Canyonlands National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are two of the most awe-inspiring national parks in the United States. These parks offer vastly different experiences, but both will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the beauty and diversity of nature.
Canyonlands National Park, located in Utah, is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts with its towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and sprawling mesas. The park offers a variety of activities such as hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing that will take your breath away. The park is a true feast for the eyes, with its vibrant colors and unique geologic formations that will make you feel like you’re on another planet.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is a true wilderness experience. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including caribou, grizzly bears, and wolves, and offers activities such as backpacking, hiking, and rafting. The park’s remote location and lack of roads or marked trails make it a true adventure destination. Imagine yourself surrounded by untouched wilderness as far as the eye can see and the only thing breaking the silence is the sound of a nearby stream.
So, whether you’re an adrenaline junkie looking for a thrill or a nature lover seeking a peaceful escape, these two national parks offer something for everyone. If you’re looking for a truly unforgettable experience, put Canyonlands National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve on your bucket list.
Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both known for their beautiful hiking trails, but the trails at each park offer vastly different experiences.
Canyonlands National Park has a wide variety of hiking trails that range from easy, paved walks to challenging backcountry routes. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Island in the Sky District’s Grand View Point Trail and the Upheaval Dome Trail. Both of these trails offer spectacular views of the park’s landscape and are suitable for visitors of all ages and fitness levels. On the other hand, some of the more challenging hikes in the park include the Chesler Park Loop and the Elephant Canyon Trail. Both of these trails are considered strenuous and require some level of backcountry experience.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a true wilderness destination and hiking trails are not as well-defined as Canyonlands National Park. The park has no marked trails, and hikers must navigate through the wilderness using maps and compass. This makes the hiking experience much more challenging and requires a high level of backcountry experience. Most of the hikes in the park are considered strenuous, and there are no easy hikes in the park. Hiking in the park is only recommended for experienced backpackers and hikers who are comfortable navigating through wilderness terrain.
Overall, Canyonlands National Park offers a wide variety of hiking trails for visitors of all skill levels, while Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is best suited for experienced hikers and backpackers who are comfortable navigating through wilderness 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 Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shark Valley Trail | 25427.572 | 6.7056 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Anhinga Trail | 2414.01 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook Trail | 321.868 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Gumbo Limbo Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Long Pine Key Trail | 24944.77 | 0 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mahogany Hammock Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Everglades Coastal Prairie Trail | 27358.78 | 4.8768 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Pinelands Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Everglades National Park East Entrance to Flamingo Scenic Route | 58258.108 | 7.9248 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Nine Mile Pond | 8851.37 | 0 | Easy | loop | 5 |
Wildlife in Canyonlands National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both located in the United States and are known for their diverse and unique wildlife.
Canyonlands National Park, located in southern Utah, is known for its diverse desert landscape and the abundance of wildlife that calls this area home. The park is home to a wide variety of mammals including desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, and coyotes. Birds such as golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and turkey vultures are commonly seen in the park. Reptiles such as lizards, snakes, and desert tortoises can also be found in the park. The park is also home to a variety of cactus and desert wildflowers.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, located in northern Alaska, is known for its rugged and remote wilderness. This park is home to a wide variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, caribou, and moose. Birds such as eagles, loons, and swans can also be found in the park. Arctic ground squirrels, beavers, and wolverines are also commonly seen. The park is also home to a variety of Arctic wildflowers, mosses, and lichens.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park is known for its desert wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mule deer, and coyotes, as well as a variety of reptiles and desert wildflowers. On the other hand, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is known for its remote wilderness and diverse wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, and moose, as well as a variety of Arctic wildflowers, mosses, and lichens.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Canyonlands National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Canyonlands National Park | Gates Of The Arctic 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 | Savannah Sparrow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Hermit Thrush |
| Great Blue Heron | American Kestrel |
| Hermit Thrush | Bald Eagle |
| American Kestrel | Northern Pintail |
| Bald Eagle | American Wigeon |
| Song Sparrow | Green-Winged Teal |
| European Starling | American Pipit |
| Northern Pintail | Swainson’s Thrush |
| American Wigeon | Hairy Woodpecker |
| Green-Winged Teal | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Mammals
| Canyonlands National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Black Bear |
| Bobcat | Porcupine |
| Striped Skunk | Red Fox |
| Little Brown Bat | Mink |
| Deer Mouse | Wolf |
| Raccoon | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Black Bear | Varying Hare |
| Porcupine | River Otter |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Common Shrew |
| Hoary Bat | Red Squirrel |
| Red Fox | Montane Shrew |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Lynx |
| House Mouse | Wolverine |
| Mountain Lion | American Marten |
| American Mink | Grizzly Bear |
| Mule Deer | Meadow Vole |
| Common Gray Fox | Moose |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Least Weasel |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Pygmy Shrew |
| American Badger | Northern Bog Lemming |
| Ermine | |
| California Myotis |
Fish
| Canyonlands National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Brown Trout | Lake Trout |
| Largemouth Bass | Northern Pike |
| Green Sunfish | Eelpout |
| Bluegill | King Salmon |
| Fathead Minnow | Slimy Sculpin |
| Common Carp | Chum Salmon |
| Northern Pike | Dolly Varden |
| Speckled Dace | Arctic Grayling |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Kokanee Salmon | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Canyonlands National Park | Gates Of The Arctic 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 | Gates Of The Arctic 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 Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both known for their beautiful landscapes, but the landscapes at each park offer vastly different experiences.
Canyonlands National Park is famous for its striking sandstone cliffs, canyons, and mesas. The park is divided into four districts: The Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers. The Island in the Sky district is known for its spectacular views and overlooks, such as Grand View Point and Mesa Arch, which offer panoramic views of the park’s landscape. The Needles district is known for its towering sandstone spires, and the Maze district is known for its remote wilderness and challenging hiking trails. The rivers are also famous for its rafting and kayaking opportunities.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is famous for its vast wilderness and untouched landscapes. The park is home to the Brooks Range, a mountain range that runs through the center of the park. The park is also known for its beautiful glacial valleys, such as the Anaktuvuk Pass, and its wild rivers, such as the Noatak and the Kobuk, which offer great opportunities for rafting and kayaking. The park’s remote location and lack of roads or marked trails make it a true adventure destination, and visitors can experience true wilderness with the chance of seeing wildlife such as caribou, grizzly bears and wolves.
Overall, Canyonlands National Park is known for its striking sandstone cliffs, canyons, and mesas, while Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is known for its vast wilderness, untouched landscapes, and wild rivers.
Things To-Do and Activities in Canyonlands National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both known for their natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. While the two parks offer a similar variety of activities, the types of activities and the experience of each park are quite different.
Canyonlands National Park, located in southern Utah, is known for its spectacular scenery and offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. The most popular activities in Canyonlands National Park include hiking, backpacking, and camping. There are many trails in the park that offer stunning views of the canyons and rock formations. The park is also known for its off-road and four-wheel drive opportunities, offering visitors the chance to explore the park’s rugged terrain. Additionally, the park offers scenic drives, river rafting, and rock climbing for those looking for more adventure.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, located in northern Alaska, is also known for its natural beauty, but the activities available in this park are quite different. The park is located in a remote wilderness area and is only accessible by small aircraft or by foot, making it a destination for backpacking and wilderness camping. The park is also popular for its fishing opportunities, with a variety of fish species found in the park’s rivers and lakes. Additionally, visitors can also enjoy wildlife viewing, including bear, caribou, and moose, and photography. Winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling also possible in the park.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park is known for its hiking, backpacking, camping, off-road and four-wheel drive opportunities, scenic drives, river rafting, and rock climbing. While on the other hand, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is known for its remote wilderness, backpacking, wilderness camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, photography, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve have vastly different seasonal weather patterns. Canyonlands, located in southern Utah, has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park receives very little precipitation, with the majority of it falling in the form of flash floods during the summer monsoon season. The best time to visit Canyonlands is in the spring and fall when temperatures are more moderate.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in northern Alaska and has a subarctic climate. The park experiences long, cold winters with high winds and heavy snowfall, as well as short, mild summers with occasional rain. The best time to visit Gates of the Arctic is during the summer months, when the weather is mildest and the park’s many rivers and lakes are accessible for fishing and hiking.
Overall, Canyonlands is best visited in spring and fall and Gates of the Arctic is best visited in the summer.
Family Friendliness of Canyonlands National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both beautiful national parks, but they offer vastly different experiences when it comes to family-friendliness.
Canyonlands National Park is considered more family-friendly than Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. The park has a wide variety of hiking trails that range from easy, paved walks to challenging backcountry routes, making it suitable for visitors of all ages and fitness levels. The park also has a visitor center with educational exhibits, ranger-led programs, and guided tours that are suitable for children. In addition, the park has several campgrounds, picnic areas, and convenient facilities that make it easy for families to spend a day or a weekend in the park.
On the other hand, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is a true wilderness destination and is not as well-suited for families with young children. The park has no marked trails, and hikers must navigate through the wilderness using maps and compass. This makes the hiking experience much more challenging and requires a high level of backcountry experience. The park also has no visitor center, ranger-led programs, or guided tours, and facilities are limited. The park’s remote location and lack of roads or marked trails make it a true adventure destination, and it’s not recommended for families with young children.
Overall, Canyonlands National Park is more family-friendly than Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. If you’re traveling with children, Canyonlands National Park is the better option, offering a wide variety of hiking trails, educational programs, and convenient facilities for families.