Biscayne National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are both incredibly unique and offer vastly different experiences to visitors. Biscayne National Park is a tropical paradise located in southern Florida, featuring crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of marine life. On the other hand, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is renowned for its stunning glaciers, snow-capped peaks and pristine wilderness. Both parks are perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, but they offer different activities and landscapes. Imagine exploring the vibrant coral reefs of Biscayne National Park in the morning and then watching glaciers calve in the afternoon in Glacier Bay National Park. If you are looking for a contrast of experiences, visiting these two parks is a must.
Hiking Trails in Biscayne National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer vastly different hiking experiences. Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, is primarily a water-based park with mangrove forests and coral reefs. The park’s hiking trails are relatively easy and mostly consist of boardwalks and observation towers that offer views of the park’s diverse ecosystems. The easiest hike in the park is the Conch Reef Trail, a 0.2-mile boardwalk that takes visitors through a mangrove forest and offers views of the colorful coral reef.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is a wilderness park with rugged mountains, glaciers, and fjords. The park’s hiking trails range from easy to strenuous, but all of them offer spectacular views of the park’s natural beauty. The park’s most popular hike is the Glacier Overlook Trail, a 2-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to a viewpoint of the park’s glaciers. On the other hand, the park also offers strenuous hikes like the Muir Glacier Trail, which is a 7-mile round trip hike that takes visitors to the base of the Muir Glacier. Overall, Biscayne National Park is better for easy hikes, while Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offers more diverse hiking options for visitors of all skill levels.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Biscayne National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biscayne National Park Walk | 15932.466 | 0.9144 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Creek Canal Trail | 2735.878 | 0.9144 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Jetty Trail | 1448.406 | 0 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Boca Chita Trail | 1287.472 | 0.9144 | Easy | loop | 3 |
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 Biscayne National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer vastly different wildlife experiences due to their vastly different environments. Biscayne National Park is located on the southern tip of Florida and is primarily composed of a barrier reef, mangrove forests and sandy beaches. The park is home to a wide variety of marine life including manatees, sea turtles, dolphins, and over 500 species of fish. Visitors can also see a variety of bird species such as ospreys, pelicans, and herons.
On the other hand, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is primarily composed of glaciers, fjords, and mountains. The park is home to a wide variety of terrestrial and marine wildlife, including bears, wolves, moose, mountain goats, and whales. Visitors can also see a variety of bird species such as bald eagles, puffins, and guillemots. While both parks offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences, Biscayne National Park is a better destination for those who are interested in marine wildlife and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a better destination for those interested in terrestrial and marine wildlife in a cold and rugged environment.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Biscayne National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Biscayne 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 |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Mallard |
| American Robin | Canada Goose |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
| Northern Flicker | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| Merlin | American Robin |
| Barn Swallow | Great Horned Owl |
| Savannah Sparrow | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Great Blue Heron | Northern Flicker |
| American Kestrel | Merlin |
| Bald Eagle | Barn Swallow |
| Song Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| European Starling | Great Blue Heron |
| Northern Pintail | Hermit Thrush |
| American Wigeon | American Kestrel |
| American Pipit | Bald Eagle |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Song Sparrow |
| Killdeer | European Starling |
| Brown-Headed Cowbird | Northern Pintail |
| Red-Winged Blackbird | American Wigeon |
| Blue-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Biscayne National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Bobcat | Coyote |
| Striped Skunk | American Beaver |
| Raccoon | Little Brown Bat |
| House Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Common Gray Fox | Black Bear |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Porcupine |
| White-Tailed Deer | Red Fox |
| Virginia Opossum | House Mouse |
| Black Rat | Mountain Lion |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Mink |
| Least Shrew | Mule Deer |
| Gray Wolf | |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | |
| Snowshoe Hare | |
| River Otter | |
| Masked Shrew | |
| Water Shrew | |
| Red Squirrel | |
| Montane Shrew | |
| Long-Tailed Vole | |
| Lynx | |
| Wolverine | |
| Marten | |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | |
| Grizzly Bear |
Fish
| Biscayne National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Bluegill | Brook Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Longnose Sucker |
| Common Carp | Lake Trout |
| Yellow Bullhead | Northern Pike |
| Black Crappie | Burbot |
| Brown Bullhead | Silver Salmon |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Insects
| Biscayne National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee |
Amphibians
| Biscayne National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Biscayne National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are two incredibly diverse national parks that offer visitors vastly different landscapes to explore. Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, is known for its crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and mangrove forests. The park’s most famous landscape is Biscayne Bay, which is home to a diverse array of marine life and offers visitors the chance to explore the bay by boat or kayak. Visitors can also take a hike through the mangrove forests or snorkel or dive among the coral reefs to see the vibrant marine life.
On the other hand, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska is known for its stunning glaciers, fjords, and rugged mountains. The park’s most famous landscape is the Glacier Bay, which is home to several active glaciers, including the Margerie Glacier, which is over 20 miles long. Visitors can take a boat tour to get up close to the glaciers and see them calving into the bay, or hike through the alpine meadows and rugged mountain ranges to see wildlife such as bears, mountain goats, and wolves. Additionally, The park also has one of the largest protected wilderness areas in the US.
Both Biscayne National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer visitors the opportunity to explore unique and beautiful landscapes. While Biscayne National Park is known for its marine life and crystal-clear waters, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is known for its glaciers, fjords, and rugged mountains. Both parks are perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts looking for an adventure.
Things To-Do and Activities in Biscayne National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are two vastly different national parks, with different popular activities. Biscayne National Park is located in southern Florida, and is known for its beautiful coral reefs and clear blue waters. The park is popular for activities such as snorkeling, diving, and boating. Visitors can also explore the park’s mangrove forests and enjoy the many bird species that call the park home.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and is known for its glaciers, fjords, and abundant wildlife. The park is popular for activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can see bears, wolves, and moose, as well as whales, seals, and sea otters. The park also offers boat tours, which allow visitors to get up close to the glaciers and see the stunning natural landscapes.
In terms of hiking trails, Biscayne National Park has a few short trails that run through the mangrove forests and provide visitors with a glimpse of the park’s diverse ecosystems. The park also has a few short boardwalks that provide views of the park’s coral reefs. On the other hand, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve has a wide variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous. The park’s trails provide visitors with breathtaking views of the glaciers, fjords, and wildlife.
The best time to visit Biscayne National Park is from November to May, when the weather is dry and cool. The park gets very hot and humid during the summer months, making it less pleasant to visit. Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is best visited during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the days are longest. Visitors can also see the park’s glaciers and wildlife in their natural habitats during this time.
Best Time to Visit Biscayne National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are two vastly different national parks when it comes to weather and the best time to visit. Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round and high humidity. The best time to visit is during the winter months when the weather is milder and there are fewer bugs and mosquitoes. The summer months can be hot and humid, with the possibility of thunderstorms and hurricanes.
On the other hand, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, has a much colder and wetter climate. The park experiences long, cold winters with heavy snowfall, and short, cool summers with occasional rain. The best time to visit is during the summer months when the weather is milder and the glaciers are more easily accessible. The park is also home to many species of marine mammals, birds and fish, which can be seen during the summer months. Visitors should be prepared for cold and wet weather at any time of the year, and bring warm clothing and rain gear.
Biscayne National Park offers activities such as boating, snorkeling, and diving, while Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offers activities such as kayaking, fishing, and hiking. Both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes, but if you’re looking for a tropical paradise with warm weather and clear waters, Biscayne National Park is the place to go. But if you’re looking for an adventure in the rugged wilderness with glaciers, mountains and marine life, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is your destination.
Family Friendliness of Biscayne National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are both beautiful and unique national parks, but they offer very different experiences for families. Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, is known for its crystal clear waters, coral reefs, and variety of fish and other marine life. The park offers many opportunities for families to explore the water, including snorkeling, kayaking, and boat tours. There are also several easy hiking trails and picnic areas that are perfect for families.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and is known for its glaciers, fjords, and wildlife. The park is a popular destination for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, but it is not as easily accessible as Biscayne National Park. The park is only accessible by boat or small plane, and the weather can be unpredictable and harsh. This makes it less suitable for families with small children.
In summary, Biscayne National Park is a better option for families looking for an easy, accessible and fun-filled outdoor experience. While Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts, families may find the remote location, unpredictable weather and lack of easy access to the park to be less suitable for a family trip.