“Discover two vastly different slices of America’s natural beauty with Channel Islands National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. From the rugged badlands of North Dakota to the pristine beaches of California, these two parks offer a unique and breathtaking experience. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural history of Channel Islands, where sea caves and endemic species paint a picture of a world unlike any other. Or, explore the rolling hills and prairies of Theodore Roosevelt, where you’ll encounter stunning views and diverse wildlife. Whether you’re a hiker, beach-goer, or history buff, these two parks have something for everyone. So, grab your gear and get ready for an adventure that will leave you in awe.”
Hiking Trails in Channel Islands National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Channel Islands National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park are two distinct parks, each offering unique hiking experiences. Channel Islands, located off the coast of California, features coastal hikes with stunning views and diverse wildlife, with easy hikes like the Cavern Point Loop Trail and Scorpion Canyon Trail, while the most challenging hikes include Anacapa Island and remote backcountry beach trails. Meanwhile, Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota is known for its prairies, hills, and wildlife, with simple hikes like the Wind Canyon Trail and Little Mooney Trail, and difficult hikes like the Maltese Cross Trail, which offers panoramic views, and the Painted Canyon Trail, which leads through rugged canyons.
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 Theodore Roosevelt National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Canyon Trail | 804.67 | 16.764 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Caprock Coulee Loop | 6115.492 | 159.7152 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Painted Canyon Nature Trail | 1770.274 | 78.9432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Petrified Forest Trail | 16415.268 | 253.8984 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Maah Daah Hey Trail | 229009.082 | 4614.9768 | Hard | point to point | 4.5 |
| Lower Paddock Creek Trail | 11587.248 | 127.7112 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Buck Hill Trail | 643.736 | 16.764 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ridgeline Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 33.8328 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Coal Vein Trail | 965.604 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Buckhorn Trail | 19633.948 | 324.9168 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Channel Islands National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Channel Islands NP is unique and has endemic animals like island fox, spotted skunk, and seabirds such as pelicans and cormorants. Marine life includes seals, sea lions, whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The park is also known for its endemic plant life like island live oak, Santa Cruz island ironwood.
Theodore Roosevelt NP is famous for its large mammals such as bison, pronghorn, elk, bighorn sheep and swift fox, golden eagle, ferruginous hawk as commonly seen birds. The park also has mule deer, coyotes, pronghorn antelope and various native plants like grasses, wildflowers, cacti.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Channel Islands National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Channel Islands National Park | Theodore Roosevelt 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 | 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 | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Channel Islands National Park | Theodore Roosevelt 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 | Porcupine |
| Red Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Black Rat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | |
| House Mouse | |
| Mountain Lion | |
| Mink | |
| Mule Deer | |
| Gray Wolf | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| Badger | |
| Snowshoe Hare | |
| North American River Otter | |
| Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
| Channel Islands National Park | Theodore Roosevelt National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Bullsnake |
| Yellow-Bellied Racer | Racer |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Rattlesnake |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
Amphibians
| Channel Islands National Park | Theodore Roosevelt National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
| Channel Islands National Park | Theodore Roosevelt National Park |
|---|---|
| Longnose Sucker | |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Flathead Minnow | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| Carp/European Carp | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Burbot | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub |
Beautiful Landscapes in Channel Islands National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Channel Islands National Park is renowned for its stunning coastline and unique wildlife. Visitors can admire sea cliffs, sandy beaches, and rolling hills. The park also protects over 2,000 species of plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota boasts Badlands formations and prairies. The park has two units, the South Unit and the North Unit, both offering scenic drives. The South Unit features a drive through Little Missouri River valley with overlooks showcasing the Badlands, while the North Unit offers a drive through rolling prairies. Wildlife such as bison, pronghorns, and bighorn sheep can be seen in the park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Channel Islands National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Channel Islands National Park in California offers water-based activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving to see marine mammals, sea birds, and endemic species. On land, visitors can go camping, beachcombing, and wildlife watching.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota features scenic drives, horseback riding, and fishing in the Little Missouri River, in addition to hiking, camping, and wildlife watching, especially for bison, elk, and pronghorn.
Best Time to Visit Channel Islands National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
C.Islands Nat. Park (California) has a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Theodore Roosevelt Nat. Park (North Dakota) has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. Summer is best to visit C.Islands for warm weather and little rain, while spring/fall are best for Theodore Roosevelt for moderate weather. Winter in Theodore Roosevelt can be harsh with snow/cold, and summer can be hot/dry with increased wildfire risk. The best time to visit depends on desired activities and experiences.
Family Friendliness of Channel Islands National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Channel Islands National Park offers coastal activities like kayaking, snorkeling, and whale watching, while Theodore Roosevelt National Park provides a rugged landscape suitable for horseback riding and bison watching. Both parks have ranger-led programs and educational experiences, but Theodore Roosevelt also has a Junior Ranger program. Which is better for a family depends on their interests and preferences.