“Discover two of the most diverse and breathtaking parks in the U.S, Channel Islands National Park and Voyageurs National Park. While one offers a secluded escape to a world of untouched natural beauty, the other provides a unique water-based adventure. Channel Islands National Park, with its five rugged islands, is a haven for endemic wildlife and offers scuba diving opportunities unlike anywhere else. Meanwhile, Voyageurs National Park, with its vast network of lakes, is a paddler’s paradise, perfect for exploring by canoe or kayak. So, whether you’re searching for a peaceful escape or an action-packed adventure, these two parks are sure to leave you in awe.”
Hiking Trails in Channel Islands National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park and Channel Islands National Park are two distinct hiking destinations for nature lovers. Voyageurs, located in northern Minnesota, has a focus on water, with trails winding along the shores of four large lakes. Hikes vary from easy, like the short Kabetogama Lake Overlook trail, to demanding, such as the 17-mile Ellsworth Rock hike. The scenery is dominated by forests, providing a peaceful, scenic setting.
Channel Islands, on the other hand, is a group of five islands off the coast of Southern California and is known for its challenging, diverse hikes. Trails traverse rocky cliffs, sandy beaches, and lush canyons. Some of the simplest hikes are short beach walks, like Scorpion Canyon, but some of the toughest are strenuous climbs, like to the top of Inspiration Point. Both parks offer unique, picturesque landscapes for outdoor enthusiasts to explore and test their skills.
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 Voyageurs 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 | 5 |
Wildlife in Channel Islands National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Channel Islands National Park, off the coast of California, and Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota offer unique wildlife viewing experiences. Channel Islands is known for its diverse marine life and endemic species such as the island fox and spotted skunk, while Voyageurs is home to northern forest animals including beavers, moose, and river otters. Channel Islands’ avian species include pelicans, cormorants, and seabirds, while Voyageurs is home to bald eagles and songbirds, waterfowl, and loons. Inland at Channel Islands, visitors may spot mule deer, bobcats, and various species of lizards and snakes, while Voyageurs features boreal forest species like black spruce and balsam fir, as well as lake and shoreline vegetation.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Channel Islands National Park and Voyageurs National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Channel Islands National Park | Voyageurs 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 | Voyageurs 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 | |
| House Mouse | |
| Mountain Lion | |
| Mink | |
| Common Gray Fox | |
| Plains Wolf | |
| American Badger | |
| Ermine | |
| Snowshoe Hare | |
| River Otter | |
| Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
| Channel Islands National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Yellow-Bellied Racer | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard |
Amphibians
| Channel Islands National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Wood Frog |
Fish
| Channel Islands National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Longnose Sucker | |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Ellpout | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Beautiful Landscapes in Channel Islands National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Channel Islands: 5 islands off California coast, famous for scenic coastline, wildlife, and cultural history. Key landscapes:
– Anacapa’s Arch Rock
– Santa Cruz Island cliffs
– Painted Cave
Voyageurs: located in northern Minnesota, known for interconnected water system of lakes, bays, and channels. Key landscapes:
– Kabetogama Lake
– Ash River, scenic waterfalls and rapids
– Boundary Waters, canoeing and camping destination with 1,000+ lakes.
Things To-Do and Activities in Channel Islands National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Channel Islands National Park in California and Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota both attract outdoor enthusiasts, but offer unique experiences. Channel Islands features marine and terrestrial ecosystems for activities like whale watching, kayaking, snorkeling and island camping. Meanwhile, Voyageurs is situated on four lakes, popular for boating, fishing, canoeing, and houseboat camping. Both parks offer scenic hiking, but Voyageurs also offers backcountry camping, and is known for stargazing due to its remoteness and low light pollution.
Best Time to Visit Channel Islands National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Channel Islands Nat’l Park, CA has a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters & warm, dry summers. Summer avg temp is 70°F, winter 55°F. Best to visit May-Oct for warm, dry weather & activities such as hiking, kayaking.
Voyageurs Nat’l Park, MN has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters & warm, wet summers. Summer avg temp is 70°F, winter 20°F. Best to visit June-Sep for warm, dry weather & activities such as boating, fishing.
Family Friendliness of Channel Islands National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Channel Islands National Park offers outdoor activities such as tide pooling, kayaking, and sea cave exploring, while Voyageurs National Park offers scenic boat tours, fishing, and cabin rentals. Both parks offer family fun and opportunities to connect with nature, but for a more active, hands-on experience, Channel Islands may be a better choice.