“Are you torn between visiting New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park? Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes and unique experiences, but it can be tough to choose just one. Well, buckle up, because we’re about to take you on a journey through two of America’s most stunning national parks.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a hidden gem, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. With its towering cliffs and pristine river, it’s a nature lover’s paradise. On the other hand, Zion National Park in Utah boasts awe-inspiring rock formations, towering sandstone cliffs, and a diverse array of flora and fauna.
Whether you’re a hiker, camper, or a photographer, both parks will leave you in awe. So, which one will you choose? Let’s explore these two stunning national parks side by side and find out.”
Hiking Trails in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park are two of the most popular National Parks in the United States. Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails, from easy walks to challenging hikes.
The New River Gorge has over 100 miles of trails, including the Endless Wall Trail, which offers stunning views of the New River Gorge Bridge and the surrounding area. The Bridge Trail is an easy hike that takes you on a scenic walk along the New River Gorge Bridge, while the Long Point Trail is a more challenging hike that takes you along the rim of the New River Gorge.
In comparison, Zion National Park has over 150 miles of trails, including the popular Angels Landing hike, which takes you to the top of a 1,488-foot tall rock formation with breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery. The Riverside Walk is an easy hike that takes you along the Virgin River, while the Narrows is one of the most challenging hikes in the park, taking you through a narrow canyon with towering walls.
Both parks offer a wide range of hiking experiences, from easy walks to challenging hikes. Whether you’re looking for a scenic stroll or an adventure, these parks have something to offer for hikers of all skill levels.
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 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 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences. At New River Gorge, visitors can expect to see a variety of mammals such as black bears, white-tailed deer, and river otters. Common bird species include the turkey vulture, red-tailed hawk, and the barred owl. Plant life at New River Gorge is equally diverse, with species such as the eastern hemlock, tulip poplar, and red maple.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is known for its spectacular bird watching opportunities. Some of the most commonly seen bird species in Zion include the American dipper, the black-throated sparrow, and the cliff swallow. The park is also home to a range of mammals including the mule deer, mountain lions, and the ring-tailed cat. The plant life in Zion is equally diverse, with species such as the Utah juniper, the bigtooth maple, and the ponderosa pine.
Both parks offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences, but visitors to New River Gorge can expect to see a wider variety of mammals and plant life, while Zion is known for its bird watching opportunities. Whether you’re a bird lover or a mammal enthusiast, both parks are sure to provide a memorable wildlife experience.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | 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 |
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 | 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 |
Porcupine | Porcupine |
Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Fox |
House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Mountain Lion | House Mouse |
Black-Tailed Deer | Mountain Lion |
Wolf | Mule Deer |
Long-Legged Myotis | Gray Fox |
Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
Ermine | Long-Eared Myotis |
California Myotis | American Badger |
Snowshoe Hare | Ermine |
North American River Otter | California Myotis |
Masked Shrew | Fringed Myotis |
Fish
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Zion National Park |
---|---|
Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
Eastern Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
Brown Trout | Brown Trout |
Coho Salmon | Speckled Dace |
Chinook Salmon | Channel Catfish |
Mottled Sculpin | Goldfish |
Slimy Sculpin | |
Threespine Stickleback | |
Kokanee | |
Pink Salmon | |
Dolly Varden | |
Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Zion National Park |
---|---|
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Gophersnake |
Common Garter Snake | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
Rubber Boa | 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 |
Amphibians
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Zion National Park |
---|---|
Tiger Salamander | Northern Leopard Frog |
Tiger Salamander | |
Woodhouse’s Toad | |
Red-Spotted Toad | |
Canyon Treefrog |
Insects
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | Zion National Park |
---|---|
Mourning Cloak | |
Cabbage White | |
Silvery Blue | |
Purplish Copper | |
Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is located in West Virginia and is famous for its breathtaking views of the New River Gorge Bridge, which is the longest steel arch bridge in the world. The park is also known for its hiking trails, scenic drives, and opportunities for rafting and kayaking.
Zion National Park, located in Utah, is known for its towering red cliffs, including Angels Landing and The Narrows. The park’s landscape is shaped by the Virgin River and its tributaries, which have carved out a series of stunning canyons, including the famous Zion Canyon. Visitors can explore the park by hiking, camping, and taking scenic drives.
Both parks offer a unique and unforgettable experience for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re in search of rugged wilderness or breathtaking vistas, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park have something for everyone.
Things To-Do and Activities in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park are two popular parks in the US, attracting millions of visitors each year. Both parks have unique landscapes and offer a range of activities for visitors.
At New River Gorge, visitors love to hike and take scenic drives to admire the stunning views. Rock climbing is also a popular activity, as the park is home to over 1,400 climbing routes. Whitewater rafting and kayaking are also popular activities, with the New River providing some of the best rapids in the country.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is known for its stunning canyons and slot canyons. Hiking is a popular activity here, with trails ranging from easy to strenuous and leading to breathtaking views of the park. Rock climbing is also popular, with over 1,000 climbing routes to choose from. The Virgin River also provides opportunities for tubing, swimming, and fishing.
Both parks offer unique experiences for visitors, and the choice between them may come down to personal preferences and what activities visitors are most interested in. Whether it’s rock climbing, hiking, or rafting, both New River Gorge and Zion National Park have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park are two popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Both parks offer a variety of activities, breathtaking scenery, and unique geological features, but their seasonal weather patterns are quite different.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is located in West Virginia and has a temperate climate. Summer temperatures are typically in the 80s while winters are mild with temperatures around 40 degrees. Precipitation is relatively consistent throughout the year, with occasional snow and rain. This means that the park is accessible year-round, but the peak season is from May to October, when temperatures are more pleasant for outdoor activities.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is located in Utah and has a more extreme climate. Summer temperatures can reach 100 degrees, making it too hot for many outdoor activities. Winter temperatures are much cooler, with occasional snow and ice, making it a popular time for winter sports like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The park’s peak season is from March to November, when temperatures are more moderate and ideal for hiking, camping, and other outdoor pursuits.
In conclusion, the seasonal weather at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park can greatly impact when is the best time of year to visit. While New River Gorge is accessible year-round, Zion National Park is best visited during the spring, fall, or early winter when temperatures are more moderate.
Family Friendliness of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both offer stunning natural beauty, but they differ in terms of their family-friendliness.
For families with children, Zion National Park is a better choice. There are plenty of kid-friendly trails and activities, such as the Emerald Pools and the Riverside Walk, which are easy hikes with great views. The park also offers ranger-led programs, including junior ranger activities, which are educational and fun for kids.
On the other hand, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is better suited for older children and adults. While it does have trails, they can be steep and heavily trafficked, making them less suitable for families with young children. The park also has limited activities and amenities for families, so it may not be as entertaining for kids as Zion National Park.
Overall, if you are traveling with children, Zion National Park is the better option for a family-friendly experience. With its kid-friendly trails, ranger programs, and scenic beauty, it is sure to be a hit with families of all ages.