Arches National Park and North Cascades National Park are two of the most spectacular and diverse national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a wide range of activities, from hiking and camping to wildlife viewing and rock climbing. But what sets these two parks apart and makes them unique? Arches National Park, located in the desert region of Utah, is known for its thousands of natural sandstone arches, spires, and fins. It’s a place where you can explore the red rock landscape, see the famous Delicate Arch, and take in the breathtaking sunsets. On the other hand, North Cascades National Park, located in Washington state, is a rugged wilderness area, characterized by glaciers, alpine meadows, and cascading waterfalls. It’s a place where you can hike through old-growth forests, witness the power of nature at the Skagit River, and explore the glaciers. Both of these parks offer a unique and unforgettable experience but in different ways. So if you’re looking for an adventure that combines nature, beauty, and diversity, then Arches National Park and North Cascades National Park are the places to visit.
Hiking Trails in Arches National Park and North Cascades National Park
Arches National Park and North Cascades National Park both offer a wide variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, but the type of hikes and level of difficulty can vary greatly between the two parks.
At Arches National Park, the hiking trails range from easy, short hikes to more strenuous, longer hikes. Some of the easiest hikes at the park include the Park Avenue Trail, which is a 1.5-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through a narrow canyon and past several towering red rock formations, and the Sand Dune Arch Trail, a 0.3-mile round trip hike that leads to a small arch nestled among sand dunes. Some of the harder hikes include the Devils Garden Trail, an 8.2-mile round trip hike that takes visitors past several of the park’s famous arches, and the Fiery Furnace, a guided hike that takes visitors through a maze of narrow canyons and red rock formations.
On the other hand, North Cascades National Park offers a more rugged and remote hiking experience, with trails that range from easy day hikes to strenuous backpacking trips. Some of the easiest hikes at the park include the Easy Pass Trail, a 5.4-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through old-growth forest and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, and the Cascade Pass Trail, a 5.5-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to the base of several glaciers. Some of the harder hikes at the park include the Park Butte Trail, a 7.4-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to the summit of a mountain with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, and the Maple Pass Loop, a 7.2-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through alpine meadows and past several waterfalls.
In summary, Arches National Park offers a wide variety of hiking trails that range from easy, short hikes to more strenuous, longer hikes. North Cascades National Park offers a more rugged and remote hiking experience, with trails that range from easy day hikes to strenuous backpacking trips. Both parks offer beautiful landscapes and natural wonders to explore, but the level of difficulty and type of hikes can vary greatly between the two parks.
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 North Cascades National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lake Trail | 8529.502 | 291.9984 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail | 17541.806 | 1175.9184 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sourdough Mountain Trail | 14644.994 | 1555.6992 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail to Cottonwood Camp | 25588.506 | 1422.8064 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail | 10460.71 | 542.8488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sahale Arm Trail to Quien Sabe Glacier | 19955.816 | 1651.7112 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk | 3057.746 | 21.9456 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Fourth of July Pass via Panther Creek Trail | 14966.862 | 759.8664 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Ruby Mountain Summit via Fourth of July and Thunder Creek Trail | 23335.43 | 1949.8056 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
| Gorge Creek Falls Trail | 804.67 | 11.8872 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
Wildlife in Arches National Park and North Cascades National Park
Arches National Park and North Cascades National Park are both home to a wide variety of wildlife, each park offer a unique set of animals, birds, and plants.
Arches National Park is located in the desert, and as such, the wildlife you’ll see there is adapted to the hot, dry conditions. Some of the most commonly seen animals in the park include desert bighorn sheep, pronghorn, mule deer, and coyotes. Visitors may also spot lizards, snakes, and a variety of small mammals such as pack rats, ground squirrels and kangaroo rats. Birders may see a variety of birds such as golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and peregrine falcons. The park also has a wide variety of plants, including cacti, yucca, and Joshua trees.
North Cascades National Park is located in the Pacific Northwest and is home to a wide variety of wildlife that is adapted to the wet, rugged terrain. Some of the most commonly seen animals in the park include black bears, mountain goats, elk, and deer. Visitors may also spot marmots, pikas, and a variety of small mammals such as martens, mink, and wolverines. Birders may see a variety of birds such as Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and Peregrine Falcons. The park also has a wide variety of plants, including old growth Douglas fir, western red cedar, and Pacific yew.
In summary, Arches National Park is home to a wide variety of desert wildlife, including bighorn sheep, coyotes, and lizards. North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, is home to a wide variety of mountain wildlife, including black bears, mountain goats, and elk. Both parks offer a unique and diverse set of plants and birds that visitors can enjoy.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Arches National Park and North Cascades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Arches National Park | North Cascades 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 | 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 | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Arches National Park | North Cascades 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 | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Puma |
| American Mink | Mink |
| Mule Deer | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Common Gray Fox | Wolf |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Western Long-Eared Bat |
| American Badger | Ermine |
| California Myotis | California Myotis |
| Northern River Otter | Snowshoe Hare |
Reptiles
| Arches National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Western Yellowbelly Racer |
| Eastern Racer | Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Common Garter Snake |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Rubber Boa |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Western Fence 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 | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Arches National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Largemouth Bass |
| Fathead Minnow | Longnose Sucker |
| Common Carp | Lake Trout |
| Speckled Dace | Burbot |
| Yellow Bullhead | Silver Salmon |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Kokanee | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Insects
| Arches National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Arches National Park and North Cascades National Park
Arches National Park is known for its thousands of natural sandstone arches, spires, and fins that have been sculpted by millions of years of erosion. Some of the most famous landscapes in the park include the famous Delicate Arch, which is one of the most iconic symbols of the park, as well as the Windows Section, where you can see a number of large arches such as the North Window and the South Window. Other popular landscapes include the Park Avenue, a scenic drive that takes you through a narrow canyon, and the Devil’s Garden, a trail that leads you to some of the most remote arches in the park.
On the other hand, North Cascades National Park is known for its rugged wilderness, characterized by glaciers, alpine meadows, and cascading waterfalls. Some of the most famous landscapes in the park include the Cascade Pass, a scenic trail that takes you through the heart of the park and offers breathtaking views of the North Cascades, and the Skagit River, which is home to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the park. Other popular landscapes include the Ross Lake, a beautiful lake surrounded by towering peaks, and the Sahale Glacier, where you can hike to the top of the glacier and take in the panoramic views of the park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Arches National Park and North Cascades National Park
Arches National Park and North Cascades National Park are both popular tourist destinations, and they offer a wide variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.
Arches National Park is known for its stunning red rock formations and ancient sandstone arches. Visitors can explore the park by taking scenic drives and hiking on a variety of trails. Some of the most popular activities in the park include visiting the famous Delicate Arch, hiking to the top of Park Avenue, and taking a ranger-led tour of the Fiery Furnace. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives through the park and take in views of the beautiful red rock formations. The park also offers a variety of ranger-led programs, such as the Junior Ranger program, which allows children to learn more about the park’s natural and cultural history while earning a badge.
North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, offers a wider range of activities, including hiking, rock climbing, white-water rafting, and kayaking. The park has over 400 miles of hiking trails, offering a variety of options for visitors, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. Some of the most popular hikes in the park include the Chain Lakes Loop, which offers views of the park’s beautiful alpine lakes, and the Maple Pass Loop, which offers panoramic views of the North Cascades. The park also offers a variety of climbing routes for experienced climbers, and guided white-water rafting trips for those looking for an adrenaline rush. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives through the park and take in views of the beautiful mountain ranges.
In summary, Arches National Park is known for its beautiful red rock formations, ancient sandstone arches, and easy-to-moderate hiking trails, while North Cascades National Park offers a wider range of activities, including hiking, rock climbing, white-water rafting and kayaking, and more strenuous hikes. Both parks offer a variety of ranger-led programs and scenic drives to enjoy.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park and North Cascades National Park
Arches National Park and North Cascades National Park have very different weather patterns, which can affect the best time of year to visit each park.
Arches National Park, located in southern Utah, has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is in the spring or fall when temperatures are more comfortable for hiking and exploring. Summer temperatures can often reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making it too hot for many visitors to comfortably enjoy the park’s outdoor activities. Winter temperatures are typically mild, with occasional snowfall, but many of the park’s roads and trails may be closed due to snow and ice.
North Cascades National Park, located in northern Washington, has a subalpine climate with wet, mild summers and cold, snowy winters. The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is in the summer when the snow has melted and the trails are accessible. Summer temperatures are mild and can reach into the high 70s and 80s, making it perfect for hiking and exploring. Winter temperatures are cold, with heavy snowfall, making it difficult to access many of the park’s trails and facilities.
In summary, Arches National Park has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is in the spring or fall when temperatures are more comfortable for hiking and exploring. North Cascades National Park has a subalpine climate with wet, mild summers and cold, snowy winters. The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is in the summer when the snow has melted and the trails are accessible.
Family Friendliness of Arches National Park and North Cascades National Park
Both Arches National Park and North Cascades National Park offer plenty of opportunities for families to explore and enjoy the great outdoors. However, the level of difficulty and accessibility of the activities and trails can vary.
Arches National Park is considered to be more family-friendly due to the variety of easily accessible trails that offer breathtaking views. Many of the park’s main attractions, such as Delicate Arch, are short and easy hikes that are suitable for most families. Additionally, the park offers several ranger-led activities and programs throughout the year, which are designed to educate and entertain visitors of all ages.
On the other hand, North Cascades National Park is more rugged and remote, and some of the trails and activities can be more challenging. The park is also known for its backcountry hiking and camping opportunities which may not be as suitable for younger children. The park also offers less ranger-led activities and programs than Arches.
That said, North Cascades National Park can still be a great destination for families with older children or teenagers who are eager to explore and experience the wilder side of nature. Both parks offer great opportunities for families to bond and create memories while enjoying the beauty of nature. It’s important for families to plan ahead and consider the physical abilities and interests of each member when planning their trip.