Death Valley and Kenai Fjords are two vastly different national parks that offer a range of outdoor experiences. Death Valley is known for its scorching heat, otherworldly landscapes, and abundant wildlife. On the other hand, Kenai Fjords is a place of rugged coastline, glaciers, and whales. Both parks are unique in their own ways and offer an unforgettable adventure for visitors. Whether you’re a hiker, photographer, or simply someone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, these parks are sure to leave a lasting impression. So, buckle up and get ready to explore two of the most diverse and captivating parks in the United States!
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Death Valley and Kenai Fjords are both national parks offering hiking opportunities, but the two locations have vastly different terrains and climates. Death Valley is known for its barren desert landscape and extreme heat, while Kenai Fjords is located in Alaska and features icy glaciers and rugged coastal cliffs. In Death Valley, the easiest hike is the Mosaic Canyon Trail, a moderate 2.5-mile hike that features narrow canyons and polished marble walls. On the other hand, the hardest hike in Death Valley is the Badwater Basin, a strenuous 11-mile hike that descends over 3,000 feet into the lowest point in North America. In Kenai Fjords, the easiest hike is the Exit Glacier Nature Trail, a 1.2-mile hike that leads to the face of the glacier. The hardest hike in Kenai Fjords is the Harding Icefield Trail, an 8.2-mile hike that ascends over 1,000 feet and offers stunning views of the icefield.
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 Kenai Fjords National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Death Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both unique in their own ways in terms of wildlife. Death Valley is known for its desert animals such as bighorn sheep, coyotes, and kit foxes, as well as its reptiles such as rattlesnakes and Gila monsters. On the other hand, Kenai Fjords is home to a variety of marine mammals such as sea otters, whales, and dolphins. Additionally, visitors to Kenai Fjords can spot several species of birds including puffins and bald eagles. In terms of plants, Death Valley boasts a diverse array of cacti and wildflowers, while Kenai Fjords has a lush forest of spruce, hemlock, and Sitka pine.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Death Valley National Park | Kenai Fjords 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 | 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 | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Death Valley National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Hoary Bat | Gray Wolf |
| House Mouse | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Mountain Lion | California Myotis |
| Mule Deer | Snowshoe Hare |
| Gray Fox | Northern River Otter |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Masked Shrew |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Red Squirrel |
| Badger | Montane Shrew |
| Californian Myotis | Lynx |
| Fringed Myotis | Wolverine |
| Common Shrew | American Marten |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Brown Bear |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Meadow Mouse |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Moose |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis | Pygmy Shrew |
Reptiles
| Death Valley National Park | Kenai Fjords 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 | Kenai Fjords 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 | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Mosquitofish | Longnose Sucker |
| Goldfish | Burbot |
| Silver Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Red Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden |
Amphibians
| Death Valley National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Wood Frog |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Death Valley National Park is known for its unique and scenic landscapes, including Badwater Basin, the Furnace Creek area, and the famous Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Kenai Fjords National Park is famous for its stunning glaciers, including the Harding Icefield, Aialik Bay, and the Exit Glacier Area. You can also see wildlife such as whales, sea otters, and sea birds in the fjords.
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Death Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both unique and offer different activities and experiences for visitors. In Death Valley, visitors love to explore the striking and diverse landscapes, including sand dunes, canyons, salt flats, and the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere. Activities in Death Valley include scenic drives, camping, stargazing, and ranger-led tours. In contrast, Kenai Fjords National Park is known for its stunning glaciers, wildlife, and fjords. Visitors to Kenai Fjords love to go kayaking, wildlife watching, glacier trekking, and boat tours. While both parks offer opportunities for hiking, Death Valley is known for its challenging, backcountry hikes, while Kenai Fjords is known for its stunning coastal hikes.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Death Valley NP and Kenai Fjords NP have vastly different climates. Death Valley is one of the hottest and driest places in the world, with summer temperatures reaching over 120°F, while Kenai Fjords is known for its cool, wet, and windy weather with temperatures ranging from 40-60°F. The best time to visit Death Valley is during the cooler months from November to April, while the best time to visit Kenai Fjords is during the summer months from June to September when the weather is milder and there is more daylight to explore the park. The weather in both parks greatly impacts the type of activities visitors can enjoy, with Death Valley offering opportunities for hiking, scenic drives, and stargazing, while Kenai Fjords is ideal for kayaking, whale watching, and glacier viewing.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Death Valley National Park is more family-friendly than Kenai Fjords National Park. While both parks offer unique and stunning natural beauty, Death Valley has more accessible and kid-friendly activities like scenic drives, hiking trails, and ranger-led programs. On the other hand, Kenai Fjords is primarily composed of glaciers and fjords that can only be explored by boat, making it less accessible for young children.