Jake Cain is an entrepreneur and writer from Cincinnati, Ohio. He spends his free time driving around the country in his late 90’s conversion van, affectionately known as the “Monster Van” with his wife and 3 boys.
Canyonlands National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve are two vastly different parks that offer unique experiences for visitors. Canyonlands National Park, located in Utah, is a land of red rock canyons, mesas and buttes, and endless vistas, while Katmai National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is a wilderness of rugged mountains, glaciers, and the largest protected brown bear population in the world. Imagine exploring the vast, otherworldly landscape of Canyonlands, with its deep canyons and towering mesas, then contrast that with the rugged beauty of Katmai, where you can watch grizzly bears fish for salmon in the Brooks River. Both parks are true natural wonders that are sure to leave visitors in awe. Whether you’re an adventure seeker looking for a new challenge or simply looking for a peaceful escape, both Canyonlands National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve are sure to offer an unforgettable experience. So come along and join us as we explore the wonders of these two amazing parks.
Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve offer very different hiking experiences. Canyonlands is known for its rugged terrain, deep canyons, and dramatic desert landscapes. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. Some popular hikes in the park include the Mesa Arch Trail, the Upheaval Dome Trail, and the Chesler Park Loop. These trails offer breathtaking views of the park’s unique geologic formations and offer a taste of the park’s rugged beauty.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its vast wilderness and abundant wildlife. The park’s hiking trails are less developed and more rugged, offering a true backcountry experience. The park’s most popular hike is the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a volcanic ash-filled valley formed by the eruption of Novarupta in 1912. The valley is home to an array of wildlife, including bears, wolves, and caribou. Other popular hikes in the park include the Brooks River Trail, which offers great views of the Brooks River and the Brooks Falls, and the Kulik River Trail, which offers a chance to see the park’s bears and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Overall, Katmai National Park & Preserve is a great destination for those who love wilderness, while Canyonlands National Park is better for those who enjoy rugged desert landscapes.
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 Katmai National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Falls | 4667.086 | 63.7032 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dumpling Mountain | 4828.02 | 225.8568 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Canyonlands National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve are home to a diverse array of wildlife. In Canyonlands National Park, visitors may see a variety of animals such as bighorn sheep, mule deer, desert tortoise, and a variety of lizards and snakes. Birds such as golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and peregrine falcons are also commonly seen in the park. The park is also home to a variety of plants such as Joshua trees, yucca, and cacti.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is home to a wide variety of mammals such as brown bears, wolves, moose, and caribou. Visitors can also see a variety of birds such as trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, and bald eagles. The park is also home to a variety of fish, including salmon and trout. The park also features a variety of plants such as spruce, birch, and willow.
It’s worth noting that while Canyonlands National Park is a dry desert, and Katmai National Park & Preserve is a wet and humid rainforest, both parks are home to unique wildlife that you can only find in those specific environments.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Canyonlands National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Canyonlands National Park | Katmai 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 | Northern Flicker |
| Northern Flicker | Merlin |
| Merlin | Barn Swallow |
| Barn Swallow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Hermit Thrush |
| Great Blue Heron | American Kestrel |
| Hermit Thrush | Bald Eagle |
| American Kestrel | Song Sparrow |
| Bald Eagle | European Starling |
| Song Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
| European Starling | American Wigeon |
| Northern Pintail | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Wigeon | American Pipit |
| Green-Winged Teal | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Canyonlands National Park | Katmai 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 | Gray Wolf |
| Black Bear | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Porcupine | Varying Hare |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Northern River Otter |
| Hoary Bat | Masked Shrew |
| Red Fox | Red Squirrel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Montane Shrew |
| House Mouse | Lynx |
| Mountain Lion | Wolverine |
| American Mink | American Marten |
| Mule Deer | Grizzly Bear |
| Common Gray Fox | Meadow Vole |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Moose |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Least Weasel |
| American Badger | Pygmy Shrew |
| Ermine | Meadow Jumping Mouse |
| California Myotis | Northern Bog Lemming |
Fish
| Canyonlands National Park | Katmai National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Redband Trout |
| Brown Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Largemouth Bass | Lake Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Northern Pike |
| Bluegill | Burbot |
| Fathead Minnow | Silver Salmon |
| Common Carp | King Salmon |
| Northern Pike | Slimy Sculpin |
| Speckled Dace | Threespine Stickleback |
| Yellow Bullhead | Sockeye Salmon |
| Channel Catfish | Pink Salmon |
| Kokanee Salmon | Chum Salmon |
| Black Crappie | Dolly Varden |
| Black Bullhead | Arctic Grayling |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Canyonlands National Park | Katmai 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 | Katmai 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 Katmai National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park is known for its stunning canyons, mesas, and buttes that have been carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers. The park is divided into four districts, each offering unique landscapes and outdoor activities. The Island in the Sky district offers breathtaking views of the surrounding canyons, while the Maze district is a remote and rugged area with challenging hiking trails. The Needles district is known for its colorful rock formations and ancient Puebloan ruins, while the river districts of the park offer opportunities for rafting and kayaking.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its rugged and remote wilderness, with an emphasis on wilderness and wildlife viewing. The park is home to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a volcanic ash-filled valley created by the eruption of Novarupta in 1912. Visitors can also see bears catching salmon in Brooks Falls, watch for whales and seals along the coast and explore the park’s many hiking trails that offer views of glaciers and mountains. The park also offers opportunities for fishing, camping and backpacking.
Things To-Do and Activities in Canyonlands National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve offer a diverse range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Canyonlands National Park, located in Utah, is known for its rugged wilderness and offers activities such as hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, and off-road vehicle tours. The park is divided into four districts, each with its own unique landscape and offerings. The most popular activities in the park include exploring the iconic canyons, mesas, and buttes, and taking in the spectacular views from the various overlooks.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is renowned for its wildlife and offers activities such as bear viewing, fishing, and backpacking. The park is home to the largest protected brown bear population in the world, and visitors can watch bears fish for salmon in Brooks River or take a guided tour to view bears in the wild. The park also offers opportunities for hiking, backpacking, and fishing for various species of fish in the Brooks River and Brooks Lake.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts looking for rugged wilderness and spectacular views, while Katmai National Park & Preserve is perfect for those looking to observe wildlife, particularly bears, and engage in fishing and backpacking activities.
Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve are located in different regions of the United States and as such, have very different seasonal weather patterns.
Canyonlands National Park is located in southern Utah, and has a desert climate. Summer temperatures can be very hot, with highs in the 90s and 100s (Fahrenheit). Winters are mild, with temperatures ranging from the 40s to the 60s. The park receives very little precipitation, with most of it falling during the summer monsoon season from mid-July to mid-September. The best time of year to visit Canyonlands National Park is during the spring or fall, when temperatures are cooler and more comfortable for outdoor activities.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is located in southern Alaska, and has a subarctic climate. Summer temperatures range from the 40s to the 60s (Fahrenheit), while winter temperatures can drop to well below freezing. The park receives significant precipitation throughout the year, with the most falling during the fall and winter months. The best time of year to visit Katmai National Park & Preserve is during the summer, when the weather is milder and more conducive to outdoor activities.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park has hot summers and mild winters, with most of the precipitation falling in the summer monsoon season, while Katmai National Park & Preserve has mild summers and cold winters, with significant precipitation throughout the year. The best time to visit Canyonlands National Park is during the spring or fall, while the best time to visit Katmai National Park & Preserve is during the summer.
Family Friendliness of Canyonlands National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve are both family-friendly parks, but they offer different types of experiences. Canyonlands is known for its rugged canyons, mesas, and buttes, offering a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing. The park also has several scenic drives, overlooks, and visitor centers that are great for families with children. However, the park is quite remote and may not be ideal for families with young children or those seeking more developed amenities.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its rugged wilderness, but also for its bears. The park is home to one of the largest populations of brown bears in the world, which can be viewed from a safe distance by visitors. The park also offers a variety of activities such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park also has a developed campground, visitor center and some ranger-led activities that are suitable for families. So, if your family is interested in seeing bears and other wildlife up close, Katmai National Park & Preserve may be the better option.