“Get ready for a desert duel between two of the most captivating parks in the American West – Death Valley and Joshua Tree. While both parks boast breathtaking landscapes that will leave you in awe, they offer vastly different experiences. From the scorching heat of the lowest point in North America to the surreal beauty of the Joshua Trees, these parks are not for the faint of heart. So, grab your sunscreen and hiking boots, and let’s dive into the unique challenges and beauty each park has to offer, and find out which one will rise as the champion of the desert.”
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks offer hiking trails that range from easy walks to strenuous ascents. In Death Valley, the Badwater Basin Trail offers a flat, easy walk to the lowest point in North America, while the Telescope Peak Trail provides panoramic views and a challenging ascent to the park’s highest point. Joshua Tree’s Barker Dam Trail is a 1.3-mile loop through a desert oasis, while the Ryan Mountain Trail provides a strenuous hike to panoramic views. The Lost Horse Mine Trail in Joshua Tree is a 4-mile round trip to a historic mine, and the 49 Palms Oasis Trail features a strenuous climb to a hidden palm grove. Both parks offer a diverse range of hiking options for visitors.
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 Joshua Tree National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Mountain Trail | 4828.02 | 325.8312 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Barker Dam Nature Trail | 2896.812 | 19.812 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hidden Valley Nature Trail | 1609.34 | 34.7472 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Lost Palms Oasis | 11587.248 | 312.7248 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Arch Rock Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 7.9248 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail | 4506.152 | 188.976 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail | 11104.446 | 277.9776 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Skull Rock Nature Trail | 2735.878 | 48.768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail | 321.868 | 1.8288 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Willow Hole Trail | 10943.512 | 74.9808 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Death Valley NP and Joshua Tree NP are both located in California, but they differ greatly in terms of wildlife. Death Valley NP is known for its diverse desert landscape and harsh conditions, which support species such as bighorn sheep, kit foxes, and multiple species of reptiles. On the other hand, Joshua Tree NP is known for its namesake tree species and unique rock formations, which support a variety of bird species, including the greater roadrunner and several species of hawks, as well as animals like the desert tortoise and black-tailed jackrabbit. Both parks have a variety of cacti and other desert plants, but Joshua Tree is also home to Joshua tree forests and yucca plants, while Death Valley has saltbushes, creosote, and other drought-tolerant species.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Death Valley National Park | Joshua Tree 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 | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Muskrat | Big Brown Bat |
| Big Brown Bat | Bobcat |
| Bobcat | Deer Mouse |
| Little Brown Bat | Black Bear |
| Deer Mouse | Hoary Bat |
| Raccoon | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Porcupine | House Mouse |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Cougar |
| Hoary Bat | Mule Deer |
| House Mouse | Gray Fox |
| Mountain Lion | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Mule Deer | American Badger |
| Gray Fox | Californian Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Snowhsoe Hare |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Fringed Myotis |
| Badger | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Californian Myotis | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Fringed Myotis | Pallid Bat |
| Common Shrew | Ringtail |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Desert Cottontail |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Virginia Opossum |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Black-Tailed Jackrabbit |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Brush Deermouse |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis | Western Spotted Skunk |
Reptiles
| Death Valley National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Common Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | Smith’s Black-Headed Snake |
| Rubber Boa | Glossy Snake |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Long-Nosed Snake |
| Smith������S Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Death Valley National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Monarch Butterfly | Monarch Butterfly |
| American Lady | Red Admiral |
| Red Admiral | Mourningcloak |
| Mourning Cloak | Silvery Blue |
| Cabbage White | Variegated Fritillary |
| Silvery Blue | Buckeye |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | Gray Hairstreak |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Death Valley National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Goldfish |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Goldfish |
Amphibians
| Death Valley National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Canyon Treefrog |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Death Valley National Park is known for its incredible landscapes and natural features, including the Badwater Basin, which is the lowest point in North America, and the towering peaks of the Panamint Mountains. Visitors can also enjoy breathtaking views from Zabriskie Point, and see the colorful rock formations at Artist’s Drive.
Joshua Tree National Park is famous for its namesake trees, which are surrounded by towering rock formations, including the park’s famous “skull rock.” Visitors can also see the stunning Cholla Cactus Garden, and hike to the top of Ryan Mountain for panoramic views of the park’s unique desert landscape.
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Death Valley is famous for its scorching temperatures and unique geological formations, including sand dunes, salt flats, and canyons. Visitors come to Death Valley to take scenic drives, go camping, stargaze, and visit the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. On the other hand, Joshua Tree is known for its unique desert landscape characterized by its namesake trees, rock formations and scenic drives. Visitors come to Joshua Tree to rock climb, go camping, stargazing, and visit the Joshua Tree Visitor Center. Both parks offer a variety of outdoor recreational activities including hiking, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing. However, Death Valley has more challenging hikes and is better suited for experienced hikers, while Joshua Tree is better for beginner to intermediate hikers.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park both have unique weather patterns due to their desert locations. Death Valley, located in the Mojave Desert, is the driest and hottest National Park in the United States, with temperatures reaching over 120°F in the summer months. Winter temperatures in Death Valley are mild, but snow and rainfall are rare. On the other hand, Joshua Tree National Park, located in the Colorado Desert, experiences hot temperatures in the summer and cool temperatures in the winter. Winter temperatures in Joshua Tree can fall below freezing, and it is common to receive snow and frost.
The best time to visit Death Valley is in the winter months, when temperatures are mild and comfortable, and the risk of heat exhaustion is lower. In contrast, the best time to visit Joshua Tree is in the spring, when wildflowers bloom and temperatures are pleasant. Visitors should avoid visiting both parks during the summer months, as temperatures can be extreme and pose a risk to visitors.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks are both popular destinations for families, but have different landscapes and amenities. Death Valley is known for its vast desert landscapes, salt flats, and sand dunes, while Joshua Tree is known for its unique rock formations and abundant namesake trees. Death Valley has more developed campgrounds and picnic areas, but also experiences extremely hot temperatures in the summer. Joshua Tree has fewer services, but its milder temperature and kid-friendly rock climbing opportunities make it a better choice for families with children.