Welcome to the ultimate showdown between two of America’s most iconic parks: Joshua Tree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park. These two parks are both unique in their own ways, and each offers a unique experience for visitors. In this article, we will compare and contrast the two parks, highlighting the best aspects of each park and why you should consider visiting them.
From the towering Joshua trees and massive rock formations in Joshua Tree, to the ancient cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, both parks offer a wealth of natural beauty and history. Whether you’re a hiker, camper, or simply a lover of the great outdoors, both of these parks have something to offer. So, pack your bags and get ready for an adventure as we take you on a journey through Joshua Tree and Mesa Verde.
Hiking Trails in Joshua Tree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Both Joshua Tree and Mesa Verde National Parks are well known for their hiking trails, but they offer a completely different experience. Joshua Tree is located in the Mojave Desert, while Mesa Verde is found in the Southwest.
At Joshua Tree, hikers have the opportunity to explore thousands of rock formations, including the famous Joshua Trees, while enjoying the warm and dry climate. Some popular hikes include the easy-to-moderate Hidden Valley and the strenuous Ryan Mountain. On the other hand, Mesa Verde is a forested park that offers visitors the chance to explore the ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, as well as scenic views of the surrounding landscape. The Petroglyph Point Trail is an easy hike that is great for families, while the challenging Prater Ridge Trail is a more strenuous route that rewards hikers with panoramic views of the park.
Both parks offer a range of hiking trails for all skill levels, from easy walks to strenuous hikes. However, if you are looking for a more challenging hike, Mesa Verde may be the better choice with its steep elevation changes and longer trails. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more relaxed and scenic hike, Joshua Tree may be the better choice with its shorter, easier trails and unique rock formations.
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 Mesa Verde National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petroglyph Point Trail | 4184.284 | 131.9784 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cliff Palace Loop Trail | 643.736 | 25.908 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Balcony House Loop Trail | 643.736 | 27.7368 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mesa Verde Point Lookout Trail | 3379.614 | 161.8488 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Soda Canyon Overlook Trail | 1931.208 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mesa Verde National Park Scenic Drive | 24140.1 | 797.9664 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Long House Trail | 3379.614 | 86.868 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Step House Trail | 1287.472 | 46.9392 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Knife Edge Trail | 3218.68 | 46.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Prater Ridge Trail | 11748.182 | 311.8104 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Wildlife in Joshua Tree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Joshua Tree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are two of America’s most iconic parks. Both parks offer unique landscapes, but there are some key differences when it comes to the wildlife you’ll see.
At Joshua Tree, visitors can expect to see a variety of desert animals such as bighorn sheep, rattlesnakes, and roadrunners. The park is also home to a large number of birds, including birds of prey like hawks and owls, as well as smaller birds like finches and sparrows. In terms of vegetation, Joshua Tree is known for its namesake tree, as well as other desert plants like yucca, Joshua trees, and prickly pear cactus.
At Mesa Verde, visitors can expect to see a different type of wildlife. The park is home to a variety of animals like deer, elk, and black bears, as well as birds like the peregrine falcon and the Steller’s jay. The park is also known for its large number of cliff dwellings, which were built by the Ancestral Pueblo people over 700 years ago. In terms of vegetation, visitors can expect to see a mix of pine and juniper trees, as well as a variety of wildflowers and shrubs.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Joshua Tree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Joshua Tree National Park | Mesa Verde 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
| Joshua Tree National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Big Brown Bat | American Beaver |
| Bobcat | Muskrat |
| Deer Mouse | Big Brown Bat |
| Black Bear | Bobcat |
| Hoary Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Little Brown Bat |
| House Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Cougar | Raccoon |
| Mule Deer | Black Bear |
| Gray Fox | Porcupine |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Silver-Haired Bat |
| American Badger | Hoary Bat |
| Californian Myotis | Red Fox |
| Snowhsoe Hare | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Fringed Myotis | House Mouse |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Mountain Lion |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Mink |
| Pallid Bat | Mule Deer |
| Ringtail | Gray Fox |
| Desert Cottontail | Wolf |
| Virginia Opossum | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Black-Tailed Jackrabbit | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Brush Deermouse | Badger |
| Western Spotted Skunk | Ermine |
Reptiles
| Joshua Tree National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | Racer |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Western Rattlesnake |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Glossy Snake | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Long-Nosed Snake | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Insects
| Joshua Tree National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Joshua Tree National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Goldfish |
Amphibians
| Joshua Tree National Park | Mesa Verde National Park |
|---|---|
| Canyon Treefrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Joshua Tree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is located in southeastern California and is known for its unique landscape of Joshua trees, large yucca plants, and massive boulder formations. Visitors can hike through the landscape, go rock climbing on the boulders, or simply drive through the park to take in the views. One of the most famous landscapes in the park is Skull Rock, which is a large boulder formation that resembles a skull.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in southwestern Colorado, is known for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Visitors can take guided tours to see these ancient structures, or hike through the park to see the stunning natural beauty, including mesas, canyons, and scenic overlooks. One of the most famous sites in the park is Cliff Palace, which is the largest cliff dwelling in North America and can only be accessed by guided tour. The park also offers stunning views of the surrounding mesas and canyons, including the Soda Canyon Overlook and the Sun Temple.
Things To-Do and Activities in Joshua Tree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Joshua Tree National Park in California and Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Both parks offer unique experiences, but the activities offered vary greatly.
At Joshua Tree, visitors can enjoy rock climbing and bouldering on the park’s famous granite formations. The park is also known for its night sky and stargazing, where visitors can see a clear view of the Milky Way. Hiking, bird watching, and scenic drives are also popular activities.
Mesa Verde, on the other hand, is known for its ancient Native American cliff dwellings. Visitors can take guided tours of these dwellings and learn about the history and culture of the Pueblo people. Hiking, camping, and ranger-led programs are also popular activities in the park.
Both parks offer a unique and memorable experience for visitors. While Joshua Tree is known for its rock formations and night sky, Mesa Verde offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the ancient Pueblo people. Whether visitors are interested in outdoor recreation or learning about history, these parks offer something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Joshua Tree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Joshua Tree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are two of the most beautiful parks in the United States. They offer breathtaking landscapes and unique geological formations. However, their seasonal weather patterns differ greatly.
At Joshua Tree, high temperatures can reach up to 100°F in the summer and lows can drop to 30°F in the winter. Winter is the best time to visit for those looking for cooler weather and fewer crowds. However, spring is the best time to see the iconic Joshua trees in bloom. On the other hand, Mesa Verde experiences mild summers with high temperatures ranging from 70°F to 80°F and cold winters with temperatures dropping to the low 20s. Winter is the peak time for visitors looking to enjoy snow sports, but visitors can also enjoy the mild temperatures and lack of crowds in the spring and fall.
In conclusion, both parks offer different experiences depending on the time of year. Joshua Tree is best visited in the spring or winter, while Mesa Verde is best visited during the spring, fall, or winter. Regardless of the time of year, both parks offer unique and memorable experiences for visitors.
Family Friendliness of Joshua Tree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park
Joshua Tree National Park and Mesa Verde National Park are both beautiful and unique destinations for families. However, when it comes to family-friendliness, there are some differences to consider.
Joshua Tree is a popular destination for families, but it’s not as developed as other national parks. The park has several hiking trails and scenic drives, but there are limited facilities for families with young children. Despite this, the park is a great destination for families with older children who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and rock climbing.
Mesa Verde, on the other hand, is better suited for families with young children. The park has several easy walks and hikes that are perfect for families. In addition, there are several ranger-led programs for kids, including guided tours of the cliff dwellings. The park also has several picnic areas and playgrounds, making it a great place to spend a day with the family.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with young children, Mesa Verde is a better choice. However, if you have older children who enjoy outdoor activities, Joshua Tree is a great place to visit. Both parks have their own unique features and offer families a chance to explore the great outdoors.