Death Valley National Park vs Mount Rainier National Park

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Death Valley National Park vs Mount Rainier National Park

“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.

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