“Contrast is the name of the game when it comes to Crater Lake National Park and Death Valley National Park. One boasts the deepest lake in the country, formed by an ancient volcanic eruption, while the other holds the title for the lowest, driest, and hottest spot in the nation. Both parks are a testament to the raw power of nature, showcasing stunning landscapes that will leave you in awe. Whether you’re into crystal-clear waters, towering peaks, or otherworldly deserts, these two parks offer a unique and unforgettable experience that’s just a road trip away.”
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Death Valley National Park
Crater Lake National Park and Death Valley National Park both offer stunning hiking trails, but they differ greatly in terms of environment, difficulty, and scenery. Crater Lake is characterized by its deep blue lake surrounded by towering cliffs and volcanic peaks, making for challenging hikes with stunning views. The Pacific Crest Trail, which runs through the park, is considered one of the hardest hikes due to its steep inclines and rugged terrain. On the other hand, easier hikes include the Rim Trail and the Watchman Peak Trail, which offer panoramic views of the lake and surrounding landscape.
Death Valley, on the other hand, is known for its scorching temperatures and rugged, desolate landscape. Despite this, the park offers a diverse range of hikes, from easy nature walks to grueling backcountry treks. The easiest hikes include the Badwater Basin trail, which takes visitors to the lowest point in North America, and the Mosaic Canyon trail, which takes visitors through a narrow canyon with unique rock formations. The hardest hikes in the park include the Telescope Peak trail, which ascends over 11,000 feet, and the Steel Pass trail, which takes visitors through remote and rugged terrain.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield Peak Trail | 5471.756 | 325.8312 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cleetwood Cove Trail | 3379.614 | 189.8904 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Watchman Peak Trail | 2574.944 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Scott Trail | 6759.228 | 383.7432 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Discovery Point Trail | 6437.36 | 278.892 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Plaikni Falls Trail | 3218.68 | 40.8432 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Wizard Island Trail | 3701.482 | 228.9048 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Sun Notch Trail | 1287.472 | 38.7096 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Pinnacles Valley Trail | 1126.538 | 11.8872 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mazama Village to Rim Village at Crater Lake | 13357.522 | 530.9616 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail | 2896.812 | 2.7432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Trail | 4506.152 | 62.7888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Zabriskie Point | 643.736 | 15.8496 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dante’s View Trail | 2574.944 | 109.728 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Telescope Peak Trail | 19312.08 | 1012.8504 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Golden Canyon Trail to Red Cathedral | 4667.086 | 174.9552 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch Loop via Zabriskie Point | 9334.172 | 332.8416 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Mosaic Canyon Trail | 5632.69 | 324.9168 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Death Valley Natural Bridge Road | 6920.162 | 304.8 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Darwin Falls Trail via Old Toll Road | 3057.746 | 68.8848 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Crater Lake National Park and Death Valley National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is known for its diverse bird population, including the American dipper, osprey, and ravens. The park is also home to various mammals, such as the coyote, American marten, and mule deer. The park’s vegetation is primarily coniferous forests, with some wildflowers and meadows.
Death Valley National Park in California is a desert environment, with a unique array of wildlife adapted to its harsh conditions. Common animals include the desert bighorn sheep, chuckwalla, and kit fox. The park also has a diverse bird population, including the golden eagle and burrowing owl. Vegetation in the park is limited to a few species of desert wildflowers and cacti.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Death Valley National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake National Park | Death Valley 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 |
| Bald Eagle | American Kestrel |
| Song Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
| European Starling | Song Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | European Starling |
| American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
| American Pipit | American Wigeon |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Crater Lake National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Muskrat |
| Muskrat | Big Brown Bat |
| Big Brown Bat | Bobcat |
| Bobcat | Little Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Deer Mouse |
| Little Brown Bat | Raccoon |
| Deer Mouse | Porcupine |
| Raccoon | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Black Bear | Hoary Bat |
| Porcupine | House Mouse |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Mountain Lion |
| Hoary Bat | Mule Deer |
| Red Fox | Gray Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Legged Myotis |
| House Mouse | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Mountain Lion | Badger |
| Mink | Californian Myotis |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Fringed Myotis |
| Gray Fox | Common Shrew |
| Wolf | Mexican Free-Tailed Bat |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| American Badger | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Ermine | Western Small-Footed Myotis |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brook Trout | Mosquitofish |
| Brown Trout | Goldfish |
| Lake Trout | |
| Silver Salmon | |
| Kokanee Salmon | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Racer | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Sagebrush Lizard | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Rubber Boa | Common Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Western Skink | Rubber Boa |
| Western Fence Lizard | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Smith������S Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Red Admiral | Monarch Butterfly |
| Honey Bee | American Lady |
| Purplish Copper | Red Admiral |
| Anise Swallowtail | Mourning Cloak |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Death Valley National Park
Crater Lake National Park is famous for its stunning blue lake, which is the deepest lake in the United States. The lake is surrounded by towering cliffs, including Wizard Island, a cinder cone volcano. The park also features a 33-mile rim drive with numerous overlooks offering sweeping views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Death Valley National Park is renowned for its vast, otherworldly landscapes and extreme temperatures. Visitors can explore badlands, salt flats, sand dunes, and canyons, including Zabriskie Point, a breathtaking overlook with views of the colorful badlands below. The park also features the Racetrack Playa, a dry lake bed with mysterious moving rocks and towering mountain ranges like the Panamint Range.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Death Valley National Park
Crater Lake National Park, located in Oregon, is known for its stunning blue waters of Crater Lake, which is the deepest lake in the United States and the main attraction of the park. Visitors enjoy scenic drives, boat tours, fishing, and exploring the surrounding forests and meadows. In contrast, Death Valley National Park, located in California and Nevada, is famous for its barren, yet unique and beautiful desert landscapes, including sand dunes, badlands, and salt flats. Activities popular among visitors include scenic drives, camping, stargazing, and off-roading. Both parks offer a variety of ranger-led programs, including talks and walks, as well as opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Death Valley National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is known for its cold and snowy winters, with average temperatures ranging from 20-40°F (-6 to 4°C) and up to 44 feet (13.4 meters) of snowfall. Summer temperatures average from 50-70°F (10 to 21°C) with occasional thunderstorms. It’s best to visit in July and August for the warmest weather and least snow. On the other hand, Death Valley National Park in California is known for its scorching hot summers, with temperatures often reaching over 120°F (49°C). Winter temperatures average in the 60-70°F (15 to 21°C) range with occasional rain. The best time to visit is from November to April, when temperatures are mild and there is less risk of flash floods. Both parks offer unique and diverse weather experiences, making them a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Death Valley National Park
Crater Lake National Park is more family-friendly than Death Valley National Park. Crater Lake features scenic hiking trails, boat tours, and a variety of ranger-led programs for children, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation and educational experiences. Death Valley, on the other hand, is a very hot and remote park with limited shade and water, making it difficult for families with young children. While Death Valley does offer scenic drives and unique geological formations, it may not be the best choice for families with young children. If traveling with children, Crater Lake National Park is the better choice for a family-friendly vacation.