“Get ready for an adventure that spans from the scorching heat of Death Valley to the lush tropical paradise of Dry Tortugas National Parks. These two contrasting destinations offer a unique experience for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike. While Death Valley boasts endless sand dunes and towering peaks, Dry Tortugas offers crystal clear waters and historic fortresses. Whether you’re seeking an escape from the city’s hustle or an opportunity to experience America’s diverse landscapes, these two parks will leave you in awe with their beauty and history. So, buckle up and let’s embark on a journey to explore the best of both worlds.”
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park
Death Valley and Dry Tortugas National Parks offer distinct hiking experiences. In Death Valley, CA, hikers can choose from a range of trails from easy walks to strenuous backcountry hikes. Easy hikes include Artist’s Drive & Badwater Basin with scenic views of the park’s landscapes. The most challenging hikes are Telescope Peak & Cottonwood Canyon, which demand high fitness levels. On the other hand, Dry Tortugas, FL, mostly water-based, has a 7-mile hike to historic Fort Jefferson as its main hike. The hike is easy but can be tough due to heat & humidity. Both parks offer unique, challenging hikes, with Death Valley offering a wider range of options, and Dry Tortugas offering a more relaxed, scenic hike.
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 Dry Tortugas National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Jefferson Loop | 804.67 | 0.9144 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park
Death Valley NP is known for its desert wildlife incl. Bighorn Sheep, Kit Fox, Coyote, Desert Tortoise, Roadrunners. Dry Tortugas NP is known for its diverse ocean wildlife incl. Green Sea Turtles, Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, migratory birds (frigates, pelicans, herons), coral, tropical fish, making it ideal for snorkeling/diving.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Death Valley National Park | Dry Tortugas 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 | 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 | Song Sparrow |
| Bald Eagle | European Starling |
| Song Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
| European Starling | Green-Winged Teal |
| Northern Pintail | American Pipit |
| American Wigeon | Swainson’s Thrush |
| Green-Winged Teal | Killdeer |
Mammals
| Death Valley National Park | Dry Tortugas National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | House Rat |
| Muskrat | |
| Big Brown Bat | |
| Bobcat | |
| Little Brown Bat | |
| Deer Mouse | |
| Raccoon | |
| Porcupine | |
| Silver-Haired Bat | |
| Hoary Bat | |
| House Mouse | |
| Mountain Lion | |
| Mule Deer | |
| Gray Fox | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| Badger | |
| Californian Myotis | |
| Fringed Myotis | |
| Common Shrew | |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | |
| Western Harvest Mouse | |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis |
Reptiles
| Death Valley National Park | Dry Tortugas National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Dry Tortugas National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Dry Tortugas National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Goldfish |
Amphibians
| Death Valley National Park | Dry Tortugas National Park |
|---|---|
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park
Death Valley NP: Badwater Basin (lowest pt. in NA), salt flats, Artist’s Drive & Palette, Panamint Range peaks.
Dry Tortugas NP: clear turquoise waters, marine life (coral reefs, shipwrecks, seagrass beds), migratory birds (pelicans, frigatebirds, terns), Fort Jefferson.
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park
Death Valley NP is known for scenic drives, geological formations and ranger-led walks, while Dry Tortugas NP is known for its clear waters, marine life, Fort Jefferson and water activities. Death Valley attracts visitors interested in geology and landscapes, while Dry Tortugas draws those interested in history, snorkeling, kayaking, birding, fishing, and camping.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park
Death Valley and Dry Tortugas have contrasting climates with different optimal visiting times. Death Valley, a desert in California/Nevada, experiences scorching summer temps (avg. highs over 100°F in June-Sept) & warm winter ones (avg. highs in 70s°F). Dry Tortugas, in Florida Keys, has warm, humid tropical weather year-round. The best time to visit Death Valley is Oct-May when temps are milder, while the best time to visit Dry Tortugas is Dec-Apr with less hurricane risk & calmer seas for activities like snorkeling & diving.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park
Death Valley National Park offers unique geological features, hiking trails, and scenic drives, but is hot and inhospitable for young children. Dry Tortugas National Park has clear waters, marine life, and historic Fort Jefferson, which provide a fun, educational experience for kids. While both parks offer camping, Dry Tortugas is more family-friendly, with less challenging terrain and a relaxed atmosphere.