North Cascades National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two of the most breathtaking and diverse National Parks in the United States. Both parks are unique in their own way and offer visitors an array of exciting adventure opportunities, breathtaking natural beauty, and a chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a nature lover, or simply someone who enjoys a scenic drive, these two parks have something to offer everyone. In this article, we’ll compare and contrast the two parks, highlighting their best features and helping you decide which park is the best fit for your next adventure.
North Cascades National Park is located in the state of Washington and is known for its stunning mountain scenery, rushing waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. The park covers over 500,000 acres and is home to over 300 glaciers, making it one of the largest protected wilderness areas in the country. Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike or a scenic drive, North Cascades National Park has something to offer.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is located in Arizona and is known for its stunning landscapes and its vast collection of petrified wood. The park covers over 93,000 acres and is home to one of the world’s largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood, as well as a diverse array of other fascinating geological formations. Whether you’re a rock hound, a nature lover, or simply someone who enjoys a scenic drive, Petrified Forest National Park has something to offer.
Hiking Trails in North Cascades National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
North Cascades National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, attracting millions of visitors every year. Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry treks.
North Cascades National Park is known for its rugged and remote terrain, with over 300 miles of trails to explore. Hiking trails range from easy walks along the shores of Lake Diablo to strenuous backcountry treks into the heart of the park. One of the easiest hikes is the Thunder Creek Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s alpine landscape. On the other hand, the strenuous Cascade Pass Trail is one of the most challenging hikes, leading visitors to the top of Cascade Pass for panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is known for its unique landscapes of petrified wood and colorful badlands. The park offers several easy hikes, including the Giant Logs Trail, which takes visitors through a forest of petrified trees, and the Blue Mesa Trail, which showcases the park’s colorful badlands. For those looking for a challenge, the backcountry hikes through the park’s remote wilderness areas offer rugged and remote landscapes. One of the most challenging hikes is the Crystal Forest Trail, which takes visitors to the heart of the park’s petrified forest.
Overall, both North Cascades National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer a diverse range of hiking trails, from easy walks to challenging backcountry treks. Whether you’re looking for stunning views or unique landscapes, these parks have something to offer for all levels of hikers.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in North Cascades National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lake Trail | 8529.502 | 291.9984 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail | 17541.806 | 1175.9184 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sourdough Mountain Trail | 14644.994 | 1555.6992 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail to Cottonwood Camp | 25588.506 | 1422.8064 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail | 10460.71 | 542.8488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sahale Arm Trail to Quien Sabe Glacier | 19955.816 | 1651.7112 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk | 3057.746 | 21.9456 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Fourth of July Pass via Panther Creek Trail | 14966.862 | 759.8664 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Ruby Mountain Summit via Fourth of July and Thunder Creek Trail | 23335.43 | 1949.8056 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
| Gorge Creek Falls Trail | 804.67 | 11.8872 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
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 North Cascades National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
North Cascades National Park, located in Washington state, is known for its diverse wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, and elk. The park also boasts a large number of bird species, including the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon. In contrast, Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, is primarily a desert environment, and its wildlife includes pronghorns, rattlesnakes, and the endangered Sonoran pronghorn. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the Gilded Flicker and the Common Raven.
In terms of plant life, North Cascades National Park is home to dense forests of Douglas fir and Western Hemlock, as well as wildflowers like the Indian paintbrush and the lupine. Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is characterized by its unique petrified wood formations, as well as its deserts, which are home to cacti and other drought-resistant plants.
Visitors to North Cascades National Park can also see glaciers and alpine meadows, while Petrified Forest National Park offers a unique look at the ancient history of the area, including petrified logs and fossils from the Late Triassic period. Both parks offer unique and unforgettable wildlife experiences, making them well worth a visit.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at North Cascades National Park and Petrified Forest National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| North Cascades National Park | 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 |
| Merlin | Northern Flicker |
| Barn Swallow | Merlin |
| Savannah Sparrow | Barn Swallow |
| Great Blue Heron | Savannah Sparrow |
| Hermit Thrush | Great Blue Heron |
| American Kestrel | Hermit Thrush |
| Bald Eagle | American Kestrel |
| Song Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
| European Starling | Song Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | European Starling |
| American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Wigeon |
| American Pipit | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| North Cascades National Park | 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 |
| Red Fox | Mountain Lion |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Mule Deer |
| House Mouse | Gray Fox |
| Puma | Wolf |
| Mink | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Black-Tailed Deer | Badger |
| Wolf | California Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Fringed Myotis |
| Western Long-Eared Bat | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Ermine | Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| California Myotis | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Snowshoe Hare | Western Harvest Mouse |
Fish
| North Cascades National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Redband Trout | |
| Brook Trout | |
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Longnose Sucker | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Burbot | |
| Silver Salmon | |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Kokanee | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| North Cascades National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Western Yellowbelly Racer | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Western Rattlesnake |
| Common Garter Snake | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Rubber Boa | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Western Fence 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 |
Insects
| North Cascades National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Amphibians
| North Cascades National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in North Cascades National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
North Cascades National Park, located in Washington state, is famous for its rugged mountain terrain, glaciers, and forests. The park is home to over 300 glaciers and boasts some of the tallest peaks in the Cascade Range, including Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker. Visitors can hike to scenic overlooks, go rock climbing, or even go backpacking on one of the many trails in the park.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, is famous for its vast collection of petrified wood, a result of fallen trees being buried by volcanic ash and preserved over millions of years. The park also features the colorful Painted Desert, a landscape of scenic canyons and badlands, and the Blue Mesa, a large deposit of blue-hued stone. Hiking through the park’s many trails is a popular activity, as is exploring the park’s many petroglyphs and ancient Native American artifacts.
Things To-Do and Activities in North Cascades National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
North Cascades National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two very different parks with unique experiences to offer. North Cascades is known for its rugged and wild landscape, while Petrified Forest is known for its ancient petrified trees and colorful desert scenery. Both parks have much to offer visitors, with a range of popular activities that reflect the character of each park.
At North Cascades, visitors love to go camping, fishing, and backpacking. The park is also a popular destination for rock climbing and mountaineering enthusiasts. With over 300 glaciers, North Cascades is a great destination for anyone interested in exploring the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
At Petrified Forest, visitors can enjoy scenic drives along historic Route 66, explore hiking trails, and visit the park’s many historic sites. The park is also home to several unique geological formations, including the famous Painted Desert and the Blue Mesa, which are both must-sees for anyone visiting the park. Petrified Forest is also popular for its ranger-led programs, which offer visitors the opportunity to learn more about the park’s unique geology and history.
Whether you prefer the rugged wilderness of North Cascades or the colorful deserts of Petrified Forest, both parks have much to offer visitors. With a range of popular activities, from scenic drives to ranger-led programs, there’s something for everyone at these two unique parks.
Best Time to Visit North Cascades National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
North Cascades National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both unique national parks with different weather patterns. The North Cascades National Park is located in Washington State and experiences mild summers with occasional thunderstorms and cold, snowy winters. On the other hand, Petrified Forest National Park located in Arizona, has hot, dry summers and mild winters with occasional snow.
The best time to visit North Cascades National Park is during the summer months when the weather is mild and the scenery is lush and green. During the winter, the park experiences heavy snowfall, which makes it difficult to access the park and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and camping.
On the other hand, Petrified Forest National Park is best visited during the spring and fall months when temperatures are mild and the park is less crowded. Summer can be extremely hot, making it difficult to enjoy outdoor activities, and winter can be cold with occasional snow, making it less accessible.
In conclusion, the seasonal weather patterns at North Cascades National Park and Petrified Forest National Park greatly affect when is the best time of year to visit each park. It is important to consider the weather forecast before planning a trip to either of these parks to make the most of your visit and enjoy the unique beauty each has to offer.
Family Friendliness of North Cascades National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
North Cascades National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two of the most beautiful national parks in the United States. Both parks are rich in history, beauty, and offer unique experiences to visitors. However, when it comes to traveling with kids, these two parks are quite different.
North Cascades National Park is considered a more rugged and remote park. The park has limited facilities and services, which makes it a more challenging park to visit with children. However, if you’re up for an adventure, the park offers stunning scenery, great hiking opportunities, and the chance to see wildlife.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is a much more family-friendly park. The park has well-maintained roads, several picnic areas, and several facilities and services. Additionally, Petrified Forest is home to one of the largest and most colorful collections of petrified wood in the world. Children will love exploring the park’s many trails and learning about the fascinating history of the area.
Both North Cascades National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are great places to visit, but for families with children, Petrified Forest National Park is the better choice. The park’s easy accessibility and family-friendly facilities make it a great destination for families with young children.