“Death Valley and Isle Royale National Parks are two vastly contrasting destinations that offer unforgettable experiences. While Death Valley sizzles with record-breaking temperatures, Isle Royale remains cool and serene surrounded by the pristine waters of Lake Superior. Both parks showcase the raw power of nature in their own unique way, from the haunting beauty of salt-crusted valley floors in Death Valley to the rugged wilderness of a forested island in Isle Royale. So whether you prefer to bask in the heat or escape to a remote oasis, these two parks are ready to take you on an adventure like no other.”
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Death Valley National Park and Isle Royale National Park are two of the most popular hiking destinations in the United States. Death Valley is known for its scorching temperatures and challenging hikes, while Isle Royale is known for its remote wilderness and lighter crowds. The easiest hike in Death Valley is the 0.8-mile Nature Trail, which takes you through the park’s unique geology and vegetation. The most difficult hike in Death Valley is the 21-mile round-trip hike to Telescope Peak, which offers stunning views of the park but requires a high level of physical fitness and endurance. In contrast, Isle Royale’s easiest hike is the 0.6-mile Minong Ridge Trail, which offers panoramic views of Lake Superior. The most challenging hike in Isle Royale is the 40-mile Greenstone Ridge Trail, which takes you through the heart of the park and its rugged wilderness. Both parks offer a diverse range of hiking experiences, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks, making them ideal destinations for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels.
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 Isle Royale National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenstone Ridge Trail: Windigo to Tobin Harbor | 63568.93 | 1216.7616 | Hard | point to point | 4 |
| Rainbow Cove Trail | 2253.076 | 21.9456 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
| Malone Bay to Hatchett Lake | 37658.556 | 664.7688 | Moderate | out and back | 0 |
| Ishpeming Trail to Ishpeming Point | 23496.364 | 339.852 | Moderate | out and back | 0 |
Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Death Valley NP and Isle Royale NP are both known for their unique wildlife, with Death Valley being a desert park and Isle Royale being an island park. Death Valley is home to big horn sheep, kit foxes, rattlesnakes, and the desert tortoise. Isle Royale is famous for its wolf and moose populations, and is a popular destination for birdwatching, with over 160 species of birds such as the common loon and bald eagle. Both parks offer a diverse range of plants, with Death Valley showcasing cacti, creosote bush, Joshua trees, and wildflowers, while Isle Royale is surrounded by Lake Superior and boasts boreal forests of balsam fir, paper birch, and white cedar.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Isle Royale National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Death Valley National Park | Isle Royale 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 |
| 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 |
Mammals
| Death Valley National Park | Isle Royale National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Muskrat | American Beaver |
| Big Brown Bat | Muskrat |
| Bobcat | Big Brown Bat |
| Little Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Deer Mouse | Little Brown Bat |
| Raccoon | Deer Mouse |
| Porcupine | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Red Fox |
| House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mountain Lion | Mink |
| Mule Deer | Gray Wolf |
| Gray Fox | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Snowshoe Hare |
| Long-Eared Myotis | North American River Otter |
| Badger | Canada Lynx |
| Californian Myotis | Marten |
| Fringed Myotis | Moose |
| Common Shrew | Red Bat |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Norway Rat |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Southern Red-Backed Vole |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Northern Long-Eared Bat |
| Western Harvest Mouse | |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis |
Reptiles
| Death Valley National Park | Isle Royale 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 | Isle Royale 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 | Isle Royale National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Mosquitofish | Coaster Brook Trout |
| Goldfish | Brown Trout |
| Longnose Sucker | |
| Harvey Lake Fathead Minnow | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Ellpout | |
| Coho Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Creek Chub |
Amphibians
| Death Valley National Park | Isle Royale National Park |
|---|---|
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Canyon Treefrog | Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Death Valley NP: Badwater Basin (lowest in NA), Artist’s Drive, Dante’s View, Mesquite Dunes, Zabriskie Point.
Isle Royale NP: Rugged shorelines, clear waters of Lake Superior, trails, Rock Harbor Lighthouse, Lookout Louise, Mount Ojibway, moose sightings.
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Death Valley and Isle Royale are distinct parks with different attractions. At Death Valley, visitors enjoy scenic drives, camping, stargazing, and exploring its desert landscapes, salt flats, and sand dunes. At Isle Royale, backpacking, kayaking, fishing, and exploring its rugged wilderness are popular activities. Both parks host ranger-led activities and educational programs to enhance visitors’ appreciation of their unique ecosystems. Death Valley is accessible and offers a range of activities, while Isle Royale is a wilderness escape for those seeking a connection with nature.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Death Valley NP and Isle Royale NP differ in terms of weather. Death Valley NP, in the Mojave Desert, is hot and dry, with summer temperatures often exceeding 120°F (49°C) and mild winter temps around 60°F (16°C). Isle Royale NP, on an island in Lake Superior, has cooler and wetter weather, with summer temps in 60s°F (15-20°C) and winter temps below freezing. To visit Death Valley NP, the best time is winter; to visit Isle Royale NP, summer is best when mild weather and ferry services are available.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Isle Royale National Park
Death Valley NP and Isle Royale NP differ in accessibility and activities for families. Death Valley NP offers a desert environment with ranger-led activities, hiking, and scenic drives. Isle Royale NP is a remote island with limited facilities, but offers opportunities for wilderness exploration, camping, and kayaking. For families traveling with children, Death Valley NP is more accommodating with its developed facilities and ranger-led activities. Thus, Death Valley NP is the more family-friendly option.