Death Valley National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are two vastly different wilderness areas that both offer unique and spectacular experiences to visitors. While Death Valley is known for its scorching hot temperatures, barren landscapes and multi-hued sand dunes, Gates of the Arctic is comprised of remote, rugged tundra and pristine wilderness dotted with glaciers, lakes and rivers. Whether you are seeking a chance to escape the heat and explore a landscape of ice and snow, or a desert adventure filled with unique geological formations and vibrant sunsets, these two parks will not disappoint. Get ready to be amazed, as we take a closer look at these two contrasting yet equally captivating destinations.
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Death Valley National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are two of the most popular national parks in the US, and they each offer unique hiking experiences. In Death Valley, trails range from relatively easy walks to strenuous hikes, with well-established trails and marked paths. Hikes such as the Mosaic Canyon Trail (2.5 miles) and the Natural Bridge Canyon Trail (0.3 miles) are moderate and offer stunning views of the park’s unique geological features. On the other hand, Gates of the Arctic is known for its rugged, backcountry hikes with no established trails, such as the Arrigetch Peaks (30 miles) and the Boreal Forest to Arctic Divide (35 miles). These hikes offer challenging experiences for the more adventurous hiker and provide the opportunity to immerse oneself in the park’s pristine wilderness.
For those seeking a more strenuous hike, Death Valley has the Father Crowley Vista Point Trail (7.2 miles), a steep hike with panoramic views of the valley. At Gates of the Arctic, the Kobuk Valley (2.5 miles) is a relatively flat hike through the world’s largest sand dunes. Both parks offer a range of hiking options, from easy to challenging, and each park provides a unique and memorable 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 Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shark Valley Trail | 25427.572 | 6.7056 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Anhinga Trail | 2414.01 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook Trail | 321.868 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Gumbo Limbo Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Long Pine Key Trail | 24944.77 | 0 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mahogany Hammock Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Everglades Coastal Prairie Trail | 27358.78 | 4.8768 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Pinelands Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Everglades National Park East Entrance to Flamingo Scenic Route | 58258.108 | 7.9248 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Nine Mile Pond | 8851.37 | 0 | Easy | loop | 5 |
Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Death Valley NP is known for its harsh desert environment with unique wildlife adaptations, such as the desert bighorn sheep, rattlesnakes, and roadrunners. In contrast, Gates of the Arctic NP is located in the Alaskan interior and has a subarctic climate, offering a diverse range of wildlife such as grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. In terms of plants, Death Valley NP is home to a variety of cactus species and wildflowers that bloom in spring, while Gates of the Arctic NP is characterized by arctic tundra with low-lying vegetation and mosses. Both parks offer birdwatching opportunities with species like golden eagles and peregrine falcons in Death Valley, and species such as the gyrfalcon and willow ptarmigan in Gates of the Arctic.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Death Valley National Park | Gates Of The Arctic 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 | Savannah Sparrow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Hermit Thrush |
| Great Blue Heron | American Kestrel |
| Hermit Thrush | Bald Eagle |
| American Kestrel | Northern Pintail |
| Bald Eagle | American Wigeon |
| Song Sparrow | Green-Winged Teal |
| European Starling | American Pipit |
| Northern Pintail | Swainson’s Thrush |
| American Wigeon | Hairy Woodpecker |
| Green-Winged Teal | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Mammals
| Death Valley National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Muskrat | American Beaver |
| Big Brown Bat | Muskrat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Little Brown Bat | Porcupine |
| Deer Mouse | Red Fox |
| Raccoon | Mink |
| Porcupine | Wolf |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Hoary Bat | Varying Hare |
| House Mouse | River Otter |
| Mountain Lion | Common Shrew |
| Mule Deer | Red Squirrel |
| Gray Fox | Montane Shrew |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Lynx |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Wolverine |
| Badger | American Marten |
| Californian Myotis | Grizzly Bear |
| Fringed Myotis | Meadow Vole |
| Common Shrew | Moose |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Least Weasel |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Pygmy Shrew |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Northern Bog Lemming |
| Western Harvest Mouse | |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis |
Reptiles
| Death Valley National Park | Gates Of The Arctic 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 | Gates Of The Arctic 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 | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Longnose Sucker |
| Mosquitofish | Lake Trout |
| Goldfish | Northern Pike |
| Eelpout | |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Death Valley National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Wood Frog |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Death Valley National Park is known for its unique landscapes like Badwater Basin (lowest elevation in N. America), Zabriskie Point (panoramic views), sand dunes, salt flats and canyons.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve in Alaska boasts remote wilderness and stunning mountain ranges like Brooks Range and glaciers. The park is also home to the Noatak River surrounded by pristine wilderness and beautiful arctic valleys.
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Death Valley NP offers hot, diverse terrain with activities like hiking, camping, scenic drives and ranger programs. Gates of the Arctic NP is a remote wilderness w/ backpacking, fishing, kayaking and wildlife viewing. Death Valley attracts desert adventure seekers; Gates of the Arctic appeals to wilderness enthusiasts.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Death Valley NP in California and Gates of the Arctic NP&P in Alaska have vastly different climates. Death Valley is one of the hottest and driest places in the world, with summer temperatures often exceeding 120°F. Winter temperatures are mild, with daytime highs in the 60s and 70s°F. In contrast, Gates of the Arctic is located in a subarctic climate, with long, harsh winters and short, cool summers. Winter temperatures can drop below -40°F, while summer temperatures average in the 40s°F. The best time to visit Death Valley is during the winter, while Gates of the Arctic is best visited in the summer, when the weather is milder and there is more daylight.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Death Valley is hot and remote, not ideal for families. Gates Of The Arctic is a rugged wilderness, challenging for families due to remoteness and harsh weather. The best park for a family visit depends on family interests, comfort and children’s age.