“Get ready for a double dose of scenic splendor with Channel Islands and Rocky Mountain National Parks. On one hand, Channel Islands National Park, located off the coast of southern California, offers a unique blend of marine and terrestrial environments, with towering cliffs, serene beaches, and a rich array of wildlife. On the other hand, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado boasts majestic peaks, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and a diverse ecosystem, from the valleys to the tundra. Whether you’re a nature lover, outdoor enthusiast, or simply seeking a change of pace, these two parks are sure to take your breath away. So gear up and embark on a journey of discovery to Channel Islands and Rocky Mountain National Parks!”
Hiking Trails in Channel Islands National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Channel Islands National Park, located off the coast of Southern California, and Rocky Mountain National Park, located in Colorado, offer diverse hiking experiences. Channel Islands National Park provides easy hikes such as the Cavern Point Loop Trail (1.5 mi) and the more strenuous hikes such as the Scorpion Canyon Trail (5.5 mi) with a challenging ascent. Rocky Mountain National Park boasts easy hikes such as the Bear Lake Trail (0.6 mi) and the strenuous hikes such as the Keyhole Route (11.4 mi) with steep inclines and rocky terrain. Both parks offer a range of difficulty levels, allowing for hiking experiences for individuals of all 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 Rocky Mountain National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Lake Trail | 4988.954 | 215.7984 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail | 13035.654 | 537.972 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Gem Lake Trail | 4988.954 | 301.752 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Loch Lake Trail via Glacier Gorge Trail | 8690.436 | 326.7456 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Alberta Falls Trail | 2574.944 | 76.8096 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chasm Lake | 15127.796 | 792.7848 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Dream Lake Trail | 3218.68 | 129.8448 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bear Lake Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 12.8016 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Twin Sisters Peak Trail | 12070.05 | 766.8768 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ouzel Falls via Wild Basin Trail from Sandbeach Lake | 11909.116 | 361.7976 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Channel Islands National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Channel Islands NP & Rocky Mountain NP both offer unique wildlife experiences. Channel Islands NP, located off California’s coast, showcases endemic species like island fox, harbor seals, sea lions & rare plants like island Live oak & island snapdragon. In contrast, Rocky Mountain NP, located in Colorado, is known for elk, bighorn sheep, moose, bald eagles, American robins, & a range of alpine tundra & subalpine forest plants like wildflowers, shrubs, & conifers.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Channel Islands National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Channel Islands National Park | Rocky Mountain 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 | Rocky Mountain 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 | Black Bear |
| Red Bat | Porcupine |
| Black Rat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | |
| Red Fox | |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | |
| Mountain Lion | |
| Mink | |
| Mule Deer | |
| Gray Fox | |
| Gray Wolf | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| Badger | |
| Ermine | |
| Snowshoe Hare |
Reptiles
| Channel Islands National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Yellow-Bellied Racer | Western Rattlesnake |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Eastern Fence Lizard |
Fish
| Channel Islands National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | |
| Brook Trout | |
| Brown Trout | |
| Western Longnose Sucker | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Amphibians
| Channel Islands National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Wood Frog |
Insects
| Channel Islands National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch | |
| American Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Channel Islands National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Channel Islands: Cliffs, sea caves, beaches, blue waters, diverse wildlife incl. endemic species.
Rocky Mountain: Peaks, alpine lakes, Trail Ridge Rd. (12,000ft), waterfalls, wildlife (elk, sheep).
Things To-Do and Activities in Channel Islands National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Channel Islands National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are both popular destinations for nature lovers. Channel Islands is known for its water-based activities, including kayaking, snorkeling, and whale watching, as well as camping on the islands. Rocky Mountain National Park, on the other hand, is a mountainous park offering scenic drives, wildlife viewing, and camping. Visitors to Rocky Mountain also enjoy hiking, but it is not the main focus of the park. Both parks offer unique recreational opportunities, breathtaking scenery, and a chance to connect with nature.
Best Time to Visit Channel Islands National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Channel Islands NP and Rocky Mountain NP offer different weather conditions. Channel Islands NP, located in California, has a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and cool, wet winters. The best time to visit is spring to fall with mild weather and clear water for activities like kayaking and snorkeling. Rocky Mountain NP in Colorado, on the other hand, has extreme weather with cold winters and warm summers. Summer is the best time to visit for hiking and fishing, as snow melts and scenic vistas and streams become accessible.
Family Friendliness of Channel Islands National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Both Channel Islands National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are great destinations for families. Channel Islands offers a coastal atmosphere with water activities like kayaking, snorkeling, and beachcombing. Rocky Mountain has scenic mountain drives, hiking and wildlife viewing. Both parks have kid-oriented programs, but Rocky Mountain has more ranger-led activities and family-friendly hikes. The choice of which park is better for families depends on personal preferences and what kind of outdoor activities they enjoy.