Canyonlands National Park and Death Valley National Park are two of the most spectacular and diverse national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors, with their own distinct landscapes, wildlife, and activities. Canyonlands National Park, located in Utah, is known for its colorful and dramatic canyons, mesas, and buttes that have been carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Death Valley National Park, located in California and Nevada, is famous for its vast deserts, sand dunes, salt flats, and the lowest point in North America, Badwater Basin. Whether you’re a hiker, a photographer, or just someone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, these two parks are sure to leave you in awe.
Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park and Death Valley National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Death Valley National Park are both known for their rugged and diverse landscapes. Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, but the trails at each park offer unique experiences.
Canyonlands National Park is home to a number of challenging and strenuous hikes, such as the Chesler Park Loop and the Joint Trail. The Chesler Park Loop is a 11-mile loop trail that takes hikers through a variety of landscapes including slickrock, narrow canyons, and sand dunes. The Joint Trail is a 7-mile hike that takes hikers through a narrow slot canyon. Both of these hikes offer stunning views of the park’s red rock formations and canyons.
On the other hand, Death Valley National Park is known for its vast deserts and rugged terrain. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, including the Mosaic Canyon Trail and the Golden Canyon Trail. The Mosaic Canyon Trail is a 3-mile hike that takes hikers through a narrow canyon with polished marble walls. The Golden Canyon Trail is a 3.5-mile hike that leads hikers through a colorful canyon with striking rock formations. Both of these hikes offer a unique and otherworldly experience, but can be challenging in the extreme heat of the desert.
Both Canyonlands National Park and Death Valley National Park offer a wide variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, but the trails at each park offer unique and challenging experiences. While Canyonlands National Park offers a number of strenuous hikes through its canyons and red rock formations, Death Valley National Park offers a more desert-like experience with its vast deserts and rugged terrain.
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 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 Canyonlands National Park and Death Valley National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Death Valley National Park are both known for their unique and diverse wildlife, but the types of animals and plants that can be found in each park are quite different.
Canyonlands National Park is home to a wide variety of animals, including mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, and mountain lions. Birds such as golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and turkey vultures can also be seen in the park. The park also has a wide variety of reptiles, including desert horned lizards, collared lizards, and desert tortoises.
Death Valley National Park is known for its desert wildlife, which includes animals such as bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and sidewinder rattlesnakes. Birds commonly seen in the park include golden eagles, ravens, and roadrunners. The park also has a diverse array of plant life, including Joshua trees, creosote bush, and desert wildflowers.
Both of these parks offer a wide variety of wildlife viewing opportunities, but Canyonlands National Park has a higher diversity of animals, while Death Valley National Park has a higher diversity of plants. Additionally, the Canyonlands National Park is home to a greater number of bird species, while Death Valley National Park is known for its reptiles, specifically snakes. Both parks have unique and fascinating wildlife that visitors can observe, but the specific species will depend on the park and the time of year.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Canyonlands National Park and Death Valley National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Canyonlands 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
| Canyonlands 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 |
| Little Brown Bat | Raccoon |
| Deer Mouse | Porcupine |
| Raccoon | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Black Bear | Hoary Bat |
| Porcupine | House Mouse |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Mountain Lion |
| Hoary Bat | Mule Deer |
| Red Fox | Gray Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Legged Myotis |
| House Mouse | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Mountain Lion | Badger |
| American Mink | Californian Myotis |
| Mule Deer | Fringed Myotis |
| Common Gray Fox | Common Shrew |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Mexican Free-Tailed Bat |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| American Badger | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Ermine | Western Harvest Mouse |
| California Myotis | Western Small-Footed Myotis |
Fish
| Canyonlands National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brown Trout | Mosquitofish |
| Largemouth Bass | Goldfish |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Common Carp | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Kokanee Salmon | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Canyonlands National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Gopher Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Eastern Racer | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Common Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Rubber Boa |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Common Kingsnake | Smith������S Black-Headed Snake |
| Nightsnake | Tree Lizard |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Striped Whipsnake | Glossy Snake |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | Long-Nosed Snake |
| Tree Lizard | Western Fence Lizard |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Canyonlands National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Tiger Salamander | Canyon Treefrog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Insects
| Canyonlands 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 Canyonlands National Park and Death Valley National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Death Valley National Park are both known for their stunning and unique landscapes. Canyonlands is known for its deep canyons and towering mesas, formed by the erosion of the Colorado River and its tributaries. Visitors can take in views of the canyons from overlooks such as Grand View Point and Upheaval Dome, or hike the park’s many trails to explore the canyons up close.
Death Valley National Park, on the other hand, is known for its vast desert landscape, featuring sand dunes, salt flats, and rocky mountains. The park’s most famous feature is probably the Badwater Basin, which is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. Other notable landscapes in the park include the colorful rock formations of Artist’s Palette and the towering peaks of the Panamint Range. Both parks offer unique and breathtaking landscapes, making them must-see destinations for nature lovers.
Things To-Do and Activities in Canyonlands National Park and Death Valley National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Death Valley National Park are both popular national parks that offer a wide variety of activities for visitors.
Canyonlands National Park is known for its hiking and backpacking opportunities. The park features a wide variety of trails that range from easy, short hikes to strenuous backcountry treks. The park’s four districts – Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves – each offer different types of terrain and experiences, allowing visitors to choose the trail that best suits their interests and abilities. The park also offers opportunities for rock climbing, mountain biking, and four-wheel driving.
Death Valley National Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly those interested in hiking and camping. The park is home to several notable hiking trails, such as the Darwin Falls Trail and the Golden Canyon Trail. The park also offers visitors the chance to explore the park by car, as well as backcountry camping and stargazing opportunities. Many visitors also come to Death Valley National Park to see the unique geologic features that the park is known for, such as the Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America and the salt flats at Badwater Basin, the largest in the Western Hemisphere.
Both of these parks offer a wide variety of outdoor activities for visitors, but Canyonlands National Park is known for its hiking and backpacking opportunities, while Death Valley National Park is known for its hiking, camping, stargazing and scenic drives. Additionally, Canyonlands National Park offers rock climbing and mountain biking, while Death Valley National Park offers unique geologic features. Both parks offer unique and unforgettable experiences that allow visitors to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of the American West.
Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park and Death Valley National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Death Valley National Park are both located in the American Southwest and have very different weather patterns.
Canyonlands National Park is located in southeastern Utah and has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park receives very little rainfall, with the majority of it falling in the summer months. The best time to visit Canyonlands National Park is during the spring or fall when the temperatures are more moderate. The summer months can be extremely hot and not ideal for hiking or other outdoor activities.
Death Valley National Park is located in eastern California and also has a desert climate. However, the temperatures in Death Valley are much hotter than those in Canyonlands National Park. The park is known for its extreme heat, with temperatures often reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. The best time to visit Death Valley National Park is during the winter months when the temperatures are cooler. Visitors should also be aware of the potential for flash floods during the summer months, which can make certain areas of the park inaccessible.
In terms of hiking, Canyonlands National Park offers a wide range of trails for all skill levels, including easy nature walks and strenuous backpacking trips. The park is known for its spectacular views of the canyons and arches, as well as its wildlife.
Death Valley National Park also offers a variety of hiking trails, including easy nature walks and strenuous backpacking trips. The park is home to unique geological features such as sand dunes, salt flats, and badlands. However, the extreme heat during the summer months makes it difficult to hike and can be dangerous for visitors.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park is better to visit during the spring or fall while Death Valley National Park is better to visit during the winter months. Both parks offer a variety of hiking options but the weather in Death Valley is generally more extreme and can be challenging for visitors.
Family Friendliness of Canyonlands National Park and Death Valley National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Death Valley National Park are both great places to visit, but they have different offerings when it comes to being family-friendly. Canyonlands National Park is a great place for families who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and picnicking. The park offers a variety of easy and moderate hikes that are suitable for families, as well as ranger-led activities for children. The park also has several picnic areas and campgrounds that are perfect for families.
On the other hand, Death Valley National Park is a desert environment and can be extremely hot during the summer months. The park has several short hikes that are suitable for families, but it is important to make sure that children are well-protected from the sun and heat. Additionally, the park offers ranger-led programs and guided tours that are suitable for families, but the park’s remote location and extreme temperatures make it less family-friendly than Canyonlands National Park.
In conclusion, Canyonlands National Park is better for family-friendly activities, while Death Valley National Park is better for families who are interested in experiencing a desert environment and learning about the park’s unique geology.