Bryce Canyon National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are two of the most unique and breathtaking national parks in the United States. Both parks offer visitors a chance to explore some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes in the country, but they are vastly different in terms of their geology, flora, and fauna. Bryce Canyon is known for its otherworldly hoodoos, the tall, thin spires of rock that rise up from the canyon floor, while Joshua Tree is famous for its namesake trees, the twisted and gnarled Joshua Trees that dot the park’s landscape. If you’re looking for an adventure in the great outdoors, then you’ll find that Bryce Canyon and Joshua Tree have plenty to offer, but you’ll need to decide which one is right for you.
Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park:
– The park offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Some of the easiest hikes include the Rim Trail, which offers panoramic views of the park from the rim of the canyon, and the Mossy Cave Trail, which is a short, 0.8-mile round-trip hike to a small waterfall and cave. One of the most challenging hikes in the park is the Peekaboo Loop, a 5.5-mile loop trail that takes hikers deep into the hoodoos and offers a strenuous climb with steep switchbacks.
Joshua Tree National Park:
– The park offers a diverse range of hiking trails, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry routes. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail, a 0.25-mile loop that winds through a field of cholla cactus, and the Hidden Valley Nature Trail, a 1-mile loop through a boulder-strewn valley. One of the most challenging hikes in the park is the Ryan Mountain Trail, a 3-mile round-trip hike that climbs to the summit of Ryan Mountain for panoramic views of the park.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail | 4184.284 | 189.8904 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Fairyland Loop Trail | 11909.116 | 469.6968 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Peekaboo Loop Trail | 8368.568 | 442.8744 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Navajo Loop Trail | 2253.076 | 139.9032 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wall Street and Queens Garden Loop Trail | 4988.954 | 175.8696 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Sunset Point to Sunrise Point | 1770.274 | 24.9936 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mossy Cave Turret Arch and Little Windows Trail | 1609.34 | 35.9664 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Queen Victoria via Queen’s Garden Loop | 3379.614 | 123.7488 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Tower Bridge Trail | 5471.756 | 251.7648 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Wall Street and Queens Garden Loop to Peekaboo Loop (Figure Eight Trail) | 10138.842 | 456.8952 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Joshua Tree National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Mountain Trail | 4828.02 | 325.8312 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Barker Dam Nature Trail | 2896.812 | 19.812 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hidden Valley Nature Trail | 1609.34 | 34.7472 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Lost Palms Oasis | 11587.248 | 312.7248 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Arch Rock Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 7.9248 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail | 4506.152 | 188.976 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail | 11104.446 | 277.9776 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Skull Rock Nature Trail | 2735.878 | 48.768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail | 321.868 | 1.8288 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Willow Hole Trail | 10943.512 | 74.9808 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are both known for their diverse and unique wildlife.
At Bryce Canyon, visitors can expect to see a wide variety of animals such as mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and even the occasional black bear or mountain lion. The park is also home to a variety of smaller mammals such as chipmunks, ground squirrels, and marmots. Birds are also quite common in the park, with species like the American dipper, black-capped chickadee, and mountain bluebird being commonly seen around the park.
Similarly, Joshua Tree National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife. Visitors may spot desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, roadrunners, and various species of lizards and snakes. The park is also a popular spot for birdwatching, with species like the golden eagle, ferruginous hawk, and phainopepla being commonly seen.
In terms of plants, Bryce Canyon is known for its Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and aspen forests, as well as its wildflowers that bloom in the spring. Joshua Tree National Park is home to the iconic Joshua tree, as well as other desert plants such as cholla cactus, ocotillo, and creosote bush.
In summary, both Bryce Canyon National Park and Joshua Tree National Park offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife and plants. Bryce Canyon is known for its diverse animals, birds and forest, while Joshua Tree is known for its iconic tree, desert animals and plants. Both parks offer visitors a chance to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the American West.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park and Joshua Tree National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Joshua Tree 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
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
| Muskrat | Bobcat |
| Big Brown Bat | Deer Mouse |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Hoary Bat |
| Little Brown Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Deer Mouse | House Mouse |
| Raccoon | Cougar |
| Black Bear | Mule Deer |
| Porcupine | Gray Fox |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Hoary Bat | American Badger |
| Red Fox | Californian Myotis |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Snowhsoe Hare |
| House Mouse | Fringed Myotis |
| Mountain Lion | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Mule Deer | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Common Gray Fox | Pallid Bat |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Ringtail |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Desert Cottontail |
| American Badger | Virginia Opossum |
| Ermine | Black-Tailed Jackrabbit |
| California Myotis | Brush Deermouse |
| Snowshoe Hare | Western Spotted Skunk |
Reptiles
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Gopher Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Common Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Smith’s Black-Headed Snake |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Glossy Snake |
| Nightsnake | Long-Nosed Snake |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink |
Fish
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Goldfish |
Amphibians
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Canyon Treefrog |
| Tiger Salamander |
Insects
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park:
– Hoodoos: The park is famous for its hoodoos, which are tall, thin spires of rock that have been sculpted by erosion. The hoodoos are found throughout the park and are best viewed from the rim of the canyon.
– Amphitheater: The park’s main feature is the Bryce Amphitheater, a natural amphitheater that is filled with thousands of hoodoos. It’s one of the most popular spots in the park, and visitors can hike down into the amphitheater to get a closer look at the hoodoos.
– Inspiration Point: Inspiration Point is a viewpoint that offers a panoramic view of the Bryce Amphitheater and the surrounding area. It’s a popular spot for sunsets and sunrises.
Joshua Tree National Park:
– Joshua Trees: The park is named after the Joshua tree, a unique species of yucca that is found in the park. Visitors can see these trees throughout the park, but they are most common in the higher elevations of the park.
– Rock Formations: The park is also known for its unique rock formations, such as Skull Rock, which is a granite rock formation shaped like a skull.
– Hidden Valley: Hidden Valley is a picturesque valley that is surrounded by large boulders, which offer natural climbing opportunities for visitors.
Things To-Do and Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park:
– Hiking: Visitors love to hike the various trails in the park, such as the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden, to see the unique hoodoo rock formations and stunning views.
– Photography: The colorful rock formations and natural beauty of the park make it a popular spot for photographers.
– Ranger-led Programs: The park offers a variety of ranger-led programs, including guided hikes and talks, which provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the park’s geology, history, and ecology.
Joshua Tree National Park:
– Rock Climbing: The park is a popular destination for rock climbing, with a variety of climbing routes for all skill levels. The park has a diverse range of rock formations, including granite, sandstone, and quartz monzonite
– Camping: The park offers several campgrounds, providing visitors with the opportunity to spend the night under the stars surrounded by Joshua trees and other unique landscapes.
– Hiking: Visitors can hike the many trails in the park, such as the Hidden Valley Nature Trail and the Ryan Mountain Trail, to see the park’s unique rock formations and Joshua trees, as well as the park’s wildlife and scenic vistas.
– Photography: Joshua Tree National Park is known for its unique landscapes, which make it a popular spot for photographers.
Overall, Bryce Canyon National Park is more famous for its hoodoos and geological features, while Joshua Tree National Park is more famous for its rock climbing, camping and Joshua Trees.
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah and has a high desert climate with hot summers and cold winters. The park typically receives the most visitors in the summer months (June-August) when temperatures can reach into the 90s Fahrenheit (32-38°C) during the day, with cool nights in the 50s Fahrenheit (10-15°C). Winter (December-February) is the least popular time to visit Bryce Canyon, as snow and freezing temperatures are common, and some park facilities may be closed. The park is also popular during the spring and fall, with milder temperatures and fewer crowds.
On the other hand, Joshua Tree National Park is located in the Mojave Desert of southern California, and has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park typically receives the most visitors in the fall (October-November) and spring (March-May) when temperatures are mild and comfortable. Summer (June-August) can be very hot with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38°C), making it less comfortable to explore the park. Winter (December-February) can be quite cold, with temperatures dropping to freezing at night.
In summary, the best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park is in the spring and fall, while the best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park is in the fall and spring. Both parks can be too hot or too cold to visit during the summer or winter, respectively.
Family Friendliness of Bryce Canyon National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are both family-friendly, but they offer different experiences.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique hoodoo rock formations and colorful vistas. It has several short, easy hikes that are suitable for children, such as the Rim Trail and the Bristlecone Loop Trail. There are also ranger-led Junior Ranger programs for children, and a visitor center with exhibits and a film about the park.
Joshua Tree National Park is known for its unique Joshua Trees and desert landscapes. It has several short, easy hikes that are suitable for children, such as the Hidden Valley Nature Trail and the Cholla Cactus Garden. The park also offers Junior Ranger program, and a visitor center with exhibits and a film about the park.
Both parks have family-friendly amenities such as picnic areas, campgrounds, and restrooms.
In summary, both parks are family-friendly, but Bryce Canyon National Park is better for children who are fascinated by unique rock formations and colorful vistas, while Joshua Tree National Park is better for children who are fascinated by unique Joshua Trees and desert landscapes.