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 White Sands National Park are two of the most unique and captivating national parks in the United States. While both parks offer stunning landscapes and breathtaking views, they couldn’t be more different. Capitol Reef National Park is a landscape of towering cliffs, winding canyons, and ancient petroglyphs, while White Sands National Park is a sea of white sand dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see. Whether you’re a hiker, a camper, or just someone who loves to explore the great outdoors, these two parks offer something for everyone. So, buckle up and get ready for a journey of discovery as we compare Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park.
Hiking Trails in Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy, but each park has its own unique landscapes and trails that set it apart.
At Capitol Reef, visitors can explore a variety of trails ranging from easy scenic walks to strenuous backcountry hikes. Some of the easiest trails at the park include the Rim Overlook Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s iconic red rock formations, and the Grand Wash Trail, which takes visitors through a narrow canyon. For those seeking a more strenuous hike, the park offers trails such as the Cassidy Arch Trail, which leads to a towering sandstone arch, and the Chimney Rock Trail, which takes visitors to the top of a towering rock spire.
At White Sands National Park, visitors can explore the park’s unique white sand dunes on a variety of trails, ranging from easy boardwalk walks to strenuous backcountry hikes. Some of the easiest trails at the park include the Dune Life Nature Trail, which provides a leisurely walk through the park’s dunes, and the Interdune Boardwalk, which offers a close-up view of the park’s unique vegetation. For those seeking a more strenuous hike, the park offers trails such as the Alkali Flat Trail, which takes visitors through the heart of the park’s dunes, and the Backcountry Camping Trail, which provides a challenging hike through the park’s rugged wilderness.
Both parks offer a variety of trails for visitors to explore, but the best park for hiking will depend on your interests and physical abilities. If you’re looking for easy scenic walks and stunning views of red rock formations, Capitol Reef National Park is the better choice. If you’re looking for a unique hiking experience on white sand dunes, White Sands National Park is the way to go. Regardless of your interests, both parks are sure to provide a memorable hiking experience.
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 White Sands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 6 |
Wildlife in Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park are both unique in their own way and offer different types of wildlife and vegetation.
At Capitol Reef National Park, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife such as desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, pronghorns, coyotes, and various species of reptiles and birds. Common birds include the red-tailed hawk, roadrunner, and various species of owls. The park is also home to a diverse range of plants, including various species of cacti, shrubs, and trees like the pinyon pine and juniper.
At White Sands National Park, you will see a different type of wildlife, including jackrabbits, kit foxes, and various species of reptiles and insects. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the roadrunner, Gambel’s quail, and the white-tailed kite. The park is unique in that it is home to a variety of plants that are adapted to the harsh desert environment, including creosote bush, ocotillo, and yucca.
In conclusion, both Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park offer unique and diverse wildlife and vegetation that are worth exploring.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Capitol Reef National Park | White Sands 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 | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Mountain Lion |
| American Mink | Mink |
| Mule Deer | Common Gray Fox |
| Common Gray Fox | Plains Wolf |
| Long-Legged Myotis | American Badger |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Ermine |
| American Badger | Snowshoe Hare |
| Ermine | River Otter |
| California Myotis | Masked Shrew |
Fish
| Capitol Reef National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brown Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Bluegill | Green Sunfish |
| Mottled Sculpin | Bluegill |
| Speckled Dace | Fathead Minnow |
| Black Bullhead | Golden Shiner |
| Cutthroat Trout | Lake Trout |
| Northern Pike | |
| Ellpout | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Capitol Reef National Park | White Sands 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 | White Sands 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 White Sands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park are both known for their unique and breathtaking landscapes.
At Capitol Reef National Park, visitors can explore the park’s towering cliffs, winding canyons, and ancient petroglyphs. Some of the park’s most famous landscapes include the Grand Wash, a deep canyon that winds its way through the park, and the Cathedral Valley, a remote and rugged valley filled with towering sandstone formations. Visitors can also explore the park’s many overlooks, including the Panoramic Point Overlook, which offers panoramic views of the park’s landscape.
At White Sands National Park, visitors can walk, hike, and play in the park’s sea of white sand dunes. The park’s dunes are the largest gypsum dune field in the world and stretch as far as the eye can see. Visitors can also explore the park’s many trails, including the Alkali Flat Trail, which offers panoramic views of the park’s dunes and surrounding landscape.
In conclusion, both Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park are known for their unique and breathtaking landscapes, with Capitol Reef National Park being known for its towering cliffs, winding canyons, and ancient petroglyphs, and White Sands National Park being known for its sea of white sand dunes.
Things To-Do and Activities in Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park are two popular national parks in the United States, both offering unique experiences and activities for visitors.
Capitol Reef National Park:
– Hiking: With numerous trails ranging from easy to challenging, visitors can explore the park’s scenic canyons, rock formations, and historic sites.
– Scenic drives: The scenic drive through the park offers breathtaking views of the colorful rock formations and the surrounding landscape.
– Rock Climbing: With its towering cliffs and unique rock formations, Capitol Reef is a popular destination for rock climbers.
– Camping: The park has several campgrounds for visitors to spend the night and enjoy the stunning scenery.
White Sands National Park:
– Sandboarding: The park is famous for its sand dunes, which visitors can explore on foot or by sandboarding down the slopes.
– Hiking: There are several trails through the dunes, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the unique landscape and experience the beauty of the park.
– Stargazing: With little light pollution, White Sands is a great place to stargaze and admire the night sky.
– Picnicking: The park has several picnic areas, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal surrounded by the stunning scenery.
In conclusion, both Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park offer unique and exciting activities for visitors to enjoy. Whether it’s hiking, scenic drives, rock climbing, sandboarding, stargazing, or picnicking, there is something for everyone to experience and enjoy at these two beautiful national parks.
Best Time to Visit Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park are both located in the southwestern United States and have distinct seasonal weather patterns.
At Capitol Reef National Park, the summer months can be hot with temperatures reaching into the 90s, making it the best time for activities like hiking and camping. Winter temperatures can be mild, with daytime temperatures in the 50s and 60s, making it a great time for sightseeing and exploring the park’s many trails. Spring and fall are also great times to visit, with mild temperatures and beautiful weather.
At White Sands National Park, summer temperatures can reach into the 90s, making it the best time for activities like hiking and exploring the park’s dunes. Winter temperatures can be cool, with daytime temperatures in the 40s and 50s, making it a great time for sightseeing and exploring the park’s trails. Spring and fall are also great times to visit, with mild temperatures and beautiful weather.
In conclusion, the best time to visit Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park depends on what you want to do while you’re there. Summer is the best time for outdoor activities like hiking and camping, while winter is a great time for sightseeing and exploring the park’s trails. Spring and fall are also great times to visit, with mild temperatures and beautiful weather.
Family Friendliness of Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and White Sands National Park both offer unique experiences for families, but for different reasons.
Capitol Reef is better for families who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and rock climbing. It also offers scenic drives, ranger-led programs, and picnic areas.
White Sands is better for families who enjoy sand dune activities such as sledding, picnicking, and ranger-led programs. It also offers scenic drives and hiking trails.
If you’re traveling with children, White Sands may be the better option as it offers more hands-on, interactive activities for kids. However, both parks offer a fun and educational experience for families.