Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most iconic and beloved national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a wide variety of natural beauty and outdoor activities, making them perfect destinations for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. While they may be separated by thousands of miles and vastly different landscapes, they both have a unique set of natural wonders and attractions that make them truly special.
Acadia National Park, located on the rugged coast of Maine, is known for its picturesque mountains, pristine lakes, and dramatic ocean views. The park offers a wide range of outdoor activities, from hiking and camping to rock climbing and kayaking. It’s the perfect destination for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with nature.
On the other hand, Yellowstone National Park, located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, is known for its geysers, hot springs, and other geothermal features, as well as its diverse wildlife and vast wilderness areas. The park offers a wide range of outdoor activities, from hiking and camping to fishing and wildlife viewing. It’s the perfect destination for those who want to experience the raw power and beauty of nature at its finest.
In short, both Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park are truly special places, offering a wide range of natural beauty and outdoor activities. Whether you’re a nature lover or an adventure seeker, these two parks have something to offer for everyone. So, pack your bags and grab your hiking boots, because it’s time to explore the natural wonders of Acadia and Yellowstone!
Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park are both known for their beautiful hiking trails, but they offer different hiking experiences.
Acadia National Park has over 120 miles of hiking trails that range from easy, flat carriage roads to strenuous, rocky peaks. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Jordan Pond Nature Trail, which is a 2.6-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors around Jordan Pond and offers great views of the pond and the surrounding mountains. Another easy hike is the Precipice Trail, which is a 2.4-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through an alpine zone and offers great views of the park and the surrounding area.
On the other hand, some of the hardest hikes in the park include the Precipice Trail, which is a strenuous hike that includes steep, rocky sections and requires the use of iron rungs and ladders. Another challenging hike is the Jordan Pond Path, which is a 3.4-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors to the top of South Bubble mountain and offers great views of the park and the surrounding area.
Yellowstone National Park, on the other hand, offers a wide variety of hiking trails that range from easy, flat boardwalks to strenuous, rocky peaks. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the boardwalk trails around geyser basins, such as the Upper Geyser Basin and the Lower Geyser Basin, which offer great views of the park’s geysers and hot springs without a lot of elevation gain. Another easy hike is the Mud Volcano Trail, which is a 1.5-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a volcanic area and offers great views of the park’s mud pots and fumaroles.
On the other hand, some of the hardest hikes in the park include the Mount Washburn Trail, which is a strenuous hike that includes steep, rocky sections and offers great views of the park and the surrounding area, and the Skyline Trail, which is a strenuous hike that takes visitors to the top of the park’s highest peak and offers great views of the park and the surrounding area.
In summary, both Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park offer a wide variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous. Acadia National Park offers more of rocky and rugged hiking trails while Yellowstone National Park offers more of flat boardwalks, and strenuous hikes that take visitors through geyser basins and volcanic areas, and to the top of the park’s highest peaks.
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 Yellowstone National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mystic Falls, Fairy Creek and Little Firehole Loop | 5632.69 | 184.7088 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Grand Prismatic Hot Spring | 2574.944 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop | 7242.03 | 73.7616 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Canyon Rim North Trail to Inspiration Point | 12713.786 | 349.9104 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail | 1609.34 | 17.9832 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Mammoth Hot Springs Area Trail | 5632.69 | 170.9928 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Artists Paintpots Trail | 1609.34 | 30.7848 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Avalanche Peak Trail | 7402.964 | 614.7816 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Old Faithful Geyser Loop Trail | 1126.538 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Upper Falls, Lower Falls and Crystal Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 140.8176 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park are both known for their diverse wildlife populations.
At Acadia National Park, some commonly seen animals include white-tailed deer, moose, black bears, and coyotes. Birds such as the peregrine falcon, osprey, and various species of warblers can also be found. The park also has a variety of plant life, including spruce and fir trees, as well as wildflowers such as the pink lady’s slipper and the Canada mayflower.
Yellowstone National Park is home to a wide range of animals, including bison, elk, grizzly bears, wolves, and bighorn sheep. Birds such as the bald eagle, osprey, and trumpeter swan can also be found in the park. The park also boasts a variety of plant life, including lodgepole pine, aspen, and wildflowers such as the Indian paintbrush and the lupine.
One key difference between the two parks is that Acadia is located in the northeastern United States and has a more temperate climate, while Yellowstone is located in the northwestern United States and has a more arid climate. This results in different types of wildlife and vegetation being found in each park.
Overall both of the parks have different wildlife and vegetation. And each one have their own unique beauty. It is always worth to visit both of them.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Acadia National Park | Yellowstone 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 | 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 |
Mammals
| Acadia National Park | Yellowstone 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 |
| Cross Fox | Red Fox |
| New York Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mink | Mountain Lion |
| Gray Wolf | Mink |
| Bonaparte’s Weasel | Mule Deer |
| Varying Hare | Wolf |
| Masked Shrew | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Water Shrew | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Red Squirrel | Badger |
| Virginia Deer | Short Tailed Weasel |
| Canada Lynx | California Myotis |
Fish
| Acadia National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Native Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Loch Leven Brown Trout | Brown Trout |
| Largemouth Bass | Longnose Sucker |
| Fathead Minnow | Lake Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Mottled Sculpin |
| Togue | Longnose Dace |
| Threespine Stickleback | Speckled Dace |
| Creek Chub | Arctic Grayling |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Acadia National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Bullfrog | Bullfrog |
| Wood Frog | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Acadia National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Ringneck Snake | Racer |
| Eastern Garter Snake | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Milk Snake | Rubber Boa |
Insects
| Acadia National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered Skipper | |
| Common Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park both offer a wide variety of beautiful landscapes and natural features for visitors to explore.
In Acadia, some of the most famous landscapes include the rugged coastline, with its rocky cliffs and crashing waves, as well as the park’s many mountains, including Cadillac Mountain, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Another famous landscape is the Jordan Pond, a serene mountain lake surrounded by lush forests and towering peaks. The Precipice Trail offers a challenging hike with breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and the Atlantic Ocean.
In Yellowstone, some of the most famous landscapes include the geysers, hot springs, and other geothermal features that are found throughout the park. The Old Faithful geyser is one of the most famous and popular geysers in the world, and it erupts every 90 minutes. Another famous landscape is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, which offers awe-inspiring views of the deep canyon and the colorful rock formations. The Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River are also famous landscapes, providing visitors with a spectacular view of the powerful falls. The Norris Geyser Basin is also a popular spot which features a variety of hydrothermal features like geysers, hot springs and fumaroles.
In summary, both Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park offer a wide variety of beautiful landscapes and natural features for visitors to explore, from rugged coastlines and mountain peaks to geysers and hot springs. Whether you’re a nature lover or an adventure seeker, these two parks have something to offer for everyone.
Things To-Do and Activities in Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park are both incredibly popular national parks that offer a wide variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.
Acadia National Park is known for its beautiful hiking trails, and many visitors come to the park to hike the rocky peaks and enjoy the stunning views of the park and the surrounding area. The park also offers a number of carriage roads that are perfect for biking and horseback riding. In addition, visitors can also enjoy scenic drives, such as the Park Loop Road, which takes visitors through some of the most beautiful areas of the park.
Yellowstone National Park is known for its geysers, hot springs, and other geothermal features. Many visitors come to the park to see Old Faithful, which is one of the most famous geysers in the world. In addition, visitors can also enjoy scenic drives, such as the Grand Loop Road, which takes visitors through some of the most beautiful areas of the park. The park also offers a wide variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous, and visitors can hike to the top of the park’s highest peaks and enjoy the stunning views of the park and the surrounding area.
In summary, Acadia National Park is known for its beautiful hiking trails, biking and horseback riding, and scenic drives. While Yellowstone National Park is known for its geysers, hot springs, and other geothermal features, scenic drives, and hiking trails. Both parks offer something for visitors of all ages and interests to enjoy.
Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park have different seasonal weather patterns, which can affect when the best time of year to visit each park is.
Acadia National Park is located in the northeastern United States and has a temperate climate. The park experiences four distinct seasons, with warm summers and cool winters. The summer months of June, July, and August are the most popular time to visit the park, with average temperatures ranging from the low 60s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit. The fall months of September and October are also a great time to visit, as the park’s trees turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Winter can be cold, with average temperatures ranging from the low 20s to the low 30s Fahrenheit, and snowfall is common. Spring is the least popular time to visit the park, as the park’s trails and roads can be muddy and the weather can be unpredictable.
Yellowstone National Park is located in the northwestern United States and has a more arid climate. The park experiences four distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold winters. The summer months of June, July, and August are the most popular time to visit the park, with average temperatures ranging from the low 50s to the low 80s Fahrenheit. However, it can be quite crowded during the summer months. The fall months of September and October are also a great time to visit, as the park’s trees turn vibrant shades of gold and orange. Winter can be very cold, with average temperatures ranging from the low 0s to the low 20s Fahrenheit, and snowfall is common. Spring is the least popular time to visit the park, as many of the park’s roads and trails are still closed due to snow.
In summary, the best time to visit Acadia National Park is during the summer and fall months, while the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is during the summer and fall, but avoiding the peak season. If you are looking for a peaceful, less crowded experience, visiting in the spring and winter can also be a good option, but be prepared for more unpredictable weather and road closures.
Family Friendliness of Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Both Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park are great options for families looking to experience the great outdoors together. However, there are some key differences between the two parks that may make one more suitable for your family’s needs than the other.
Acadia National Park is considered to be more family-friendly than Yellowstone. The park offers a variety of easy hikes and nature walks that are suitable for children of all ages. The Jordan Pond Path, for example, is a 3.3-mile hike that offers panoramic views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains, and is considered to be relatively easy. Another family-friendly hike is the Jordan Pond Nature Trail, which is a 1.4-mile trail that offers panoramic views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains. The park also offers a variety of educational programs and ranger-led activities that are suitable for children, such as the Junior Ranger Program.
Yellowstone National Park, while still a great place to visit with kids, is more rugged and remote than Acadia. The park offers a variety of hiking trails and natural wonders to explore, but some of the trails are more strenuous and may not be suitable for younger children. However, the park does offer a variety of easy hikes and nature walks that are suitable for children of all ages, such as the 0.5-mile Uncle Tom’s Trail, which offers an easy hike to the Upper Falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and the 1.5-mile boardwalk at the Lower Geyser Basin, which offers a leisurely stroll through a geyser field.
In summary, while both Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park are great places to visit with children, Acadia is considered to be more family-friendly due to its easy hiking trails and ranger-led activities suitable for children. Yellowstone, on the other hand, offers a variety of natural wonders to explore, but some of the trails are more strenuous and may not be suitable for younger children.