Death Valley National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are two of the most awe-inspiring parks in the United States. While Death Valley boasts a landscape of towering sand dunes, searing heat, and otherworldly rock formations, Lake Clark is a lush oasis of glaciers, wildlife, and crystal clear waters. These parks offer vastly different experiences, with Death Valley pushing the limits of human endurance and Lake Clark being a haven for those seeking peace and tranquility. Whether you’re seeking adventure or simply looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, these two parks have something to offer. So, come along as we dive into the unique wonders of Death Valley and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve.
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Death Valley and Lake Clark National Parks offer vastly different hiking experiences. Death Valley is known for its rugged desert terrain and scenic diversity, with options ranging from easy 1-mile nature trails to strenuous 11-mile summits, such as Telescope Peak. Lake Clark, on the other hand, is a remote wilderness with a focus on glaciers, alpine tundra, and salmon-filled rivers. The park’s easiest hike is the 2.5-mile Telaquana Trail, but the most challenging is the 40-mile round-trip to Mount Redoubt, passing glaciers and offering breathtaking views. Both parks cater to all levels of hikers and provide diverse, awe-inspiring landscapes.
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 Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
| 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 | 4.7 |
Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Death Valley NP is well-known for its desert ecosystem which supports unique wildlife such as bighorn sheep, rattlesnakes, and coyotes. The park is also home to birds like roadrunners and various species of hawks. Common vegetation includes cacti, wildflowers, and salt-tolerant plants. Lake Clark NP, in contrast, boasts a diverse ecosystem that includes both coastal and interior Alaska habitats. Large mammals like brown bears, moose, caribou, and wolves are commonly seen. The park also has a rich birdlife including bald eagles, puffins, and various waterfowl. Vegetation ranges from dense forests to tundra and includes wildflowers, shrubs, and birch trees.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Death Valley National Park | Lake Clark 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 | 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 | Northern Pintail |
| Northern Pintail | American Wigeon |
| American Wigeon | Green-Winged Teal |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Death Valley National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Gray Wolf |
| Hoary Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | Snowshoe Hare |
| Mountain Lion | Northern River Otter |
| Mule Deer | Masked Shrew |
| Gray Fox | Water Shrew |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Red Squirrel |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Montane Shrew |
| Badger | Lynx |
| Californian Myotis | Wolverine |
| Fringed Myotis | American Marten |
| Common Shrew | Brown Bear |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Meadow Vole |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Moose |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Least Weasel |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Pygmy Shrew |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis | Meadow Jumping Mouse |
Reptiles
| Death Valley National Park | Lake Clark 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 | Lake Clark 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 | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Steelhead |
| Mosquitofish | Longnose Sucker |
| Goldfish | Lake Trout |
| Northern Pike | |
| Burbot | |
| Silver Salmon | |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Death Valley National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Wood Frog |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Death Valley NP: Badwater Basin (lowest point in NA), Artist’s Drive, Zabriskie Point (colorful rock formations), Panamint Range (mountain range), Dante’s View (scenic overlook).
Lake Clark NP: glaciers, volcanoes, Alaska Range (scenic vistas), turquoise glacial lakes, wildlife (brown bears, moose, caribou).
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Death Valley NP and Lake Clark NP&P differ greatly in terms of activities. In Death Valley, visitors enjoy scenic drives, stargazing, visiting historic sites, & exploring unique geologic features like sand dunes, salt flats, canyons. In contrast, Lake Clark offers scenic beauty, glaciers, volcanoes, abundant wildlife, fishing, kayaking, & bear viewing. Both parks have camping, but Lake Clark also offers backcountry camping & cabin rentals. So, while both offer unique experiences, Death Valley is more focused on scenic & stargazing, while Lake Clark is more focused on outdoor recreation & wildlife viewing.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Death Valley NP experiences extreme temperatures, with summer highs often reaching 120°F and mild winter temperatures around 70°F. Lake Clark NP, located in Alaska, experiences much wetter weather with 80 in. of rainfall per year and summer temp. in the 60°F to 70°F range, but winter temp. can drop below freezing. The best time to visit Death Valley is winter while the best time to visit Lake Clark is summer, when weather is milder and bears are out of hibernation.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Death Valley NP is known for its extreme heat and barren landscape, making it less suitable for families with young children. Lake Clark NP&P, on the other hand, offers more opportunities for outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing, making it a better choice for families. Lake Clark has a wider range of activities such as hiking, fishing, and boating, which appeals to families, while Death Valley is more focused on scenic vistas and unique geology.