Bryce Canyon National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park are two of the most unique and awe-inspiring national parks in the United States. Both offer breathtaking landscapes and a chance to experience the natural world in a way that can’t be found anywhere else. However, these two parks couldn’t be more different. Bryce Canyon is known for its towering red rock formations, while Dry Tortugas is a tropical paradise located in the Gulf of Mexico. Imagine a landscape of delicate red rock spires and hoodoos, contrasting with a remote island chain with crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and the most remote fort in the continental U.S. Both of these parks offer a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. So, whether you’re looking for rugged adventure or a tropical getaway, these two parks are sure to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.
Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park are two of the most beautiful and unique national parks in the United States. Both offer a wide variety of hiking trails that cater to all skill levels, but the trails at these two parks are vastly different.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its towering red rock formations, called hoodoos, and offers a wide variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous. One of the easiest hikes at Bryce Canyon is the Rim Trail, which is a paved trail that runs along the rim of the canyon and offers stunning views of the hoodoos. Another easy hike is the Mossy Cave Trail, which is a short hike that takes you to a moss-covered cave and a small waterfall. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Peekaboo Loop Trail is a strenuous hike that takes you deep into the canyon and offers some of the most spectacular views in the park.
Dry Tortugas National Park, on the other hand, is a tropical paradise located in the Gulf of Mexico and is known for its crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, and the historic Fort Jefferson. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, but they are all relatively easy. The Garden Key Trail is an easy hike that takes you around the perimeter of the island and offers stunning views of the crystal clear waters. The Loggerhead Key Trail is another easy hike that takes you to the highest point in the park, where you can see the historic Fort Jefferson and the surrounding waters. The park also offers a few strenuous hikes, such as the Long Key Trail and the Bush Key Trail, which both take you to remote parts of the island and offer great opportunities for bird watching and wildlife spotting.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park offers a wide variety of hiking trails that cater to all skill levels, with the easiest hikes being Rim Trail and Mossy Cave Trail and the hardest being Peekaboo Loop Trail. Dry Tortugas National Park is relatively flat and most of the hiking trails are easy, the Garden Key Trail and Loggerhead Key Trail are the best options.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail | 4184.284 | 189.8904 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Fairyland Loop Trail | 11909.116 | 469.6968 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Peekaboo Loop Trail | 8368.568 | 442.8744 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Navajo Loop Trail | 2253.076 | 139.9032 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wall Street and Queens Garden Loop Trail | 4988.954 | 175.8696 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Sunset Point to Sunrise Point | 1770.274 | 24.9936 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mossy Cave Turret Arch and Little Windows Trail | 1609.34 | 35.9664 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Queen Victoria via Queen’s Garden Loop | 3379.614 | 123.7488 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Tower Bridge Trail | 5471.756 | 251.7648 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Wall Street and Queens Garden Loop to Peekaboo Loop (Figure Eight Trail) | 10138.842 | 456.8952 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Dry Tortugas National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Jefferson Loop | 804.67 | 0.9144 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah and is known for its unique hoodoo rock formations. The park’s high elevation and dry climate support a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and elk. Other mammals that can be seen in the park include coyotes, foxes, and black bears. Birds such as the peregrine falcon, golden eagle, and great horned owl can also be found in the park. The park also has a diverse array of plants, including juniper, pinion pine, and sagebrush.
Dry Tortugas National Park, located in the Florida Keys, is primarily composed of open water and seven small islands. The park is home to a wide variety of marine life, including sea turtles, sharks, and hundreds of species of fish. The park is also a popular spot for bird-watching, with species such as the roseate spoonbill, great egret, and osprey commonly seen. The park’s subtropical climate supports a variety of plants including mangroves, seagrass and a variety of coral and sponges.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique rock formations and diverse array of wildlife such as deer, sheep, and birds, while Dry Tortugas National Park is known for its marine life, such as sea turtles, sharks, and hundreds of species of fish, as well as for bird-watching, with species like roseate spoonbill, great egret, and osprey commonly seen.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Dry Tortugas 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 | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Northern Flicker |
| Northern Flicker | Merlin |
| Merlin | Barn Swallow |
| Barn Swallow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Great Blue Heron |
| Great Blue Heron | Hermit Thrush |
| Hermit Thrush | American Kestrel |
| American Kestrel | Song Sparrow |
| Bald Eagle | European Starling |
| Song Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
| European Starling | Green-Winged Teal |
| Northern Pintail | American Pipit |
| American Wigeon | Swainson’s Thrush |
| Green-Winged Teal | Killdeer |
Mammals
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Dry Tortugas National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | House Rat |
| American Beaver | |
| Muskrat | |
| Big Brown Bat | |
| Bobcat | |
| Striped Skunk | |
| Little Brown Bat | |
| Deer Mouse | |
| Raccoon | |
| Black Bear | |
| Porcupine | |
| Silver-Haired Bat | |
| Hoary Bat | |
| Red Fox | |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | |
| House Mouse | |
| Mountain Lion | |
| Mule Deer | |
| Common Gray Fox | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| American Badger | |
| Ermine | |
| California Myotis | |
| Snowshoe Hare |
Reptiles
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Dry Tortugas National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink |
Fish
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Dry Tortugas National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout |
Amphibians
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Dry Tortugas National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander |
Beautiful Landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique geological formations called hoodoos, which are tall, thin spires of rock that have been sculpted by erosion. The park also features a variety of hiking trails that offer spectacular views of the hoodoos, as well as other natural features such as the Bryce Amphitheater, a natural amphitheater that is home to thousands of hoodoos. Other popular attractions at the park include the Rim Trail, which offers panoramic views of the park, and the Bryce Canyon Lodge, which is a historic building that offers lodging and dining options.
Dry Tortugas National Park is located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida and is known for its crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. The park is home to Fort Jefferson, a 19th century fort that is now a National Monument and is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. The park also features several islands and coral reefs, which are home to a wide variety of marine life, including sea turtles, which is why the park is named Dry Tortugas. Other popular activities include bird watching, fishing and touring the historic fort.
Things To-Do and Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but they offer very different experiences.
Bryce Canyon is located in southern Utah and is known for its unique hoodoo rock formations and colorful cliffs. The park is a popular destination for hiking, with a variety of trails that offer different levels of difficulty. The most popular hike is the Navajo Loop Trail, which takes visitors through a narrow slot canyon and offers stunning views of the hoodoos. Other popular activities at Bryce Canyon include horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and stargazing.
Dry Tortugas National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Gulf of Mexico, about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. The park is known for its clear blue waters, coral reefs, and historic Fort Jefferson. The park is a popular destination for snorkeling, diving, and swimming. Visitors can also take a ferry tour to the park, which includes a tour of Fort Jefferson and the surrounding waters. Other popular activities at Dry Tortugas include bird watching, fishing, and picnicking.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park is a popular destination for hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and stargazing, while Dry Tortugas National Park is known for its beautiful waters, snorkeling, diving, swimming and bird watching, picnicking and fishing.
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park have vastly different weather patterns due to their vastly different locations. Bryce Canyon is located in southern Utah and Dry Tortugas is located in the Florida Keys.
Bryce Canyon has a relatively mild climate with hot summers and cold winters. During the summer months, temperatures can reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while in the winter, temperatures can drop to below freezing. Winter is also the best time to visit Bryce Canyon as the park’s famous hoodoos are covered in snow, providing a unique and beautiful contrast.
Dry Tortugas, on the other hand, has a tropical climate with hot and humid summers and mild winters. During the summer, temperatures can reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity can be quite high. The park is also prone to thunderstorms and hurricanes during the summer months. The best time to visit Dry Tortugas is during the winter months when temperatures are milder and the threat of hurricanes is low.
In conclusion, Bryce Canyon National Park is best visited in winter for snow-covered hoodoos, while Dry Tortugas National Park is best visited in winter for milder temperatures and lower risk of hurricanes.
Family Friendliness of Bryce Canyon National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park both offer unique experiences and different levels of family-friendliness.
Bryce Canyon National Park offers a variety of activities for families such as hiking, ranger-led programs, and scenic drives. The park also has a Junior Ranger Program for children, which allows them to earn a badge by completing educational activities. The park also has a visitor center that offers educational exhibits and ranger-led tours.
Dry Tortugas National Park is known for its crystal-clear water and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. The park is also home to Fort Jefferson, a 19th-century military fort that children can explore. The park is accessible only by ferry or seaplane, which can be an exciting adventure for children.
Overall, Bryce Canyon National Park is more family-friendly due to the variety of activities and educational opportunities it offers, as well as its accessibility. Dry Tortugas National Park is more suited for families who enjoy outdoor activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and who are interested in history.