Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime? Look no further than Arches National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, two of America’s most stunning and diverse national parks. Arches, located in the desert of southeastern Utah, is known for its striking red rock formations, including over 2,000 natural stone arches. Lake Clark, on the other hand, is located in the heart of Alaska, and boasts rugged glaciers, sparkling lakes, and an abundance of wildlife. Whether you’re a nature lover, an outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for an unforgettable vacation destination, these two parks have something for everyone. So pack your bags, grab your hiking boots and get ready to explore the awe-inspiring landscapes of Arches National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve.
Hiking Trails in Arches National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park in Utah and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve in Alaska are both popular national parks in the United States, but they offer very different hiking experiences for visitors.
Arches National Park is known for its unique rock formations and stunning landscapes. The park offers a variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous. 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 beautiful canyon and past several large rock formations. Another easy hike is the Windows Loop Trail, which is a 2-mile round trip hike that takes visitors past some of the park’s most famous arches. For those looking for a more strenuous hike, the Delicate Arch Trail is a 3-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to one of the park’s most famous arches and offers some great views of the surrounding landscape.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its remote wilderness and abundant wildlife. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, but they are typically more rugged and challenging than those in Arches National Park. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Telaquana Trail, which is a 3-mile round trip hike that offers great views of the Telaquana Mountains and Telaquana Lake. Another easy hike is the Chinitna Bay Trail, which is a 2-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through the beautiful Chinitna Bay area. For those looking for a more strenuous hike, the Tanalian Trail is a 16-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through some of the park’s most remote wilderness and offers some great views of the surrounding landscape.
Both parks offer unique hiking experiences for visitors, but the type of hikes that are available will depend on the park you visit. Arches National Park is known for its unique rock formations and landscapes, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is known for its remote wilderness and abundant wildlife. Visitors to Arches National Park will find a variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous. Visitors to Lake Clark National Park & Preserve will find a variety of hiking trails that are typically more rugged and challenging.
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 Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
| 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 | 4.7 |
Wildlife in Arches National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are both home to a diverse array of wildlife, but the types of animals and plants you’ll see at each park can vary significantly.
At Arches National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of desert animals, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, and coyotes. The park is also home to a diverse array of bird species, including red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, and turkey vultures. In addition, the park is home to a wide variety of desert plants, including juniper, piñon pine, and cacti.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is home to a wide variety of Alaskan wildlife, including brown bears, moose, wolves, and caribou. Visitors can also expect to see a variety of bird species, including eagles, swans, and loons. The park is also home to a diverse array of plant species, including spruce, birch, and willow.
Overall, visitors at Arches National Park will see a diverse array of desert animals, birds and plants, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is home to a wide variety of Alaskan wildlife, birds and plants.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Arches National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Arches National Park | Lake Clark 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 | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | Northern Pintail |
| Northern Pintail | American Wigeon |
| American Wigeon | Green-Winged Teal |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Arches National Park | Lake Clark 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 | Gray Wolf |
| Black Bear | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Porcupine | Snowshoe Hare |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Northern River Otter |
| Hoary Bat | Masked 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 | Brown Bear |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Meadow Vole |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Moose |
| American Badger | Least Weasel |
| California Myotis | Pygmy Shrew |
| Northern River Otter | Meadow Jumping Mouse |
Reptiles
| Arches National Park | Lake Clark 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 | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Arches National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Steelhead |
| Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
| Bluegill | Lake Trout |
| Fathead Minnow | Northern Pike |
| Common Carp | Burbot |
| Speckled Dace | Silver Salmon |
| Yellow Bullhead | King Salmon |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Beautiful Landscapes in Arches National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park in Utah is known for its striking red rock formations, including over 2,000 natural stone arches. Some of the most famous landscapes at the park include Delicate Arch, which is the most famous and photographed arch in the park, and can be seen on Utah license plates, as well as on many Utah-based products. Landscape Arch, which is the longest arch in the park, and is over 300 feet long. Double Arch, which is two arches that have formed side by side, and can be seen in one view. The Windows section, which is a group of three arches, North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch, that are close together and offer great photo opportunities.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in the heart of Alaska, and boasts rugged glaciers, sparkling lakes, and an abundance of wildlife. The park’s most famous landscapes include the turquoise waters of Lake Clark, which is the park’s namesake lake and one of the most photographed places in the park. The park also has many glaciers, including the Tanalian Glacier, which is the largest glacier in the park and offers a great view of the glaciers from the beach. The park is also home to many active volcanoes, including Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna, which can be seen from different parts of the park.
Both parks offer visitors a chance to explore beautiful and unique landscapes, but the type of landscapes that visitors can expect will vary depending on the park. Arches National Park is known for its red rock formations and natural stone arches, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is known for its rugged glaciers, sparkling lakes, and an abundance of wildlife.
Things To-Do and Activities in Arches National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but they offer different types of activities and experiences.
Arches National Park is located in eastern Utah and is known for its unique geological formations, such as the famous Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch. Visitors to the park can enjoy hiking, camping, rock climbing, and scenic drives. The park also offers ranger-led tours and educational programs.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and is known for its diverse landscape, including glaciers, mountains, and coastal beaches. Visitors to the park can enjoy hiking, fishing, hunting, boating, and flightseeing. The park also offers opportunities for wilderness camping and backpacking.
Both parks offer visitors opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife of the area. However, Arches National Park is more popular for its unique rock formations and hiking trails, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is more popular for its wilderness and outdoor activities such as fishing, boating and flightseeing.
In summary, Arches National Park is known for its unique rock formations and hiking trails, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is known for its wilderness and outdoor activities such as fishing, boating and flightseeing, both of which offer a unique experience to visitors.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park in Utah and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve in Alaska have vastly different climates and weather patterns, which can greatly affect when the best time of year to visit each park is.
Arches National Park has a desert climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The summer months of June through August are the busiest time of year, with temperatures reaching well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. This is also the best time to visit if you want to see the park’s wildflowers in bloom. However, it’s important to note that the heat can be overwhelming, and it’s important to stay hydrated and wear sun protection. The fall and spring months are also great times to visit, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. The best time to visit the park is during the summer months of June through August, when the weather is mild and the wildlife is most active. During this time, the park’s rivers and lakes are also thawed, making it possible to access the park’s remote areas by boat or floatplane. Visitors should expect to encounter muddy trails, bugs and bears in the summer. The fall and spring months can also be good times to visit, with fewer crowds and some beautiful autumn colors. However, the park is closed during the winter due to heavy snowfall and dangerous weather conditions.
Both parks offer unique and beautiful experiences for visitors, but the best time to visit will depend on the type of weather and conditions that you are comfortable with. Arches National Park is best visited in the fall and spring, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is best visited in the summer. It is important to be prepared and be aware of the weather conditions and park services that are available during your visit.
Family Friendliness of Arches National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are both family-friendly national parks, but they offer different types of experiences. Arches National Park is known for its stunning rock formations, including the famous Delicate Arch, and offers a variety of easy-to-moderate hiking trails. Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is more remote and focuses on wilderness and wildlife viewing. It is also home to several active volcanoes.
If you’re traveling with children and want a more traditional national park experience with a variety of hiking trails and geological features, Arches National Park is probably the better choice. Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is best for families who are looking for a more remote and wilderness-oriented experience.
In both parks, it’s always recommended to check the visitor center or website for specific family-friendly activities or programs, as well as any potential safety concerns.