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 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are two of the most breathtaking parks in the United States, each offering a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you’re an adventurous hiker, a nature lover, or just looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, these parks are sure to captivate and inspire you. From the breathtaking canyons of Canyonlands to the awe-inspiring cliffs of the New River Gorge, these parks are home to some of the most iconic and breathtaking landscapes in the country. Get ready to be transported to another world as we explore the many wonders of Canyonlands and New River Gorge.
Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve both offer a diverse range of hiking trails for visitors to explore.
Canyonlands National Park offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry hikes. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Grand View Point Trail and the Upheaval Dome Trail, both of which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. For more experienced hikers, the park offers challenging backcountry hikes, such as the Chesler Park Loop and the Druid Arch Trail, which provide a true backcountry experience.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve also offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry hikes. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Endless Wall Trail and the Long Point Trail, both of which offer stunning views of the New River Gorge. For more experienced hikers, the park offers challenging backcountry hikes, such as the Arrowhead Trail and the Kaymoor Trail, which provide a true backcountry experience.
In conclusion, both Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry hikes. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just looking for a leisurely stroll, these parks have something for everyone.
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 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tolmie Peak Trail | 8851.37 | 463.9056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Skyline Trail | 8529.502 | 535.8384 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Comet and Christine Falls | 6920.162 | 610.8192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Camp Muir Route Via Skyline Trail | 13518.456 | 1403.9088 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail | 15127.796 | 780.8976 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Naches Peak Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 193.8528 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spray Park Trail to Mount Pleasant | 11104.446 | 635.8128 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Fremont Lookout Trail | 9012.304 | 348.996 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Pinnacle Peak Saddle Trail | 3862.416 | 321.8688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Summerland Trail | 13196.588 | 655.9296 | Moderate | out and back | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve both offer unique wildlife experiences.
Canyonlands National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including desert bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and coyotes. The park is also a great place to see birds of prey, such as hawks and eagles, and other bird species, including the canyon wren and the western tanager. The park’s unique landscape, including its canyons and mesas, provides habitat for a variety of plant species, including cacti, yucca, and other desert plants.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and river otters. The park is also a great place to see a variety of bird species, including the pileated woodpecker, the red-tailed hawk, and the Baltimore oriole. The park’s lush forests and streams provide habitat for a variety of plant species, including ferns, wildflowers, and deciduous trees.
In conclusion, both Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offer unique wildlife experiences and are great places to see a variety of animals, birds, and plants. Whether you’re interested in desert wildlife or forest wildlife, both parks have something to offer.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Canyonlands National Park | New River Gorge National Park and 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 | Great Horned Owl |
| American Robin | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Great Horned Owl | Barn Swallow |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Savannah Sparrow |
| Northern Flicker | Great Blue Heron |
| Merlin | Hermit Thrush |
| Barn Swallow | European Starling |
| Savannah Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
| Great Blue Heron | American Wigeon |
| Hermit Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Kestrel | American Pipit |
| Bald Eagle | Killdeer |
| Song Sparrow | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
| European Starling | Hairy Woodpecker |
| Northern Pintail | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
| American Wigeon | White-Crowned Sparrow |
| Green-Winged Teal | Northern Shoveler |
Mammals
| Canyonlands National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | House Mouse |
| House Mouse | Mountain Lion |
| Mountain Lion | Black-Tailed Deer |
| American Mink | Wolf |
| Mule Deer | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Common Gray Fox | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Ermine |
| Long-Eared Myotis | California Myotis |
| American Badger | Snowshoe Hare |
| Ermine | North American River Otter |
| California Myotis | Masked Shrew |
Fish
| Canyonlands National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brown Trout | Eastern Brook Trout |
| Largemouth Bass | Brown Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Coho Salmon |
| Bluegill | Chinook Salmon |
| Fathead Minnow | Mottled Sculpin |
| Common Carp | Slimy Sculpin |
| Northern Pike | Threespine Stickleback |
| Speckled Dace | Kokanee |
| Yellow Bullhead | Pink Salmon |
| Channel Catfish | Dolly Varden |
| Kokanee Salmon | Cutthroat Trout |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Canyonlands National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Common Garter Snake |
| Eastern Racer | Rubber Boa |
| 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 | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Tiger Salamander |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Insects
| Canyonlands National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Canyonlands National Park is known for its vast canyons, mesas, and buttes that offer breathtaking views and unique landscapes. The park is divided into four districts, each with its own unique features. The Island in the Sky district features towering cliffs and mesas that offer panoramic views of the surrounding canyons. The Needles district is famous for its towering sandstone spires and rock formations, while the Maze district is known for its challenging hiking trails and remote backcountry. The most famous landscape in Canyonlands is the Grand View Point Overlook, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding canyons and mesas.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is famous for its stunning cliffs and rugged beauty. The park is home to the New River Gorge Bridge, the longest steel arch bridge in the western hemisphere, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The park is also home to several waterfalls, including the stunning Kaymoor Falls, which cascades down a series of cliffs and into the New River Gorge. The park is also known for its diverse wildlife, including black bears, river otters, and white-tailed deer. The most famous landscape in New River Gorge is the Endless Wall Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the New River Gorge and the surrounding cliffs.
Things To-Do and Activities in Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve both offer a range of popular activities for visitors.
At Canyonlands National Park, visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, backpacking, and camping. The park’s unique landscape, including its canyons, mesas, and rock formations, provides opportunities for scenic drives, scenic overlooks, and stunning views. Visitors can also enjoy river-based activities, such as rafting and kayaking, on the Colorado and Green rivers that run through the park.
At New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, and fishing. The park is also a popular destination for rock climbing, with over 1,400 established climbing routes and stunning views from the top of the cliffs. The park’s New River is a popular destination for whitewater rafting and kayaking, and visitors can also enjoy scenic drives, scenic overlooks, and stunning views of the park’s beautiful forests and streams.
In conclusion, both Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offer a range of popular activities for visitors, including outdoor activities, scenic drives and overlooks, and river-based activities. Whether you’re interested in hiking, camping, rock climbing, or rafting, both parks have something to offer.
Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve both have unique weather patterns that affect when is the best time of year to visit.
Canyonlands National Park is located in the high desert of southeastern Utah, and experiences a typical desert climate. The park is hot and dry in the summer, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F, and can be quite cool in the winter, with nighttime temperatures often dropping below freezing. Spring and fall are the best times to visit, as temperatures are more moderate and there is less risk of extreme heat or cold.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is located in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, and experiences a typical temperate climate. The park is warm and humid in the summer, with temperatures often in the 80s and 90s, and can be quite cold in the winter, with temperatures often below freezing. Spring and fall are the best times to visit, as temperatures are more moderate and there is less risk of extreme heat or cold.
In conclusion, the best time to visit both Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve depends on the weather and your personal preferences. Spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures and less risk of extreme heat or cold, while summer and winter offer more extreme weather conditions.
Family Friendliness of Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Both Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offer unique experiences for families, but the best park for families with children will depend on their interests and abilities.
Canyonlands National Park offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including scenic drives, hiking trails, and ranger-led programs. The park’s Island in the Sky district is particularly accessible, with several easy hikes and scenic overlooks that offer stunning views of the surrounding canyons. Families can also explore the park’s campgrounds, picnic areas, and ranger-led programs, making Canyonlands a great option for families who enjoy outdoor activities.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve also offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including hiking, camping, and fishing. The park is also home to several family-friendly trails, including the Grandview Overlook Trail, which offers stunning views of the New River Gorge. Additionally, the park’s campgrounds and picnic areas offer a great opportunity for families to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
In conclusion, both Canyonlands National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are great options for families with children, but the best park for families will depend on their interests and abilities.