“Step into the great outdoors and explore two of America’s most stunning natural wonders – Channel Islands National Park and Zion National Park. While both parks offer breathtaking views and endless opportunities for adventure, they each have their own unique and captivating characteristics. From the rugged cliffs and rolling hills of Channel Islands to the towering red rock formations in Zion, these two parks are a testament to the diversity and beauty of our country’s natural landscapes. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready for an unforgettable journey through two of America’s most awe-inspiring parks!”
Hiking Trails in Channel Islands National Park and Zion National Park
Channel Islands National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular hiking destinations in the US, offering a range of trails with stunning natural beauty. Channel Islands has over 140 miles of trails, from easy beach walks to strenuous backcountry hikes. The easiest hikes include the Cavern Point Loop & Inspiration Point Trail, both offering views of coast and mountains. The hardest hikes at Channel Islands are the backcountry trails, like the Ridge Trail & Anacapa Island Trail, which are challenging and steep.
Zion National Park offers 140 miles of trails, from easy walks to strenuous backcountry hikes. The easiest hikes include the Pa’rus Trail & Riverside Walk, both scenic and accessible to the Virgin River. The hardest hikes at Zion are Angels Landing, The Narrows, & Observation Point, which are strenuous and require a high level of physical fitness. Both parks offer a unique and unforgettable hiking experience for all levels.
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 Zion National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angels Landing Trail | 6598.294 | 492.8616 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| The Zion Narrows Riverside Walk | 2896.812 | 62.7888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Zion Canyon Overlook Trail | 1609.34 | 64.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Watchman Trail | 4988.954 | 196.9008 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| The Subway Trail | 11265.38 | 397.764 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Weeping Rock Trail | 482.802 | 23.7744 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Zion Narrows Trail to Imlay Temple and Big Spring | 13840.324 | 1268.8824 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Lower Emerald Pool Trail | 2092.142 | 34.7472 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Emerald Pools Trail | 4667.086 | 184.7088 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Hidden Canyon Trail | 4828.02 | 283.7688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Channel Islands National Park and Zion National Park
Channel Islands National Park, located off the coast of California, is known for its diverse array of wildlife and marine life, such as the island fox, sea lions, and whales. The park is also a migratory stopover for many bird species, including the brown pelican and the Western gull. In addition, the park is home to a variety of plant species, including the unique island oak and the island scrub jay.
Zion National Park, located in southern Utah, is home to a different set of wildlife including the majestic mule deer, the iconic bighorn sheep, and the elusive mountain lion. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 289 species of birds observed, including the common raven and the peregrine falcon. The park is also home to a wide array of plant life, including the distinctive Joshua tree and the Zion snail.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Channel Islands National Park and Zion National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Channel Islands National Park | Zion 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 | Zion 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 | |
| Mule Deer | |
| Gray Fox | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| American Badger | |
| Ermine | |
| California Myotis | |
| Fringed Myotis |
Reptiles
| Channel Islands National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Gophersnake |
| Yellow-Bellied Racer | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Fish
| Channel Islands National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | |
| Brook Trout | |
| Brown Trout | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Goldfish |
Amphibians
| Channel Islands National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Channel Islands National Park and Zion National Park
Channel Islands: Rugged coastline, unique flora/fauna, sea caves, cliffs (Anacapa), beach coves (Santa Cruz), rock formations (Santa Barbara).
Zion: Red rock formations (Navajo sandstone cliffs, Temple of Sinawava), slot canyons, waterfalls, diverse ecosystems (desert to forest), Virgin River, Canyon Overlook, Weeping Rock. Activities: hiking, backpacking, scenic drives.
Things To-Do and Activities in Channel Islands National Park and Zion National Park
Channel Islands National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both offer stunning natural beauty, but with distinct features and recreational activities. Channel Islands is a marine park with abundant wildlife and opportunities for kayaking, snorkeling, and whale watching. Zion, on the other hand, is known for its towering cliffs and narrow canyons, offering activities like canyoning, backpacking, and rock climbing. Both parks offer ranger programs and guided tours, but Zion has a larger visitor center.
Best Time to Visit Channel Islands National Park and Zion National Park
Channel Islands NP in CA has a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers, while Zion NP in UT has a desert climate with hot summers and mild, rainy winters. These differences affect the best time to visit: summer is best for Channel Islands, and spring/fall for Zion. Channel Islands temperatures in summer can reach 70s-80s, while Zion can see above 100°F. Winter in Channel Islands is rainy and cooler, while Zion is mild but wet.
Family Friendliness of Channel Islands National Park and Zion National Park
Channel Islands is ideal for younger children, offering easy hikes, beach camping, and marine wildlife viewing. Zion has challenging hikes, including Angel’s Landing, and spectacular sandstone cliffs, making it better for older kids. Both parks offer ranger programs, and the best choice depends on family’s interests and children’s ages.