Canyonlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are two of the most spectacular natural wonders in the United States. Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes, unique wildlife, and endless outdoor activities. But what sets these two parks apart and makes them a must-see destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts?
Canyonlands National Park, located in southern Utah, is a desert wonderland of red rock formations and deep canyons carved by the Colorado River. Imagine standing on the edge of a 1,500-foot drop, overlooking a maze of canyons and mesas that stretch as far as the eye can see. Hike or bike the challenging trails, take a scenic drive, or go on a guided rafting trip to explore the park’s hidden gems.
On the other hand, Kenai Fjords National Park, located in southern Alaska, is a rugged and remote wilderness of glaciers, fjords, and wildlife. Imagine cruising through the icy waters of the park, watching whales, sea otters, and puffins swim alongside your boat. Explore the tidewater glaciers and hike the rugged trails to see the park’s majestic ice formations up close.
Both parks offer an unforgettable natural experience, but with different environments, activities, and highlights. So, whether you’re an adrenaline junkie looking for an adventure, or a nature lover seeking solitude and tranquility, Canyonlands and Kenai Fjords National Park have something for everyone.
Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park offer visitors vastly different hiking experiences. Canyonlands is known for its backcountry trails and remote wilderness, where visitors can explore vast canyons, mesas, and towering rock formations. Some of the most popular hikes at Canyonlands include the Mesa Arch Trail, which is a moderate 1-mile hike that leads to a stunning natural arch, and the Chesler Park Loop, which is a strenuous 11-mile hike that takes visitors through a vast wilderness area. On the other hand, Kenai Fjords National Park offers visitors the opportunity to explore the rugged and pristine coast of Alaska, where they can see glaciers, fjords, and a diverse array of wildlife. Some of the most popular hikes at Kenai Fjords include the Exit Glacier Nature Trail, which is an easy 1.8-mile hike that leads to the base of a massive glacier, and the Harding Icefield Trail, which is a strenuous 8.2-mile hike that takes visitors to the top of a massive ice field. Overall, Canyonlands National Park is a great destination for backpackers and hikers looking for a remote wilderness experience, while Kenai Fjords National Park is ideal for visitors looking to explore the rugged coast of Alaska.
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 Kenai Fjords National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Canyonlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both known for their diverse wildlife. At Canyonlands, visitors can see a variety of animals such as desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, and coyotes. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including golden eagles and red-tailed hawks. The park also has a diverse range of plants, including cacti, yucca, and Joshua trees.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is known for its marine wildlife. Visitors can see a variety of marine mammals such as sea otters, harbor seals, and humpback whales. The park is also home to many bird species, including puffins, guillemots, and cormorants. Visitors can also see a variety of fish species, such as salmon and halibut. The park is also home to a variety of plants including, mosses, lichens, and wildflowers. In summary, Canyonlands is known for its desert wildlife, while Kenai Fjords is known for its marine wildlife.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Canyonlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Canyonlands National Park | Kenai Fjords 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 | 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 | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Canyonlands National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Black Bear | Gray Wolf |
| Porcupine | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Silver-Haired Bat | California Myotis |
| Hoary Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Red Fox | Northern River Otter |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Masked Shrew |
| House Mouse | Red Squirrel |
| Mountain Lion | Montane Shrew |
| American Mink | Lynx |
| Mule Deer | Wolverine |
| Common Gray Fox | American Marten |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Brown Bear |
| American Badger | Meadow Mouse |
| Ermine | Moose |
| California Myotis | Pygmy Shrew |
Fish
| Canyonlands National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Redband Trout |
| Brown Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Largemouth Bass | Burbot |
| Green Sunfish | Silver Salmon |
| Bluegill | Chinook Salmon |
| Fathead Minnow | Slimy Sculpin |
| Common Carp | Threespine Stickleback |
| Northern Pike | Red Salmon |
| Speckled Dace | Pink Salmon |
| Yellow Bullhead | Chum Salmon |
| Channel Catfish | Dolly Varden |
| Kokanee Salmon | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Canyonlands National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Canyonlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park both offer a diverse array of spectacular landscapes and natural features.
Canyonlands National Park is famous for its vast landscape of red rock canyons, mesas, and buttes. The park is divided into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. The Island in the Sky district offers breathtaking overlooks of the surrounding canyons and mesas, such as Grand View Point and Green River Overlook. The Needles district is known for its spire-like sandstone formations, such as the famous Chesler Park. The Maze district is a remote and rugged area, with challenging hiking trails, and the rivers themselves, such as the Green and Colorado, offer opportunities for rafting and kayaking.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its icy landscapes, including glaciers, fjords, and ice formations. The park is home to several tidewater glaciers, such as the Exit Glacier, which visitors can hike up to and explore. The park is also home to the Harding Icefield, a massive ice field that covers over 300 square miles. Visitors can take a boat tour to see the fjords and glaciers up close, and also see marine wildlife such as sea otters, seals, and whales. Another must see feature of the park is the Holgate Glacier, which is a tidewater glacier, at the end of the park road, visitors can see it from a viewing platform.
Both parks offer unique and diverse natural landscapes and features, and visitors can choose to explore based on their interests and preferences.
Things To-Do and Activities in Canyonlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are two very different national parks that offer unique outdoor experiences.
Canyonlands National Park is known for its breathtaking red rock canyons, mesas, and buttes. Visitors can explore the park through hiking, backpacking, camping, and scenic drives. Some of the most popular activities include hiking to Mesa Arch, climbing to the top of Grand View Point, and exploring the park’s four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is known for its rugged coastal landscapes, glaciers, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can experience the park through boat tours, kayaking, and hiking. Some of the most popular activities include taking a boat tour to see the park’s glaciers, kayaking among the fjords, and hiking to see the park’s wildlife such as sea otters, sea lions, and whales.
In terms of wildlife, Canyonlands National Park is home to a wide variety of animals, including desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, and pronghorn. Birds such as golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and Peregrine falcons are also commonly seen in the park. The park also features a wide variety of plants, including cacti, sagebrush, and Joshua trees.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is home to a wide variety of marine wildlife, including sea otters, sea lions, and whales. Brown bears and black bears can also be seen in the park, as well as a variety of birds such as puffins, guillemots, and bald eagles. The park also features a wide variety of plants, including mosses, lichens, and wildflowers.
Overall, Canyonlands National Park is a great choice for visitors looking for a desert hiking and camping experience, while Kenai Fjords National Park is better suited for visitors looking for a coastal wilderness experience with glaciers, kayaking and boat tours. Both parks are great for visitors of all ages but may be more suitable for families with older children.
Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both known for their natural beauty, but the weather conditions in each park are quite different. Canyonlands is located in the desert of southern Utah and has hot summers and mild winters with occasional snow. The best time to visit is typically in the spring or fall when temperatures are more comfortable. Kenai Fjords, located in Alaska, has a subarctic climate with cool summers and cold winters. The park receives an average of over 100 inches of snow annually. The best time to visit Kenai Fjords is during the summer months, when temperatures are warmer and there is more daylight to explore the park. Visitors should be prepared for wet and cold weather, as well as potential snowfall during the winter months. Both parks offer unique experiences and it is recommended to plan accordingly and be prepared for the weather conditions.
Family Friendliness of Canyonlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both great destinations for families, however, they offer different experiences and activities that may appeal to different age groups.
Canyonlands National Park is a great option for families with older children or teenagers who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. The park has a variety of trails that are suitable for different skill levels, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry hikes. The park also offers ranger-led tours and educational programs, which can be a great way for families to learn about the park’s unique geology and history. The park’s remote location may not be suitable for younger children who may have difficulty with the terrain.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is a great option for families with younger children. The park offers a variety of boat tours that take visitors through the fjords to see glaciers, marine wildlife, and ice formations up close. These tours are relatively easy, and most are wheelchair accessible. The park also has several easy nature trails, such as the Exit Glacier Nature trail, which is wheelchair accessible, that provide a great opportunity for families to explore the park’s natural beauty.
Overall, both parks are family-friendly and offer a variety of activities that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. However, Kenai Fjords National Park may be a more suitable option for families with younger children, while Canyonlands National Park may be more suitable for families with older children or teenagers who enjoy outdoor activities.