Death Valley and Saguaro National Parks are two of the most unique and distinct protected areas in the United States. While Death Valley is known for its scorching heat, barren landscapes, and vast salt flats, Saguaro is a lush and verdant desert, dotted with towering cactus and rugged mountains. Both parks offer a wealth of opportunities for adventure and exploration, but only one can claim the title of the hottest, driest, and lowest point in North America. So grab your hats and sunscreen, and get ready to discover the differences and similarities between these two desert landscapes.
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Saguaro National Park
Death Valley and Saguaro National Park offer vastly different hiking experiences. Death Valley is known for its scorching temperatures, rugged terrain and remote trails that challenge even the most experienced hikers. The park’s most difficult hike is probably Telescope Peak, a strenuous 11-mile round trip that rises over 3,000 feet to offer panoramic views of the valley. On the other hand, the park also has several easier trails, such as the short but scenic Mosaic Canyon.
In contrast, Saguaro National Park is located in the high Sonoran Desert and is known for its lush desert landscape and towering cacti. The park offers a range of hikes, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes is the Cactus Forest Loop, which takes visitors through a dense forest of saguaro cacti. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the park’s Hope Camp Trail is a strenuous 8-mile round trip that leads to Mica Mountain, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding desert.
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 Saguaro National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridal Wreath Falls Trail | 9012.304 | 326.7456 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Wasson Peak Trail | 12713.786 | 567.8424 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| King Canyon Trail to Wasson Peak | 11426.314 | 560.832 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Wasson Peak via Sweetwater Trail | 14966.862 | 637.9464 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Douglas Spring Trail | 26715.044 | 1139.952 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Tanque Verde Ridge Trail | 32186.8 | 1705.9656 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mica View Loop Trail | 5954.558 | 36.8808 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Hugh Norris Trail | 14323.126 | 729.996 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Safford Peak Trail | 3862.416 | 278.892 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Gould Mine | 3701.482 | 115.824 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and Saguaro National Park
Death Valley NP and Saguaro NP are distinct in their wildlife. Death Valley NP is known for its desert ecosystem, which is home to animals such as bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and chuckwallas. Birds, such as the desert sparrow and the roadrunner, are also commonly seen. Meanwhile, Saguaro NP is known for its Sonoran Desert ecosystem, which is home to animals such as the Gila monster, rattlesnakes, and tarantulas. Birds, such as the cactus wren and the Gilded Flicker, are commonly seen. Saguaro NP is also home to the eponymous saguaro cactus, which is a symbol of the American Southwest.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Saguaro National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Death Valley National Park | Saguaro 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 | Song Sparrow |
| Song Sparrow | European Starling |
| European Starling | Killdeer |
| Northern Pintail | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
| American Wigeon | Hairy Woodpecker |
| Green-Winged Teal | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Mammals
| Death Valley National Park | Saguaro National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Muskrat | American Beaver |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Little Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Deer Mouse | Little Brown Bat |
| Raccoon | Deer Mouse |
| Porcupine | Raccoon |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Black Bear |
| Hoary Bat | Porcupine |
| House Mouse | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Mountain Lion | Hoary Bat |
| Mule Deer | Mountain Lion |
| Gray Fox | Mule Deer |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Common Gray Fox |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Badger | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Californian Myotis | Badger |
| Fringed Myotis | Californis Myotis |
| Common Shrew | Fringed Myotis |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Mexican Free-Tailed Bat |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Yuma Myotis |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Bighorn Sheep |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis | White-Tailed Deer |
Reptiles
| Death Valley National Park | Saguaro National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Western Rattlesnake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Rubber Boa | Common Kingsnake |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Night Snake |
| Smith������S Black-Headed Snake | Leopard Lizard |
| Tree Lizard | Southwestern Black-Headed Snake |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Tree Lizard |
| Glossy Snake | Western Whiptail |
| Long-Nosed Snake | Eastern Collared Lizard |
| Western Fence Lizard | Glossy Snake |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Insects
| Death Valley National Park | Saguaro 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 | Saguaro National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Goldfish |
Amphibians
| Death Valley National Park | Saguaro National Park |
|---|---|
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Canyon Treefrog | Bullfrog |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Saguaro National Park
Death Valley National Park features the Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, and the colorful salt flats. Another highlight is Zabriskie Point, a popular sunrise and sunset viewpoint for its unique erosional landscapes.
Saguaro National Park is named after the iconic saguaro cactus and is home to thousands of these towering plants in two distinct districts on either side of Tucson, Arizona. The park also boasts scenic drives through the Sonoran Desert, including the scenic Bajada Loop Drive, which provides sweeping views of the park’s rolling hills and valleys.
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Saguaro National Park
Death Valley and Saguaro National Parks offer diverse experiences. Death Valley, with its scorching temps and dark skies, is a prime destination for stargazing, scenic drives, and hiking. Saguaro, known for its towering cacti, attracts visitors for camping, wildlife viewing, ranger-led programs, scenic drives, and backcountry camping. Saguaro also offers sunset and bird-watching tours, and nature walks to study its unique ecosystem. Death Valley offers 4×4 off-roading and abandoned mine exploration in addition to the above.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Saguaro National Park
Death Valley and Saguaro NP are two different deserts with unique weather patterns. Death Valley is one of the hottest places and has extreme summer heat (avg. temp above 100°F/38°C) while winter is mild (avg. high in 60s°F/15°C). Saguaro NP has a milder climate with hot summers (avg. 90s°F/32°C) and cool winters (avg. 50s°F/12°C).
The best time to visit Death Valley is winter due to mild temps and less crowds, while spring/fall may be hot. Summer is too hot for outdoor activities. Saguaro NP is best visited in the spring/fall for moderate temps and blooming cacti. Summer may be too hot and winter too cool for sight-seeing.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Saguaro National Park
Death Valley and Saguaro are two popular national parks with distinct differences in terms of family-friendliness. Death Valley is known for its intense heat and challenging terrain, making it less suitable for families with young children. Saguaro, on the other hand, has a milder climate and shorter, easier hikes, making it more family-friendly. Both parks have ranger-led activities and educational opportunities, however, Saguaro’s nature walks and bird-watching options make it a more engaging experience for kids.