Arches National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park are two of the most unique and intriguing national parks in the United States. Both parks offer visitors a chance to explore some of the most spectacular natural wonders in the country, but in very different ways. Arches National Park is a red rock wonderland of towering sandstone arches, fins and spires, while Mammoth Cave National Park is a subterranean labyrinth of limestone caves and underground rivers. If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure that will take you to the top of the world and then deep beneath it, these two parks are definitely worth a visit. Imagine yourself standing in awe beneath a giant natural arch, or exploring dark, mysterious caves that have been carved out of the earth over millions of years. Whether you’re an experienced hiker, a cave enthusiast, or simply someone who loves to explore the great outdoors, Arches National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park have something for everyone. So why not pack your bags and hit the road for an unforgettable journey to explore these two amazing national parks.
Hiking Trails in Arches National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Arches National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park offer a wide variety of hiking trails that cater to different skill levels and interests. Both parks offer easy, moderate and difficult hikes that allow visitors to explore the unique landscapes and features of each park.
Arches National Park is known for its towering sandstone arches, fins and spires, and the park’s hiking trails offer visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of these natural wonders. One of the easiest hikes in the park is the Park Avenue Trail, which is a 1.8-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through a narrow canyon and past towering sandstone cliffs. Another easy hike is the Windows Trail, which 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. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Delicate Arch Trail is a 3-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to one of the most iconic arches in the park, offering a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape.
Mammoth Cave National Park, on the other hand, is known for its limestone caves and underground rivers. The park’s hiking trails offer visitors the opportunity to explore the park’s above-ground landscapes and natural features. One of the easiest hikes in the park is the River Styx Spring Trail, which is a 1-mile round trip hike that takes visitors past a limestone spring and sinkholes. Another easy hike is the Frozen Niagara Trail, which is a 0.5-mile round trip hike that takes visitors past a natural limestone formation that resembles a frozen waterfall. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Echo River Spring Trail is a 2-mile round trip hike that takes visitors past a limestone spring and sinkholes, offering a glimpse of the park’s subterranean features.
In summary, Arches National Park offers visitors the opportunity to explore towering sandstone arches, fins and spires, while Mammoth Cave National Park offers visitors the opportunity to explore limestone caves and underground rivers. Both parks offer easy, moderate and difficult hikes that cater to different skill levels and interests. It’s important to check the park’s website for current conditions and closures before planning a trip.
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 Mammoth Cave National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green River Bluffs Trail | 7242.03 | 169.7736 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cedar Sink Trail | 2896.812 | 70.7136 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mammoth Cave National Park Scenic Drive | 17541.806 | 173.736 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Sinkhole Trail | 3862.416 | 108.8136 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Echo River Spring and Sinkhole Loop | 4988.954 | 122.8344 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Echo River and River Styx Springs Trail | 5471.756 | 129.8448 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Sal Hollow and Buffalo Creek Loop Trail | 8690.436 | 100.8888 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Dixon Cave Trail Loop | 2414.01 | 83.82 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| First Creek Lake Trail | 5793.624 | 158.8008 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| McCoy Hollow Trail | 19794.882 | 434.9496 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Arches National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Arches National Park in Utah is known for its red rock formations and desert landscape. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, pronghorn, and coyotes. Other animals that can be found in the park include black-tailed jackrabbits, cottontail rabbits, kangaroo rats, and pack rats. Additionally, visitors may be able to spot a variety of bird species, including golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and peregrine falcons. The park is also home to a number of reptile species, such as the desert tortoise and the collared lizard.
Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is known for its limestone caves and forested landscape. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, gray foxes, and black bears. Other animals that can be found in the park include raccoons, opossums, skunks, and groundhogs. Additionally, visitors may be able to spot a variety of bird species, such as the pileated woodpecker, great horned owl, and turkey vulture. The park is also home to a number of reptile species, such as the timber rattlesnake, copperhead and black rat snake.
In terms of plants, Arches National Park is home to a variety of desert plants such as Joshua tree, cactus, and yucca. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to a variety of forest plants such as Oak, hickory, maple, and beech.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Arches National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Arches National Park | Mammoth Cave 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 | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Porcupine | Hoary Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Red Fox |
| Hoary Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | House Mouse |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Mink |
| House Mouse | Gray Fox |
| Mountain Lion | Western Long-Eared Bat |
| American Mink | River Otter |
| Mule Deer | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Common Gray Fox | White-Tailed Deer |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Virginia Opossum |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Meadow Vole |
| American Badger | Eastern Red Bat |
| California Myotis | White-Footed Mouse |
| Northern River Otter | Norway Rat |
Reptiles
| Arches National Park | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Black Racer |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Ringneck Snake |
| Eastern Racer | Eastern Garter Snake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Eastern Fence 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 | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Eastern Tiger Salamander |
| Tiger Salamander | Bullfrog |
| American Bullfrog | Wood Frog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Arches National Park | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Largemouth Bass |
| Bluegill | Green Sunfish |
| Fathead Minnow | Bluegill |
| Common Carp | Golden Shiner |
| Speckled Dace | Common Carp |
| Yellow Bullhead | Yellow Bullhead |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Insects
| Arches National Park | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Commom Wood Nymph |
Beautiful Landscapes in Arches National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Arches National Park is known for its more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, the most famous of which is Delicate Arch. Other popular landmarks in the park include Balanced Rock, Landscape Arch, and Double Arch. The park also features beautiful red rock formations, canyons, and hiking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its vast underground cave system, the longest known cave system in the world. The park offers several cave tours, including the Historic Tour, the New Entrance Tour, and the Wild Cave Tour, which allow visitors to explore the underground labyrinth of passageways and caverns. Above the ground, Mammoth Cave National Park also offers hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and the Green River for visitors to enjoy.
Things To-Do and Activities in Arches National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Arches National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park are both popular national parks in the United States that offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy.
At Arches National Park, some of the most popular activities include hiking, sightseeing and photography. The park features over 2,000 natural stone arches, as well as other unique rock formations, such as balanced rocks and fins, that visitors can explore on foot. The park offers a number of designated hiking trails, including the popular Delicate Arch Trail, which leads to one of the most famous arches in the park. Visitors can also drive the scenic park road to view many of the park’s famous arches and other rock formations from their car. Photography enthusiasts can enjoy the park’s red rock formations and natural arches, and capture their beauty on camera.
Mammoth Cave National Park is popular for its cave exploration and also offers other activities such as hiking, camping, and horseback riding. The park offers a variety of tours that take visitors deep into the caves to see the unique underground formations. The park offers several different tours for visitors of all ages and abilities, including the “New Entrance” tour, which is the most popular. This tour takes visitors on a 1.5-mile walk through the cave, highlighting the main geological features of the cave, as well as the history of the cave system. The park also offers a number of ranger-led cave tours, which are more strenuous and require visitors to crawl and climb through the cave passages.
In addition to cave exploration, the park offers other outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and horseback riding. Visitors can explore the park’s above-ground trails, which offer scenic views of the forested landscape and the Green River. Campers can enjoy overnight stays in the park’s backcountry campsites, as well as in the campground. Horseback riding on the park’s designated trails is also a popular activity.
Overall, Arches National Park is popular for its natural stone arches, hiking, sightseeing and photography, while Mammoth Cave National Park is famous for its cave exploration, hiking, camping, and horseback riding.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Arches National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park have very different weather patterns, which can affect when is the best time of year to visit each park.
Arches National Park is located in the desert of Utah and has a hot and dry climate. The park is known for its extremely hot summers, with temperatures often reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The best time to visit the park is during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to November) when the temperatures are milder and more comfortable for hiking and outdoor activities. The park can be very hot in the summer months and visitors should be prepared with plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat.
Mammoth Cave National Park, located in Kentucky, has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Spring and fall are the best time to visit the park, with mild temperatures, colorful foliage and fewer crowds. The summer months can be hot and humid with temperatures in the mid to high 80s, which may be less comfortable for hiking and outdoor activities. The park can also be wet in the spring, so bring rain gear. Winter season can be cold and icy, with freezing temperatures and occasional snow, making it difficult for hiking and caving.
In summary, the best time to visit Arches National Park is during the spring and fall, when temperatures are milder and more comfortable for outdoor activities. The best time to visit Mammoth Cave National Park is during the spring and fall, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds. Visitors should check the weather forecast and be prepared for the conditions, as well as be aware that the park facilities, trails and roads may be closed or limited due to the weather.
Family Friendliness of Arches National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Both Arches National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park are great options for families, but they offer different experiences.
Arches National Park is known for its beautiful red rock formations, canyons, and more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches. The park offers several short, easy hikes that are suitable for families with children, such as the Park Avenue and Windows Trail. There are also several scenic drives that offer beautiful views of the park’s landmarks. The park also offers ranger-led programs and family-friendly activities that are great for children.
Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its vast underground cave system, the longest known cave system in the world. The park offers several cave tours, including the Historic Tour, the New Entrance Tour, and the Wild Cave Tour, which allow visitors to explore the underground labyrinth of passageways and caverns. Above the ground, Mammoth Cave National Park also offers hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and the Green River for visitors to enjoy. However, Some of the cave tours are not accessible for children under a certain height and age, and the underground environment is not suitable for children who are afraid of the dark or tight spaces.
If you’re traveling with children, Arches National Park may be a better option as it offers more family-friendly activities, shorter and easy hikes, and is above-ground. While Mammoth Cave National Park also offers a lot of family-friendly activities above ground, but it’s not suitable for some children and the cave tours might not be accessible to them.