Nature lovers, get ready for a double dose of adventure! Channel Islands National Park and White Sands National Park offer two completely different landscapes that are sure to leave a lasting impression. Channel Islands is a rugged, coastal paradise, where you can hike to the top of a mountain and take in breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. White Sands, on the other hand, is a desert oasis, where you can wander through fields of white sand dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see. Whether you’re seeking a coastal escape or a desert adventure, these two parks have something for everyone. So, are you ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and explore two of America’s most unique national parks?
Hiking Trails in Channel Islands National Park and White Sands National Park
Channel Islands National Park and White Sands National Park both offer unique hiking experiences for different levels of difficulty. Channel Islands is known for its rugged, challenging terrain with steep inclines and rocky trails, including the strenuous climb to the top of Mount Bittick. On the other hand, easy hikes include beach walks and visits to the tide pools. White Sands is a mix of easy and hard hikes, ranging from flat walks through the dunes on the Dune Life Nature Trail, to more challenging backcountry treks like the Alkali Flat Trail, a 5-mile hike through the world’s largest gypsum dune field. Both parks offer a range of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, making them great destinations for a variety of hiking experiences.
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 White Sands 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 | 6 |
Wildlife in Channel Islands National Park and White Sands National Park
Channel Islands National Park, CA, is an oceanic environment with unique wildlife such as the Channel Island fox, Island scrub jay, seals, whales and dolphins. Bird species like Brown Pelican, Western Gull, and Black Oystercatcher can be observed.
White Sands National Park, NM, is a desert with white sand dunes and plants like creosote bush, yucca and ocotillo. Reptiles like Western Diamondback Rattle snake and Greater Short-horned Lizard are common sightings, along with birds like Roadrunner and Black-throated Sparrow.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Channel Islands National Park and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Channel Islands National Park | White Sands 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 | White Sands 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 | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Yellow-Bellied Racer | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard |
Amphibians
| Channel Islands National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Wood Frog |
Fish
| Channel Islands National Park | White Sands 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 White Sands National Park
Channel Islands NP: rugged cliffs, wildlife-rich waters, wildflower-covered hills. Famous landscapes: Anacapa Island’s Arch Rock, Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island, Landing Cove on Santa Barbara Island.
White Sands NP: vast white gypsum sand dunes, unique vegetation, wildlife (soaptree yucca, white-tailed antelope squirrel).
Things To-Do and Activities in Channel Islands National Park and White Sands National Park
Channel Islands National Park offers kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and camping to explore marine life and kelp forests. White Sands National Park is famous for its white sand dunes that visitors can sled, hike, picnic, and stargaze. Both offer ranger-led walks and wildlife viewing opportunities: seals, sea lions at Channel Islands and pronghorns at White Sands.
Best Time to Visit Channel Islands National Park and White Sands National Park
Channel Islands National Park off the coast of California experiences a Mediterranean climate, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Summer is the best time to visit with sunny and dry conditions, temperatures ranging 60-70°F (15-20°C), and calm winds. Winter is less popular with temperatures around 50°F (10°C), occasional rain, and strong winds.
White Sands National Park in New Mexico is in a hot desert climate with low humidity, hot summers, and mild winters. Winter is the best time to visit with temperatures around 50°F (10°C), but it can be hot during the day and chilly at night. Summer temperatures can reach 100°F (38°C), making it less popular. The park is open year-round.
Family Friendliness of Channel Islands National Park and White Sands National Park
Both Channel Islands and White Sands are family-friendly National Parks, offering unique experiences for families with children. Channel Islands offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, snorkeling and whale watching, while White Sands provides scenic hiking trails and a chance to explore sand dunes. If you are traveling with children and looking for more hands-on, educational experiences, Channel Islands might be a better choice. On the other hand, if your family is more interested in leisurely outdoor activities, White Sands with its beautiful white sand dunes, sledding opportunities and picnic areas could be the way to go.