Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park are two of the most unique and fascinating national parks in the United States. Both parks offer visitors the chance to experience breathtaking landscapes and see some of the most diverse and unusual geological formations in the country. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or just looking for a great adventure, these parks are sure to captivate and inspire you.
Denali National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is home to North America’s highest peak, Mount Denali, and is known for its rugged wilderness and abundant wildlife. If you’re looking for a challenge, you can hike to the summit of Mount Denali or take a scenic flightseeing tour to see the stunning views from above.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, is a magical place where time seems to have stood still. Here, you will find vast fields of petrified wood, some of which is more than 200 million years old. This park is also home to unique formations of colorful rock and ancient fossils, making it a veritable treasure trove of geological wonders. Whether you’re exploring the park on foot or by car, you’re sure to be enchanted by the beauty and mystery of Petrified Forest National Park.
Hiking Trails in Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, offers a range of hiking trails for visitors to explore. The park is known for its stunning views of mount Denali, which is the highest peak in North America. The park has trails that range from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. The park’s most popular hike is the Savage River Loop Trail, which is a moderate hike that takes visitors through the park’s stunning wilderness. Another great option is the Stony Hill Trail, which is a challenging hike that offers great views of the park’s tundra and wildlife.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, is also home to a variety of hiking trails. The park is known for its fossilized trees and unique geology. Some of the park’s easiest hikes include the Giant Logs Trail and the Crystal Forest Trail, which are both short, easy walks that offer visitors a chance to see the park’s famous petrified trees. For more experienced hikers, the park offers the Blue Mesa Trail, which is a challenging hike that takes visitors through the park’s badlands and offers great views of the surrounding landscape.
Both Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park offer visitors a range of hiking options, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a leisurely walk, these parks have something for everyone.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Denali National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Healy Overlook Trail | 6920.162 | 507.7968 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Horseshoe Lake Trail | 3379.614 | 119.7864 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Triple Lakes Trail | 29772.79 | 1124.712 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bison Gulch | 11265.38 | 1178.9664 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rock Creek Trail | 7081.096 | 287.7312 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Taiga Trail | 2574.944 | 62.7888 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| McKinley Station Trail | 4667.086 | 113.9952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mount Thorofare Ridge Loop | 6598.294 | 507.7968 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| McKinley Bar Trail | 7402.964 | 295.9608 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Tiaga Loop and Horseshoe Lake Trail to Beaver Dam | 4828.02 | 158.8008 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
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 Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park are two of America’s most unique and beautiful national parks. Both parks are home to a diverse array of wildlife, but the species you’ll see at each park can vary greatly.
At Denali, visitors can expect to see large mammals such as grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including bald eagles and peregrine falcons, as well as smaller mammals such as foxes, lynx, and squirrels.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is known for its unique geological formations and petrified wood, but it also has a thriving ecosystem. Visitors to the park can expect to see a variety of wildlife, including pronghorns, jackrabbits, rattlesnakes, and a variety of bird species, such as the greater roadrunner and the western meadowlark. Additionally, the park is home to a number of native plant species, including cacti, mesquite, and creosote bushes.
Both parks offer unique opportunities to see wildlife in their natural habitats, but the species you’ll see will depend on which park you choose to visit. Whether you’re interested in large mammals or unique geological formations, both Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park have something to offer.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Denali National Park & Preserve | 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 |
| Hermit Thrush | Great Blue Heron |
| American Kestrel | Hermit Thrush |
| Bald Eagle | American Kestrel |
| Song Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
| European Starling | Song Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | European Starling |
| American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Wigeon |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
| Muskrat | Bobcat |
| Little Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Black Bear | Little Brown Bat |
| Porcupine | Deer Mouse |
| Red Fox | Raccoon |
| Mink | Black Bear |
| Wolf | Porcupine |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Snowshoe Hare | Hoary Bat |
| River Otter | Red Fox |
| Common Shrew | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Water Shrew | Mountain Lion |
| Red Squirrel | Mule Deer |
| Montane Shrew | Gray Fox |
| Lynx | Wolf |
| Wolverine | Long-Legged Myotis |
| American Marten | Badger |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | California Myotis |
| Grizzly Bear | Fringed Myotis |
| Meadow Vole | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Moose | Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Least Weasel | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Pygmy Shrew | Western Harvest Mouse |
Fish
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Longnose Sucker | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Burbot | |
| Coho Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Southwestern Black-Headed Snake | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Beautiful Landscapes in Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is famous for its towering 20,310-foot-high Denali (Mount McKinley), which is North America’s tallest peak. Visitors can take scenic drives to scenic overlooks, go on hikes, or take guided backcountry trips to see the mountain and its glacial valleys. Wildlife sightings of grizzly bears, caribou, and moose are also common.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, is renowned for its colorful badlands, petrified wood, and ancient fossils. The park’s popular trails include the Giant Logs Trail, which showcases large petrified logs, and the Blue Mesa Trail, which leads visitors through a colorful badlands landscape. The park also has several scenic drives, including the Painted Desert Rim Drive, which offers panoramic views of the park’s unique landscapes. Petrified Forest National Park is also home to several historic sites, including ancient puebloan villages and petroglyphs.
Things To-Do and Activities in Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. While both parks offer a unique experience, there are some notable differences in the types of activities that visitors can enjoy.
At Denali National Park & Preserve, visitors can take a scenic drive through the park on the Denali Park Road, which offers incredible views of the Alaska Range and the park’s wildlife. Visitors can also take a guided tour to see the park’s famous grizzly bears, caribou, and moose up close. In addition to wildlife viewing, visitors can also enjoy camping, fishing, and rafting in the park’s beautiful rivers and lakes.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its stunning petrified wood formations and Native American petroglyphs. Visitors can take a scenic drive through the park on the 28-mile long Park Road, which offers incredible views of the park’s unique landscapes. In addition to exploring the park’s geological wonders, visitors can also take guided tours to learn about the park’s rich cultural history and see ancient Native American petroglyphs up close. Hiking and backpacking are also popular activities in the park, with several trails offering stunning views of the park’s unique landscapes.
In conclusion, both Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park offer unique experiences for visitors. Whether you’re interested in wildlife viewing, scenic drives, camping, fishing, rafting, or exploring geological wonders and cultural history, these two parks have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park are two unique national parks in the United States. Each park has its own unique weather patterns that affect the best time to visit.
Denali National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its long and harsh winters. Snow can fall as early as September and remain on the ground until May. During the summer months, temperatures can reach into the 60s and 70s, but the weather can be unpredictable with sudden rain showers. The best time to visit Denali is during the summer months when the weather is mild and the park’s wildlife is most active.
Petrified Forest National Park is located in Arizona and is known for its hot and dry desert climate. Summer temperatures can reach well into the 90s, making it difficult to explore the park during the day. Winter temperatures are more mild, with daytime temperatures in the 60s and nighttime temperatures in the 30s. The best time to visit Petrified Forest National Park is during the spring or fall when temperatures are mild and comfortable for exploring the park’s many hiking trails and scenic drives.
In conclusion, both Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park offer unique weather patterns that affect the best time to visit. It is important to consider seasonal weather when planning a trip to either of these parks.
Family Friendliness of Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park are two of America’s most magnificent and family-friendly national parks. Denali is located in Alaska and is known for its stunning natural beauty, vast wilderness, and abundant wildlife. Petrified Forest is located in Arizona and is home to one of the largest and most colorful collections of petrified wood in the world.
When it comes to family-friendliness, both parks offer a range of activities for families and children. However, Denali is considered to be the more family-friendly of the two. This is because it offers a range of educational programs, such as ranger-led walks and talks, that are specifically designed for families and children. Denali also has a number of easy hiking trails that are perfect for younger children and a shuttle bus system that provides access to the park’s many attractions.
Petrified Forest, on the other hand, is better suited to older children and teenagers who are interested in geology and natural history. The park offers a range of guided walks and talks, but it lacks the same level of educational programming as Denali. Additionally, the park’s main attraction, the petrified wood, can be difficult for younger children to fully appreciate.
In conclusion, both Denali National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park are great options for families, but Denali is the more family-friendly of the two. It offers a range of educational programs and easy hiking trails that are perfect for families with younger children. Petrified Forest is better suited to older children and teenagers who are interested in geology and natural history.