“Get ready to witness two of nature’s most stunning masterpieces, Crater Lake and Zion National Park. One offers a crystal-clear lake, formed by the collapse of a massive volcano, surrounded by towering cliffs and pristine wilderness, while the other presents a breathtaking landscape of towering red and white sandstone cliffs, canyons, and mesas. Choose your adventure – from heart-pumping hikes to peaceful picnics or capturing breathtaking views, both parks offer endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation. So, pack your bags and get ready for a journey that will take you from the depths of a serene lake to the heights of towering cliffs and beyond.”
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Zion National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon and Zion National Park in Utah both offer a range of hiking options, from easy walks to challenging backcountry treks. Crater Lake’s easiest hikes include the Rim Trail, with stunning views of the lake, and the Wizard Island Summit Trail, a moderate hike to the peak of a volcanic cone. Meanwhile, the Cleetwood Cove Trail and Garfield Peak Trail are among the park’s most difficult hikes, featuring steep descents and inclines.
Zion’s easy hikes include the Riverside Walk, a flat trail along the Virgin River, and the Pa’rus Trail, a paved path through the canyon. However, the park’s most challenging hikes are the Angels Landing, a strenuous and exposed hike with steep drop-offs, and The Narrows, a strenuous hike through a narrow slot canyon with river wading.
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 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 Crater Lake National Park and Zion National Park
Crater Lake NP in Oregon and Zion NP in Utah differ in the wildlife they host, each with unique fauna to observe. Crater Lake boasts a rich bird population, including American dipper, common loon, and bald eagle. Mammals like American black bear, mountain lion, and mule deer can also be seen. In contrast, Zion NP is a destination for big cats such as mountain lion, bobcat, and desert bighorn sheep, as well as birds like American white pelican, Peregrine falcon, and great blue heron. Both parks offer diverse vegetation including trees like Douglas fir and quaking aspen, and wildflowers such as lupine and columbine.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Zion National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake 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 |
| 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 | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Mountain Lion |
| Mink | Mule Deer |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Gray Fox |
| Gray Fox | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Wolf | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | American Badger |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Ermine |
| American Badger | California Myotis |
| Ermine | Fringed Myotis |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brown Trout |
| Lake Trout | Speckled Dace |
| Silver Salmon | Channel Catfish |
| Kokanee Salmon | Goldfish |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | Gophersnake |
| Racer | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Sagebrush Lizard | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Rubber Boa | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Western Skink | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Western Fence Lizard | Common Kingsnake |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Zion National Park
Crater Lake National Park is known for its stunning blue lake, the deepest in the US, created by a collapsed volcano. Visitors can drive along the Rim Drive for breathtaking views, hike to various overlooks, or take a boat tour on the lake. Zion National Park is famous for its towering red cliffs and sandstone canyons, including the famous “Zion Canyon” which can be explored by hiking or scenic drive. The park also features the Virgin River, waterfalls, diverse wildlife, including big horn sheep and rock squirrels.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Zion National Park
Crater Lake and Zion National Parks offer different experiences for visitors. Crater Lake is known for its deep blue lake surrounded by cliffs and forest, while Zion is famous for its towering red rock cliffs and diverse wildlife. Both parks offer scenic drives, but Crater Lake also has boat tours, camping, and picnic areas. Zion offers shuttle rides along its scenic drive and horseback riding in its backcountry. Both parks offer opportunities for hiking, but the article has already focused on that.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Zion National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon has cold, snowy winters (temp 20-40°F) & mild summers (50-70°F). In summer, it’s ideal for hiking & sightseeing. Zion National Park in Utah has hot, dry summers (can reach 100°F) & mild winters (40-60°F). In summer, plan activities early or late to avoid heat. Winter hiking is possible but some trails may be impassable due to snow/ice. Best time to visit Crater Lake: June-September. Best time to visit Zion: April-October.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Zion National Park
Crater Lake and Zion both offer family-friendly activities but with different experiences. Crater Lake is known for its calm, scenic environment, with a beautiful lake surrounded by cliffs. Zion, on the other hand, is an adventure-filled park with rock formations, hiking, climbing, and canyoneering options. Whether Crater Lake or Zion is better for a family depends on the family’s interests and preferences. If your family is seeking a peaceful and scenic trip, Crater Lake is a good choice. If your family enjoys outdoor activities and adventure, Zion is the better option.