Acadia National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both natural wonders that offer visitors a chance to explore diverse landscapes and witness awe-inspiring natural phenomena. While Acadia is located on the east coast of the United States in Maine, Kenai Fjords is located on the south coast of Alaska. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to hike, boat, and explore some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. But, the experience of visiting each park is vastly different. Acadia offers visitors a chance to explore dense forests, rocky coastline, and the tallest peak on the east coast, while Kenai Fjords offers visitors an opportunity to witness glaciers, fjords and marine wildlife. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a nature lover, these two national parks are sure to leave a lasting impression. So, pack your bags and get ready to compare the two most beautiful national parks in the United States.
Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Acadia National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both known for their beautiful hiking trails that offer spectacular views of nature.
Acadia National Park features over 120 miles of hiking trails that range from easy, family-friendly hikes to strenuous climbs. Some of the most popular hikes in Acadia include the Jordan Pond Path, which is an easy 2.5-mile hike that offers stunning views of Jordan Pond, and the Precipice Trail, which is a challenging, steep hike that leads to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the park. Other popular hikes include the Gorham Mountain Trail, the Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail, and the Precipice Trail.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, offers a variety of hiking trails that range from easy nature walks to strenuous backpacking trips. Some of the most popular hikes in Kenai Fjords include the Exit Glacier Nature Trail, which is an easy, 1.8-mile hike that leads to the Exit Glacier, and the Harding Icefield Trail, which is an strenuous 8.2-mile hike that leads to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the Harding Icefield. Other popular hikes in Kenai Fjords include the Exit Glacier Area, the Resurrection River Trail, and the Yuditnu Creek Trail.
Overall, both parks offer a wide variety of hiking trails that cater to different skill levels and interests. Acadia National Park is known for its beautiful coastal views and challenging climbs while Kenai Fjords National Park is known for its stunning glaciers and fjords.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Beehive Loop Trail | 2253.076 | 148.7424 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Cadillac North Ridge Trail | 6437.36 | 340.7664 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Jordan Pond Full Loop Trail | 5471.756 | 28.956 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Ocean Path and Gorham Mountain Loop Trail | 4988.954 | 181.9656 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail Loop | 12070.05 | 684.8856 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Precipice, Orange and Black and Champlain North Ridge Trail Loop | 3379.614 | 319.7352 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Ocean Path Trail: Thunder Hole and Monument Cove | 7242.03 | 113.9952 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Great Head Trail (Short Option) | 2574.944 | 91.7448 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| South Bubble Mountain and Jordan Pond Loop | 2253.076 | 149.9616 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cadillac Summit Loop Trail | 482.802 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Kenai Fjords National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Acadia National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Acadia National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both known for their diverse wildlife, but the types of animals, birds, and plants you’ll see are quite different depending on which park you visit.
Acadia National Park is located on the coast of Maine and is home to a wide variety of animals, including white-tailed deer, moose, black bears, beavers, and coyotes. Visitors may also be able to spot a variety of bird species such as the common loon, osprey, bald eagle, and peregrine falcon. Plant life in Acadia National Park is also diverse, with coniferous and deciduous forests, as well as wetlands and meadows. Some of the most common tree species are balsam fir, red spruce, and white pine.
On the other hand, Kenai Fjords National Park is located in Alaska and features a wide variety of marine and terrestrial wildlife. Visitors may be able to spot marine mammals such as humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, and harbor seals. The park is also home to a variety of bird species such as the bald eagle, pigeon guillemot, and tufted puffin. The park also has a diverse plant life, including alders, willows, and cottonwoods in the lowland areas and spruce, hemlock, and cedar in the higher elevations.
In summary, Acadia National Park is known for its diverse terrestrial wildlife and plant life, while Kenai Fjords National Park is known for its marine wildlife and plant life. Both parks offer unique and spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities, but the types of animals, birds, and plants you’ll see will depend on which park you choose to visit.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Acadia National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Acadia National Park | Kenai Fjords 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 |
| Merlin | Merlin |
| Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| American Kestrel | Bald Eagle |
| Bald Eagle | Song Sparrow |
| Song Sparrow | European Starling |
| European Starling | Northern Pintail |
| Northern Pintail | American Wigeon |
| American Wigeon | Green-Winged Teal |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Acadia National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | Mink |
| Raccoon | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Black Bear | Gray Wolf |
| Porcupine | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Silver-Haired Bat | California Myotis |
| Hoary Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Cross Fox | Northern River Otter |
| New York Weasel | Masked Shrew |
| House Mouse | Red Squirrel |
| Mink | Montane Shrew |
| Gray Wolf | Lynx |
| Bonaparte’s Weasel | Wolverine |
| Varying Hare | American Marten |
| Masked Shrew | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Water Shrew | Brown Bear |
| Red Squirrel | Meadow Mouse |
| Virginia Deer | Moose |
| Canada Lynx | Pygmy Shrew |
Fish
| Acadia National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Redband Trout |
| Native Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Loch Leven Brown Trout | Burbot |
| Largemouth Bass | Silver Salmon |
| Fathead Minnow | Chinook Salmon |
| Golden Shiner | Slimy Sculpin |
| Togue | Threespine Stickleback |
| Threespine Stickleback | Red Salmon |
| Creek Chub | Pink Salmon |
| Brown Bullhead | Chum Salmon |
| Smallmouth Bass | Dolly Varden |
Amphibians
| Acadia National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Acadia National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Ringneck Snake | |
| Eastern Garter Snake | |
| Milk Snake |
Beautiful Landscapes in Acadia National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Acadia National Park, located on the coast of Maine, is known for its rugged beauty and stunning coastal views. The park features a variety of landscapes, including rocky cliffs, sandy beaches, and dense forests. Some of the most famous landscapes in the park include Cadillac Mountain, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area, and Jordan Pond, a serene mountain lake surrounded by lush greenery. Other natural wonders in the park include the Precipice Trail, a strenuous hike that takes you to the top of a steep cliff, and Thunder Hole, a natural rock formation that creates a thundering sound when waves crash against it.
Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, is known for its stunning fjords and glaciers. The park features a variety of landscapes, including rugged coastlines, glaciers, and mountain peaks. Some of the most famous landscapes in the park include Exit Glacier, which visitors can hike to and explore, and Aialik Glacier, which is visible from the park’s boat tours. Other natural wonders in the park include the Harding Icefield, a massive ice field that covers over 300 square miles, and Holgate Glacier, which is one of the park’s most easily accessible glaciers. The wildlife in the park is also a highlight, and visitors can often see sea otters, harbor seals, and whales in the waters surrounding the park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Acadia National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Acadia National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park offer visitors a wide range of activities to enjoy. Both parks are known for their spectacular natural beauty and offer opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to explore and discover the unique landscapes and wildlife of each park.
At Acadia National Park, the most popular activities include hiking, camping, and rock climbing. The park has over 120 miles of hiking trails that offer visitors the chance to explore the park’s rugged coastline, dense forests, and mountain summits. The Precipice Trail, Jordan Pond Path, and the Precipice Trail are some of the most popular hikes in the park. The park also offers visitors the opportunity to camp in several campgrounds, including Blackwoods Campground and Seawall Campground.
At Kenai Fjords National Park, the most popular activities include wildlife viewing, kayaking and boat tours, and camping. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bears, moose, wolves, and sea otters. Visitors can take a boat tour to see glaciers and wildlife in the park. The park also has a number of kayaking opportunities, including the Aialik Bay and Holgate Arm. Camping is also available at the park, including in the backcountry and the Exit Glacier area.
Overall, both Acadia National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park offer visitors a wide range of activities to enjoy, but the main difference is that Acadia is more known for its hiking and climbing while Kenai Fjords is known for its wildlife viewing and boat tours. So, depending on what activities you are looking to do, both parks can be an excellent choice for your next outdoor adventure.
Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Acadia National Park, located in Maine, has four distinct seasons with a moderate climate. Spring brings mild temperatures, with wildflowers and birds returning to the park. Summer is the peak season, with warm temperatures and long days perfect for hiking and exploring the park. Fall brings cooler temperatures and stunning foliage, while winter brings the opportunity for winter sports like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The best time to visit Acadia National Park is during the summer and fall.
Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Summer is the best time to visit, with temperatures ranging from the high 40s to low 60s. This is when the park’s glaciers and wildlife are most active, and visitors can take boat tours to see glaciers and whales. Winter brings extreme cold temperatures, with heavy snow and limited visitor services. The park is also less crowded during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, but visitors should be prepared for unpredictable weather and potential snowfall. Overall, summer is the best time to visit Kenai Fjords National Park for the best weather and the most activities.
Family Friendliness of Acadia National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Acadia National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both great options for families, but they offer different types of experiences. Acadia National Park is located on the coast of Maine and offers a variety of family-friendly activities such as hiking, biking, and picnicking. The park also has a variety of campgrounds and a historic carriage road system that is perfect for exploring with children.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and is known for its rugged beauty and spectacular wildlife. The park is home to glaciers, fjords, and a variety of marine mammals, such as otters and whales. While the park does offer hiking and camping, it is also a great destination for boat tours and sea kayaking. With its remote location and challenging terrain, Kenai Fjords National Park may be more suitable for families with older children or those who are comfortable with more rugged outdoor activities.