Channel Islands National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park are two of the most unique and diverse parks in the United States. Channel Islands, located off the coast of California, is a playground for marine life and offers kayaking, snorkeling, and diving opportunities. Mammoth Cave, on the other hand, is a world of darkness and mystery, with its labyrinth of underground tunnels and stunning rock formations. Both parks are full of natural wonders that are sure to leave you in awe. Whether you want to explore the underwater world or witness the beauty of a subterranean landscape, these two parks have something for everyone. So grab your flashlight and pack your sense of adventure, because you’re in for a wild ride when you visit Channel Islands and Mammoth Cave National Parks.
Hiking Trails in Channel Islands National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Channel Islands National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park offer a range of activities for visitors of different skill levels. Channel Islands has several easy trails, including the Beach Trail and the Inspiration Point Trail, both of which offer stunning views of the ocean. For more challenging hikes, visitors can explore the backcountry trails, such as the Scorpion Canyon Trail, which offers panoramic views of the coastline and rugged terrain. Mammoth Cave, on the other hand, offers a range of cave tours, from easy walks to strenuous crawls through tight spaces. Visitors can also hike the park’s trails, including the River Styx Spring Trail, which offers scenic views of the park’s unique karst landscape. Both parks offer opportunities for visitors to explore and discover the beauty of nature, but the type of experience depends on the visitor’s interests and physical abilities.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Channel Islands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potato Harbor Trail | 7885.766 | 183.7944 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Smugglers Cove Trail | 12391.918 | 426.72 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Scorpion Bay to Cavern Point Loop | 2574.944 | 84.7344 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| El Montanon Trail | 13679.39 | 569.976 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Santa Cruz Island: Pelican Bay And Prisoners Harbor Trails | 13840.324 | 436.7784 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| East Anacapa Island Trail | 3862.416 | 115.824 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Scorpion Canyon Loop Trail | 7242.03 | 238.9632 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Del Norte and Montanon Trail to Scorpion Campgroud | 20116.75 | 810.768 | Hard | point to point | 5 |
| Cueva Valdez to Arch Rock Trail | 11748.182 | 535.8384 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Pelican Bay Trail | 6437.36 | 249.936 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Mammoth Cave National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green River Bluffs Trail | 7242.03 | 169.7736 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cedar Sink Trail | 2896.812 | 70.7136 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mammoth Cave National Park Scenic Drive | 17541.806 | 173.736 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Sinkhole Trail | 3862.416 | 108.8136 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Echo River Spring and Sinkhole Loop | 4988.954 | 122.8344 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Echo River and River Styx Springs Trail | 5471.756 | 129.8448 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Sal Hollow and Buffalo Creek Loop Trail | 8690.436 | 100.8888 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Dixon Cave Trail Loop | 2414.01 | 83.82 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| First Creek Lake Trail | 5793.624 | 158.8008 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| McCoy Hollow Trail | 19794.882 | 434.9496 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Channel Islands National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Channel Islands National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities. Channel Islands is home to a diverse array of sea life, including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and whales, as well as a variety of seabirds. On land, visitors can spot island foxes and a variety of reptiles and insects. Mammoth Cave is home to a variety of bats and cave-dwelling animals, including cave crickets, cave salamanders, and several species of bats. In addition, the park is home to a diverse array of plants and wildflowers, including wildflowers, ferns, and hardwoods. Both parks offer opportunities to observe diverse and fascinating wildlife, but visitors come to Channel Islands for the marine life and to Mammoth Cave to see the unique and mysterious world of cave-dwelling creatures.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Channel Islands National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Channel Islands National Park | Mammoth Cave 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
| Channel Islands National Park | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | Coyote |
| Deer Mouse | American Beaver |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Muskrat |
| Hoary Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Bobcat |
| California Myotis | Striped Skunk |
| Fringed Myotis | Little Brown Bat |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Deer Mouse |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Raccoon |
| Pallid Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Red Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Black Rat | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | |
| House Mouse | |
| Mink | |
| Gray Fox | |
| Western Long-Eared Bat | |
| River Otter | |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | |
| White-Tailed Deer | |
| Virginia Opossum | |
| Meadow Vole | |
| Eastern Red Bat | |
| White-Footed Mouse | |
| Norway Rat |
Reptiles
| Channel Islands National Park | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Black Racer |
| Yellow-Bellied Racer | Ringneck Snake |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Eastern Garter Snake |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Fish
| Channel Islands National Park | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | |
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| Common Carp | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Channel Islands National Park | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Insects
| Channel Islands National Park | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Commom Wood Nymph |
Beautiful Landscapes in Channel Islands National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Channel Islands National Park features rugged shorelines, towering cliffs, and stunning sea caves. The park is comprised of five islands and is a popular destination for kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The islands are home to over 2,000 species of plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its vast underground cave system, including more than 400 miles of explored passageways. The park offers a variety of above-ground recreational activities as well, including hiking, camping, and scenic drives through rolling hills and lush forests. Visitors can also enjoy scenic overlooks of the Green River, which winds its way through the park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Channel Islands National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Channel Islands National Park is a popular destination for kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing and snorkeling. The park’s five islands offer a variety of landscapes, from rugged cliffs to sandy beaches, making it an ideal place for exploring and enjoying the outdoors. Visitors can also participate in ranger-led programs, including guided hikes, wildlife watching and educational talks.
Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its vast underground cave system, and offers a variety of cave tours for visitors of all levels of experience. The park also offers above-ground activities, including hiking, camping, and scenic drives through rolling hills and lush forests. The Green River, which winds its way through the park, is popular for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Visitors can also take part in ranger-led programs, including guided hikes, cave tours and educational talks.
Best Time to Visit Channel Islands National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Channel Islands National Park is located in a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and mild, dry summers. The park experiences frequent fog in the summer, which can limit visibility and make water activities difficult. Winter temperatures range from the high 40s to mid-50s, with occasional rain. Summer temperatures range from the mid-60s to mid-70s, with clear skies and low humidity. The best time to visit Channel Islands National Park is during the spring and fall, when conditions are mild and visibility is good.
Mammoth Cave National Park is located in a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and cool, wet winters. Summer temperatures can reach the high 90s, with high humidity and occasional thunderstorms. Winter temperatures range from the low 30s to high 40s, with occasional snow and ice. The best time to visit Mammoth Cave National Park is during the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and conditions are dry, making outdoor activities more enjoyable.
Family Friendliness of Channel Islands National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Both Channel Islands National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park offer family-friendly experiences, but each park has its own unique advantages for families. Channel Islands National Park is ideal for families who enjoy outdoor activities, such as kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The park’s five islands offer a variety of landscapes, from rugged cliffs to sandy beaches, making it an ideal place for kids to explore and enjoy the outdoors.
Mammoth Cave National Park is ideal for families who enjoy learning about history and geology. The park’s vast underground cave system offers a variety of cave tours for visitors of all levels of experience, including easy and accessible tours for families with young children. Above-ground activities, such as hiking, camping, and scenic drives through rolling hills and lush forests, also make this park a great place for families to spend time together and enjoy the outdoors.