Channel Islands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two unique parks with distinct landscapes and attractions. While Channel Islands boasts crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and diverse wildlife, Petrified Forest offers a glimpse into the prehistoric world with its colorful petrified wood and ancient fossils. Imagine kayaking through the kelp forests of Channel Islands and discovering playful sea lions, then traveling back in time to walk among the multi-hued petrified logs at Petrified Forest. These two parks offer a captivating contrast of natural beauty and history, inviting visitors to explore, learn, and be awed by the wonders of nature.
Hiking Trails in Channel Islands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Channel Islands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer diverse hiking experiences, each with its own unique landscapes, habitats, and geological formations. Channel Islands is made up of five islands off the coast of Southern California and offers easy hikes, like the Cavern Point Loop Trail, and challenging hikes, such as the climb to the top of the island’s highest peak, Mount Success. Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, features easy hikes such as the Giant Logs Trail and challenging hikes such as the Blue Mesa Loop Trail, which provides stunning views of the park’s colorful badlands and varied landscapes. The park is also home to one of the largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood in the world. Both parks offer opportunities for visitors to experience the beauty and diversity of the American Southwest’s natural landscapes.
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 Petrified Forest National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Mesa Trail | 1448.406 | 32.9184 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Crystal Forest Trail | 1448.406 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Painted Desert Rim Trail | 1770.274 | 11.8872 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Petrified Forest Scenic Drive | 46027.124 | 297.7896 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Giant Logs Trail | 965.604 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Onyx Bridge Trail | 7402.964 | 134.7216 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail | 3379.614 | 24.9936 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Puerco Pueblo Trail | 482.802 | 2.7432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Devil’s Playground Loop | 12070.05 | 144.78 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Old Jasper Forest Road | 4184.284 | 53.9496 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Channel Islands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Channel Islands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two distinct national parks that offer different wildlife experiences. Channel Islands is known for its diverse marine life, including seals, sea lions, whales and dolphins, along with land animals such as island foxes, deer and several types of birds such as pelicans, cormorants and gulls. Petrified Forest, on the other hand, is famous for its petrified wood, but also has a unique mix of desert animals like pronghorns, rattlesnakes, and cactus wrens, as well as some unexpected species like the spotted owl and the columbian black-tailed deer. Each park also has its own unique blend of endemic plants, including wildflowers and cactus species, that are not found anywhere else in the world.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Channel Islands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Channel Islands National Park | Petrified Forest 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 | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | Coyote |
| Deer Mouse | Big Brown Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Bobcat |
| Hoary Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Little Brown Bat |
| California Myotis | Deer Mouse |
| Fringed Myotis | Raccoon |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Black Bear |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Porcupine |
| Pallid Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Red Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Black Rat | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | |
| Mountain Lion | |
| Mule Deer | |
| Gray Fox | |
| Wolf | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Badger | |
| California Myotis | |
| Fringed Myotis | |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | |
| Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | |
| Western Harvest Mouse |
Reptiles
| Channel Islands National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Yellow-Bellied Racer | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Western Rattlesnake |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Southwestern Black-Headed Snake | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Amphibians
| Channel Islands National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Channel Islands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Channel Islands Nat’l Park boasts 5 rugged & unique islands in the Pacific Ocean, offering diverse landscapes such as cliffs, beaches, sea caves, and kelp forests. Petrified Forest Nat’l Park in Arizona is known for its extensive petrified wood deposits, multi-hued badlands, and colorful mesas.
Things To-Do and Activities in Channel Islands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Channel Islands National Park is located off the coast of Southern California and offers activities such as hiking, kayaking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Petrified Forest National Park, located in Northeastern Arizona, is known for its petrified wood, hiking trails, and backcountry camping. Both parks offer scenic drives and scenic views, but Channel Islands also has snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities to see the diverse marine life. Petrified Forest, on the other hand, has a long history of human habitation, and visitors can see evidence of the earliest human cultures and learn about the area’s geology through ranger-led walks and talks. Both parks are popular for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those interested in history.
Best Time to Visit Channel Islands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
The Channel Islands National Park, located off the coast of Southern California, experiences a Mediterranean climate with cool, damp winters and mild, dry summers. The average temperature in the summer is around 60°F to 70°F, while the winter average is around 50°F to 60°F. The park experiences occasional rain and clouds throughout the year, but the summer months are the driest. The best time to visit the Channel Islands National Park is from late spring to early fall.
The Petrified Forest National Park, located in northeastern Arizona, has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cool winters. Summer temperatures can reach over 100°F, while winter temperatures can drop below freezing. The park receives very little precipitation, with most of it falling in the summer as monsoon storms. The best time to visit the Petrified Forest National Park is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are more moderate.
Family Friendliness of Channel Islands National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Channel Islands National Park includes 5 rugged and remote islands off the coast of California, offering unique and diverse experiences like hiking, kayaking, wildlife viewing and snorkeling. Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is known for its stunning petrified wood and colorful badlands, with additional activities like hiking, scenic drives, and ranger-led programs. Both parks offer a blend of adventure and education, but the accessibility of Petrified Forest makes it more family-friendly, with shorter and easier hikes, more picnic areas, and a developed road network. On the other hand, the remote location and limited facilities of Channel Islands may challenge younger children and families with special needs.