Arches National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park are two vastly different national parks located in the western United States. Arches, located in Utah, is known for its striking red rock formations and over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. Lassen, located in California, is home to an active volcano and offers a unique landscape of volcanic rock formations, hot springs, and steaming fumaroles. Both parks offer a diverse array of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and sightseeing, but the experiences you’ll have at each park are truly one-of-a-kind. Imagine standing in awe beneath a towering arch in Arches, then trekking through a volcanic wonderland in Lassen. Which park will you choose for your next adventure?
Hiking Trails in Arches National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Arches National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park are both popular destinations for hiking, but they offer different types of trails 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. The park has a variety of hiking trails that range in difficulty, but many of them are relatively easy and well-maintained. Some of the easiest hikes at Arches National Park include the Park Avenue Trail, which is a 1.5-mile round-trip hike that takes you through a narrow canyon with towering red rock walls, and the Windows Trail, which is a 0.5-mile round-trip hike that takes you to the famous North and South Windows arches. On the other hand, the most strenuous hike in Arches is the Devils Garden trail, an 8.3 miles round trip hike that takes you through some of the most iconic arches in the park.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the other hand, is located in northern California and is known for its volcanic landscapes and geothermal features. The park has a variety of hiking trails that range in difficulty, but many of them are relatively challenging and may require some experience and fitness level. Some of the easiest hikes at Lassen Volcanic National Park include the Manzanita Lake Trail, which is a 2.5-mile round-trip hike that takes you around a beautiful lake, and the Bumpass Hell Trail, which is a 3-mile round-trip hike that takes you to a geothermal area with bubbling mud pots and fumaroles. On the other hand, the most strenuous hike in Lassen is the Lassen Peak Trail, a 6 miles round trip hike that takes you to the summit of Lassen Peak, with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet.
In summary, Arches National Park is known for its unique rock formations and easy hikes, while Lassen Volcanic National Park is known for its challenging hikes and volcanic landscapes, both of which offer a unique experience to visitors.
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 Lassen Volcanic National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lassen Peak | 8207.634 | 599.8464 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Kings Creek Falls Trail | 4345.218 | 143.8656 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Cinder Cone Nature Trail | 7724.832 | 317.9064 | Hard | loop | 5 |
Brokeoff Mountain Trail | 12230.984 | 786.9936 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Mill Creek Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 237.744 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Manzanita Lake Loop | 3057.746 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Devil’s Kitchen Trail | 7402.964 | 187.7568 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Chaos Crags Trail | 6437.36 | 301.752 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Cluster Lakes Loop Trail | 16737.136 | 451.7136 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Boiling Springs Lake Loop Trail | 3701.482 | 75.8952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Arches National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Arches National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park are both located in the western United States, but they offer different types of wildlife experiences.
Arches National Park, located in Utah, is known for its stunning rock formations and desert landscape. The park is home to a variety of desert wildlife, including pronghorn, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and coyotes. Visitors may also see lizards, snakes, and other small mammals. In terms of birds, the park is home to a variety of raptors, including golden eagles and red-tailed hawks, as well as smaller birds such as the white-throated swift and the black-throated sparrow. The park also has a rich array of cacti and other desert plants.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, located in California, is known for its volcanic landscapes and alpine wilderness. The park is home to a variety of mammals, including black bears, mountain lions, and deer. Visitors may also see smaller mammals such as martens, weasels, and shrews. The park is also home to many bird species, including the American dipper, the Clark’s nutcracker, and the white-headed woodpecker. The park is also home to a variety of wildflowers and other alpine plants.
In summary, Arches National Park is known for its desert wildlife and plants, while Lassen Volcanic National Park is known for its volcanic landscapes and alpine wildlife and plants. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife and plants in their natural habitats. It’s always recommended to check the visitor center or website for specific wildlife and plants that are commonly seen in both parks and any potential safety concerns.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Arches National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Arches National Park | Lassen Volcanic 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 | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
---|---|
Coyote | American Beaver |
American Beaver | Muskrat |
Muskrat | Bobcat |
Big Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
Bobcat | Raccoon |
Striped Skunk | Black Bear |
Little Brown Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
Deer Mouse | Hoary Bat |
Raccoon | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Black Bear | Mountain Lion |
Porcupine | Mink |
Silver-Haired Bat | Mule Deer |
Hoary Bat | Gray Fox |
Red Fox | Wolf |
Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Eared Myotis |
House Mouse | Snowshoe Hare |
Mountain Lion | Fringed Myotis |
American Mink | Western Harvest Mouse |
Mule Deer | Yuma Myotis |
Common Gray Fox | Bighorn Sheep |
Long-Legged Myotis | Montane Shrew |
Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Tailed Vole |
American Badger | Ringtail |
California Myotis | Virginia Opossum |
Northern River Otter | Wolverine |
Reptiles
Arches National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
---|---|
Gophersnake | Gopher Snake |
Terrestrial Gartersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
Eastern Racer | Racer |
Common Sagebrush Lizard | Western Rattlesnake |
Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Ring-Necked Snake |
Side-Blotched Lizard | Sagebrush Lizard |
Nightsnake | Common Garter Snake |
Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Common Kingsnake |
Milksnake | Rubber Boa |
Striped Whipsnake | Striped Whipsnake |
Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | Western Whiptail |
Tree Lizard | Western Skink |
Western Whiptail | Western Fence Lizard |
Eastern Collared Lizard |
Amphibians
Arches National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
---|---|
Northern Leopard Frog | Bullfrog |
Tiger Salamander | |
American Bullfrog | |
Woodhouse’s Toad | |
Red-Spotted Toad | |
Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
Arches National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
---|---|
Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
Bluegill | Brown Trout |
Fathead Minnow | Fathead Minnow |
Common Carp | Golden Shiner |
Speckled Dace | Silver Salmon |
Yellow Bullhead | King Salmon |
Mottled Sculpin | |
Speckled Dace | |
Brown Bullhead |
Insects
Arches National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
---|---|
Orange Sulphur | |
Painted Lady | |
Monarch Butterfly | |
American Painted Lady | |
Common Checkered-Skipper | |
Honey Bee | |
Buckeye | |
Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Arches National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Arches National Park is home to some of the most iconic and recognizable landscapes in the United States. The park’s main attraction is its over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, with the most famous being Delicate Arch. This iconic arch, which stands at over 60 feet tall, is a must-see for any visitor to the park and is featured on Utah’s license plates. The park also boasts other famous landscapes such as the Windows Section, which features three large arches in close proximity to one another, and the Park Avenue Trail, which offers a unique perspective of the park’s towering red rock formations.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the other hand, is known for its volcanic landscapes. The park is home to Lassen Peak, an active volcano that last erupted in 1915. Visitors can hike to the summit for a panoramic view of the park and surrounding areas. The park also features other famous landscapes such as Bumpass Hell, a large hydrothermal area with bubbling mud pots and steaming fumaroles. The park’s Manzanita Lake is also a popular spot for fishing, camping and picnics. The park offers many other trails that take visitors to the park’s scenic waterfalls, mountain ranges and other natural wonders.
Things To-Do and Activities in Arches National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Arches National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park are both popular national parks located in the western United States, but they offer different types of recreational activities.
Arches National Park, located in Utah, is known for its stunning rock formations, including the famous Delicate Arch, and offers a variety of activities. The most popular activities at the park include hiking, photography, and sightseeing. The park has over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the famous Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, and Double Arch, which can be viewed by hiking on park trails. The park also offers several short and easy trails for those who want a leisurely stroll and several strenuous trails for those who are looking for a more challenging hike.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, located in California, is known for its volcanic landscapes and alpine wilderness. The most popular activities at the park include hiking, camping, and sightseeing. The park offers over 150 miles of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous. Some of the most popular hikes include the Lassen Peak trail, the Bumpass Hell trail and the Kings Creek falls trail. The park is also home to several campgrounds, which provide an excellent base for exploring the park and its many hiking trails. Visitors can also enjoy sightseeing and wildlife viewing in the park.
In summary, Arches National Park is known for its hiking and rock formations while Lassen Volcanic National Park is known for its hiking, camping and volcanic landscapes. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy different activities, so it’s always recommended to check the visitor center or website for specific activities that are available in both parks and any potential safety concerns.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Arches National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park are located in different regions of the United States and have different seasonal weather patterns that can affect when the best time of year is to visit each park.
Arches National Park is located in eastern Utah and has a desert climate. The park is known for its hot summers and mild winters. The best time to visit the park is in the spring or fall when the weather is milder and more comfortable for hiking and outdoor activities. During the summer months, temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making it too hot for many visitors to enjoy outdoor activities. Winters in the park are generally mild, but snow and ice can make some of the trails and roads impassable.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the other hand, is located in northern California and has a high elevation, mountainous climate. The park is known for its cool summers and cold winters. The best time to visit the park is in the summer when the weather is milder and the snow has melted, making it possible to access the higher elevation trails and geothermal features. During the winter months, the park can be covered in snow and ice, making it difficult to access many of the trails and features. Some of the park’s facilities and roads may be closed due to snow, and it can be very cold, making it not ideal for visitors.
In summary, the best time to visit Arches National Park is in the spring or fall when the weather is milder and more comfortable for hiking and outdoor activities, while the best time to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park is in the summer, when the weather is milder, and the snow has melted, making it possible to access the higher elevation trails and geothermal features. It is important to check the park’s website for current conditions and closures before planning a trip.
Family Friendliness of Arches National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Both Arches National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park are great options for families looking to explore the great outdoors together, but they each offer different experiences that may be more or less suitable for families with children.
Arches National Park is a great option for families that are looking for more of a scenic drive and shorter hikes. The park has several short and easy trails that lead to some of the park’s most famous landscapes, such as the Windows Section and Park Avenue. The park also offers a Junior Ranger Program for children, which allows them to learn about the park’s geology, plants and animals. There are also picnic areas and campground with grills and fire pits, where families can enjoy a meal together.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the other hand, is better suited for families that are looking for more of an adventurous experience. The park offers several short and easy hikes as well as longer, more strenuous hikes that lead to volcanic landscapes and scenic mountain views. There’s also a Junior Ranger Program where children can learn about the park’s volcanic history and geology. The park also offers other activities such as camping, fishing, and picnics, but the park’s remote location may make it less convenient for families with young children.
Overall, both Arches National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park are great options for families, but the type of experience you’re looking for will determine which park is the better choice for your family.