Death Valley and Shenandoah National Parks are two of the most distinct and contrasting parks in the United States. Death Valley is known for its scorching temperatures, barren landscapes and vast salt flats, while Shenandoah is recognized for its rolling hills, lush forests, and stunning vistas. Both parks offer unique outdoor experiences, from exploring the lowest point in North America in Death Valley to hiking the famous Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah. Whether you’re seeking adventure or tranquility, these parks have something for everyone. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable journey through two of America’s most captivating parks.
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Death Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park are two popular hiking destinations in the US. Death Valley is known for its challenging hikes, such as the Telescope Peak Trail, which climbs over 11,000 feet and offers panoramic views of the surrounding desert landscape. On the other hand, Shenandoah is known for its more leisurely hikes, with the easiest being the White Oak Canyon Trail, which has several waterfalls and offers scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For more experienced hikers, the Old Rag Mountain hike is a strenuous, 8.8-mile loop with rock scrambles and breathtaking views. Both parks have a range of hikes, from easy to difficult, allowing visitors to choose a trail that best suits their ability level.
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 Shenandoah National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Rag Mountain Loop | 13840.324 | 736.7016 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run Trails Loop | 14484.06 | 722.9856 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Dark Hollow Falls Trail | 2253.076 | 171.9072 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bearfence Mountain Trail | 1609.34 | 73.7616 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Hawksbill Gap Loop via Appalachian Trail | 4184.284 | 228.9048 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Rose River Trail | 5632.69 | 256.9464 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| White Oak Canyon Trail | 15288.73 | 733.9584 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Stony Man via Appalachian Trail | 2414.01 | 97.8408 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| South River Falls Trail | 7402.964 | 387.7056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Little Stony Man Loop via Appalachian Trail | 5471.756 | 263.9568 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Death Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park are two unique environments with different wildlife. Death Valley is known for its deserts, rocky canyons, and sand dunes, while Shenandoah is characterized by its dense forests and rolling hills. In Death Valley, you may see animals such as bighorn sheep, coyotes, and mountain lions, as well as desert tortoises. Shenandoah is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys, as well as a variety of bird species like the pileated woodpecker and scarlet tanager. In terms of plant life, Death Valley is known for its iconic Joshua trees and other desert-adapted species, while Shenandoah’s vegetation is dominated by oak and hickory forests.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Death Valley National Park | Shenandoah 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 | Shenandoah 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 | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Mountain Lion | Hoary Bat |
| Mule Deer | Red Fox |
| Gray Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Legged Myotis | House Mouse |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Mountain Lion |
| Badger | Gray Fox |
| Californian Myotis | River Otter |
| Fringed Myotis | Masked Shrew |
| Common Shrew | Water Shrew |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Red Squirrel |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | White-Tailed Deer |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Virginia Opossum |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Marten |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis | Northern Flying Squirrel |
Reptiles
| Death Valley National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Black Racer |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Ringneck Snake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Common Garter Snake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Common Kingsnake |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | Milksnake |
| Rubber Boa | Eastern 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 | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Monarch Butterfly | Monarch |
| American Lady | American Lady |
| Red Admiral | Red Admiral |
| Mourning Cloak | Mourning Cloak |
| Cabbage White | Cabbage White |
| Silvery Blue | Silvery Blue |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | Common Checkered Skipper |
| Clouded Sulphur | Clouded Sulphur |
| Honey Bee | Variegated Fritillary |
| Variegated Fritillary | Buckeye |
| Buckeye | Commom Wood Nymph |
| Purplish Copper | Gray Hairstreak |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Death Valley National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Mosquitofish | Brook Trout |
| Goldfish | Brown Trout |
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Common Carp | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Death Valley National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Death Valley is famous for its diverse landscapes including Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, and the colorful rock formations of Artist’s Drive. Shenandoah is known for its rolling hills, scenic Skyline Drive, and over 500 miles of hiking trails offering stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Death Valley and Shenandoah are both popular National Parks in the US, but offer different experiences for visitors. Death Valley is known for its hot and arid landscape, with activities such as scenic drives, camping, stargazing, and exploring ghost towns. On the other hand, Shenandoah is located in the Appalachian Mountains and is well-known for its scenic drives, such as Skyline Drive, as well as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Both offer a range of options for outdoor enthusiasts, with Death Valley offering a more unique and otherworldly experience, while Shenandoah provides a more traditional, mountainous National Park experience.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Death Valley NP has extreme summer temperatures which can reach above 120°F, whereas Shenandoah NP has warm summers and cool winters with temperatures ranging from 40°F-75°F. The best time to visit Death Valley NP is during the winter months, when temperatures are milder and more comfortable, and the park’s famous wildflowers are in bloom. On the other hand, the best time to visit Shenandoah NP is during the spring and fall months, when temperatures are mild, and the park’s famous fall foliage is on display. Both parks offer unique and diverse experiences, with Death Valley NP showcasing its desert landscapes and Shenandoah NP offering its rolling mountains and forests, but the weather greatly affects the type of activities and sights visitors can enjoy at each park.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Death Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park are two popular destinations for families. While both offer breathtaking landscapes and opportunities for outdoor recreation, they offer different experiences for families traveling with children.
Death Valley is a desert landscape that is characterized by intense heat and dryness. This park is not recommended for families with very young children, as the harsh conditions can be dangerous for them. However, older children can enjoy the park’s unique geology and wildlife, such as bighorn sheep and kit foxes.
Shenandoah National Park, on the other hand, is a much more family-friendly destination. The park is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers a cooler and more temperate climate, making it better suited for families with young children. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer and black bears, which can be seen from the popular Skyline Drive.
In terms of recreational activities, Shenandoah National Park offers more options for families. There are plenty of hiking trails for all skill levels, as well as picnic areas, campgrounds, and educational programs. The park also offers scenic drives, horseback riding, and fishing opportunities.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with children, Shenandoah National Park is a better choice than Death Valley National Park. With its more temperate climate and family-friendly amenities, Shenandoah is an ideal destination for families looking to experience the beauty of the outdoors.