Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park are both natural wonders that offer visitors the chance to explore the rugged beauty of the American Southwest. While Canyonlands is known for its vast and colorful canyons, Capitol Reef is famous for its unique geologic formations and historic orchards. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or just looking for an adventure, these two parks have something for everyone. In this article, we will take a closer look at the similarities and differences between Canyonlands and Capitol Reef and help you decide which park is the best fit for your next trip. From the towering mesas of Canyonlands to the winding canyons of Capitol Reef, these two parks offer some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. So pack your hiking boots and get ready to explore the wild beauty of the Southwest!
Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore. In Canyonlands National Park, some of the easiest hikes include the Mesa Arch Trail, which is a 0.5 mile round trip hike to a beautiful arch with views of the surrounding canyons, and the Grand View Point Trail, which is a 1.5 mile round trip hike with panoramic views of the park. For those looking for a bit more of a challenge, the Chesler Park Loop Trail is a 11 mile round trip hike that takes you through a beautiful meadow and offers views of the surrounding canyons.
Capitol Reef National Park also offers a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore. Some of the easiest hikes include the Capitol Gorge Trail, which is a 2.5 mile round trip hike that takes you through a narrow canyon and past historic inscriptions and petroglyphs, and the Goosenecks Overlook Trail, which is a 0.5 mile round trip hike with views of the Goosenecks of the San Juan River. For those looking for a bit more of a challenge, the Cassidy Arch Trail is a 3 mile round trip hike that takes you to a beautiful arch with views of the surrounding canyons. Both of these parks offer unique hiking experiences with beautiful landscapes and natural wonders to explore.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa Arch Trail | 965.604 | 18.8976 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Grand View Point Trail | 2896.812 | 52.7304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chesler Park Loop Trail | 18668.344 | 589.788 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| False Kiva Trail | 3057.746 | 136.8552 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Upheaval Dome via Crater View Trail | 2414.01 | 91.7448 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Aztec Butte Trail | 2092.142 | 66.7512 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Druid Arch Trail | 15288.73 | 418.7952 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Shafer Trail | 30899.328 | 949.7568 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| White Rim Overlook Trail | 2896.812 | 48.768 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Syncline Loop | 13840.324 | 496.824 | Very Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Capitol Reef National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickman Bridge Trail | 2735.878 | 129.8448 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cassidy Arch Trail | 4667.086 | 213.9696 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Grand Wash Trail via Northeast Trailhead | 7081.096 | 121.92 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chimney Rock Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 241.7064 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cohab Canyon Trail | 4828.02 | 241.7064 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Navajo Knobs Trail | 14001.258 | 650.748 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Goosenecks & Sunset Point | 4023.35 | 165.8112 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Capitol Gorge Trail | 7242.03 | 113.9952 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Sulphur Creek Route | 18507.41 | 427.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rim Overlook Trail | 6598.294 | 320.9544 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife. Some of the animals commonly seen at Canyonlands National Park include bighorn sheep, desert bighorn sheep, desert cottontail, coyote, mule deer, and pronghorn. Birds that can be found in the park include golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and turkey vultures. The park also has a variety of plant life, including sagebrush, juniper, piñon pine, and various cacti.
Capitol Reef National Park also has a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, desert bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and coyotes. Birds that can be found in the park include golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and turkey vultures. The park is home to a variety of plants, including sagebrush, juniper, piñon pine, and various cacti. Both parks also have different reptiles, amphibians and insects, but they are not as commonly seen as the mammals or birds.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Canyonlands National Park | Capitol Reef 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
| Canyonlands National Park | Capitol Reef 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 | American Mink |
| Mule Deer | Mule Deer |
| Common Gray Fox | Common Gray Fox |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| American Badger | American Badger |
| Ermine | Ermine |
| California Myotis | California Myotis |
Fish
| Canyonlands National Park | Capitol Reef National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brown Trout |
| Largemouth Bass | Bluegill |
| Green Sunfish | Mottled Sculpin |
| Bluegill | Speckled Dace |
| Fathead Minnow | Black Bullhead |
| Common Carp | Cutthroat Trout |
| Northern Pike | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Kokanee Salmon | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Canyonlands National Park | Capitol Reef National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Gophersnake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Eastern Racer | Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Common Kingsnake |
| Common Kingsnake | Nightsnake |
| Nightsnake | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Striped Whipsnake |
| Striped Whipsnake | Smith’s Black-Headed Snake |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | Tree Lizard |
| Tree Lizard | Western Whiptail |
| Western Whiptail | Western Skink |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | Desert Spiny Lizard |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Canyonlands National Park | Capitol Reef National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| American Bullfrog | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Red-Spotted Toad |
| Red-Spotted Toad | Canyon Treefrog |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park are both home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the American Southwest. Canyonlands National Park is known for its vast and colorful canyons, with the most famous being the Island in the Sky, the Needles, and the Maze. The park offers scenic drives, hiking trails, and overlooks that provide visitors with breathtaking views of the canyons and the Colorado River. On the other hand, Capitol Reef National Park is known for its colorful sandstone cliffs, known as the Waterpocket Fold, which is a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth’s crust. The park also offers scenic drives, hiking trails, and overlooks that provide visitors with breathtaking views of the Waterpocket Fold, the Capitol Reef, and the Cathedral Valley. Both parks are perfect for those who want to explore the natural beauty of the American Southwest.
Things To-Do and Activities in Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park are both known for their rugged and diverse landscapes, offering visitors a wide range of activities to enjoy.
At Canyonlands National Park, popular activities include hiking and backpacking through the park’s many trails, including the famous White Rim Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s canyons and mesas. Visitors can also take scenic drives, go rock climbing, and take part in ranger-led programs. The park is also a popular destination for backcountry camping, with several designated campsites available.
At Capitol Reef National Park, popular activities include hiking and exploring the park’s many slot canyons, such as the famous Cassidy Arch Trail and the Capitol Gorge Trail. Visitors can also take scenic drives, go rock climbing, and take part in ranger-led programs. The park is also a popular destination for backcountry camping, with several designated campsites available. The park also features a historic orchard and the Fruita Rural Historic District which are popular among visitors.
Both Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park offer a range of activities to suit different interests and abilities, but they differ in the landscape that they offer, Canyonlands is known for its canyons and mesas while Capitol Reef is known for its colorful sandstone cliffs and monoliths and also the Fruita Rural Historic District.
Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park have different weather patterns due to their locations in different regions of the country. Canyonlands National Park is located in the southern part of Utah and has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The best time to visit is in the spring or fall when the temperatures are more moderate. Capitol Reef National Park is located in south-central Utah and also has a desert climate, but with slightly cooler temperatures than Canyonlands. The best time to visit is also in the spring or fall. Both parks receive very little rainfall, with the majority of the precipitation falling during the monsoon season in the summer. Because of the hot temperatures during the summer months, it is not recommended to visit either park during this time.
Family Friendliness of Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park are both great options for families. Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and scenic drives.
Canyonlands National Park, located in Utah, is known for its stunning canyons and mesas. The park has several family-friendly hikes, including the 2-mile (3.2 km) round-trip hike to Mesa Arch, which offers great views of the canyon below. The park also has a Junior Ranger program for children, which teaches them about the park’s natural and cultural history.
Capitol Reef National Park, also located in Utah, is known for its colorful sandstone cliffs and unique geological formations. The park has several short and easy hikes, such as the Rim Overlook Trail and the Goosenecks Overlook Trail, which offer great views of the park. The park also has a Junior Ranger program and a Scenic Drive, which is perfect for families with children.
Both parks are great options for families, but it depends on what activities you are looking for. Capitol Reef National Park is more suited for families with children who like short and easy hikes with great view, while Canyonlands National Park is more suited for families who are looking for a bit more adventure and longer hikes.