Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most magnificent natural wonders in the United States. Both offer incredible landscapes, unique wildlife, and a wealth of outdoor activities for nature lovers, however, the similarities end there. These two parks are as different as night and day, and choosing between them is a tough call.
Imagine a place where the ground sizzles with heat, where the air shimmers with mirages and the landscape is dotted with colorful mineral deposits. That place is Death Valley, where the sun beats down mercilessly, and temperatures soar to over 120 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s a place where you can witness the power of nature at its most extreme.
Then there’s Yellowstone, with its geysers, hot springs, and bubbling mud pots. It’s a place where you can witness the earth’s inner workings, where the forces of fire and water collide to create a landscape like no other. Here, you can see elk grazing in meadows and watch Old Faithful erupt with a roar.
Both Death Valley and Yellowstone offer unforgettable experiences, but which park is right for you? Read on to find out!
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park both have a diverse range of hiking trails for visitors to explore. Death Valley offers easier hikes such as the Natural Bridge Canyon Trail, which takes about an hour and is just a short walk to see the Natural Bridge. For those looking for a bit more of a challenge, there is the Mosaic Canyon Trail, which is a strenuous hike through narrow canyons and requires some rock scrambling.
Yellowstone, on the other hand, has a wider range of hiking trails, from easy walks around geysers and hot springs to challenging backcountry treks. Some of the easier trails include the boardwalk trails at geyser basins such as the Upper Geyser Basin and the Fountain Paint Pot. The most challenging hike in the park is probably the Mount Washburn Trail, which climbs over 3,000 feet and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Both parks offer unique hiking experiences and breathtaking scenery, making them popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you prefer easy walks or challenging backcountry treks, Death Valley and Yellowstone have something for everyone.
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 Yellowstone National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mystic Falls, Fairy Creek and Little Firehole Loop | 5632.69 | 184.7088 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Grand Prismatic Hot Spring | 2574.944 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop | 7242.03 | 73.7616 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Canyon Rim North Trail to Inspiration Point | 12713.786 | 349.9104 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail | 1609.34 | 17.9832 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Mammoth Hot Springs Area Trail | 5632.69 | 170.9928 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Artists Paintpots Trail | 1609.34 | 30.7848 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Avalanche Peak Trail | 7402.964 | 614.7816 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Old Faithful Geyser Loop Trail | 1126.538 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Upper Falls, Lower Falls and Crystal Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 140.8176 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Death Valley and Yellowstone National Park offer unique and contrasting experiences for visitors looking to see diverse wildlife. Death Valley is known for its unique desert habitat, where visitors can see a variety of reptiles, including the desert tortoise, rattlesnakes, and the Mojave Green Snake. You can also see big horn sheep, as well as a variety of burrowing animals, such as the kangaroo rat and the desert cottontail.
Yellowstone, on the other hand, is a haven for mammals, including the grey wolf, the American bison, and the American elk. The park is also home to a large population of birds, including the bald eagle, the common raven, and the trumpeter swan. Yellowstone’s diverse habitats also support a wide variety of wildflowers, including the blue columbine, the yellow monkeyflower, and the Indian paintbrush.
While both parks are unique in their own ways, Yellowstone offers a greater variety of wildlife for visitors, especially for those interested in mammals and birds. Whether you’re looking for a desert habitat or a more diverse ecosystem, both Death Valley and Yellowstone National Park offer visitors the chance to see a wide range of wildlife and experience the natural beauty of the United States.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Death Valley National Park | Yellowstone 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 | Yellowstone 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 | Mountain Lion |
Californian Myotis | Mink |
Fringed Myotis | Mule Deer |
Common Shrew | Wolf |
Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Long-Legged Myotis |
Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Long-Eared Myotis |
Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Badger |
Western Harvest Mouse | Short Tailed Weasel |
Western Small-Footed Myotis | California Myotis |
Reptiles
Death Valley National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
---|---|
Gopher Snake | Racer |
Terrestrial Gartersnake | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
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 | Yellowstone National Park |
---|---|
Orange Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
Monarch Butterfly | Monarch |
American Lady | American Painted Lady |
Red Admiral | Red Admiral |
Mourning Cloak | Mourning Cloak |
Cabbage White | Silvery Blue |
Silvery Blue | Common Checkered Skipper |
Common Checkered-Skipper | Common Sulphur |
Clouded Sulphur | Variegated Fritillary |
Honey Bee | Commom Wood Nymph |
Variegated Fritillary | Purplish Copper |
Buckeye | Anise Swallowtail |
Purplish Copper | |
Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
Death Valley National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
---|---|
Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
Mosquitofish | Brook Trout |
Goldfish | Brown Trout |
Longnose Sucker | |
Lake Trout | |
Mottled Sculpin | |
Longnose Dace | |
Speckled Dace | |
Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
Death Valley National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
---|---|
Woodhouse’s Toad | Northern Leopard Frog |
Canyon Treefrog | Bullfrog |
Woodhouse’s Toad | |
Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most famous national parks in the United States. Both parks offer stunning landscapes, breathtaking vistas, and a wealth of natural wonders to explore.
Death Valley is famous for its wide-open, barren landscape, dotted with unique geological features like sand dunes, salt flats, and towering rock formations. The park also boasts the lowest point in North America, Badwater Basin, which sits at 282 feet below sea level. Visitors can also explore the colorful mosaic canyons, ancient volcanic craters, and towering peaks of the Panamint Range.
Yellowstone, on the other hand, is known for its geothermal wonders, including geysers, hot springs, and mud pots. Old Faithful, one of the most famous geysers in the world, is located in Yellowstone and erupts every 90 minutes or so. The park is also home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. In addition to its geothermal features and wildlife, Yellowstone also boasts stunning mountain ranges, pristine lakes, and breathtaking waterfalls, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers.
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Death Valley and Yellowstone are both popular national parks in the US, attracting millions of visitors each year. Although both parks offer a wide range of outdoor activities, there are some key differences between the two.
Death Valley is known for its extreme heat and dry conditions, making it a popular destination for those seeking adventure and solitude. Visitors often come to Death Valley to see the unique landscape, including sand dunes, salt flats, and canyons. Popular activities at Death Valley include camping, hiking, and backpacking.
Yellowstone, on the other hand, is a nature-lover’s paradise, with its geysers, hot springs, and diverse wildlife. Visitors come to Yellowstone to see the famous geysers, including Old Faithful, as well as to hike, fish, and camp. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity, with visitors frequently spotting bison, moose, and grizzly bears.
In conclusion, both Death Valley and Yellowstone offer a wide range of activities to suit different interests and preferences. While Death Valley is known for its extreme heat and unique landscape, Yellowstone is a nature-lover’s paradise with its geysers, hot springs, and diverse wildlife.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but they have vastly different climates. Death Valley is known for its scorching summer temperatures, which can reach over 120°F. On the other hand, Yellowstone is located in a mountainous region and experiences harsh winters with heavy snowfall.
The best time to visit Death Valley is during the winter months, when temperatures are mild and comfortable. This is also the peak season for wildflower blooms, making it a great time to see the desert landscape in full color. On the other hand, the best time to visit Yellowstone is in the summer, when the snow has melted and roads are clear for access to popular attractions like Old Faithful geyser.
The weather in Death Valley can be extremely harsh, making it important for visitors to take necessary precautions such as carrying plenty of water and wearing appropriate clothing. In Yellowstone, visitors should also be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions and be equipped with warm clothing, as well as proper footwear for snow and ice.
In conclusion, both Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park offer unique and diverse weather experiences, making it important for visitors to plan their trip accordingly. Whether you are looking for a warm desert adventure or a winter wonderland, these parks have something to offer for everyone.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most iconic parks in the US. Both are known for their stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich history, but they are very different in terms of their family-friendliness.
Death Valley is known for its extreme temperatures and rough terrain, which can be challenging for families with young children. There are some family-friendly trails and activities, but it is important to plan ahead and be prepared for the harsh conditions. Additionally, the park is relatively remote, so there are limited options for food and accommodations.
On the other hand, Yellowstone is a more accessible and family-friendly park. It offers a wide range of activities for all ages, including scenic drives, hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. There are also many well-developed campgrounds, lodges, and restaurants within the park, making it easier for families to plan a trip. Yellowstone’s geysers, hot springs, and other geothermal features are particularly popular with kids and offer a unique and educational experience.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with children, Yellowstone National Park is the better option. It has more family-friendly amenities and activities, and is generally easier to navigate. However, both parks are worth a visit and offer unique experiences that are sure to be memorable.