Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park are both incredibly unique and diverse national parks that offer a wide range of experiences for visitors. While Big Bend is known for its rugged and remote wilderness, towering mountains, and stunning desert landscapes, Death Valley is famous for its vast, otherworldly deserts, salt flats, and towering sand dunes. These two parks offer visitors the chance to explore some of the most spectacular and diverse landscapes in the United States. Whether you’re looking for a rugged hiking adventure or a scenic drive through breathtaking vistas, both Big Bend and Death Valley have something to offer. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable journey through two of America’s most beautiful national parks.
Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park
Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park are both known for their rugged wilderness and diverse landscapes. Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, each with their own unique challenges and rewards.
Big Bend National Park is home to over 150 miles of hiking trails, including the popular South Rim Trail, which offers stunning views of the Chisos Mountains and the Rio Grande. The park also has several backcountry trails, such as the Outer Mountain Loop, which is a strenuous hike that takes visitors through rugged terrain and offers panoramic views of the park.
Death Valley National Park, on the other hand, is known for its vast deserts and towering mountains. The park has over 400 miles of hiking trails, including the popular Golden Canyon Trail, which takes visitors through a colorful landscape of red and yellow rocks. The park also has several challenging hikes, such as the Telescope Peak Trail, which is a strenuous hike that takes visitors up to the highest peak in the park and offers incredible views of the valley below.
Overall, both Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park offer a wide range of hiking options for visitors, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. However, Big Bend National Park may be more suitable for family with children due to its shorter and easier trails. Death Valley may be more suitable for experienced hikers who are looking for a more challenging and strenuous hike.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lost Mine Trail | 6759.228 | 334.9752 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| South Rim Trail – Boot Springs Trail | 17702.74 | 709.8792 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| The Window Trail | 8368.568 | 288.9504 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Emory Peak Trail | 13679.39 | 731.8248 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Santa Elena Canyon Trail | 2414.01 | 185.928 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Balanced Rock Trail | 3057.746 | 70.7136 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boquillas Canyon Trail | 1931.208 | 69.7992 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Hot Springs Canyon Trail | 8851.37 | 280.7208 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Outer Mountain Loop | 38785.094 | 1739.7984 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Big Bend Hot Springs Trail | 1770.274 | 38.7096 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail | 2896.812 | 2.7432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Trail | 4506.152 | 62.7888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Zabriskie Point | 643.736 | 15.8496 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dante’s View Trail | 2574.944 | 109.728 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Telescope Peak Trail | 19312.08 | 1012.8504 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Golden Canyon Trail to Red Cathedral | 4667.086 | 174.9552 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch Loop via Zabriskie Point | 9334.172 | 332.8416 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Mosaic Canyon Trail | 5632.69 | 324.9168 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Death Valley Natural Bridge Road | 6920.162 | 304.8 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Darwin Falls Trail via Old Toll Road | 3057.746 | 68.8848 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park
Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife. At Big Bend, visitors can expect to see a variety of desert animals such as javelina, roadrunners, and desert bighorn sheep. The park also has a wide variety of birds, including the Peregrine Falcon, Golden Eagle, and the Roadrunner. The park also has a diverse range of plants and cactus that are unique to the desert.
On the other hand, Death Valley National Park is home to a wide variety of desert animals, such as bighorn sheep, coyotes, and kit foxes. Visitors may also be able to spot desert tortoises and chuckwallas, as well as a variety of reptiles and amphibians. The park is also home to a wide variety of birds, including the American Kestrel, the White-tailed Kite, and the Turkey Vulture. The park also has a wide variety of plants and cactus that are unique to the desert.
Overall, both Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of desert wildlife, from animals to birds and plants. However, Big Bend has a wider variety of bird species, whereas Death Valley has a wider variety of desert animals.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Big Bend National Park | Death Valley 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
| Big Bend National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Muskrat |
| Muskrat | Big Brown Bat |
| Big Brown Bat | Bobcat |
| Bobcat | Little Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Deer Mouse |
| Deer Mouse | Raccoon |
| Raccoon | Porcupine |
| Black Bear | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Porcupine | Hoary Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | House Mouse |
| Hoary Bat | Mountain Lion |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Mule Deer |
| House Mouse | Gray Fox |
| Mountain Lion | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Mule Deer | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Common Gray Fox | Badger |
| Gray Wolf | Californian Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Fringed Myotis |
| American Badger | Common Shrew |
| California Myotis | Mexican Free-Tailed Bat |
| Fringed Myotis | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Western Small-Footed Myotis |
Reptiles
| Big Bend National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Sonoran Gophersnake | Gopher Snake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Desert Kingsnake | Common Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Texas Nightsnake | Rubber Boa |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Mexican Milksnake | Smith������S Black-Headed Snake |
| Central Texas Whipsnake | Tree Lizard |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Big Bend Tree Lizard | Glossy Snake |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | Long-Nosed Snake |
| Glossy Snake | Western Fence Lizard |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Big Bend National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Barred Tiger Salamander | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| American Bullfrog | Canyon Treefrog |
| Southwestern Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Big Bend National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Largemouth Bass |
| Green Sunfish | Mosquitofish |
| Bluegill | Goldfish |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Common Carp | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Mosquitofish |
Insects
| Big Bend National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park
Big Bend National Park is known for its diverse landscape, which includes rugged mountains, canyons, and deserts. The Chisos Mountains, located in the heart of the park, are a popular destination for hikers and offer stunning views from the summit. The Rio Grande, which forms the southern boundary of the park, offers opportunities for rafting and canoeing. The park’s desert landscape is also home to a variety of cacti, yucca, and other desert plants.
Death Valley National Park is known for its vast deserts and unique geological features. The park’s most famous landscape is the Badwater Basin, which is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. The park also features the highest point in the park Telescope Peak which is 11,049 feet above sea level. The park is also home to the famous Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, which offer great opportunities for photography and hiking. The park also features salt flats, salt mines, and various rock formations.
Both Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park are home to unique and beautiful landscapes that offer unique experiences for visitors. Whether you’re looking to explore rugged mountains, canyons, deserts, or vast salt flats, these parks have something to offer for everyone.
Things To-Do and Activities in Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park
Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park are both known for their unique landscapes and outdoor activities. Big Bend is located in western Texas and is known for its rugged terrain and diverse plant and animal life. Death Valley is located in eastern California and is known for its extreme temperatures and unique geologic features.
One of the most popular activities at Big Bend National Park is hiking. The park offers over 150 miles of trails that range from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. Some popular hikes include the Chisos Basin Trail, which offers stunning views of the Chisos Mountains, and the South Rim Trail, which offers panoramic views of the Rio Grande. Other popular activities include camping, bird watching, and river rafting.
At Death Valley National Park, visitors can experience the vast, rugged beauty of the park’s desert landscape. Some popular activities include hiking, camping, and backpacking. The park also offers a wide range of road-based activities like scenic drives, ranger-led tours, and stargazing. Some popular hikes in Death Valley include the Mosaic Canyon, Golden Canyon and Dante’s View.
In terms of family-friendliness, both Big Bend and Death Valley can be enjoyed by families, but Big Bend is considered a bit more family-friendly. The park offers a variety of ranger-led programs and activities that are geared towards children, and the park’s relatively mild climate makes it a great destination for families during the fall, winter, and spring. Death Valley, on the other hand, can be quite hot during the summer months, making it less appealing for families with young children.
Best Time to Visit Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park
Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park are both known for their unique and diverse landscapes, but the weather at these two parks can be quite different.
Big Bend National Park is located in West Texas and has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park is best visited in the fall or spring, as the summers can be extremely hot and the park can be closed due to high temperatures. During the fall, the temperatures are mild and the park’s famous wildflowers are in full bloom. Spring is also a great time to visit, as the weather is mild and the park’s wildlife is active.
Death Valley National Park is located in California and also has a desert climate, but it is known for its extreme temperatures. The park is best visited in the fall or spring, as the summer temperatures can reach over 120 degrees Fahrenheit and the park can be closed due to high temperatures. During the fall, the temperatures are mild and the park’s famous wildflowers are in full bloom. Spring is also a great time to visit, as the weather is mild and the park’s wildlife is active.
As far as hiking trails go, both parks offer a wide variety of options for hikers of all skill levels. Big Bend National Park features challenging backcountry trails, such as the Emory Peak and the South Rim trails. Death Valley National Park also features challenging backcountry trails, such as the Telescope Peak and the Racetrack Playa trails. Both parks also offer easy, paved trails for those looking for a more leisurely hike.
Family Friendliness of Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park
Big Bend National Park and Death Valley National Park are both unique and beautiful national parks that offer different experiences. Both parks are known for their stunning landscapes, but the types of landscapes and the activities available at each park differ greatly.
Big Bend National Park is known for its rugged desert terrain and diverse wildlife, with a variety of hiking trails that offer different levels of difficulty. The park is also home to the Rio Grande river, which offers scenic views and opportunities for rafting and canoeing. The park is family-friendly, with many ranger-led programs and educational activities that are suitable for children.
On the other hand, Death Valley National Park is known for its vast deserts, salt flats, sand dunes, and unique rock formations. The park is also home to many interesting plants and animals that have adapted to the harsh desert environment. The park offers many scenic drives, hiking trails and campgrounds. However, it is not considered as family-friendly as it has a harsh environment and many activities are not suitable for children.
In conclusion, Big Bend National Park is considered to be more family-friendly than Death Valley National Park due to the variety of ranger-led programs and educational activities that are suitable for children, and the relatively milder climate. However, both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes that are worth visiting.