Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park are two of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the United States. Both parks offer visitors a unique and breathtaking experience, but in different ways. Bryce Canyon is known for its hoodoos, which are tall, thin spires of rock that rise from the ground. These unique formations are a result of millions of years of erosion, and they create a magical and otherworldly landscape. Canyonlands, on the other hand, is known for its vast canyons and mesas that are carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. The park offers a true wilderness experience where visitors can explore deep canyons, towering mesas, and ancient ruins. Both Bryce Canyon and Canyonlands are must-see destinations for anyone who loves nature and outdoor adventure, but the question remains: which one should you visit? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these two magnificent parks, and compare and contrast their most popular activities, landscapes, and weather, to help you decide which one is the perfect destination for your next outdoor adventure.
Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park both offer a wide variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore. Both parks are known for their stunning red rock formations, but the trails at each park offer different experiences.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, some of the easiest hikes include the Rim Trail, which offers a paved path with minimal elevation gain, and the Queen’s Garden Trail, which takes visitors through a series of hoodoos and canyons. Some of the harder hikes include the Peekaboo Loop Trail, which features steep climbs and narrow paths, and the Fairyland Loop Trail, which is a longer hike with significant elevation gain.
Canyonlands National Park, on the other hand, offers a more rugged and remote hiking experience. Some of the easiest hikes include the Mesa Arch Trail, which is a short hike to a beautiful arch formation, and the Upheaval Dome Trail, which offers a moderate hike to a unique geological formation. Some of the harder hikes include the Chesler Park Loop Trail, which is a challenging hike through a remote area, and the White Rim Trail, which is a strenuous and long hike that requires a permit.
Overall, Bryce Canyon National Park is considered to be more family-friendly, with shorter and easier hikes, while Canyonlands National Park is best for more experienced hikers, with longer and more challenging trails.
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 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa Arch Trail | 965.604 | 18.8976 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Grand View Point Trail | 2896.812 | 52.7304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chesler Park Loop Trail | 18668.344 | 589.788 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| False Kiva Trail | 3057.746 | 136.8552 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Upheaval Dome via Crater View Trail | 2414.01 | 91.7448 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Aztec Butte Trail | 2092.142 | 66.7512 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Druid Arch Trail | 15288.73 | 418.7952 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Shafer Trail | 30899.328 | 949.7568 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| White Rim Overlook Trail | 2896.812 | 48.768 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Syncline Loop | 13840.324 | 496.824 | Very Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park are both known for their diverse wildlife and unique ecosystems.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of animals such as mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn. The park is also home to a variety of birds, including the American dipper, the canyon wren, and the peregrine falcon. The park is also known for its diverse plant life, including the Bryce Canyon’s famous hoodoos, which are formed by erosion of different colored rock layers and are home to a variety of plants such as pinyon pine, juniper, and sagebrush.
At Canyonlands National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of animals such as bighorn sheep, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, and coyotes. The park is also home to a variety of birds, including the golden eagle, the red-tailed hawk, and the great horned owl. The park is also known for its diverse plant life, including the juniper, sagebrush, and pinyon pine, as well as a variety of cacti and desert wildflowers.
Both parks are great options for wildlife enthusiasts, but each park offers a slightly different experience. Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its diverse plant life, particularly the hoodoos and Canyonlands National Park is known for its diverse animal life.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park offers a diverse range of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and a variety of birds such as the American dipper, canyon wren, and peregrine falcon. The park also has a diverse range of plants, with hoodoos as the most famous. On the other hand, Canyonlands National Park offers a diverse range of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, and coyotes, and a variety of birds such as the golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, and great horned owl. The park also has a diverse range of plants, including juniper, sagebrush, pinyon pine, cacti, and desert wildflowers.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Canyonlands 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
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Canyonlands 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 |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Mountain Lion |
| Mule Deer | American Mink |
| Common Gray Fox | Mule Deer |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Common Gray Fox |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| American Badger | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Ermine | American Badger |
| California Myotis | Ermine |
| Snowshoe Hare | California Myotis |
Reptiles
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Canyonlands National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Gophersnake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Eastern Racer |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Nightsnake | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Striped Whipsnake | Common Kingsnake |
| Tree Lizard | Nightsnake |
| Western Whiptail | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Western Skink | Striped Whipsnake |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Fish
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Canyonlands National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brown Trout | |
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Common Carp | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Kokanee Salmon | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Canyonlands National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park are two of the most spectacular natural wonders in the United States. Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes, awe-inspiring vistas, and an abundance of natural wonders to explore.
Bryce Canyon National Park is best known for its hoodoos, which are tall, thin spires of rock that tower over the landscape. These hoodoos, which are formed by the erosion of limestone and sandstone, are the park’s most iconic feature and draw visitors from all over the world. The park also boasts a variety of other landscapes, including the Bryce Amphitheater, which is a natural bowl filled with hoodoos, and the Natural Bridge, which is a natural arch formed by the erosion of a rock fin.
Canyonlands National Park, on the other hand, is known for its canyons and mesas. The park is divided into three distinct districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze. Island in the Sky district offers panoramic views of the surrounding canyons and mesas from the top of a 1,000-foot-high mesa, while The Needles district features towering spires of rock and deep canyons. The Maze district is the most remote and least-visited part of the park, and it offers visitors a true wilderness experience.
Both Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park offer visitors a chance to explore some of the most spectacular landscapes in the United States. Whether you’re interested in hoodoos or canyons, mesas or spires, these two parks have something to offer everyone. So, get ready to be amazed and entertained as you explore the natural wonders of Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park!
Things To-Do and Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park both offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, some of the most popular activities include hiking on the park’s many trails, including the famous Bryce Canyon Rim Trail, which offers spectacular views of the park’s hoodoos. Visitors also enjoy scenic drives on the park’s 18-mile long road, which offers several viewpoints and pullouts. Other popular activities include stargazing, horseback riding, and ranger-led programs.
At Canyonlands National Park, some of the most popular activities include hiking on the park’s many trails, including the famous Mesa Arch Trail and the Chesler Park Trail. Visitors also enjoy scenic drives on the park’s 100-mile long road, which offers several viewpoints and pullouts. Other popular activities include backcountry camping, rock climbing, and river rafting on the Colorado and Green Rivers.
Both Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park are great options for outdoor enthusiasts, but each park offers a slightly different experience. Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its hiking trails, scenic drives, stargazing and ranger-led programs, while Canyonlands National Park is known for its hiking trails, scenic drives, backcountry camping, rock climbing and river rafting.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its hiking trails, scenic drives, stargazing and ranger-led programs. The park offers many different trails that vary in difficulty, such as the Bryce Canyon Rim Trail, which offers spectacular views of the park’s hoodoos. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives on the park’s 18-mile long road, which offers several viewpoints and pullouts. On the other hand, Canyonlands National Park is known for its hiking trails, scenic drives, backcountry camping, rock climbing and river rafting. The park offers several trails that vary in difficulty, such as the Mesa Arch Trail and the Chesler Park Trail. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives on the park’s 100-mile long road, which offers several viewpoints and pullouts.
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park are both located in the western region of the United States, but they have vastly different weather patterns. Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah and has a high desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The park is busiest during the summer months of June through August, when temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Canyonlands National Park, on the other hand, is located in southeastern Utah and has a more arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The park is busiest during the spring and fall months of April through May and September through October, when temperatures are mild and comfortable for outdoor activities.
Both parks receive very little rainfall, with Canyonlands National Park receiving around 6 inches annually, and Bryce Canyon National Park receiving around 12 inches annually. Snowfall is also minimal, with Bryce Canyon National Park receiving an average of around 50 inches per year, and Canyonlands National Park receiving an average of around 20 inches per year.
In terms of the best time to visit, Bryce Canyon National Park is best visited during the spring and fall months, when temperatures are mild and comfortable for outdoor activities. Canyonlands National Park is best visited during the spring, fall, and winter months, when temperatures are mild and comfortable for outdoor activities. However, it is important to note that the park’s remote location makes it difficult to access during the winter months, and many roads and trails may be closed due to snow and ice.
Family Friendliness of Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Canyonlands National Park are both family-friendly, but the level of difficulty of the activities offered at each park may vary. Bryce Canyon is known for its colorful hoodoos, a unique rock formation created by erosion. It offers several easy hikes for families, such as the Rim Trail and the Sunset Point Trail, which offer spectacular views of the hoodoos. Additionally, the park has a visitors center and a geology museum that can be interesting for children.
Canyonlands National Park, on the other hand, offers a more rugged experience. The park is split into three districts: Island in the Sky, the Needles, and the Maze. Each district has its own set of hikes, but they can be more challenging than the hikes offered at Bryce Canyon. For example, the Chesler Park and Joint Trail in the Needles district is a strenuous hike that requires navigating through rocky terrain. However, the park also offers scenic drives and easy hikes such as the Grand View Point Trail, which can be enjoyed by families with children.
In summary, both parks are family-friendly but Bryce Canyon may be a better option for families with young children due to its easy hikes and interactive visitor center, while Canyonlands National Park may be more suitable for families with older children who are up for a more challenging adventure.