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 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two of America’s most stunning national parks, each offering a unique and breathtaking landscape that is sure to leave visitors in awe. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or simply looking for a scenic escape, these two parks offer a wealth of opportunities to explore and experience the natural beauty of the American West. From the towering mesas and canyons of Canyonlands to the glaciers and peaks of Wrangell-St. Elias, these two parks are a must-visit for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the wild and rugged beauty of the American frontier. So pack your bags, grab your hiking boots, and get ready for an unforgettable journey through two of America’s most breathtaking national parks!
Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve both offer a range of hiking trails for visitors, but each park has its own unique offerings.
At Canyonlands National Park, visitors can enjoy a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to strenuous backcountry hikes. Some of the easiest hikes at Canyonlands include the Mesa Arch trail, which is a short, 0.5-mile hike to a scenic overlook, and the Grand View Point trail, which is a 1.5-mile hike to a stunning panoramic view of the park. On the other hand, some of the hardest hikes at Canyonlands include the Chesler Park Loop trail, which is a strenuous 11-mile hike through the park’s backcountry, and the Druid Arch trail, which is a challenging 8-mile hike to a unique natural arch.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, offers a range of hiking trails for visitors, including easy walks and strenuous backcountry hikes. Some of the easiest hikes at Wrangell-St. Elias include the Root Glacier trail, which is a 1.5-mile hike to a stunning glacier, and the McCarthy Road trail, which is a 2-mile hike along a historic mining road. On the other hand, some of the hardest hikes at Wrangell-St. Elias include the Skookum Volcano trail, which is a strenuous 8-mile hike to the top of a volcanic peak, and the Mount Bona trail, which is a challenging 16-mile hike to the summit of one of Alaska’s tallest mountains.
In conclusion, both Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve offer a range of hiking trails for visitors, but each park has its own unique offerings. Visitors to Canyonlands can enjoy easy walks, such as the Mesa Arch trail and the Grand View Point trail, as well as strenuous backcountry hikes, such as the Chesler Park Loop trail and the Druid Arch trail. Visitors to Wrangell-St. Elias can enjoy easy walks, such as the Root Glacier trail and the McCarthy Road trail, as well as strenuous backcountry hikes, such as the Skookum Volcano trail and the Mount Bona trail.
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 Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are both home to a diverse range of wildlife, including unique and interesting animals, birds, and plants that are not found anywhere else in the world.
At Canyonlands National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of mammals, such as bighorn sheep, deer, coyotes, and jackrabbits, as well as a diverse range of birds, including hawks, eagles, and vultures. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles, including rattlesnakes, lizards, and tortoises, and a diverse range of plants, including cacti, wildflowers, and shrubs.
At Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, visitors can expect to see a variety of mammals, including moose, caribou, bears, and wolves, as well as a diverse range of birds, including eagles, owls, and songbirds. The park is also home to a variety of fish, including salmon and steelhead, and a diverse range of plants, including spruce and hemlock forests, tundra, and wildflowers.
Whether you’re interested in exploring the diverse range of wildlife that can be found in Canyonlands National Park or Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, both parks offer a unique and unforgettable experience for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. So pack your bags and get ready to explore the stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife that await you at these two incredible national parks.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Canyonlands National Park | Wrangell – St Elias 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 | 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 |
Mammals
| Canyonlands National Park | Wrangell – St Elias 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 | Puma |
| Raccoon | Mink |
| Black Bear | Mule Deer |
| Porcupine | Wolf |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Hoary Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Red Fox | Land Otter |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Common Shrew |
| House Mouse | Water Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Red Squirrel |
| American Mink | Montane Shrew |
| Mule Deer | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Common Gray Fox | Lynx |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Wolverine |
| Long-Eared Myotis | American Marten |
| American Badger | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Ermine | Grizzly Bear |
| California Myotis | Meadow Vole |
Fish
| Canyonlands National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Steelhead |
| 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 | Cutthroat Trout |
| Mosquitofish | Arctic Grayling |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Canyonlands National Park | Wrangell – St Elias 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 | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Insects
| Canyonlands National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur |
Beautiful Landscapes in Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are both renowned for their stunning landscapes and breathtaking natural wonders. Here are some of the most famous landscapes and features you can expect to see during a visit to each park:
Canyonlands National Park:
– The Island in the Sky: A mesa that offers panoramic views of the surrounding canyons and mesas.
– The Needles: A region of the park known for its towering red rock spires and scenic hiking trails.
– The Maze: A remote and rugged area of the park known for its challenging hiking and backpacking opportunities.
– The Colorado River: A scenic river that winds through the park and offers opportunities for rafting and kayaking.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve:
– The Wrangell Mountains: A massive mountain range that is home to several glaciers, including the Root Glacier and the Kennicott Glacier.
– The St. Elias Mountains: A towering mountain range that is home to several of North America’s tallest peaks, including Mount St. Elias.
– The Copper River: A scenic river that winds through the park and offers opportunities for fishing and rafting.
– The Nizina River: A scenic river that runs through the heart of the park and offers opportunities for fishing and exploring.
In conclusion, both Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve offer a wealth of stunning landscapes and breathtaking natural wonders that are sure to leave visitors in awe. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or simply looking for a scenic escape, these two parks are a must-visit for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the wild and rugged beauty of the American West.
Things To-Do and Activities in Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, offering a wide range of activities and experiences for visitors to enjoy.
At Canyonlands National Park, some of the most popular activities include hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives. The park is home to a variety of scenic hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry treks, that offer breathtaking views of the park’s stunning landscapes. The park is also a popular destination for camping, offering a range of campgrounds and backcountry camping opportunities for visitors to choose from.
At Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, some of the most popular activities include hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, fishing, and scenic drives. The park is home to a variety of scenic hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry treks, that offer breathtaking views of the park’s stunning landscapes. The park is also a popular destination for camping, offering a range of campgrounds and backcountry camping opportunities for visitors to choose from. Fishing is another popular activity in the park, with a variety of streams, rivers, and lakes offering opportunities for anglers to catch salmon, steelhead, and other species of fish.
Whether you’re interested in exploring the scenic hiking trails of Canyonlands National Park or the fishing opportunities at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, both parks offer a unique and unforgettable experience for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. So pack your bags and get ready to enjoy all that these two incredible national parks have to offer.
Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve have different seasonal weather patterns that affect when is the best time of year to visit each park.
At Canyonlands National Park, located in Utah, the weather is warm and dry in the summer months, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-90s. Winter temperatures are mild, with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to the mid-50s. The park experiences occasional rain and snow during the winter months. The best time to visit Canyonlands is during the spring and fall months, when temperatures are mild and the weather is more predictable.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, experiences a wide range of temperatures and weather patterns throughout the year. Summer temperatures in the park can reach into the 60s, while winter temperatures can drop below zero. The park experiences heavy snowfall during the winter months, making winter travel difficult and dangerous. The best time to visit Wrangell-St. Elias is during the summer months, when temperatures are mild and the weather is more predictable.
In conclusion, the seasonal weather patterns at Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve affect when is the best time of year to visit each park. Visitors to Canyonlands are best advised to visit during the spring and fall months, when temperatures are mild and the weather is more predictable. Visitors to Wrangell-St. Elias are best advised to visit during the summer months, when temperatures are mild and the weather is more predictable.
Family Friendliness of Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are both great destinations for families, but each park has its own unique strengths and challenges when it comes to traveling with children. Here’s a comparison of how family-friendly each park is:
Canyonlands National Park: Canyonlands is a great park for families who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and camping. The park has several family-friendly hiking trails, including the Mesa Arch Trail and the Upheaval Dome Trail, that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. There are also several campgrounds within the park that offer family-friendly camping options. However, the park’s remote location and challenging terrain can make it a bit more difficult for families with young children.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve: Wrangell-St. Elias is a great park for families who enjoy outdoor activities like fishing, rafting, and wildlife viewing. The park has several family-friendly fishing spots, including the Copper River and the Nizina River, that offer opportunities to catch salmon and other fish. There are also several scenic drives within the park that offer opportunities to see wildlife like bears, moose, and caribou. However, the park’s remote location and challenging terrain can make it a bit more difficult for families with young children.
In conclusion, both Canyonlands National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are great destinations for families, but each park has its own unique strengths and challenges. If you’re traveling with children, Canyonlands may be a better choice if you’re looking for family-friendly hiking opportunities, while Wrangell-St. Elias may be a better choice if you’re looking for family-friendly fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities.