Olympic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two of the most unique and diverse national parks in the United States. Both are known for their stunning landscapes, fascinating geological formations and rich plant and animal life. But which one is right for your next outdoor adventure? In this article, we will compare the two parks and help you decide which one is the best fit for your next outdoor excursion.
From the misty peaks of Olympic National Park to the arid deserts of Petrified Forest National Park, these two parks offer vastly different experiences for visitors. Olympic National Park boasts an incredible diversity of ecosystems, including everything from rainforests to alpine meadows. Meanwhile, Petrified Forest National Park is home to one of the largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood in the world.
So whether you’re looking for a scenic hike, a chance to marvel at ancient petrified trees, or just a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to explore the wonders of Olympic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park and discover which one is the perfect destination for you!
Hiking Trails in Olympic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Olympic National Park, located in Washington State, is known for its diverse landscapes, ranging from rugged coastline to temperate rainforest to alpine meadows. Some of the easier hikes include the Spruce Nature Trail, a 1.2-mile loop through a lush forest, and the Second Beach Trail, a 2.5-mile round trip hike to a stunning coastal beach. For more adventurous hikers, there’s the challenging 7.2-mile round trip hike to the top of Hurricane Ridge, offering panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains.
On the other hand, Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is famous for its colorful badlands and petrified wood deposits. Easy hikes include the 0.75-mile Giant Logs Trail, which showcases some of the largest petrified logs in the park. For a more strenuous hike, try the 7.2-mile round trip hike to Blue Mesa, passing through colorful badlands formations and offering views of the Painted Desert. Another challenging hike is the 8.8-mile round trip hike to Newspaper Rock, featuring ancient petroglyphs carved into rock formations.
Both parks offer unique and breathtaking hiking experiences, whether you’re seeking a leisurely stroll or a challenging trek. Regardless of your fitness level, there is a trail for everyone in Olympic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Olympic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge | 4988.954 | 242.9256 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Storm King | 6276.426 | 638.8608 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail | 2574.944 | 77.724 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh Rain Forest Hall of Moss | 1609.34 | 23.7744 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Marymere Falls Trail | 2735.878 | 90.8304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh River Trail | 52786.352 | 1558.7472 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| High Divide – Seven Lakes Basin Loop | 30577.46 | 1617.8784 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Ruby Beach | 2253.076 | 20.7264 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Staircase Rapids Loop | 3379.614 | 64.9224 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spruce Railroad Trail: Lake Crescent | 18024.608 | 131.9784 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
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 Olympic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Olympic National Park is located in Washington State and covers over 922,000 acres of forest, mountainous terrain, and coastline. The park offers a diverse range of wildlife and is home to over 60 species of mammals, including the Olympic Marmot, Black Bear, and the Roosevelt Elk. Visitors can also find many species of birds, including the Bald Eagle and the Peregrine Falcon. The park is also home to a variety of plants, with over 1,400 species of vascular plants, and more than 400 species of moss and lichens.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, covers over 93,000 acres and is known for its petrified wood and colorful badlands. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including pronghorns, rattlesnakes, and lizards. Visitors can also find a variety of bird species, including the Gila Woodpecker and the Western Kingbird. The park is also home to a unique ecosystem that includes a variety of plants, such as the mesquite and creosote bush, as well as cacti and succulents.
Both Olympic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer unique wildlife experiences for visitors, from the diverse forests and mountainous terrain of Olympic National Park to the arid badlands and petrified wood of Petrified Forest National Park. The parks offer different landscapes and habitats for visitors to explore and discover the incredible biodiversity of the United States.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Olympic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Olympic 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 |
| Northern Flicker | 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
| Olympic National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
| Muskrat | Bobcat |
| Big Brown Bat | 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 |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | Mountain Lion |
| Wolf | Mule Deer |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Gray Fox |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Wolf |
| California Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Snowshoe Rabbit | Badger |
| North American River Otter | California Myotis |
| Fringe-Tailed Myotis | Fringed Myotis |
| Masked Shrew | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Water Shrew | Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Western Big-Eared Bat | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Western Harvest Mouse |
Fish
| Olympic National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Steelhead/Rainbow Trout | |
| Brook Trout | |
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Salish Sucker | |
| Coho Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Reptiles
| Olympic National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Rubber Boa | Western Rattlesnake |
| Western Fence Lizard | 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
| Olympic National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Olympic National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee |
Beautiful Landscapes in Olympic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Olympic National Park, located in Washington state, is known for its stunning landscapes, including the Olympic Mountains and the Hoh Rainforest. The park’s diverse landscapes offer visitors the opportunity to see everything from rugged coastline to towering peaks, as well as glaciers and waterfalls. One of the park’s most famous landmarks is Hurricane Ridge, which offers panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains and the surrounding area.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, is home to one of the world’s largest and most colorful collections of petrified wood. The park’s landscape is characterized by rolling hills of colorful badlands, fascinating rock formations, and towering mesas. The park’s most famous landmark is the Painted Desert, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the park’s colorful badlands and fascinating rock formations. The park also offers visitors the opportunity to see ancient petroglyphs and fossilized footprints, as well as the Petrified Forest, where you can see the remains of ancient trees that have been turned to stone.
Things To-Do and Activities in Olympic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Olympic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. While both parks are known for their natural beauty, they differ in the types of experiences they offer.
At Olympic National Park, visitors come for the diverse landscapes, including the Pacific coastline, temperate rainforests and the Olympic Mountains. Popular activities include beachcombing, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can also take scenic drives, such as the Hurricane Ridge Road, for breathtaking views of the park.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, is known for its unique geological formations, including the petrified wood and colorful badlands. Visitors can hike through the park to see these formations up close, or take a scenic drive to see the Painted Desert. In addition, the park offers ranger-led walks and talks about the geology and history of the area.
Both parks offer camping opportunities, allowing visitors to spend more time exploring the parks and enjoying the natural beauty. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful beachcombing experience or a geological adventure, both Olympic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Olympic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Olympic National Park is located in Washington state and is known for its diverse range of landscapes, from its rugged Pacific coastline to its temperate rainforests and snow-capped mountains. The weather in Olympic National Park varies greatly depending on the season and elevation, with the coast experiencing a temperate marine climate, while the higher elevations can receive significant snowfall in the winter. Summer months tend to be the driest and warmest, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to mid-60s, while winters can be quite wet and chilly, with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to mid-40s.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, has a unique desert climate that is characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, mild winters. Summer temperatures in the park can reach well over 100°F, making it a challenging time to visit for those who are not acclimated to the heat. Winter temperatures are much more mild, with daytime highs ranging from the mid-50s to mid-60s, making it a more comfortable time to visit for many people. The park can also receive occasional winter snow, which can make for a stunning contrast against the colorful petrified wood formations.
In conclusion, the best time to visit Olympic National Park is during the summer, when the weather is the driest and most mild, while the best time to visit Petrified Forest National Park is during the winter, when temperatures are much milder and more comfortable. However, both parks offer unique and stunning landscapes that can be appreciated year-round, depending on individual preferences and comfort levels.
Family Friendliness of Olympic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Olympic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two great family-friendly destinations in the United States. Both parks offer unique experiences and amazing landscapes, but they differ in several ways. Olympic National Park is located in Washington State and covers a vast area of over 900,000 acres, making it one of the largest parks in the United States. This park is a great choice for families because it offers a wide range of activities including hiking, beachcombing, and wildlife watching. Petrified Forest National Park is located in Arizona and covers a smaller area of about 93,000 acres. This park is famous for its petrified wood and colorful badlands.
When it comes to family-friendliness, Olympic National Park takes the lead. The park has several family-friendly campsites and trails that are perfect for families with children. The park also has ranger-led programs that are designed to educate and entertain children. Petrified Forest National Park is also a good choice for families, but it is more suited for families with older children who are interested in geology and paleontology. The park has several trails that are perfect for exploring the petrified wood and other geological formations, but young children may find these trails to be too long and demanding.
In conclusion, when choosing between Olympic National Park and Petrified Forest National Park, consider the age and interests of your children. If you are traveling with young children, Olympic National Park is the better choice, as it offers a wide range of family-friendly activities. If you are traveling with older children who are interested in geology and paleontology, Petrified Forest National Park is a great choice.