Arches National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer vastly different experiences for visitors, but both are equally breathtaking in their own ways. Imagine standing in awe before towering red rock formations in Arches, marveling at the natural arch formations that have been sculpted by millions of years of erosion. Now, imagine yourself cruising through the icy blue waters of Glacier Bay, surrounded by towering glaciers, majestic mountains, and an abundance of wildlife. Both parks are a true testament to the power and beauty of nature, and a visit to either one is sure to leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply looking for a unique and unforgettable adventure, Arches National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve have something to offer for everyone. So, pack your bags and let’s set off to explore two of America’s most spectacular national parks!
Hiking Trails in Arches National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park in Moab, Utah and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska offer a wide range of hiking trails for visitors to explore. Both parks offer unique landscapes and experiences for hikers, however, the hikes at these two parks are vastly different due to the vastly different geographical locations, weather and ecosystem.
Arches National Park is known for its unique rock formations and desert landscapes. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Park Avenue Trail, which is a 1.5-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through a scenic canyon and offers views of Park Avenue, a group of towering rock formations. Another easy hike is the Windows Trail, which is a 1-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to the North and South Windows, two massive natural arches that are popular photography spots.
The park also offers more challenging hikes for experienced hikers. One of the most popular and challenging hikes in the park is the Delicate Arch Trail, which is a 3-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to the iconic Delicate Arch. The trail is steep and rocky, and hikers need to be in good physical condition to complete the hike. Another challenging hike is the Fiery Furnace, which is a 2.5-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through a maze of narrow canyons and rock formations. This hike requires a permit and is recommended for experienced hikers.
On the other hand, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska is known for its glaciers, fjords, and rugged wilderness. The park offers a wide range of hiking trails that vary in difficulty. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Bartlett Cove Trail, which is a 2-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through the dense rainforest and offers views of the bay. Another easy hike is the South Marble Island Trail, which is a 1.5-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to the South Marble Island, where they can spot sea otters and sea lions.
The park also offers more challenging hikes for experienced hikers. One of the most challenging hikes in the park is the Reid Glacier Trail, which is a 7-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to the Reid Glacier. The trail is steep and rocky, and hikers need to be in good physical condition to complete the hike. Another challenging hike is the Muir Glacier Trail, which is a 7-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to the Muir Glacier. This hike requires a permit and is recommended for experienced hikers. The Glacier Bay is a wilderness area, so hikers must be well equipped with the right gear, food, water and be prepared for wilderness camping.
In conclusion, Arches National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer a diverse range of hiking trails for visitors to explore. Both parks have trails that vary in difficulty, from easy hikes suitable for beginners to challenging hikes for experienced hikers. However, the hikes at these two parks are vastly different due to the vastly different geographical locations, weather and ecosystem. Arches National Park offers a desert landscape with unique rock formations and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offers rugged wilderness, glaciers, fjords, and marine life.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Arches National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delicate Arch Trail | 4988.954 | 186.8424 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Devils Garden Loop Trail with 7 Arches | 12070.05 | 325.8312 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Double Arch Trail | 804.67 | 9.7536 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Fiery Furnace and Surprise Arch | 2735.878 | 132.8928 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Landscape Arch Trail | 3057.746 | 78.9432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail | 1931.208 | 51.816 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Balanced Rock Loop Trail | 482.802 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Park Avenue Trail | 2896.812 | 90.8304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Sand Dune Arch Trail | 482.802 | 32.9184 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Wolfe Ranch and Petroglyph Trail | 804.67 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bartlett Cove Forest Loop Trail | 1770.274 | 33.8328 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Bartlett River Trail | 11104.446 | 266.7 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Bartlet Lake Trail | 9495.106 | 141.732 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Tlingit Trail | 1770.274 | 19.812 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Point Gustavus | 20116.75 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Arches National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are both spectacular natural destinations, but they offer very different wildlife experiences. Arches National Park is located in the desert of Utah, while Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its glaciers, fjords, and diverse wildlife.
Arches National Park is home to a wide variety of desert wildlife, including mammals such as mule deer, rock squirrels, and desert cottontails. Birds such as golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and ravens are commonly seen in the park. Reptiles such as desert horned lizards, collared lizards, and gopher snakes can also be found in the park. The park is also home to a wide variety of desert plants, including cacti, yucca, and wildflowers that bloom in the spring.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including marine mammals such as humpback whales, orcas, and sea otters. Birds such as bald eagles, gulls, and cormorants are commonly seen in the park. Other animals such as black bears, wolves, and mountain goats can also be found in the park. The park is also home to a wide variety of plants, including Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and Devil’s Club.
In summary, Arches National Park is known for its desert wildlife, including mammals, birds, and reptiles, as well as desert plants. Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its diverse wildlife, including marine mammals, birds, and other animals, as well as a variety of plants that are commonly seen in the park. Both parks are great destination for wildlife observation, but offer different experiences and different types of animals and plants.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Arches National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Arches National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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
| Arches National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Little Brown Bat |
| Big Brown Bat | Deer Mouse |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | House Mouse |
| Raccoon | Mountain Lion |
| Black Bear | Mink |
| Porcupine | Mule Deer |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Gray Wolf |
| Hoary Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | Snowshoe Hare |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | River Otter |
| House Mouse | Masked Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Water Shrew |
| American Mink | Red Squirrel |
| Mule Deer | Montane Shrew |
| Common Gray Fox | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Lynx |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Wolverine |
| American Badger | Marten |
| California Myotis | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Northern River Otter | Grizzly Bear |
Reptiles
| Arches National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
| Eastern Racer | |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard |
Amphibians
| Arches National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Arches National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Longnose Sucker |
| Fathead Minnow | Lake Trout |
| Common Carp | Northern Pike |
| Speckled Dace | Burbot |
| Yellow Bullhead | Silver Salmon |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Beautiful Landscapes in Arches National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park is located in Utah and is known for its more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, as well as other unique rock formations such as balanced rocks and spires. The park’s most famous landmark is Delicate Arch, a freestanding arch that stands at more than 60 feet tall and is a popular spot for hiking and photography. Another popular spot is the Windows Section, which features a group of arches known as the North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch. Visitors can also hike to the top of Park Avenue, a scenic trail that takes you through a narrow canyon and offers views of towering red rock formations.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its glaciers, fjords, and abundant wildlife. The park’s most famous feature is the Glacier Bay, a body of water that is home to several glaciers, including the Margerie Glacier, which is over a mile wide and has a height of 250 feet. Visitors can take a boat tour to get up close to the glaciers and see the ice calving, a natural process where chunks of ice break off and fall into the water. Another popular spot is the John Hopkins Inlet, which is known for its stunning scenery and offers great opportunities for wildlife viewing, such as whales, seals, and sea otters. Visitors can also hike to the summit of Mount Fairweather, which is the highest point in the park and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
In summary, Arches National Park is known for its natural sandstone arches and other unique rock formations while Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is known for its glaciers, fjords, and abundant wildlife. Both parks offer visitors a unique and spectacular experience, and visitors can take part in activities such as hiking, photography, boat tours, and wildlife viewing to fully experience the natural wonder of these two parks.
Things To-Do and Activities in Arches National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy.
At Arches National Park, hiking is one of the most popular activities. Visitors can explore the park’s many trails, including the iconic Delicate Arch Trail, which leads to the park’s most famous arch, and the Park Avenue Trail, which takes you through a narrow canyon and offers views of towering red rock formations. Other popular hikes include the Double Arch Trail, the Landscape Arch Trail, and the Windows Section Trail.
In addition to hiking, visitors can also enjoy sightseeing and photography. The park’s many rock formations, including its more than 2,000 natural arches, provide many opportunities to take in the park’s natural beauty and capture it on camera. Additionally, visitors can take ranger-led tours to learn more about the park’s geology, ecology, and history.
At Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, the most popular activity is boating. Visitors can take a boat tour to get up close to the glaciers and see the ice calving, a natural process where chunks of ice break off and fall into the water. The park’s Glacier Bay is home to several glaciers, including the Margerie Glacier, which is over a mile wide and has a height of 250 feet. The boat tour also provides an opportunity to view wildlife such as whales, seals, and sea otters.
Hiking is also a popular activity in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. Visitors can hike to the summit of Mount Fairweather, which is the highest point in the park and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. The park also has a variety of other trails, such as the Bartlett River Trail, which offers views of the Bartlett River and the Tarr Inlet and the West Glacier Trail, which leads to a viewpoint of the West Glacier.
In summary, Arches National Park is popular for hiking, sightseeing, and photography, while Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is known for its boat tours and wildlife viewing as well as hiking. Both parks offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy, and visitors can take in the natural beauty and wonder of these two parks while engaging in activities that they love.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are located in very different regions of the country and therefore have vastly different seasonal weather patterns. Arches National Park is located in the desert of Utah and is known for its hot summers and mild winters, while Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its long, cold winters and mild summers.
At Arches National Park, the best time to visit is typically in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and comfortable for hiking and other outdoor activities. Spring is also a great time to visit the park as the wildflowers are in bloom. The summer months can be extremely hot, with temperatures regularly reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and may not be ideal for outdoor activities. Winter can also be cold and snowy, but can be a great time to visit if you’re looking to avoid the crowds.
At Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, the best time to visit is typically in the summer when the weather is mild and the days are long. Visitors can take boat tours to see the glaciers and marine wildlife, and also hike on the many trails. Spring can also be a great time to visit as the park’s glaciers begin to melt and create spectacular waterfalls. Winter can be very cold, with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing, and many of the park’s facilities and services may be closed. The park receives significant amount of snowfall in the winter, making it difficult to access many of the park’s trails and making it not suitable for hiking.
In summary, the best time to visit Arches National Park is typically in the spring and fall, while the best time to visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is typically in the summer. Both Parks weather conditions can vary depending on what specific activities and experiences you’re looking for, but keeping in mind the seasonal weather is important for planning your trip.
Family Friendliness of Arches National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Arches National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are both beautiful national parks, but they have different offerings and experiences. Arches National Park, located in Utah, is known for its unique rock formations and scenic hiking trails. It is a great destination for families who enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing. The park has several easy trails that are suitable for children, such as the Park Avenue Trail and the Delicate Arch Trail.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is known for its stunning glaciers and wildlife. It is a great destination for families who enjoy nature and adventure. The park offers a variety of activities, such as boat tours, kayaking, and hiking, but some of the trails can be strenuous for children. The park is also only accessible by boat or small plane, which can add to the challenge of visiting.
In terms of which park is better to visit with children, it depends on the interests and abilities of the children. If your children enjoy outdoor activities and hiking, Arches National Park would be a great choice. If your children are interested in nature and adventure, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve could be a great option. Both parks are family-friendly, but Arches National Park might be a bit more manageable for children because of the smaller number of strenuous hikes.