Welcome to the wild world of national parks, where adventure awaits and nature reigns supreme. If you’re looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes, then New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park are two destinations you won’t want to miss.
On one hand, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve boasts a stunning canyon and the world’s third-longest single-span arch bridge. It’s a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, with opportunities for rock climbing, hiking, and white-water rafting. On the other hand, Petrified Forest National Park is a treasure trove of ancient history, with petrified logs and fossils that date back millions of years.
Both parks offer unique experiences, but which one is right for you? Keep reading to find out! We’ll compare and contrast the two, highlighting the best things to see and do, so you can make an informed decision about where to plan your next adventure. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or just looking for a peaceful retreat, one of these parks is sure to exceed your expectations.
Hiking Trails in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park both offer unique and diverse hiking experiences in the United States.
At New River Gorge, the trails range from easy walks along the river to strenuous hikes up to the rim. Some popular trails include Endless Wall Trail, Long Point Trail, and Kaymoor Miners Trail, each offering breathtaking views of the New River Gorge Bridge and the surrounding mountains. For those looking for a challenge, the Kaymoor Top Trail is a strenuous, steep hike that rewards with panoramic views from the top of the ridge.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, is known for its diverse landscape, including the colorful badlands and the Petrified Forest. The park offers several trails that range from easy nature walks to challenging hikes. One of the easiest trails is the Giant Logs Trail, a 0.3-mile loop that takes visitors through a section of the Petrified Forest. For those seeking a more strenuous hike, the Blue Mesa Trail is a 4.2-mile trek that takes you through the heart of the badlands and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Both parks offer a variety of trails for all skill levels, but Petrified Forest National Park is best known for its unique, otherworldly landscapes, while New River Gorge National Park is known for its scenic vistas and challenging hikes.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tolmie Peak Trail | 8851.37 | 463.9056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Skyline Trail | 8529.502 | 535.8384 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Comet and Christine Falls | 6920.162 | 610.8192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Camp Muir Route Via Skyline Trail | 13518.456 | 1403.9088 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail | 15127.796 | 780.8976 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Naches Peak Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 193.8528 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spray Park Trail to Mount Pleasant | 11104.446 | 635.8128 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Fremont Lookout Trail | 9012.304 | 348.996 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Pinnacle Peak Saddle Trail | 3862.416 | 321.8688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Summerland Trail | 13196.588 | 655.9296 | Moderate | out and back | 4.6 |
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 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park are both exceptional national parks with unique wildlife. While both parks are home to diverse ecosystems, there are distinct differences in the types of animals, birds, and plants that visitors can expect to see.
At New River Gorge National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of wildlife, especially birds such as bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and wild turkeys. Additionally, visitors may encounter mammals like black bears, white-tailed deer, and river otters. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles, such as copperheads and timber rattlesnakes. In the streams, visitors may see bluegill, catfish, and other fish species.
Petrified Forest National Park is known for its diverse and abundant plant life, including cacti and succulents. Visitors will also encounter a variety of mammals, including pronghorns, bison, and coyotes. Bird watchers will enjoy sightings of hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey. Additionally, the park is home to several species of reptiles, including rattlesnakes and lizards.
Overall, both New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park offer unique experiences for visitors looking to observe and appreciate the diversity of wildlife. Whether you are interested in birds, mammals, or plants, these parks have something for everyone.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| New River Gorge National Park and 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 |
| Great Horned Owl | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | American Robin |
| Barn Swallow | Great Horned Owl |
| Savannah Sparrow | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Great Blue Heron | Northern Flicker |
| Hermit Thrush | Merlin |
| European Starling | Barn Swallow |
| Northern Pintail | Savannah Sparrow |
| American Wigeon | Great Blue Heron |
| Green-Winged Teal | Hermit Thrush |
| American Pipit | American Kestrel |
| Killdeer | Bald Eagle |
| Brown-Headed Cowbird | Song Sparrow |
| Hairy Woodpecker | European Starling |
| Red-Breasted Nuthatch | Northern Pintail |
| White-Crowned Sparrow | American Wigeon |
| Northern Shoveler | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
| Muskrat | Bobcat |
| Big Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Bobcat | Little Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Deer Mouse |
| Little Brown Bat | Raccoon |
| Deer Mouse | Black Bear |
| Raccoon | Porcupine |
| Black Bear | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Porcupine | Hoary Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Red Fox |
| Hoary Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Mountain Lion |
| House Mouse | Mule Deer |
| Mountain Lion | Gray Fox |
| Black-Tailed Deer | Wolf |
| Wolf | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Badger |
| Long-Eared Myotis | California Myotis |
| Ermine | Fringed Myotis |
| California Myotis | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Snowshoe Hare | Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| North American River Otter | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Masked Shrew | Western Harvest Mouse |
Fish
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | |
| Eastern Brook Trout | |
| Brown Trout | |
| Coho Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Kokanee | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Rubber Boa | 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 |
Amphibians
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, located in West Virginia, is known for its stunning cliffs, gorges and white-water rapids. The most famous landmark in the park is the New River Gorge Bridge, which is the third longest steel-arch span in the world. The park offers scenic overlooks, hiking trails, and opportunities for rafting, rock climbing, and hunting.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, is famous for the petrified trees that can be found throughout the park. Visitors can also see the colorful badlands of the Painted Desert, as well as the historic Route 66, which passes through the park. There are also hiking trails and scenic drives that offer opportunities to see the park’s unique geological formations and rock formations. The park is also home to several Native American petroglyphs and ruins.
Things To-Do and Activities in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. One of the most popular activities at this park is rock climbing. With over 1,400 climbing routes, visitors can find a variety of challenges for all skill levels. The park also offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, and kayaking.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is known for its unique geological formations. Visitors can explore the park’s many trails to see petrified wood, ancient ruins, and the painted desert. The park also offers scenic drives, as well as opportunities for camping and backpacking. Additionally, visitors can attend ranger-led programs to learn more about the park’s history and geology.
While both parks offer unique experiences, it is clear that New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is more focused on outdoor recreation, while Petrified Forest National Park is more focused on geological exploration. Regardless of their interests, visitors to both parks can find a variety of activities that will allow them to fully experience the beauty and wonder of these protected areas.
Best Time to Visit New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park are two popular parks located in the United States. While these parks are located in different regions of the country, they both offer stunning natural beauty and unique geological features. However, the weather in each park can greatly impact the experience of visiting.
At New River Gorge, the weather is characterized by mild, temperate summers and cold, snowy winters. Summer temperatures average in the high 70s to low 80s, while winter temperatures can drop below freezing. This means that the best time to visit is during the summer months, when conditions are more favorable for outdoor activities such as hiking and rafting.
At Petrified Forest, the weather is much drier and more extreme. Summer temperatures can reach over 100 degrees, while winter temperatures can drop below freezing. This means that the best time to visit is during the spring and fall, when temperatures are more moderate and comfortable for outdoor activities. Additionally, the park’s unique landscape, including petrified logs and colorful badlands, is best viewed during the fall months when the leaves are changing color.
Family Friendliness of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park are both great options for families, but they each have unique features that cater to different types of families.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a great option for families who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and rock climbing. The park offers scenic trails for all skill levels, including the popular Endless Wall Trail. Additionally, the park has several campgrounds that offer a variety of camping options, from primitive tent camping to RV sites with hookups.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is perfect for families who love history and geology. The park is home to one of the largest and most colorful collections of petrified wood in the world and also offers numerous trails and picnic areas, as well as ranger-led programs and exhibits that showcase the park’s rich history and geology. However, due to its remote location, camping is not available in the park, making it a better option for day trips.
Both New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Petrified Forest National Park are great options for families, but Petrified Forest National Park is better for day trips, while New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is ideal for families who enjoy camping and outdoor activities.