Arches National Park and White Sands National Park are two very different national parks, each with its unique landscapes and activities. Arches National Park, located in Utah, is known for its stunning red rock formations and over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is the largest gypsum dune field in the world and offers a unique landscape of white sand dunes as far as the eye can see. Both parks offer visitors the chance to explore the great outdoors, but each in its own unique way. Imagine hiking through a landscape of towering red rock formations at Arches National Park or sliding down the white sand dunes at White Sands National Park. Both parks offer a range of activities from hiking and camping to stargazing and wildlife watching, making them perfect for all types of visitors. Whether you’re a nature lover, outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for a fun family adventure, Arches National Park and White Sands National Park are sure to satisfy. So pack your bags, lace up your hiking boots and let’s dive into the comparison of these two unique and spectacular national parks.
Hiking Trails in Arches National Park and White Sands National Park
Arches National Park and White Sands National Park both offer a diverse range of hiking trails that cater to hikers of all abilities. However, the hiking trails at these two parks are quite different in terms of their terrain and difficulty level.
At Arches National Park, the trails range from easy, paved paths to strenuous backcountry routes. Some of the most popular hikes include the Delicate Arch Trail, which is a moderate 3-mile round trip hike that leads to the iconic Delicate Arch, and the Devil’s Garden Trail, which is a strenuous 7.2-mile round trip hike that leads to some of the park’s most impressive arches. Additionally, the park also offers a number of strenuous backcountry hikes, such as the Fiery Furnace and the Dark Angel.
On the other hand, White Sands National Park offers a more unique hiking experience. The park’s main attraction is the white sand dunes, and the park’s trails take hikers through this otherworldly landscape. The park’s easiest trail is the Interdune Boardwalk, which is a short, 0.5-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through the interdunal area, with interpretive signs along the way. The park’s most strenuous hike is the Alkali Flat Trail, which is a 4-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through the heart of the dune field.
In terms of family-friendly hikes, White Sands National Park is probably more suitable for children as it is less strenuous and offers the unique experience of hiking through the white sand dunes. On the other hand, Arches National Park offers a more diverse range of trails that caters to different ages and fitness levels.
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 White Sands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 6 |
Wildlife in Arches National Park and White Sands National Park
Arches National Park and White Sands National Park offer vastly different wildlife experiences. Arches National Park, located in Utah, is home to a diverse array of animals, including mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, and a variety of reptiles and birds. Some of the most commonly seen birds include golden eagles, ravens, and turkey vultures. Visitors may also spot desert tortoises, lizards, and snakes. The park is also home to a variety of plant life, including cacti, yucca, and Joshua trees.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is known for its vast expanses of white gypsum sand dunes. The park is home to a variety of desert animals, including pronghorn, mule deer, and coyotes. Visitors may also spot a variety of reptiles, such as lizards and snakes, and birds, including roadrunners and golden eagles. The park is also home to a variety of cacti and other desert plants. While Arches National Park is known for its red rock formations, White Sands National Park is known for its white sand dunes, which can be seen from miles away.
Both parks offer unique and beautiful wilderness experiences, but the wildlife and natural features that visitors can see at each park are very different. White Sands National Park is known for its white sand dunes, while Arches National Park is known for its red rock formations, and the wildlife and plants that visitors can see at each park are also different.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Arches National Park and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Arches National Park | White Sands 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 | White Sands 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 | Mountain Lion |
| American Mink | Mink |
| Mule Deer | Common Gray Fox |
| Common Gray Fox | Plains Wolf |
| Long-Legged Myotis | American Badger |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Ermine |
| American Badger | Snowshoe Hare |
| California Myotis | River Otter |
| Northern River Otter | Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
| Arches National Park | White Sands 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 | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Arches National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Largemouth Bass |
| Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
| Bluegill | Green Sunfish |
| Fathead Minnow | Bluegill |
| Common Carp | Fathead Minnow |
| Speckled Dace | Golden Shiner |
| Yellow Bullhead | Lake Trout |
| Northern Pike | |
| Ellpout | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Beautiful Landscapes in Arches National Park and White Sands National Park
Arches National Park is known for its incredible red rock formations, including over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. The most famous arch in the park is Delicate Arch, which is a popular spot for visitors and can be accessed via a moderate 3-mile hike. Other famous landscapes in the park include The Windows, a group of three arches, and the famous rock formation known as the Park Avenue. In addition to the arches, visitors can also see other natural features such as the Balanced Rock, a large rock formation that seems to defy gravity, and the Fiery Furnace, a maze-like area of narrow canyons and towering rock walls.
White Sands National Park is known for its unique landscape of white sand dunes as far as the eye can see. The most famous landscape in the park is the Alkali Flat, a large area of white sand dunes that covers over 275 square miles. Visitors can explore the dunes on foot, by bike or even on a guided sunset or full-moon hike. Other natural features in the park include the Tularosa Basin, a large valley that is home to several rare and endangered plants, and the Interdune Boardwalk, a half-mile boardwalk that takes visitors through the heart of the dunes. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of wildlife such as roadrunner, jackrabbits, and mule deer.
Both parks offer visitors the chance to see unique and spectacular landscapes, but in very different ways. Arches National Park offers towering red rock formations and natural arches, while White Sands National Park offers a landscape of white sand dunes as far as the eye can see. Both parks are sure to leave visitors in awe of the natural beauty they have to offer.
Things To-Do and Activities in Arches National Park and White Sands National Park
Arches National Park and White Sands National Park are both incredibly unique and offer different types of experiences for visitors. Arches National Park, located in Utah, is known for its striking red rock formations and over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. The park is popular for hiking, rock climbing, and scenic drives. Some of the most popular hikes include Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, and Double Arch. The park is also known for its stargazing opportunities, as well as its off-road vehicle tours.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is known for its vast expanses of white gypsum sand dunes. The park is popular for hiking, picnicking, and sledding on the dunes. The park also offers ranger-led tours, ranger-led full moon walks, and ranger-led sunset strolls. The park is also known for its stargazing opportunities, as well as its off-road vehicle tours.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and explore the natural beauty of the American Southwest. However, if you’re looking for a park with more activities, Arches National Park is likely the better choice. If you’re looking for a park that’s a bit more off the beaten path, White Sands National Park might be a better fit. Both parks are great options for families, although White Sands National Park is better for children as it has more activities they can participate in.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park and White Sands National Park
Arches National Park and White Sands National Park are both unique in their own ways. Arches National Park is located in the high desert of Utah and has a wide range of temperatures throughout the year. The park is typically hot during the summer months, with average highs in the mid-90s Fahrenheit, and can be quite cold during the winter, with average lows in the 20s Fahrenheit. The best time to visit Arches National Park is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are more mild and the park is less crowded.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is located in the desert of New Mexico and has a more consistent climate throughout the year. The park is hot during the summer months, with average highs in the 90s Fahrenheit, and mild during the winter, with average lows in the 40s Fahrenheit. The park can be visited year-round, but be aware that the park can be closed during high winds and sandstorms.
Both parks offer unique hiking experiences. Arches National Park offers a variety of hikes, from easy strolls to strenuous backcountry treks. Some of the park’s most famous hikes include the Devils Garden Trail, which takes you past several of the park’s famous arches, and the Delicate Arch Trail, which leads to one of the park’s most iconic landmarks.
White Sands National Park offers the opportunity to hike on the unique white gypsum sand dunes. The park has several easy hiking trails that take visitors through the dunes and offer great opportunities for photography and a chance to see the unique plant and animal life found in the area. The park’s most popular trails include the Alkali Flat Trail and the Interdune Boardwalk.
Family Friendliness of Arches National Park and White Sands National Park
Both Arches National Park and White Sands National Park are family-friendly destinations, but they offer different types of experiences for families with children.
Arches National Park offers a variety of activities that are suitable for families with children. The park has several easy hikes that are perfect for children, such as the Park Avenue Trail, which is a short and easy trail that takes visitors through a narrow canyon with towering red rock walls. Families can also drive through the park on the Scenic Drive and stop at several pull-offs for short hikes and to take in the incredible views. Additionally, the park offers ranger-led programs for families, such as guided hikes and campfire talks that are both educational and entertaining for children.
White Sands National Park also offers a variety of activities that are suitable for families with children. The park has several easy hikes that are perfect for children, such as the Interdune Boardwalk, which is a half-mile boardwalk that takes visitors through the heart of the dunes. Families can also rent a sled and slide down the dunes, which is a fun activity for children. Additionally, the park offers ranger-led programs for families, such as guided hikes and campfire talks that are both educational and entertaining for children.
Both Arches National Park and White Sands National Park are family-friendly and offer a variety of activities that are suitable for children. However, families that are traveling with children may prefer White Sands National Park as it offers a variety of activities such as sledding which makes it more adventurous. While Arches National Park also offers plenty of activities, it is more of a sightseeing trip.