, located in the desert of eastern Utah, experiences hot summers and mild winters, making Spring and Fall the ideal seasons to visit, while Winter can also be a great time to visit if you don’t mind the colder temperatures. Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, experiences cool summers and cold winters, making Summer the most popular time to visit and fall and spring also a good time to visit. Winter is the least popular time to visit the park due to the extreme cold and limited facilities and services.
Family Friendliness of Arches National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Arches National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both great destinations for families, but they offer different types of experiences and have different levels of accessibility for children.
Arches National Park is generally considered to be more family-friendly than Kenai Fjords National Park. The park has many short, easy hikes that are suitable for children, such as the Park Avenue Trail and the Windows Loop Trail. Additionally, the park has a visitor center with interactive exhibits that are designed to be engaging for kids. The park also offers ranger-led programs for children, such as the Junior Ranger program, which teaches kids about the park’s natural and cultural history.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is known for its rugged wilderness and remote location. The park offers many backcountry hiking trails, which are less accessible for children. Additionally, the park has less visitor services such as ranger-led programs and interactive exhibits. The park is also known for its wildlife, which can be a great attraction for children, but it requires a lot of time to explore and requires a bit more effort to reach.
Both parks offer stunning natural beauty and are great destinations for families, but if you’re traveling with children, Arches National Park is likely to be more accommodating and has more options to make the experience more family-friendly. Kenai Fjords National Park is more remote and less accessible for children, but it offers unique experiences that are hard to find elsewhere.