“Get ready to embark on a journey of stark contrasts as we compare the vastly different worlds of Death Valley and Mount Rainier National Parks. One a searing desert with temperatures that can reach 134°F, the other a lush paradise of glaciers, subalpine meadows and towering peaks. Both parks offer breathtaking beauty, but the similarities end there. Get ready to explore and find out which of these uniquely stunning destinations will be your next adventure!”
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Death Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park offer diverse hiking experiences. Death Valley’s desert landscape features easy hikes such as Badwater Basin (lowest point in N. America) and moderate hikes like Darwin Falls. On the other hand, Mount Rainier is known for its forested terrain and towering peaks, including the strenuous 93-mile Wonderland Trail that encircles the mountain. For a more challenging hike, try Mount Rainier’s Skyline Trail with panoramic views. Both parks cater to a range of hikers, from casual strollers to advanced backcountry enthusiasts.
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 Mount Rainier National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tolmie Peak Trail | 8851.37 | 463.9056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Skyline Trail | 8529.502 | 535.8384 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
Comet and Christine Falls | 6920.162 | 610.8192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Camp Muir Route Via Skyline Trail | 13518.456 | 1403.9088 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail | 15127.796 | 780.8976 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
Naches Peak Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 193.8528 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Spray Park Trail to Mount Pleasant | 11104.446 | 635.8128 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Mount Fremont Lookout Trail | 9012.304 | 348.996 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
Pinnacle Peak Saddle Trail | 3862.416 | 321.8688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Summerland Trail | 13196.588 | 655.9296 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Death Valley NP is a harsh desert environment with species adapted to arid conditions like bighorn sheep, desert tortoises & kit foxes. On the other hand, Mt. Rainier NP is a high-altitude park with diverse ecosystems & species like elk, black bears, mountain goats & songbirds. Death Valley has limited plant life, such as Joshua trees & creosote bushes, while Mt. Rainier has wildflowers & old-growth conifers. Both parks have a variety of bird species, including raptors in Death Valley & diverse songbirds in Mt. Rainier.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Death Valley National Park | Mount Rainier 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 | Great Horned Owl |
American Robin | Red-Tailed Hawk |
Great Horned Owl | Barn Swallow |
Red-Tailed Hawk | Savannah Sparrow |
Northern Flicker | Great Blue Heron |
Merlin | Hermit Thrush |
Barn Swallow | European Starling |
Savannah Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
Great Blue Heron | American Wigeon |
Hermit Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
American Kestrel | American Pipit |
Bald Eagle | Killdeer |
Song Sparrow | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
European Starling | Hairy Woodpecker |
Northern Pintail | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
American Wigeon | White-Crowned Sparrow |
Green-Winged Teal | Northern Shoveler |
Mammals
Death Valley National Park | Mount Rainier National Park |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
Muskrat | American Beaver |
Big Brown Bat | Muskrat |
Bobcat | Big Brown Bat |
Little Brown Bat | Bobcat |
Deer Mouse | Striped Skunk |
Raccoon | Little Brown Bat |
Porcupine | Deer Mouse |
Silver-Haired Bat | Raccoon |
Hoary Bat | Black Bear |
House Mouse | Porcupine |
Mountain Lion | Silver-Haired Bat |
Mule Deer | Hoary Bat |
Gray Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Long-Legged Myotis | House Mouse |
Long-Eared Myotis | Mountain Lion |
Badger | Black-Tailed Deer |
Californian Myotis | Wolf |
Fringed Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
Common Shrew | Long-Eared Myotis |
Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Ermine |
Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | California Myotis |
Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Snowshoe Hare |
Western Harvest Mouse | North American River Otter |
Western Small-Footed Myotis | Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
Death Valley National Park | Mount Rainier National Park |
---|---|
Gopher Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
Terrestrial Gartersnake | Common Garter Snake |
Ring-Necked Snake | Rubber Boa |
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 | Mount Rainier National Park |
---|---|
Orange Sulphur | Mourning Cloak |
Painted Lady | Cabbage White |
Monarch Butterfly | Silvery Blue |
American Lady | Purplish Copper |
Red Admiral | Anise Swallowtail |
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 | Mount Rainier National Park |
---|---|
Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
Mosquitofish | Eastern Brook Trout |
Goldfish | Brown Trout |
Coho Salmon | |
Chinook Salmon | |
Mottled Sculpin | |
Slimy Sculpin | |
Threespine Stickleback | |
Kokanee | |
Pink Salmon | |
Dolly Varden | |
Cutthroat Trout |
Amphibians
Death Valley National Park | Mount Rainier National Park |
---|---|
Woodhouse’s Toad | Tiger Salamander |
Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Death Valley NP: Badwater Basin (lowest point in NA), Zabriskie Point (colorful badlands overlook).
Mount Rainier NP: Mount Rainier (14,410ft stratovolcano), subalpine wildflower meadows, glaciers, waterfalls (inc. Carbon Glacier Falls).
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Death Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park offer different experiences for visitors. Death Valley is known for its hot and dry climate, unique landscapes, and diverse wildlife. Visitors can go on scenic drives, stargaze, and explore ghost towns. Mount Rainier is famous for its mountainous scenery, glaciers, and backcountry activities like camping and hiking. Both parks have ranger-led programs and campfire talks. Death Valley focuses on scenic drives, stargazing, and exploring its history, while Mount Rainier focuses on outdoor activities and stunning mountain views.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Death Valley NP in California sees scorching, arid summers with temperatures often exceeding 120°F, while winters are mild with occasional rain and temperatures 50-70°F. Mount Rainier NP in Washington has a cool, moist summer climate with temperatures 40-70°F and frequent rainfall, and a cold winter with snow and temperatures 20-40°F.
The ideal time to visit Death Valley is winter for milder temperatures, while summer is the best time to visit Mount Rainier for its cool, dry weather, ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Death Valley NP is harsh, with limited facilities & trails. Mount Rainier NP offers scenic drives, diverse trails, ranger programs, picnic areas, & campgrounds, making it better for families.