Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular National Parks in the United States. Both offer breathtaking landscapes, unique geological formations, and an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. But which one is right for you? If you’re torn between these two destinations, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll compare Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park, highlighting their similarities and differences.
Hot Springs National Park is located in central Arkansas and is best known for its hot springs, which have been a popular destination for centuries. The park offers 47 natural hot springs, hiking trails, scenic drives, and a variety of other outdoor activities. With its lush green forests and rolling hills, Hot Springs is a true oasis in the middle of the Ozark Mountains.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is located in southern Utah and is known for its stunning red rock formations, towering cliffs, and deep canyons. The park is a hiker’s paradise, with a variety of trails for all skill levels and breathtaking views at every turn. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or simply looking for a scenic drive, Zion is sure to leave you in awe.
Hiking Trails in Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park
Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of landscapes and activities. When it comes to hiking, both parks have a lot to offer, but there are some differences between the trails in each park that are worth noting.
Hot Springs National Park is best known for its scenic walks along the Hot Springs Mountain promenade, offering stunning views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. The park also offers more challenging hikes, such as the Hot Springs Mountain Tower Trail, which is a steep and strenuous hike to the top of the mountain for panoramic views.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is known for its challenging hikes, such as the famous Angels Landing and The Narrows. Both hikes are strenuous and require a good level of fitness, but the views from the top are worth the effort. The park also offers easier hikes, such as the Riverside Walk and the Pa’rus Trail, which are both easy, flat walks along the Virgin River.
In conclusion, both Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park offer a range of hiking options, from easy walks to strenuous hikes. Whether you’re looking to take in scenic views or challenge yourself, both parks have something to offer.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Hot Springs National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Trail | 20921.42 | 722.9856 | Hard | loop | 4 |
| West Mountain Trail | 3057.746 | 107.8992 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Goat Rock Trail | 3862.416 | 115.824 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Gulpha Gorge Trail | 1931.208 | 116.7384 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| The Grand Promenade and Side Trails | 1931.208 | 33.8328 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Dead Chief Trail | 4345.218 | 121.92 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Hot Springs Mountain Trail | 5310.822 | 204.8256 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Peak Trail | 2092.142 | 108.8136 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Sugarloaf Mountain Via Sunset Trail | 11426.314 | 592.836 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Goat Rock via Dead Chief Trail | 2092.142 | 87.7824 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Zion National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angels Landing Trail | 6598.294 | 492.8616 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| The Zion Narrows Riverside Walk | 2896.812 | 62.7888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Zion Canyon Overlook Trail | 1609.34 | 64.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Watchman Trail | 4988.954 | 196.9008 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| The Subway Trail | 11265.38 | 397.764 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Weeping Rock Trail | 482.802 | 23.7744 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Zion Narrows Trail to Imlay Temple and Big Spring | 13840.324 | 1268.8824 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Lower Emerald Pool Trail | 2092.142 | 34.7472 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Emerald Pools Trail | 4667.086 | 184.7088 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Hidden Canyon Trail | 4828.02 | 283.7688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park
Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. While both parks offer breathtaking scenery and a chance to experience the great outdoors, they also differ in the types of wildlife that can be seen.
At Hot Springs National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of woodland animals, including white-tailed deer, coyotes, and black bears. The park is also home to a diverse array of birds, including the colorful Louisiana waterthrush and the majestic bald eagle. Additionally, the park is known for its diverse plant life, including American holly, tulip poplar, and the delicate wildflowers that bloom each spring.
On the other hand, Zion National Park is home to a unique set of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and the threatened desert bighorn sheep. The park is also a birder’s paradise, with over 290 species of birds, including the beautiful peregrine falcon and the striking western tanager. Additionally, the park’s unique geology and climate have created a unique ecosystem, with a variety of cacti and other desert-adapted plants that are unique to the area.
In conclusion, both Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park offer visitors a chance to experience the diverse wildlife of the United States. Whether you’re a fan of woodland animals or desert creatures, these parks are sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Hot Springs National Park | Zion 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
| Hot Springs National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Porcupine |
| Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Red Fox | Hoary Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Fox |
| House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mink | House Mouse |
| Gray Fox | Mountain Lion |
| North American River Otter | Mule Deer |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Gray Fox |
| White-Tailed Deer | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Virginia Opossum | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Eastern Red Bat | American Badger |
| White-Footed Mouse | Ermine |
| Norway Rat | California Myotis |
| Eastern Cottontail | Fringed Myotis |
Amphibians
| Hot Springs National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Hot Springs National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Brown Trout |
| Fathead Minnow | Speckled Dace |
| Golden Shiner | Channel Catfish |
| European Carp | Goldfish |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Hot Springs National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Beautiful Landscapes in Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park
Hot Springs National Park is known for its thermal springs and historic bathhouses in the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The park features the Hot Springs Mountain Tower which provides panoramic views of the Ouachita Mountains. The park’s trails offer scenic views of the surrounding countryside, including the Grand Promenade and Sunset Trail.
Zion National Park is located in southwestern Utah and is known for its towering red cliffs, deep canyons, and lush vegetation. The park’s most famous landscape is the Zion Canyon which is visible from the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The park’s most popular hike is the Angels Landing Trail, which takes visitors to the top of a 1,488-foot cliff for breathtaking views of the surrounding canyons. Other popular hikes in the park include the Narrows, the Emerald Pools, and the Weeping Rock Trail.
Things To-Do and Activities in Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park
Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, attracting millions of visitors each year. Both parks offer a range of activities for visitors, from hiking and camping to scenic drives and wildlife viewing.
At Hot Springs National Park, the highlights include visiting the historic bathhouses, which offer thermal baths filled with hot mineral water. Visitors can also take a scenic drive along the park road, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. For those who enjoy hiking, there are several trails that lead through the park, offering opportunities to see wildlife and explore the natural beauty of the area.
At Zion National Park, visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including hiking, camping, and scenic drives. The park is known for its towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and breathtaking vistas, making it a popular destination for those who enjoy outdoor recreation. The park also offers a range of educational programs, including ranger-led walks, camping programs, and evening campfire talks.
In conclusion, both Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park offer a range of activities for visitors, from scenic drives and wildlife viewing to hiking and camping. Each park offers its own unique experience, making them both worth a visit for those seeking outdoor adventure and natural beauty.
Best Time to Visit Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park
Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park are two popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. However, the weather at these parks is quite different, and it’s important to understand these differences to determine when is the best time of year to visit each park.
Hot Springs National Park is located in Arkansas and has a humid subtropical climate. The park experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures average in the mid 80s to low 90s, while winter temperatures average in the 40s to low 50s. The best time to visit Hot Springs National Park is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are more mild and there is less chance of rain or extreme heat.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is located in Utah and has a desert climate. The park experiences very hot summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures can reach over 100°F, while winter temperatures average in the 40s. The best time to visit Zion National Park is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are mild and there is less chance of extreme heat. However, visitors should be aware that flash floods can occur in the park during the summer monsoon season.
In conclusion, both Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park offer visitors the chance to enjoy the great outdoors. However, the weather at each park affects when is the best time of year to visit. Visitors should consider the weather when planning their trip to either park to ensure they have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Family Friendliness of Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park
Hot Springs National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular parks in the United States. While both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities, they differ in terms of family-friendliness. For families traveling with children, Hot Springs National Park is generally considered the more accommodating of the two. With its scenic drive, picnic areas, and several short and easy hikes, Hot Springs National Park is a great option for families with young children or those who want a more leisurely experience.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is known for its challenging hikes and steep cliffs, which may not be suitable for young children or families who prefer a more relaxed pace. However, the park does offer several family-friendly activities, such as the Riverside Walk and the Emerald Pools Trail, that offer breathtaking views without the strenuous effort.
Both parks are great options for families, but Hot Springs National Park is the better choice for those looking for a more relaxed and accessible experience, while Zion National Park is the better choice for families who enjoy a more adventurous and challenging outdoor experience.