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.
Capitol Reef National Park and Isle Royale National Park are two of the most unique and captivating national parks in the United States. On one hand, Capitol Reef is a desert oasis in the heart of Utah, offering a stunning landscape of towering cliffs, soaring mesas, and vibrant rock formations. On the other hand, Isle Royale is a remote island in Lake Superior, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and dotted with dense forests, rugged cliffs, and pristine lakes. Both parks offer a chance to escape into the wilderness and experience the beauty of nature, but each has its own unique character and charm. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a nature lover, or just looking for a peaceful escape, these two parks are sure to leave you spellbound. So pack your bags, grab your hiking shoes, and get ready to discover the wonders of Capitol Reef and Isle Royale!
Hiking Trails in Capitol Reef National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Capitol Reef National Park offers a diverse range of hiking trails, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Rim Overlook Trail, a 0.5-mile trail with scenic views of the park’s canyons, and the Fruita Historic District Walk, a 1-mile trail that takes visitors through the park’s historic orchards. More challenging hikes in the park include the Cassidy Arch Trail, a 2.8-mile hike to a scenic overlook, and the Grand Wash Trail, a 3-mile hike through a narrow canyon.
Isle Royale National Park, located on a remote island in Lake Superior, offers a range of hiking trails through its rugged wilderness. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Tobin Harbor Trail, a 1.5-mile trail through a scenic harbor, and the Minong Ridge Trail, a 2.5-mile trail with scenic views of the island’s interior. More challenging hikes in the park include the Greenstone Ridge Trail, a 40-mile trail along the island’s spine, and the Rock Harbor Lighthouse Trail, a 3-mile hike to a historic lighthouse.
In conclusion, both Capitol Reef National Park and Isle Royale National Park offer a range of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. However, the specific hikes that visitors may enjoy will depend on their fitness level, experience, and the time of year they visit the parks.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Capitol Reef National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickman Bridge Trail | 2735.878 | 129.8448 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cassidy Arch Trail | 4667.086 | 213.9696 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Grand Wash Trail via Northeast Trailhead | 7081.096 | 121.92 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chimney Rock Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 241.7064 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cohab Canyon Trail | 4828.02 | 241.7064 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Navajo Knobs Trail | 14001.258 | 650.748 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Goosenecks & Sunset Point | 4023.35 | 165.8112 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Capitol Gorge Trail | 7242.03 | 113.9952 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Sulphur Creek Route | 18507.41 | 427.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rim Overlook Trail | 6598.294 | 320.9544 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Isle Royale National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenstone Ridge Trail: Windigo to Tobin Harbor | 63568.93 | 1216.7616 | Hard | point to point | 4 |
| Rainbow Cove Trail | 2253.076 | 21.9456 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
| Malone Bay to Hatchett Lake | 37658.556 | 664.7688 | Moderate | out and back | 0 |
| Ishpeming Trail to Ishpeming Point | 23496.364 | 339.852 | Moderate | out and back | 0 |
Wildlife in Capitol Reef National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and Isle Royale National Park are both home to unique and diverse wildlife.
At Capitol Reef National Park, visitors can see a variety of mammals such as desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, and foxes. The park is also home to various bird species including golden eagles, turkey vultures, and peregrine falcons. In terms of plants, the park is known for its lush fruit orchards and unique formations like the Waterpocket Fold.
Isle Royale National Park, on the otherland, is an island in Lake Superior known for its pristine wilderness and diverse wildlife. The park is home to moose, wolves, and beavers, as well as a variety of bird species including common loons, bald eagles, and Peregrine falcons. The park is also known for its diverse plant life, including various species of wildflowers and berry bushes.
In conclusion, both parks offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences, but for those interested in island wildlife, Isle Royale National Park may be the better choice.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Capitol Reef National Park and Isle Royale National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Capitol Reef National Park | Isle Royale 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 | 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
| Capitol Reef National Park | Isle Royale National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Striped Skunk |
| Striped Skunk | Little Brown Bat |
| Little Brown Bat | Deer Mouse |
| Deer Mouse | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Raccoon | Hoary Bat |
| Black Bear | Red Fox |
| Porcupine | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Mink |
| Hoary Bat | Gray Wolf |
| Red Fox | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Snowshoe Hare |
| House Mouse | North American River Otter |
| Mountain Lion | Canada Lynx |
| American Mink | Marten |
| Mule Deer | Moose |
| Common Gray Fox | Red Bat |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Norway Rat |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Southern Red-Backed Vole |
| American Badger | Northern Long-Eared Bat |
| Ermine | |
| California Myotis |
Fish
| Capitol Reef National Park | Isle Royale National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Redband Trout |
| Brown Trout | Coaster Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Brown Trout |
| Mottled Sculpin | Longnose Sucker |
| Speckled Dace | Harvey Lake Fathead Minnow |
| Black Bullhead | Golden Shiner |
| Cutthroat Trout | Lake Trout |
| Northern Pike | |
| Ellpout | |
| Coho Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Creek Chub |
Reptiles
| Capitol Reef National Park | Isle Royale National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
| 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 | |
| Western Skink | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Capitol Reef National Park | Isle Royale National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Capitol Reef National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Capitol Reef National Park in Utah and Isle Royale National Park in Michigan are two vastly different parks that showcase the beauty of the American wilderness. Capitol Reef is known for its stunning red rock formations, canyons, and monoliths, while Isle Royale is known for its pristine lakes, dense forests, and rugged cliffs.
At Capitol Reef, visitors can marvel at the towering cliffs and rock formations of the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth’s crust. The park also features scenic drives and hiking trails that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Isle Royale, on the other hand, is a remote island located in the middle of Lake Superior. It is home to dense forests, pristine lakes, and rugged cliffs that offer a unique and serene wilderness experience. Visitors can explore the island on foot, by boat, or by kayak, and enjoy the diverse wildlife and stunning views of the surrounding lake.
Whether you’re a nature lover, a photographer, or an adventurer, both Capitol Reef and Isle Royale offer a unique and unforgettable wilderness experience.
Things To-Do and Activities in Capitol Reef National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and Isle Royale National Park are both popular destinations for nature lovers, but they offer different experiences.
At Capitol Reef National Park, visitors can enjoy a range of activities such as hiking, scenic drives, rock climbing, and wildlife viewing. Some of the most popular hikes include the Grand Wash Trail, Cassidy Arch Trail, and Chimney Rock Trail. The park is also known for its scenic drives, including the Scenic Drive, which takes visitors through the heart of the park, and the Cathedral Valley Drive, which offers stunning views of the park’s unique rock formations.
Isle Royale National Park, on the other hand, is a remote wilderness area located in the middle of Lake Superior. It is a popular destination for backpacking, camping, and boating. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, kayaking, and canoeing, as well as hiking on the park’s many trails. Some of the most popular hikes include the Minong Ridge Trail, which offers panoramic views of the island, and the Rock Harbor Lighthouse Trail, which takes visitors to the island’s historic lighthouse.
Both parks offer unique experiences for visitors, but the type of activities and wildlife you’ll see will depend on which park you choose to visit. If you’re looking for a more remote wilderness experience, Isle Royale National Park might be the better choice. However, if you’re looking for a wider range of activities and opportunities to explore unique geological formations, Capitol Reef National Park might be the better option.
Best Time to Visit Capitol Reef National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is located in southern Utah and experiences a range of seasonal weather patterns throughout the year. Summer temperatures in the park can reach into the 90s, making it a popular time for outdoor recreation. Winter temperatures in the park can drop below freezing, with occasional snow and ice storms. Spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures, with mild weather and scenic displays of wildflowers and fall foliage.
Isle Royale National Park is located in Lake Superior and experiences a range of seasonal weather patterns throughout the year. Summer temperatures on the island can be cool and comfortable, with occasional rain and thunderstorms. Winter temperatures on the island can be extremely cold, with heavy snow and ice storms. Spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures, with mild weather and scenic displays of wildflowers and fall foliage.
In conclusion, both Capitol Reef National Park and Isle Royale National Park experience a range of seasonal weather patterns throughout the year, with summer being the most popular time for outdoor recreation. The specific weather conditions that visitors may experience will depend on the time of year they visit the parks and the local weather patterns in the area.
Family Friendliness of Capitol Reef National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and Isle Royale National Park are both great destinations for families, but each offers a different type of experience. Capitol Reef National Park is a great option for families with kids who enjoy outdoor activities and exploring unique landscapes. The park has a variety of hiking trails, scenic drives, and ranger-led programs that are perfect for families. On the other hand, Isle Royale National Park is a remote wilderness area that is better suited for families who enjoy backcountry camping and exploring nature in a more rugged setting. Access to the island is limited, and the park does not have any services or amenities, making it a more challenging destination for families. Both parks are beautiful and offer unique experiences, but if you’re traveling with children, Capitol Reef National Park may be the better choice for a family-friendly adventure.