Death Valley and Petrified Forest National Parks are two of the most unique and beautiful parks in the United States. While Death Valley boasts scorching temperatures and stunning desert landscapes, Petrified Forest presents a breathtaking display of ancient fossils and petrified trees. Both parks offer a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors, but in vastly different ways. Whether you’re seeking adventure in the scorching heat or enlightenment through the study of natural history, these two parks are sure to leave a lasting impression. So, pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable journey through two of America’s most captivating natural wonders.
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Death Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer vastly different hiking experiences. Death Valley is known for its rough terrain and challenging hikes, but also has a few easier trails. One of the most popular easy hikes in Death Valley is the Wildrose Peak Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s landscape. On the other hand, the hardest hike in Death Valley is probably the Telescope Peak trail, which is a strenuous 11.5-mile hike to the highest point in the park. Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is known for its well-maintained trails and easier hiking experiences. One of the most popular easy hikes in Petrified Forest is the Giant Logs Trail, which takes you through a forest of petrified wood. The hardest hike in Petrified Forest is probably the Blue Mesa Loop, which is a strenuous 3.2-mile hike through the park’s badlands. Both parks offer unique and breathtaking hiking experiences, with something for hikers of all skill levels.
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 Petrified Forest National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Mesa Trail | 1448.406 | 32.9184 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Crystal Forest Trail | 1448.406 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Painted Desert Rim Trail | 1770.274 | 11.8872 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Petrified Forest Scenic Drive | 46027.124 | 297.7896 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Giant Logs Trail | 965.604 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Onyx Bridge Trail | 7402.964 | 134.7216 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail | 3379.614 | 24.9936 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Puerco Pueblo Trail | 482.802 | 2.7432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Devil’s Playground Loop | 12070.05 | 144.78 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Old Jasper Forest Road | 4184.284 | 53.9496 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Death Valley NP is known for its desert wildlife such as bighorn sheep, coyotes, roadrunners, and rattlesnakes. Petrified Forest NP is famous for its petrified logs but also has pronghorns, rattlesnakes, and bird species like sage-grouse & willow flycatcher. Petrified Forest NP also has diverse plant life, including petrified wood, creosote and mesquite.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Death Valley National Park | Petrified Forest 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 | 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 |
Mammals
| Death Valley National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Muskrat | Big Brown Bat |
| Big Brown Bat | Bobcat |
| Bobcat | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Porcupine | Black Bear |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Porcupine |
| Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| House Mouse | Hoary Bat |
| Mountain Lion | Red Fox |
| Mule Deer | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Gray Fox | Mountain Lion |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Mule Deer |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Gray Fox |
| Badger | Wolf |
| Californian Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Fringed Myotis | Badger |
| Common Shrew | California Myotis |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Fringed Myotis |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis | Western Harvest Mouse |
Reptiles
| Death Valley National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Western Rattlesnake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Rubber Boa | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Common Kingsnake |
| Smith������S Black-Headed Snake | Nightsnake |
| Tree Lizard | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Milksnake |
| Glossy Snake | Striped Whipsnake |
| Long-Nosed Snake | Southwestern Black-Headed Snake |
| Western Fence Lizard | Eastern Collared Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Insects
| Death Valley National Park | Petrified Forest 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 | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Goldfish |
Amphibians
| Death Valley National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Canyon Treefrog | Tiger Salamander |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Death Valley NP boasts Badwater Basin, the lowest point in N. America at 282 ft below sea level, and towering Panamint Range peaks. It also has sand dunes, canyons, and unique rock formations like Devil’s Golf Course & Artist’s Drive.
Petrified Forest NP has one of the largest & most colorful petrified wood collections and the Painted Desert, with colorful rock formations & hills. The park also offers scenic drives, hiking trails, and historic sites like the Painted Desert Inn.
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Death Valley NP is known for its extreme temperatures, unique geologic formations, and scenic drives. Popular activities include exploring the park’s salt flats, visiting Badwater Basin, and scenic drives like Artists Drive. Petrified Forest NP, on the other hand, features well-preserved petrified wood, colorful badlands, and ancient Puebloan ruins. Visitors enjoy scenic drives, like Painted Desert Rim Drive, and exploring Petrified Forest Loop Trail to see petrified logs. Both parks offer stargazing opportunities, with Death Valley designated a Dark Sky Park.
People visit these parks for their unique natural beauty, rich history, and outdoor recreation opportunities. Death Valley is ideal for those who enjoy rugged and remote experiences, while Petrified Forest NP is better for those interested in geology and region’s history.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Death Valley NP has hot, dry weather & temperatures of over 120°F in summer. Winters are mild & occasional rain/snow possible. Best to visit Oct-May with moderate temps & less rain. Petrified Forest NP has a semi-arid climate, hot summers, & cold winters. Low rainfall & temps can reach 100°F in summer & below freezing in winter. Best to visit spring & fall for mild temps & less severe weather.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest is a better family destination than Death Valley. Petrified Forest has easier trails, a museum with hands-on exhibits and ranger programs, while Death Valley is hot and remote, with potential dangers for kids.