Bryce Canyon National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are two of the most spectacular and diverse national parks in the United States. Each park offers a unique and breathtaking experience that will leave visitors in awe. Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its hoodoos, which are spire-shaped rock formations that are created by erosion, while Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is known for its rugged and remote wilderness. One park offers a magical and colorful landscape while the other park offers a secluded and raw natural beauty. Both parks are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, and each park offers a different type of adventure. If you’re looking for a park that will leave you in awe and make you feel like you’re on another planet, then Bryce Canyon National Park is for you. But if you’re looking for a park that will make you feel like you’re on the top of the world, then Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is the place for you.
Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both known for their beautiful hiking trails, but the trails at these two parks have different characteristics and offer different experiences.
Bryce Canyon National Park is home to a variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous. Some of the easiest hikes include the paved, 0.5-mile Rim Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s famous hoodoos, and the 0.5-mile Queen’s Garden Trail, which leads to a natural amphitheater. On the other hand, some of the most strenuous hikes include the 8-mile Peekaboo Loop, which climbs steep switchbacks and the 9-mile Riggs Spring Loop, which is a strenuous hike that traverses through a remote section of the park.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is a remote wilderness area with no designated trails. It is a place for backpacking and backcountry camping. Visitors can hike to the park’s peaks and plateaus, explore the tundra and glaciers, or navigate the Brooks Range. The park’s wilderness area is known for being challenging due to the rugged terrain and unpredictable weather. Visitors should be well-prepared for backcountry travel, including navigation, survival and wilderness first aid skills.
Overall, Bryce Canyon National Park offers a mix of easy and challenging hikes that offer diverse experiences. The hikes at Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are mainly for backpacking and backcountry camping, and visitors must be well-prepared for the challenging terrain and unpredictable weather. This park offers the chance to explore a remote wilderness area and be in one of the most remote places in the US.
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 Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shark Valley Trail | 25427.572 | 6.7056 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Anhinga Trail | 2414.01 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook Trail | 321.868 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Gumbo Limbo Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Long Pine Key Trail | 24944.77 | 0 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mahogany Hammock Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Everglades Coastal Prairie Trail | 27358.78 | 4.8768 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Pinelands Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Everglades National Park East Entrance to Flamingo Scenic Route | 58258.108 | 7.9248 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Nine Mile Pond | 8851.37 | 0 | Easy | loop | 5 |
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both known for their unique wildlife and natural beauty, but the types of animals, birds, and plants that are commonly seen in each park are quite different.
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah and is known for its unique geologic formations, known as hoodoos. The park is home to a variety of mammals, including mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain lions. Birds commonly seen in the park include the peregrine falcon, golden eagle, and great horned owl. The park also has a variety of plants, including sagebrush, pinion pine, and juniper.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is located in northern Alaska and is known for its remote wilderness and rugged terrain. The park is home to a variety of mammals, including grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, and caribou. Birds commonly seen in the park include the golden eagle, rough-legged hawk, and gyrfalcon. The park also has a variety of plants, including tundra, arctic willow, and mosses.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park has a variety of mammals and birds, and is known for its unique geologic formations and a variety of plants. Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is known for its remote wilderness and rugged terrain, with a variety of mammals such as grizzly bears and caribou, and birds like golden eagle, and arctic plants like tundra and arctic willow.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Gates Of The Arctic 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 | Savannah Sparrow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Hermit Thrush |
| Great Blue Heron | American Kestrel |
| Hermit Thrush | Bald Eagle |
| American Kestrel | Northern Pintail |
| Bald Eagle | American Wigeon |
| Song Sparrow | Green-Winged Teal |
| European Starling | American Pipit |
| Northern Pintail | Swainson’s Thrush |
| American Wigeon | Hairy Woodpecker |
| Green-Winged Teal | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Mammals
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Black Bear |
| Bobcat | Porcupine |
| Striped Skunk | Red Fox |
| Little Brown Bat | Mink |
| Deer Mouse | Wolf |
| Raccoon | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Black Bear | Varying Hare |
| Porcupine | River Otter |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Common Shrew |
| Hoary Bat | Red Squirrel |
| Red Fox | Montane Shrew |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Lynx |
| House Mouse | Wolverine |
| Mountain Lion | American Marten |
| Mule Deer | Grizzly Bear |
| Common Gray Fox | Meadow Vole |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Moose |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Least Weasel |
| American Badger | Pygmy Shrew |
| Ermine | Northern Bog Lemming |
| California Myotis | |
| Snowshoe Hare |
Reptiles
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink |
Fish
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Eelpout | |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander |
Beautiful Landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its beautiful and unique hoodoo rock formations. Hoodoos are tall, thin spires of rock that have been shaped by erosion, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most famous hoodoos can be found in the Bryce Amphitheater, which is the main area of the park where visitors go to see the hoodoos. The park also offers a variety of overlooks, such as Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point, that offer breathtaking views of the hoodoos and the surrounding landscape. Other natural features at Bryce Canyon include the Paunsaugunt Plateau, the Aquarius Plateau, and the Kaiparowits Plateau.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its rugged wilderness and remote location. It is the northernmost national park in the United States, and it is home to some of the most pristine wilderness in the country. The park is characterized by its vast expanses of tundra, glaciers, and rugged mountains, such as the Brooks Range. Visitors can also see the beautiful and remote wilderness that is not found in any other national park, including rivers, lakes, waterfalls and valleys. The park also offers a variety of outdoor activities, including backpacking, rafting, and fishing. However, it’s important to note that the park is remote and challenging to access, and visitors need to be self-sufficient, experienced and well-prepared for the trip.
Things To-Do and Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both popular destinations that offer a range of activities for visitors to enjoy, but the activities offered are quite different due to the vastly different environments and accessibility of each park.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its hiking trails, which offer visitors the opportunity to explore the park’s unique geologic formations and scenic vistas. The most popular hiking trails in the park include the Navajo Loop, Queen’s Garden, and Peekaboo Loop. Visitors can also enjoy horseback riding, ranger-led tours, and stargazing at the park’s astronomy program. The park also provides campground, picnic areas, and educational programs.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is known for its remote wilderness and rugged terrain, which makes it an ideal destination for backpacking, camping and hiking. The park is also popular for wilderness and backcountry camping, fishing, hunting, and flightseeing. Visitors can also take part in ranger-led programs and cultural heritage tours to learn about the park’s rich history and the local native communities.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park is popular for hiking, horseback riding, stargazing and educational programs, while Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is popular for backpacking, camping, wilderness and backcountry camping, fishing, hunting, flightseeing and ranger-led programs and cultural heritage tours. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to experience unique and diverse environments, but the activities and level of accessibility are quite different.
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are located in very different regions of the country, and as a result, they have very different seasonal weather patterns that affect when is the best time of year to visit each park.
Bryce Canyon National Park is located at a high elevation in Southern Utah and has four distinct seasons. The summers are warm with temperatures ranging from the low 80s to the mid-90s, while winters can be quite cold, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Spring and fall are mild with temperatures in the 60s and 70s. The park is known for its colorful hoodoos, which are best seen in the late spring and early fall when the sunlight is at the right angle to highlight the colors.
On the other hand, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is located in northern Alaska, and it has a subarctic climate, characterized by long, cold winters and short summers. Average winter temperature is -20 °F to -40 °F, and in the summer it ranges from 40°F to 60°F. The park is inaccessible by road and visitors can only access it by air. The best time to visit Gates of the Arctic is during the summer months of June-September when the weather is milder, and daylight is around 24 hours, allowing for longer exploration of the park.
Overall, the best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park is late spring and early fall, when the weather is mild and the hoodoos are at their most colorful. The best time to visit Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is during the summer months of June-September, when the weather is milder, and daylight is around 24 hours, allowing for longer exploration of the park. Visitors must be prepared to face cold, unpredictable weather and rugged terrain in both parks, and be well-equipped for wilderness adventures.
Family Friendliness of Bryce Canyon National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both popular destinations, but they offer different experiences and levels of accessibility for families traveling with children.
Bryce Canyon National Park is considered to be more family-friendly as it offers a range of easy to moderate hiking trails and ranger-led programs that are suitable for children. The park also has picnic areas, campground, and educational programs that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Additionally, Bryce Canyon offers a shuttle service which makes it easy for families to navigate the park and enjoy the spectacular views without having to hike long trails.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its remote wilderness and rugged terrain, which makes it less suitable for families traveling with young children. The park is more suitable for families with older children or teenagers who are able to hike and camp in a wilderness setting. The park does offer ranger-led programs and cultural heritage tours, but these may be less suitable for young children. The park also has limited accessibility and facilities, making it less suitable for families traveling with young children.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park is considered to be more family-friendly with easier accessibility, a range of ranger-led programs and educational programs suitable for children, and a shuttle service that makes it easy for families to navigate the park. While Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is less suitable for families traveling with young children due to its remote wilderness and rugged terrain.