Death Valley and Denali are two vastly different parks that showcase the diversity of America’s natural beauty. While Death Valley boasts searing heat and the lowest point in North America, Denali features America’s tallest peak and some of its most rugged wilderness. Whether you’re seeking adventure or simply want to bask in the beauty of nature, these two parks offer a wealth of opportunities to explore and be amazed. So get ready for a wild ride as we compare and contrast these two American gems!
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Death Valley and Denali National Parks are popular destinations for hikers, but they offer vastly different experiences. In Death Valley, temperatures can soar making even easy hikes, like Badwater Basin Boardwalk and Natural Bridge Canyon, challenging. The toughest trail in Death Valley is Telescope Peak, a 14-mile round-trip hike with a 6,000 ft elevation gain. In contrast, Denali is known for its cold, rugged terrain with easier hikes like the park road and Savage River Loop. However, the most difficult hikes in Denali, like Mount Healy and Mount Margaret backcountry route, can be over 20 miles and require backcountry experience.
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 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Denali National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Healy Overlook Trail | 6920.162 | 507.7968 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Horseshoe Lake Trail | 3379.614 | 119.7864 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Triple Lakes Trail | 29772.79 | 1124.712 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bison Gulch | 11265.38 | 1178.9664 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rock Creek Trail | 7081.096 | 287.7312 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Taiga Trail | 2574.944 | 62.7888 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| McKinley Station Trail | 4667.086 | 113.9952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mount Thorofare Ridge Loop | 6598.294 | 507.7968 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| McKinley Bar Trail | 7402.964 | 295.9608 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Tiaga Loop and Horseshoe Lake Trail to Beaver Dam | 4828.02 | 158.8008 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Death Valley NP in California is known for its desert wildlife, like bighorn sheep, coyotes, and kit foxes. Migratory birds like American White Pelican also visit. Denali NP & Preserve in Alaska is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, moose, wolves, and Dall sheep. Denali also has birds of prey, like bald eagle and gyrfalcon, and a mix of habitats, tundra, forest, and wetland, with plants like willows, alders, and spruces.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Death Valley National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Death Valley National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Muskrat | American Beaver |
| Big Brown Bat | Muskrat |
| Bobcat | Little Brown Bat |
| Little Brown Bat | Black Bear |
| Deer Mouse | Porcupine |
| Raccoon | Red Fox |
| Porcupine | Mink |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Wolf |
| Hoary Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | Snowshoe Hare |
| Mountain Lion | River Otter |
| Mule Deer | Common Shrew |
| Gray Fox | Water Shrew |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Red Squirrel |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Montane Shrew |
| Badger | Lynx |
| Californian Myotis | Wolverine |
| Fringed Myotis | American Marten |
| Common Shrew | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Grizzly Bear |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Meadow Vole |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Moose |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Least Weasel |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis | Pygmy Shrew |
Reptiles
| Death Valley National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Smith������S Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Death Valley National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Death Valley National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Longnose Sucker |
| Mosquitofish | Lake Trout |
| Goldfish | Northern Pike |
| Burbot | |
| Coho Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Death Valley National Park | Denali National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Wood Frog |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Death Valley NP boasts unique landscapes, including Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, & Artist’s Drive with its vibrant rock formations. Denali NP & Preserve features North America’s tallest peak, Mount Denali (20,310 ft), with subarctic tundra, glaciers, and diverse wildlife.
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Death Valley National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve both offer diverse experiences. Death Valley is famous for scenic drives, geology, camping, ranger activities, and picnics. Denali is best known for wildlife viewing, backcountry exploration, bus tours, and hiking. Both parks offer stargazing and cultural history, with Death Valley having a mining past and Denali being home to the Athabascan people.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Death Valley NP in California is known for scorching summer temperatures, reaching over 100°F, while winter temps are mild with lows in the 40s°F. On the other hand, Denali NP in Alaska experiences long, harsh winters with average lows below 0°F and heavy snow from September to June, and cool summer days with average highs in the 60s°F. To best enjoy Death Valley, visit from Nov-Apr when the weather is mild for outdoor activities. To make the most of Denali, visit Jun-Sep when the snow melts, roads open and wildlife is more active.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Denali National Park & Preserve
Denali is more family-friendly than Death Valley. Denali offers a variety of outdoor activities, including scenic drives, hiking, and wildlife viewing, while Death Valley is mainly known for its desert landscapes and scenic drives. Denali also features more amenities, such as campsites, lodges, and shuttle buses, making it easier for families to plan and enjoy their trip.