Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are two of the most beautiful and unique national parks in the United States. Both parks offer visitors breathtaking landscapes, stunning vistas, and an abundance of outdoor activities. But, these two parks are vastly different in terms of their geography, climate, and the types of activities they offer. Imagine one park offering a vast and rugged desert wilderness, where you can hike through canyons, explore the Rio Grande, and stargaze under some of the darkest skies in the country. On the other hand, the other park presents you with a wonderland of red rock hoodoos, spires, and fins, where you can hike through canyons, explore unique geology, and stargaze under some of the clearest skies in the country. If you’re looking for a unique outdoor adventure, Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are two destinations that should definitely be on your bucket list.
Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are both known for their hiking trails, which offer visitors the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the parks’ rugged terrain. However, the types of hiking trails offered at each park can vary, depending on the specific area of the park you’re visiting.
Big Bend National Park offers over 150 miles of hiking trails, with options for hikers of all skill levels. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Chisos Basin Loop Trail, which is a 2.2-mile loop that takes hikers through the heart of the Chisos Mountains, and the Santa Elena Canyon Trail, which is a 1.5-mile round-trip hike that offers stunning views of the Rio Grande. For more experienced hikers, the park offers challenging backpacking trips, such as the Outer Mountain Loop, which is a 26-mile hike that takes hikers through the park’s rugged backcountry.
Bryce Canyon National Park offers a variety of hiking trails, with options for hikers of all skill levels. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Rim Trail, which is a 2.4-mile round-trip hike that offers stunning views of the park’s famous hoodoos, and the Queen’s Garden Trail, which is a 1.8-mile round-trip hike that takes hikers through the park’s colorful landscape. For more experienced hikers, the park offers challenging hikes such as the Peek-a-Boo Loop, which is a 5.5-mile hike that takes hikers through the park’s backcountry, and the Riggs Spring Loop, which is a 8-mile hike that takes hikers through the park’s remote areas.
In conclusion, both Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park offer visitors a wide variety of hiking trails, with options for hikers of all skill levels. Big Bend National Park offers challenging backpacking trips, while Bryce Canyon National Park offers a variety of easy and challenging hikes. Both parks offer options that take hikers through the park’s rugged terrain and offer stunning views of the park’s unique landscapes.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Big Bend National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lost Mine Trail | 6759.228 | 334.9752 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| South Rim Trail – Boot Springs Trail | 17702.74 | 709.8792 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| The Window Trail | 8368.568 | 288.9504 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Emory Peak Trail | 13679.39 | 731.8248 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Santa Elena Canyon Trail | 2414.01 | 185.928 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Balanced Rock Trail | 3057.746 | 70.7136 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boquillas Canyon Trail | 1931.208 | 69.7992 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Hot Springs Canyon Trail | 8851.37 | 280.7208 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Outer Mountain Loop | 38785.094 | 1739.7984 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Big Bend Hot Springs Trail | 1770.274 | 38.7096 | Easy | loop | 4 |
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 |
Wildlife in Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are both known for their diverse wildlife, but the types of animals, birds, and plants you’ll see at each park are quite different.
Big Bend National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert and is home to a wide variety of desert animals, birds, and plants. Visitors can expect to see animals such as white-tailed deer, black bears, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep. The park is also home to a wide variety of birds including golden eagles, roadrunners, and peregrine falcons. The park is also home to a wide variety of cacti and other desert plants such as yucca and agave.
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in the high desert of southern Utah and is home to a wide variety of animals, birds, and plants that are adapted to the high elevation and cold temperatures. Visitors can expect to see animals such as mule deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. The park is also home to a wide variety of birds such as the peregrine falcon and the common raven. The park is also home to a wide variety of plants such as the ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and quaking aspen.
In summary, while both Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are known for their diverse wildlife, the types of animals, birds, and plants that you’ll see at each park are quite different. Big Bend National Park is known for its desert wildlife, while Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its high desert wildlife. Both parks offer visitors an opportunity to see a wide variety of animals, birds, and plants in their natural habitats.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Big Bend National Park | Bryce Canyon 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
| Big Bend National Park | Bryce Canyon National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Deer Mouse | Little Brown Bat |
| Raccoon | Deer Mouse |
| Black Bear | Raccoon |
| Porcupine | Black Bear |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Porcupine |
| Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Hoary Bat |
| House Mouse | Red Fox |
| Mountain Lion | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mule Deer | House Mouse |
| Common Gray Fox | Mountain Lion |
| Gray Wolf | Mule Deer |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Common Gray Fox |
| American Badger | Long-Legged Myotis |
| California Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Fringed Myotis | American Badger |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Ermine |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | California Myotis |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Snowshoe Hare |
Reptiles
| Big Bend National Park | Bryce Canyon National Park |
|---|---|
| Sonoran Gophersnake | Gophersnake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Desert Kingsnake | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Texas Nightsnake | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Nightsnake |
| Mexican Milksnake | Striped Whipsnake |
| Central Texas Whipsnake | Tree Lizard |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | Western Whiptail |
| Big Bend Tree Lizard | Western Skink |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Big Bend National Park | Bryce Canyon National Park |
|---|---|
| Barred Tiger Salamander | Northern Leopard Frog |
| American Bullfrog | Tiger Salamander |
| Southwestern Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Big Bend National Park | Bryce Canyon National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Brook Trout |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Common Carp | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Mosquitofish |
Beautiful Landscapes in Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park both offer a wide variety of breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders for visitors to enjoy.
At Big Bend National Park, visitors can experience the rugged beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert and the Rio Grande. The park is home to several mountain ranges, including the Chisos Mountains, which offer visitors breathtaking views from various overlooks. The park also features several canyons, including the Santa Elena Canyon, which can be accessed by boat or by hiking the trails along the river. The park also offers stargazing opportunities, as it has some of the darkest skies in the country and is designated as an International Dark Sky Park.
Bryce Canyon National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its unique geology and hoodoos, which are tall, thin spires of rock that are formed by erosion. The park is home to several overlooks, including Bryce Point and Inspiration Point, which offer visitors breathtaking views of the hoodoos and the surrounding landscapes. Visitors can also hike through the hoodoos on several trails, including the popular Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden trails. The park also offers stargazing opportunities, as it has some of the clearest skies in the country and is designated as an International Dark Sky Park.
Both parks offer a wide variety of landscapes and natural wonders for visitors to enjoy, but the main difference is the type of landscapes and the natural wonders that can be found in the park. Big Bend National Park is known for its desert wilderness and the Rio Grande, while Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique hoodoos and geology.
Things To-Do and Activities in Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park offer visitors a wide variety of activities to enjoy during their visit. While both parks offer hiking and camping, the types of activities and the experiences offered are quite different.
At Big Bend National Park, visitors can enjoy hiking, backpacking, and camping in the rugged desert wilderness. The park offers over 150 miles of trails, ranging from easy nature walks to challenging backpacking trips. The park also offers river trips on the Rio Grande, where visitors can raft, kayak, or canoe along the river. Other popular activities include bird watching, stargazing, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to over 450 species of birds and 75 species of mammals, making it a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
Bryce Canyon National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its hiking and scenic drives. The park offers several hiking trails that take visitors through the unique hoodoos and geology of the park. The most popular trails include the Navajo Loop, Queen’s Garden, and Peek-a-Boo Loop. The park also offers scenic drives, including the 18-mile long Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive, which takes visitors through the main viewpoints of the park. Other popular activities include horseback riding, stargazing and photography.
Both parks offer a wide variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, but the main difference is the type of activities and the experiences offered. Big Bend National Park is known for its rugged desert wilderness, the Rio Grande, and wildlife viewing, while Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique hoodoos, geology, and scenic drives. Visitors can choose the park that best suits their interests and preferences.
Best Time to Visit Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park have vastly different climates, and the seasonal weather in each park affects when is the best time of year to visit.
Big Bend National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert in Texas, and the weather is characterized by hot summers and mild winters. The park is also known for its high humidity and occasional thunderstorms. The best time to visit the park is during the spring (March to May) or fall (September to November) when the temperatures are mild and the humidity is lower. The summer months (June to August) can be extremely hot, and visitors should be prepared for temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The winter months (December to February) can be mild, but visitors should be prepared for occasional cold temperatures and the possibility of snow.
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah and has a high desert climate characterized by cool summers and cold winters. The best time to visit the park is during the spring (April to June) or fall (September to November) when the temperatures are mild, and the park is less crowded. The summer months (July to August) can be hot, and visitors should be prepared for temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The winter months (December to March) can be extremely cold, and visitors should be prepared for snow and icy conditions. Visitors should also be aware that snow can close the park’s roads, so it’s important to check road conditions before planning a trip in the winter.
In summary, the best time to visit Big Bend National Park is during the spring and fall when the temperatures are mild and the humidity is lower, while the best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park is during the spring and fall when the temperatures are mild, and the park is less crowded. Both parks have unique weather conditions and visitors should be prepared for the seasonal weather before planning a trip to the park.
Family Friendliness of Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
Big Bend National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are both beautiful national parks that offer a variety of outdoor activities, but they are quite different in terms of their family-friendliness.
Big Bend National Park is a great option for families who enjoy hiking and camping. The park has over 150 miles of trails, including some that are suitable for children. The park also has a campground that is open year-round. However, the park is quite remote and there are not many amenities available, so families should be prepared to be self-sufficient.
Bryce Canyon National Park is also a great option for families who enjoy hiking and outdoor activities. The park has a variety of trails that are suitable for children, including the easy Rim Trail which offers stunning views of the park’s famous hoodoos. The park also has a campground and several hotels nearby. Additionally, Bryce Canyon National Park offers several ranger-led programs for children and families, including guided walks and campfire talks.
Overall, Bryce Canyon National Park is better for families who are looking for more amenities and ranger-led activities, while Big Bend National Park is better for families who enjoy a more remote and rugged outdoor experience.