North Cascades National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring national parks in the United States. Both offer breathtaking views and unique experiences that are sure to leave visitors in awe. But which one is right for you?
If you’re looking for rugged, untamed wilderness, then North Cascades is the place for you. With over 500,000 acres of rugged peaks, deep valleys, and pristine lakes, it’s a true wilderness experience. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more accessible and developed park with a rich cultural history, then Zion is the way to go. With its iconic red rock formations and well-established trails, Zion is a true gem that should not be missed.
So, whether you’re an avid hiker, a photographer, or just someone looking to spend a day in nature, North Cascades and Zion have something for everyone. So, let’s dive in and discover which park is right for you!
Hiking Trails in North Cascades National Park and Zion National Park
North Cascades National Park and Zion National Park both offer a wide range of hiking trails for visitors, but each park has its own unique character and challenges.
In North Cascades, the easiest hike is the Ladder Creek Falls Trail, which is a short half-mile trail that leads to a stunning waterfall. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Cascade Pass Trail is a popular option, a 5.5-mile trek that takes you up to the summit of Cascade Pass. The trail offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks, glaciers, and alpine meadows.
At Zion National Park, the easiest hike is the Riverside Walk, a 2.2-mile trail that follows the Virgin River along the base of the Canyon. On the other hand, the toughest hike in Zion is the challenging 16-mile round trip hike to Angels Landing, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding cliffs and valleys. This hike is not for the faint of heart and requires a good level of fitness and sure-footedness, but the reward is well worth the effort.
Both North Cascades and Zion offer a variety of hiking trails that can be enjoyed by visitors of all skill levels. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, these parks have something to offer for everyone.
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 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 North Cascades National Park and Zion National Park
North Cascades National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular parks in the United States, and they each offer unique wilderness experiences. Both parks are home to a diverse array of wildlife, but there are some key differences to keep in mind when planning a trip.
In North Cascades, visitors can expect to see a variety of animals, including black bears, mountain lions, and elk. The park is also home to an array of bird species, such as the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon. Additionally, North Cascades is known for its stunning array of wildflowers, including lupine, paintbrush, and Indian paintbrush.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is home to a different set of wildlife. Visitors can expect to see animals like bighorn sheep, mule deer, and mountain lions. The park is also a popular destination for birders, with species like the American Dipper, the Western Tanager, and the Black-throated Sparrow commonly seen. In terms of plant life, Zion is known for its towering cliffs and canyons, which are home to species like the Utah agave and the prickly pear cactus.
In conclusion, both North Cascades and Zion National Park offer unique wildlife experiences, each with its own set of animals, birds, and plants to discover. Whether you’re looking for a park with abundant birdlife or a place to see large mammals, both parks are sure to provide a memorable wilderness experience.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at North Cascades National Park and Zion National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| North Cascades National Park | 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 |
| 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 | 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 |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Puma | Mountain Lion |
| Mink | Mule Deer |
| Black-Tailed Deer | Gray Fox |
| Wolf | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Western Long-Eared Bat | American Badger |
| Ermine | Ermine |
| California Myotis | California Myotis |
| Snowshoe Hare | Fringed Myotis |
Fish
| North Cascades National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Redband Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Largemouth Bass | Brown Trout |
| Longnose Sucker | Speckled Dace |
| Lake Trout | Channel Catfish |
| Burbot | Goldfish |
| Silver Salmon | |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Kokanee | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| North Cascades National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Gophersnake |
| Western Yellowbelly Racer | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Rubber Boa | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Western Fence 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 |
Insects
| North Cascades National Park | Zion 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 | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in North Cascades National Park and Zion National Park
North Cascades National Park is located in Washington State and is renowned for its rugged peaks, glaciers and alpine lakes. The park boasts hundreds of miles of hiking trails that offer breathtaking views of the majestic mountain ranges and glaciers. The most famous landscapes in the park are the Cascade Mountain Range and the Ross Lake, which is surrounded by pristine forests.
Zion National Park, located in Utah, is famous for its towering red rock cliffs and deep canyons. The park is home to several iconic landscapes, including the famous Zion Canyon, the Narrows, and the Angels Landing. The Zion Canyon, a 15-mile long and up to 2,000 feet deep canyon, is one of the most impressive natural wonders in the park. The Narrows is a narrow and deep canyon, where visitors can hike along the Virgin River and marvel at the towering walls around them. Angels Landing is a popular hike that offers panoramic views of the park from its summit.
Things To-Do and Activities in North Cascades National Park and Zion National Park
North Cascades National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both are known for their breathtaking scenery, diverse wildlife, and a range of outdoor activities. However, there are some key differences between the two parks in terms of the activities that visitors enjoy.
At North Cascades National Park, visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and rock climbing. The park is well-known for its challenging hikes that offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. In addition to these activities, North Cascades is also home to a number of lakes that provide excellent opportunities for fishing and boating.
In contrast, Zion National Park is most famous for its canyoneering and rock climbing. The park is home to some of the most iconic slot canyons in the world, and visitors can enjoy a range of canyoneering trips, including beginner-friendly and more advanced options. Zion is also a popular spot for rock climbing, with a range of routes available for climbers of all skill levels.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy a range of outdoor activities and experience the natural beauty of the American West. Whether you’re looking to hike, rock climb, fish, or take a scenic drive, both North Cascades and Zion have something to offer for everyone.
Best Time to Visit North Cascades National Park and Zion National Park
North Cascades National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique geological and ecological features, as well as hiking and camping opportunities. However, the weather at each park can vary greatly, and this can affect the best time to visit.
North Cascades National Park is located in northern Washington and is known for its rugged peaks, glaciers, and alpine lakes. The park experiences high precipitation, with most of it falling as snow between November and April. Visitors in the summer months can expect mild temperatures and clear skies, but the park can become quite crowded during this time. Winter is a great time to visit North Cascades if you are looking to enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowshoeing.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is located in southern Utah and is known for its towering red rock formations, canyons, and desert landscapes. The park experiences hot and dry summers, with temperatures sometimes reaching over 100°F. Winter is mild, with temperatures usually in the 60s. The park is less crowded during the summer, but visitors should prepare for the heat by bringing plenty of water and seeking shade during the hottest parts of the day. Spring and fall are great times to visit Zion, as temperatures are more moderate and there are fewer crowds.
Family Friendliness of North Cascades National Park and Zion National Park
North Cascades National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the US. Both are known for their breathtaking natural beauty and unique landscapes, but when it comes to family-friendly experiences, there are some key differences to consider.
North Cascades National Park is a more remote and rugged destination, with fewer developed facilities and amenities compared to Zion National Park. This means that traveling with children may require more preparation and planning, but it also provides an opportunity for families to experience a more wilderness-oriented adventure.
On the other hand, Zion National Park is a more accessible and developed destination, with numerous family-friendly activities and facilities. There is a shuttle system that provides easy access to popular hiking trails and scenic drives, making it easier for families with children to explore the park. In addition, there are several campgrounds, picnic areas, and restaurants available within the park, providing a convenient and comfortable base for families to enjoy their visit.
Ultimately, the best park for families to visit depends on their individual preferences and interests. For families seeking a more rustic and adventurous experience, North Cascades National Park may be the right choice. However, for families looking for a more convenient and accessible park experience, Zion National Park is the better option.