Canyonlands National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are two of the most unique and breathtaking national parks in the United States. Both offer visitors the opportunity to explore rugged wilderness, witness awe-inspiring landscapes, and encounter a variety of wildlife. But while Canyonlands is known for its vast and colorful canyons, Denali is renowned for its towering peaks and abundant wildlife. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a first-time visitor, both parks offer endless opportunities for adventure and wonder. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the similarities and differences between these two incredible national parks, and help you decide which one is right for your next trip. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and let’s hit the trail!
Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are both known for their rugged wilderness and spectacular hiking trails. However, the types of trails and the level of difficulty can vary greatly between the two parks.
Canyonlands National Park has a wide variety of hiking trails that range from easy, short hikes to strenuous backcountry treks. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Mesa Arch Trail, which is a 1-mile round trip trail that leads to a spectacular viewpoint, and the Upheaval Dome Trail, which is a 2-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to an interesting geologic feature. The park also has some of the most strenuous and challenging hikes, such as the Chesler Park Loop Trail, which is a 11-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through rugged canyons, and the Confluence Overlook Trail, which is a strenuous 6-mile round trip hike that offers spectacular views of the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers.
Denali National Park & Preserve also has a wide variety of hiking trails that range from easy, short hikes to strenuous backcountry treks. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Horseshoe Lake Trail, which is a 1-mile round trip trail that takes visitors to a beautiful lake, and the Savage River Trail, which is a 4-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through a beautiful valley. The park also has some of the most strenuous and challenging hikes, such as the Mount Healy Trail, which is a 8-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to the summit of a mountain, and the Stony Hill Trail, which is a strenuous 8-mile round trip hike that offers spectacular views of the park.
Both of these parks offer a wide variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous, but Canyonlands National Park is known for its rugged canyons and spectacular geologic features, while Denali National Park & Preserve is known for its beautiful valleys and its spectacular mountain views. Additionally, Canyonlands National Park has more strenuous and challenging hikes than Denali National Park & Preserve, where the trails are more moderate. Both parks offer unique and unforgettable hiking experiences that allow visitors to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of the American West.
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 Denali National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Healy Overlook Trail | 6920.162 | 507.7968 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Horseshoe Lake Trail | 3379.614 | 119.7864 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Triple Lakes Trail | 29772.79 | 1124.712 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bison Gulch | 11265.38 | 1178.9664 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rock Creek Trail | 7081.096 | 287.7312 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Taiga Trail | 2574.944 | 62.7888 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| McKinley Station Trail | 4667.086 | 113.9952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mount Thorofare Ridge Loop | 6598.294 | 507.7968 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| McKinley Bar Trail | 7402.964 | 295.9608 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Tiaga Loop and Horseshoe Lake Trail to Beaver Dam | 4828.02 | 158.8008 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Canyonlands National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are both located in the western United States and are known for their diverse wildlife populations.
Canyonlands National Park is located in southern Utah and is known for its deserts, canyons, and rugged terrain. Common wildlife species found in the park include:
– Desert bighorn sheep
– Coyotes
– Elk
– Mountain lions
– Mule deer
– Rattlesnakes
– Hawks and eagles
Denali National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its vast wilderness and diverse habitats. Common wildlife species found in the park include:
– Moose
– Grizzly bears
– Caribou
– Wolves
– Dall sheep
– Golden eagles
– Gyrfalcons
Both parks also have a variety of bird species, including waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors.
Canyonlands National Park is home to a variety of desert plants, such as cacti, sagebrush, and yucca, while Denali National Park & Preserve has tundra, spruce and birch forest, and alpine vegetation.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park is known for its desert wildlife and rugged terrain while Denali National Park & Preserve is known for its wilderness and diverse habitats with animals such as bears, moose, caribou, and wolves.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Canyonlands National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Canyonlands National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Canyonlands National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | Mink |
| Raccoon | Wolf |
| Black Bear | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Porcupine | Snowshoe Hare |
| Silver-Haired Bat | River Otter |
| Hoary Bat | Common Shrew |
| Red Fox | Water Shrew |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Squirrel |
| House Mouse | Montane Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Lynx |
| American Mink | Wolverine |
| Mule Deer | American Marten |
| Common Gray Fox | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Grizzly Bear |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Meadow Vole |
| American Badger | Moose |
| Ermine | Least Weasel |
| California Myotis | Pygmy Shrew |
Fish
| Canyonlands National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brown Trout | Lake Trout |
| Largemouth Bass | Northern Pike |
| Green Sunfish | Burbot |
| Bluegill | Coho Salmon |
| Fathead Minnow | Chinook Salmon |
| Common Carp | Slimy Sculpin |
| Northern Pike | Chum Salmon |
| Speckled Dace | Dolly Varden |
| Yellow Bullhead | Arctic Grayling |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Kokanee Salmon | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Canyonlands National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
| Eastern Racer | |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Canyonlands National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Canyonlands National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve both offer visitors a wide variety of natural landscapes and features to explore.
Canyonlands National Park is known for its dramatic canyons, mesas, and buttes. The park is divided into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers. The most famous landscapes in the park include:
– Mesa Arch, located in the Island in the Sky district, offers visitors a stunning view of the surrounding canyons.
– Upheaval Dome, also located in the Island in the Sky district, is a unique geological feature believed to be the result of a meteor impact.
– The Needles district is known for its colorful spires and rock formations. Visitors can hike through the area to see the famous landmarks such as Chesler Park and Druid Arch.
Denali National Park & Preserve is known for its vast wilderness and the 20,310 ft Denali, the highest peak in North America. The park is home to a variety of landscapes including:
– The Kantishna Hills, located in the heart of the park, offer visitors a chance to see grizzly bears, moose, and caribou in their natural habitats.
– The Toklat River Valley, located on the park’s south side, offers visitors a chance to see Dall sheep and wolves in their natural habitats.
– The Teklanika River Valley, located on the park’s east side, offers visitors a chance to see grizzly bears, moose, and caribou in their natural habitats.
– The Savage River, located on the park’s north side, offers visitors a chance to see grizzly bears, moose, and caribou in their natural habitats.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park is known for its canyons, mesas, and buttes and famous landscapes such as Mesa Arch and Upheaval Dome, while Denali National Park & Preserve is known for its vast wilderness and the Denali, the highest peak in North America, as well as the Kantishna Hills, the Toklat River Valley, the Teklanika River Valley and the Savage River, where visitors have a chance to see grizzly bears, moose, caribou and other wildlife in their natural habitats.
Things To-Do and Activities in Canyonlands National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park:
– Hiking: The park offers a variety of trails, from easy scenic walks to strenuous backcountry routes.
– Camping: The park has several designated campsites for visitors to set up camp and spend the night.
– Rafting/Kayaking: The Colorado and Green Rivers run through the park, providing opportunities for visitors to paddle through the canyons.
– Sightseeing: Visitors can drive or take a guided tour to see the park’s many scenic vistas and rock formations.
Denali National Park & Preserve:
– Wildlife viewing: Visitors can see grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and many other species of animals in their natural habitats.
– Mountaineering: The park is home to North America’s highest peak, Denali (Mount McKinley), which provides a challenging climb for experienced mountaineers.
– Bus tours: Visitors can take a bus tour to see the park’s stunning landscapes and wildlife.
– Backpacking: The park offers backpacking trips that take visitors deep into the wilderness to experience the park’s natural beauty.
Both parks offer great outdoor activities such as hiking and camping, but Canyonlands is more popular for water activities like rafting/kayaking and Denali for wildlife viewing, mountaineering and bus tours.
Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve are located in vastly different regions of the United States, and as such, have vastly different weather patterns.
Canyonlands National Park, located in southern Utah, has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the spring and fall when temperatures are more moderate. Summer temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making hiking and outdoor activities extremely challenging. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at night, but during the day they are usually mild.
Denali National Park & Preserve, located in interior Alaska, has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. The park is only open to visitors during the summer months, typically from mid-May to mid-September. During this time, the weather can be unpredictable with temperatures ranging from below freezing to above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The best time to visit Denali is typically in June or September when the weather is more stable and there are fewer crowds.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park is best visited during the Spring and Fall, with hot summers, while Denali National Park & Preserve is best visited during the Summer, typically June or September, and it has long, cold winters and short, cool summers, and it’s only open during the summer months.
Family Friendliness of Canyonlands National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Both Canyonlands National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve offer a variety of activities and amenities that can make them great options for families looking to spend some time in nature.
Canyonlands National Park is considered to be more family-friendly than Denali National Park & Preserve. The park has several easy and short trails that are suitable for families with young children. Visitors can take a scenic drive on the Island in the Sky district and stop at various overlooks to enjoy the views. The park also offers ranger-led activities and campfire programs that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
Denali National Park & Preserve, while beautiful, is known for its vast wilderness and rugged terrain, which can make it more challenging for families with young children. The park’s main road, the Denali Park Road, is only open to private vehicles for the first 15 miles, which can be a limiting factor for visitors with small children, or visitors that want to explore the park by car. The park also offers ranger-led activities and campfire programs that can be enjoyed by the entire family, but many of the activities, trails and viewpoints are more challenging and may not be suitable for young children.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park is considered to be more family-friendly than Denali National Park & Preserve, due to its more developed infrastructure and more suitable trails and activities for families with young children. Denali National Park & Preserve, while beautiful, is known for its vast wilderness and rugged terrain, which can make it more challenging for families with young children.