For nature lovers, there’s no shortage of breathtaking national parks in the United States. But, two that truly stand out are Joshua Tree National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. Both offer unique landscapes, diverse wildlife, and plenty of opportunities for adventure.
On one hand, Joshua Tree is a desert oasis, known for its striking formations of yucca trees and rock formations. On the other hand, Lake Clark is a rugged wilderness, with glaciers, turquoise waters, and abundant brown bear populations.
So, which one is right for you? That’s what we’re here to find out. In this article, we’ll compare and contrast these two stunning parks, highlighting their similarities and differences. Whether you prefer to hike, fish, or simply soak in the beauty of the great outdoors, we’ve got you covered. By the end of this article, you’ll be itching to pack your bags and head out to one of these incredible destinations.
Hiking Trails in Joshua Tree National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Joshua Tree National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are two very different parks. Joshua Tree is known for its unique rock formations and desert landscapes, while Lake Clark is known for its stunning glaciers, lakes, and mountains. Both parks offer incredible hiking opportunities, but they each have their own unique trails and experiences.
At Joshua Tree, some of the easiest hikes include the Cholla Cactus Garden Trail, the Skull Rock Trail, and the Barker Dam Trail. These trails range from 0.3 to 1.5 miles and offer stunning views of the desert, rock formations, and wildlife. For more experienced hikers, the Lost Horse Mine Trail and the Ryan Mountain Trail offer a more challenging experience with steep ascents and rocky terrain.
At Lake Clark, the Easiest hike is the Telaquana Lake Trail, which is a 2.5 mile loop that takes you through the beautiful Telaquana Lake and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. For more experienced hikers, the Twin Peaks Trail is a challenging 11-mile hike that takes you to the top of two of the park’s peaks. This hike offers stunning views of the surrounding glaciers, lakes, and mountains and is a great way to experience the park’s backcountry.
In conclusion, both Joshua Tree and Lake Clark National Parks & Preserve offer a unique and stunning hiking experience for visitors of all levels. Whether you’re looking for an easy nature walk or a challenging backcountry adventure, these parks have plenty to offer.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Joshua Tree National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Mountain Trail | 4828.02 | 325.8312 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Barker Dam Nature Trail | 2896.812 | 19.812 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hidden Valley Nature Trail | 1609.34 | 34.7472 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Lost Palms Oasis | 11587.248 | 312.7248 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Arch Rock Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 7.9248 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail | 4506.152 | 188.976 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail | 11104.446 | 277.9776 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Skull Rock Nature Trail | 2735.878 | 48.768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail | 321.868 | 1.8288 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Willow Hole Trail | 10943.512 | 74.9808 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.7 |
Wildlife in Joshua Tree National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Both Joshua Tree National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are renowned for their unique and diverse wildlife.
At Joshua Tree, visitors can expect to see a variety of reptiles such as the desert tortoise, rattlesnakes, and Gila monsters. The park is also home to a diverse range of birds, including the colorful vermilion flycatcher, the handsome greater roadrunner, and the elusive burrowing owl. Additionally, the park is famous for its namesake Joshua trees, which are a type of yucca plant that can grow up to 40 feet tall.
On the other hand, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is known for its abundant wildlife, including the largest population of brown bears in Alaska. Visitors can also spot moose, caribou, wolves, and a variety of bird species, such as the tundra swan, the bald eagle, and the ptarmigan. Lake Clark is also home to some of the world’s most stunning wildflowers, including the fireweed, lupine, and the wild rose.
In conclusion, both Joshua Tree National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offer unique wildlife experiences, with Joshua Tree being a top destination for bird watching and desert reptiles and Lake Clark being a must-visit for those interested in Alaskan wildlife and wildflowers.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Joshua Tree National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Joshua Tree National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Northern Pintail |
| Northern Pintail | American Wigeon |
| American Wigeon | Green-Winged Teal |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Joshua Tree National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Big Brown Bat | American Beaver |
| Bobcat | Muskrat |
| Deer Mouse | Little Brown Bat |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Hoary Bat | Porcupine |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Fox |
| House Mouse | Mink |
| Cougar | Gray Wolf |
| Mule Deer | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Gray Fox | Snowshoe Hare |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Northern River Otter |
| American Badger | Masked Shrew |
| Californian Myotis | Water Shrew |
| Snowhsoe Hare | Red Squirrel |
| Fringed Myotis | Montane Shrew |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Lynx |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Wolverine |
| Pallid Bat | American Marten |
| Ringtail | Brown Bear |
| Desert Cottontail | Meadow Vole |
| Virginia Opossum | Moose |
| Black-Tailed Jackrabbit | Least Weasel |
| Brush Deermouse | Pygmy Shrew |
| Western Spotted Skunk | Meadow Jumping Mouse |
Reptiles
| Joshua Tree National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake |
Insects
| Joshua Tree National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Joshua Tree National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Goldfish | Steelhead |
| Longnose Sucker | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Burbot | |
| Silver Salmon | |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Joshua Tree National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Canyon Treefrog | Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Joshua Tree National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Joshua Tree National Park is known for its unique landscape of twisted, spiky trees and towering rock formations. The park is located in the Mojave Desert and is known for its incredible views of the night sky, as well as its diverse landscapes that range from barren desert to lush oases. The park’s most famous landscapes include the massive boulder formations, such as Skull Rock and Split Rock, and the twisted, spiky trees that give the park its name. Visitors can also see the Cholla Cactus Garden, which is home to hundreds of cacti, and the Keys View, which provides a panoramic view of the surrounding desert.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is a remote wilderness area in Alaska that is home to stunning landscapes, including glaciers, fjords, and volcanic peaks. The park is known for its incredible views of the Chigmit Mountains, as well as its abundant wildlife, including bears, moose, and caribou. The park’s most famous landscapes include the turquoise waters of Lake Clark, the stunning views from the top of the volcano known as Mount Redoubt, and the glaciers that flow down from the Chigmit Mountains. Visitors can also see the stunning Port Alsworth, a small village located on the shores of the lake, and the Telaquana Trail, which provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding wilderness.
Things To-Do and Activities in Joshua Tree National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Joshua Tree National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are two unique and diverse national parks that offer different outdoor experiences. At Joshua Tree, visitors can enjoy rock climbing, stargazing, and wildlife watching. The park is known for its unique rock formations, including its namesake Joshua trees, and it’s a popular destination for rock climbers. The clear night skies also make it a great place for stargazing. Visitors can spot desert bighorn sheep, roadrunners, and other wildlife while exploring the park’s hiking trails.
At Lake Clark, visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, and bear watching. The park is known for its pristine lakes and rivers, making it a popular destination for fishing. Visitors can rent boats to explore the park’s waterways, or go on guided boat tours to see the park’s famous brown bears. The park also offers opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and rafting. Lake Clark is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including moose, caribou, and a variety of birds.
In conclusion, both Joshua Tree and Lake Clark offer a range of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. Whether you’re interested in rock climbing, stargazing, fishing, or bear watching, these two parks have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Joshua Tree National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Joshua Tree National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offer vastly different experiences, and this is evident in their seasonal weather patterns. Joshua Tree is located in the Mojave Desert and experiences hot summers and cool winters, with average temperatures ranging from 65°F to 95°F. The best time to visit the park is spring and fall, when the temperatures are mild and the cacti and wildflowers are in bloom.
In contrast, Lake Clark is located in Alaska and experiences much colder temperatures, with average temperatures ranging from 20°F to 60°F. The park is best visited during the summer months, when the weather is mild and visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park also offers opportunities to see glaciers, fjords, and active volcanoes, making it a unique destination for nature enthusiasts.
The weather in both parks can affect the conditions and accessibility of various attractions and activities. In Joshua Tree, the hot summer months can make hiking and outdoor activities uncomfortable, while the cold winter months can make some roads and trails impassable. In Lake Clark, the harsh winter weather can make certain areas of the park inaccessible, and visitors should be prepared for challenging conditions.
Visitors to both Joshua Tree and Lake Clark should be mindful of the seasonal weather patterns and plan their trips accordingly. Whether you’re looking for a desert escape or a rugged Alaskan adventure, understanding the weather patterns of these parks will help you make the most of your visit.
Family Friendliness of Joshua Tree National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Both Joshua Tree National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are well-known for their stunning landscapes. However, when it comes to family-friendliness, there are some differences to consider.
Joshua Tree is a great option for families looking for a desert adventure. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes. Children will love exploring the unique rock formations and spotting desert wildlife like lizards and jackrabbits. The park also has picnic areas and campgrounds for families to relax and enjoy a meal together.
Lake Clark, on the other hand, is a more remote and rugged destination, making it a better fit for families who enjoy backcountry experiences. The park is located in Alaska and is known for its glaciers, rivers, and abundant wildlife. While there are several trails for families to hike, it is important to note that many of them are strenuous and require a high level of fitness.
In conclusion, both Joshua Tree and Lake Clark offer unique experiences for families looking to explore the great outdoors. If you’re traveling with children and want a desert adventure, Joshua Tree is the way to go. However, if you’re looking for a more rugged, backcountry experience, Lake Clark is definitely worth considering.