“Step into two vastly different worlds with Death Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park. One offers a land of extremes with scorching temperatures and the lowest elevation in North America, while the other takes you on a trek through a wilderness of glaciers and rugged peaks. Experience the desolate beauty of Death Valley, where sand dunes and towering mountains are the only signs of life, and then be awed by the stunning vistas of North Cascades, where snow-capped peaks and pristine lakes abound with wildlife. These two parks are a testament to the diversity of nature and the perfect destination for adventure seekers.”
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park
Death Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park are two distinct destinations for hikers. In Death Valley, the Mosaic Canyon and Natural Bridge trails are easy hikes that showcase the park’s geological wonders. Meanwhile, the hike to Telescope Peak is one of the park’s harder hikes and culminates at the highest point in the park with panoramic views of the desert. North Cascades National Park, known for its rugged wilderness, has easy hikes like Ladder Creek Falls while more challenging hikes include Pioneer Ridge or Sahale Arm Trail, offering views of glaciers and peaks. Both parks offer a range of options, from easy walks to strenuous backcountry hikes, making them popular among outdoor 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 North Cascades National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lake Trail | 8529.502 | 291.9984 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail | 17541.806 | 1175.9184 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sourdough Mountain Trail | 14644.994 | 1555.6992 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail to Cottonwood Camp | 25588.506 | 1422.8064 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail | 10460.71 | 542.8488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sahale Arm Trail to Quien Sabe Glacier | 19955.816 | 1651.7112 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk | 3057.746 | 21.9456 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Fourth of July Pass via Panther Creek Trail | 14966.862 | 759.8664 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Ruby Mountain Summit via Fourth of July and Thunder Creek Trail | 23335.43 | 1949.8056 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
| Gorge Creek Falls Trail | 804.67 | 11.8872 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park
Death Valley NP is a desert park with wildlife like bighorn sheep, kit foxes, chuckwallas & birds like golden eagles & flamingos. North Cascades NP is a mountainous ecosystem, with animals like black bears, mountain goats & marmots. It’s also a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 200 bird species incl. American dipper & northern goshawk. Both parks have unique flora: Death Valley has diverse cacti & North Cascades hosts towering conifers such as Douglas firs & hemlocks.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Death Valley National Park | North Cascades 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 | 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 | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Death Valley National Park | North Cascades 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 | Red Fox |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Eared Myotis | House Mouse |
| Badger | Puma |
| Californian Myotis | Mink |
| Fringed Myotis | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Common Shrew | Wolf |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Western Long-Eared Bat |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Ermine |
| Western Harvest Mouse | California Myotis |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis | Snowshoe Hare |
Reptiles
| Death Valley National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Western Yellowbelly Racer |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Common Garter Snake |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | Rubber Boa |
| Rubber Boa | Western Fence Lizard |
| 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 | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Monarch Butterfly | Red Admiral |
| American Lady | Mourning Cloak |
| Red Admiral | Silvery Blue |
| Mourning Cloak | Clouded Sulphur |
| Cabbage White | Honey Bee |
| Silvery Blue | Purplish Copper |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | Anise Swallowtail |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Death Valley National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Mosquitofish | Brook Trout |
| Goldfish | Largemouth Bass |
| Longnose Sucker | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Burbot | |
| Silver Salmon | |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Kokanee | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Amphibians
| Death Valley National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park
Death Valley NP: Badwater Basin (lowest point in NA), Devil’s Golf Course, Zabriskie Point, Artist’s Drive, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
North Cascades NP: Diablo Lake, Ross Lake, jagged peaks of the North Cascades Range.
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park
Death Valley NP offers unique landscapes, such as the lowest point in NA & unique geology, while North Cascades NP is known for its rugged peaks & glaciers. Popular activities at Death Valley include off-roading, stargazing, sight-seeing. In North Cascades, popular activities are backpacking, climbing, & wildlife viewing. Both parks offer scenic drives, camping, & ranger-led programs, but Death Valley is ideal for a desert experience & North Cascades for a mountainous wilderness experience.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park
Death Valley & North Cascades National Parks have contrasting weather patterns. Death Valley, in CA & NV, is the hottest & driest park in the US, with hot, dry summers & mild winters. Winter is best for mild temperatures & fewer visitors. North Cascades, in WA, has snowy, wet winters & mild, dry summers. Summer is best for accessible trails & outdoor activities after snow melt. Both parks offer unique experiences, but choose time of year based on weather preferences.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park
Death Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park are both popular destinations for families, but offer different experiences. Death Valley features stunning landscapes, including the Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, and the towering sand dunes of Mesquite Flat. North Cascades, on the other hand, boasts stunning mountain views, glaciers, and numerous opportunities for hiking and water-based activities. For families traveling with children, North Cascades may be the better option as it offers a wider range of recreational activities and a more varied landscape to explore. Additionally, North Cascades is generally considered to be a safer option for families, as some of the trails and landscapes in Death Valley can be treacherous.