Are you torn between visiting Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park? Both parks offer breathtaking scenery and unique experiences, but which one should you choose? In this article, we compare the two parks to help you make an informed decision.
From the stunning glaciers and glaciers-fed lakes of Lake Clark to the fascinating petrified wood formations of Petrified Forest, each park has something special to offer. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a history buff, you’ll find plenty to explore. Let’s dive in and see what sets these parks apart from each other.
Take a trip to Lake Clark and you’ll be greeted by an incredible array of wildlife, including bears, moose, and caribou. Hike through the rugged terrain, take a scenic flightseeing tour, or relax on the shores of turquoise lakes. At Petrified Forest, you can wander among ancient trees that have been turned to stone, hike through the colorful badlands, and learn about the history of the area.
So, which park is right for you? Read on to find out!
Hiking Trails in Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park are two popular parks located in the United States. Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails, but each park has its own unique features.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offers a diverse range of hiking trails, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes in the park is the Chinitna Bay Trail, which offers a scenic walk through the tundra and along the shoreline. On the other hand, the challenging Pioneer Ridge Trail takes visitors on a strenuous hike to the top of Pioneer Ridge, offering breathtaking views of the park.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is known for its scenic hikes that showcase the park’s unique geology. The popular Giants Logs Trail is a short and easy hike that takes visitors through a forest of petrified trees. The longer, more challenging Backcountry Trail offers a strenuous hike through the heart of the park, showcasing the colorful badlands and unique petrified wood formations.
Both Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park offer a variety of hiking trails to suit different levels of fitness and interests. Whether you’re looking for an easy nature walk or a challenging backcountry trek, these parks have something to offer every type of hiker.
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 |
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 Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is a wilderness of rugged mountains, glaciers and turquoise lakes located in Alaska. It is a popular destination for wildlife viewing, with brown bears and moose being the most commonly seen mammals here. Beluga and orca whales, sea lions, and seals can also be seen in the park’s waters. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including bald eagles, ospreys, and trumpeter swans.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, is a different kind of wildlife destination, but equally fascinating. Here, visitors can see ancient petrified trees and fossils that date back to the Late Triassic period. Along with the petrified forests, visitors can also see pronghorns, jackrabbits, and rattlesnakes. The park also offers a unique bird-watching experience, with species such as roadrunners, desert sparrows, and phainopepla. The park’s vegetation is unique, with species like creosote bush, mesquite, and Joshua trees.
Both parks offer unique wildlife viewing experiences, with Lake Clark National Park & Preserve being the place to go for viewing large mammals like brown bears and moose, while Petrified Forest National Park is ideal for those interested in extinct species and bird watching in a desert environment.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Lake Clark 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 |
| Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | European Starling |
| American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Wigeon |
| American Pipit | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Lake Clark 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 |
| Gray Wolf | Porcupine |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Snowshoe Hare | Hoary Bat |
| Northern River Otter | Red Fox |
| Masked 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 |
| Brown Bear | California Myotis |
| Meadow Vole | Fringed Myotis |
| Moose | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Least Weasel | Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Pygmy Shrew | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Meadow Jumping Mouse | Western Harvest Mouse |
Fish
| Lake Clark National Park & Preserve | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| 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
| Lake Clark National Park & Preserve | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Lake Clark 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 Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska. It is famous for its stunning glaciers, active volcanoes, and pristine wilderness. The park covers over 4 million acres of Alaskan wilderness, making it one of the largest parks in the country. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Chigmit Mountains, the Aleutian Range, and the Cook Inlet. There are also many opportunities to observe wildlife, including bears, moose, and caribou.
Petrified Forest National Park is located in Arizona. The park is famous for its petrified wood and colorful badlands. The park covers over 93,000 acres and features a large concentration of petrified logs, as well as many other geological formations. Visitors can enjoy views of the painted desert, the Blue Mesa, and the Agate House, which is a well-preserved pueblo made of petrified wood. The park also offers opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and stargazing.
Things To-Do and Activities in Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park are two unique parks with different landscapes and activities. At Lake Clark, visitors can go fishing, kayaking, and boating on the park’s many lakes and rivers. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity, with opportunities to see bears, moose, and caribou. In addition, visitors can take scenic flights over the park’s rugged terrain for a bird’s-eye view of the landscape.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is known for its stunning geological formations, including petrified wood, badlands, and colorful rock formations. Hiking and scenic driving are popular activities, as well as ranger-led tours and educational programs. Visitors can also explore the park’s historic Route 66 and the Puerco Pueblo, an ancient Native American pueblo.
Both parks offer unique and diverse experiences for visitors. Whether it’s fishing and boating at Lake Clark or exploring the petrified wood at Petrified Forest, both parks offer a chance to connect with nature and learn about the history of the American West. So, whether you’re a nature lover, history buff, or just looking for a scenic getaway, these two parks have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park are two of the most beautiful national parks in the United States. Their location and geographical features determine the seasonal weather patterns, which affects the best time to visit each park.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska, and the weather is characterized by extreme temperatures and long hours of daylight during the summer, and short hours of daylight and cold temperatures during the winter. The summer months of June-August offer the best weather for outdoor activities, with average temperatures ranging from 50-60°F. Winter temperatures can drop to well below freezing and snow is common, making it less appealing for visitors.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is located in Arizona and has a much milder climate. Summer temperatures can reach 90°F, making it too hot for some activities. The best time to visit is during the spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) when temperatures are more moderate and comfortable for outdoor activities. Winter temperatures can drop to below freezing, but snow is rare.
In conclusion, both Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park have unique weather patterns that affect the best time to visit. Alaska’s Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is best visited during the summer months, while Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is best visited during the spring and fall.
Family Friendliness of Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park are both family-friendly parks, but each offers a different experience for families. Lake Clark is remote and offers outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, and hiking. It is best for families who enjoy the wilderness experience and are looking for a more adventurous vacation. The park has a number of trails that are great for families, including the Tanalian Falls Trail, which takes you to a stunning waterfall, and the Twin Lakes Trail, which offers views of two beautiful alpine lakes.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is easily accessible and offers a unique blend of outdoor activities and educational opportunities. The park has a number of trails, including the Giant Logs Trail, which takes you through a forest of petrified trees, and the Painted Desert Rim Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The park also has a number of educational programs, including ranger-led walks and talks, and a museum with exhibits on the park’s geology, paleontology, and history. Petrified Forest is a great choice for families who want to learn about the natural world while enjoying the great outdoors.
In conclusion, while both parks are great options for families, Petrified Forest National Park may be the better choice for families with younger children who are looking for a mix of outdoor activities and educational opportunities. Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a great option for families who are looking for a more adventurous, wilderness experience.