Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park may not be located in the same state or have the same climate, but they both offer unique and breathtaking landscapes that are sure to leave visitors in awe. Bryce Canyon is known for its colorful rock formations, while Petrified Forest is home to one of the largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood in the world. Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities, from hiking to sightseeing, that will appeal to nature enthusiasts and families alike. So whether you’re looking to explore the natural beauty of the Southwest or the badlands of the Midwest, both Bryce Canyon and Petrified Forest National Parks are must-see destinations that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both known for their hiking trails, but the types of trails and the level of difficulty vary between the two parks.
Bryce Canyon National Park has a variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous. Some of the easiest hikes include the Rim Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s famous hoodoos and is wheelchair accessible, and the Bristlecone Loop Trail, which is a short, easy hike that takes visitors through a forest of ancient bristlecone pines. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Queens Garden and Navajo Loop trails offer a more strenuous hike with steep descents and climbs.
Petrified Forest National Park also has a variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous. Some of the easiest hikes include the Giant Logs Trail, which is a short, easy hike that takes visitors through a forest of petrified logs and the Crystal Forest Loop Trail, which is a short, easy hike that takes visitors through an area with high concentrations of colorful petrified wood. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Blue Mesa Trail offers a more strenuous hike with steep descents and climbs.
In summary, both Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer a variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous. Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique rock formations and hoodoos, while Petrified Forest National Park is known for its ancient petrified wood. Visitors to either park can expect to find a range of hiking trails that will suit their needs, from easy, scenic walks to more challenging hikes.
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 Petrified Forest National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Mesa Trail | 1448.406 | 32.9184 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Crystal Forest Trail | 1448.406 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Painted Desert Rim Trail | 1770.274 | 11.8872 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Petrified Forest Scenic Drive | 46027.124 | 297.7896 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Giant Logs Trail | 965.604 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Onyx Bridge Trail | 7402.964 | 134.7216 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail | 3379.614 | 24.9936 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Puerco Pueblo Trail | 482.802 | 2.7432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Devil’s Playground Loop | 12070.05 | 144.78 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Old Jasper Forest Road | 4184.284 | 53.9496 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer different wildlife viewing opportunities.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, visitors can see a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, such as the American robin, mountain bluebird, and the black-capped chickadee. Visitors may also see a variety of reptiles, such as the prairie rattlesnake, and mammals like the black bear and coyote.
Petrified Forest National Park is home to a variety of desert animals including pronghorn, desert bighorn sheep, black-tailed prairie dog, and desert cottontail. Visitors may also see a variety of bird species, such as the greater roadrunner, loggerhead shrike, and the ferruginous hawk. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles, such as the desert horned lizard, and mammals like the pronghorn and black-tailed jackrabbit.
Both parks are also home to a variety of plant species, such as the Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and quaking aspen at Bryce Canyon National Park and Joshua tree, creosote bush and yucca at Petrified Forest National Park.
Overall, Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park both offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities, with different animals, birds, and plants commonly found in each park. Bryce Canyon National Park offers a chance to see a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn, as well as a variety of bird species, while Petrified Forest National Park offers the chance to see desert animals including pronghorn, desert bighorn sheep, black-tailed prairie dog, and desert cottontail, and a variety of bird species. Both parks offer a chance to see a variety of plant species.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Petrified Forest 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 | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
| Muskrat | Bobcat |
| Big Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Bobcat | Little Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Deer Mouse |
| Little Brown Bat | Raccoon |
| Deer Mouse | Black Bear |
| Raccoon | Porcupine |
| Black Bear | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Porcupine | Hoary Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Red Fox |
| Hoary Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | Mountain Lion |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Mule Deer |
| House Mouse | Gray Fox |
| Mountain Lion | Wolf |
| Mule Deer | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Common Gray Fox | Badger |
| Long-Legged Myotis | California Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Fringed Myotis |
| American Badger | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Ermine | Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| California Myotis | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Snowshoe Hare | Western Harvest Mouse |
Reptiles
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Gopher Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Western Rattlesnake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Nightsnake | Common Kingsnake |
| Striped Whipsnake | Nightsnake |
| Tree Lizard | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Western Whiptail | Milksnake |
| Western Skink | Striped Whipsnake |
| Southwestern Black-Headed Snake | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Fish
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout |
Amphibians
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique and colorful rock formations, specifically the hoodoos. Hoodoos are tall, thin spires of rock that have been shaped over time by erosion and weathering. The most famous of these is the Thor’s Hammer, which is a hoodoo that stands at over 150 feet tall. The park also features several scenic drives and overlooks, such as the Bryce Point and Sunrise Point, that offer panoramic views of the hoodoos.
Petrified Forest National Park is famous for its petrified wood, which can be found throughout the park. The park has one of the largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood in the world. The park also features the Painted Desert, which is a colorful landscape of layered rock formations that were formed by ancient volcanic eruptions and erosion. Visitors can also see the Blue Mesa, which is a hillside covered in blue-gray petrified wood, and the Agate House, which is an ancient pueblo made of petrified wood.
Things To-Do and Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park both offer a variety of popular activities, but the type of activities vary between the two parks.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, the most popular activities include hiking and exploring the park’s unique rock formations, such as the hoodoos. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous, that offer visitors the opportunity to experience the park’s unique geology and scenic views. The park also offers ranger-led guided hikes, which can provide visitors with additional information about the park’s geology, history, and wildlife. Additionally, the park offers stargazing programs, which can provide visitors with an opportunity to learn about the night sky and see the stars in a dark sky park.
Petrified Forest National Park, the most popular activities include exploring the park’s colorful badlands, hiking and backpacking through the park’s wilderness areas and visiting the historic Puerco Pueblo. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous, that offer visitors the opportunity to experience the park’s unique geology, natural beauty and scenic views. The park also offers ranger-led guided hikes, which can provide visitors with additional information about the park’s geology, history, and wildlife.
Overall, both Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer a variety of activities that are popular with visitors, but the types of activities vary between the two parks. Bryce Canyon National Park is known for hiking, exploring the park’s unique rock formations, stargazing, while Petrified Forest National Park is known for exploring the park’s colorful badlands, hiking, backpacking and visiting the historic Puerco Pueblo. Both parks also offer ranger-led guided hikes which provide visitors with additional information about the park’s geology, history and wildlife.
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both located in the western United States and have distinct weather patterns that vary depending on the season.
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah and has a high desert climate. The park experiences warm summers with temperatures that can reach up to 90°F (32°C) during the day and cool winters with temperatures that can drop to below freezing at night. Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit the park as the weather is milder and the park’s famous hoodoos are often shrouded in mist. The park can be quite crowded during the summer months.
Petrified Forest National Park is located in northeastern Arizona and has a semi-arid climate. The park experiences hot summers with temperatures that can reach up to 100°F (38°C) during the day and cool winters with temperatures that can drop to below freezing at night. Spring and fall are also the best seasons to visit the park as the weather is milder and the park’s colorful petrified wood is more vibrant. The park can be quite crowded during the summer months.
In summary, both Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park have distinct weather patterns that affect when is the best time of year to visit each park. Both parks are located in the western United States and have a high desert or semi-arid climate, which means that summers can be hot and winters can be cold. Spring and fall are considered the best seasons to visit both parks as the weather is milder and the park’s features are more vibrant. While the parks may be crowded during the summer months, visitors should expect to have a great experience if they visit either park during the spring and fall seasons.
Family Friendliness of Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Both Bryce Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are family-friendly and offer a variety of activities that will appeal to visitors of all ages.
Bryce Canyon National Park has several easy hiking trails that are suitable for families, such as the Mossy Cave Trail and the Rim Trail. The park also offers ranger-led programs and guided tours, as well as the Junior Ranger Program which is a fun way for children to learn about the park’s history and wildlife. Additionally, Bryce Canyon has several picnic areas, campgrounds, and a visitor center with interactive exhibits.
Petrified Forest National Park also offers a variety of easy hiking trails, such as the Giant Logs Trail and the Crystal Forest Trail. The park also has a Junior Ranger Program and ranger-led programs. The park also has a visitor center with interactive exhibits, and a bookstore.
Both parks offer a great opportunity for families to explore, learn and have fun together. Petrified Forest National Park has a larger area for visitors to explore, but both parks provide unique experiences for visitors. It depends on what the family would like to explore, if they want to see hoodoos or petrified wood.