Bryce Canyon National Park and Gateway Arch National Park are two very different national parks that offer unique and exciting experiences for visitors. Bryce Canyon National Park, located in Utah, is known for its spectacular hoodoo rock formations that have been shaped by erosion over millions of years. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, overlooks, and ranger-led programs that allow visitors to explore and appreciate the park’s natural beauty. On the other hand, Gateway Arch National Park, located in Missouri, is known for its iconic 630-foot stainless steel arch that stands as a symbol of the city of St. Louis and the United States’ westward expansion. The park offers a variety of interactive exhibits, films, and tours that tell the story of the city’s history and the arch’s construction.
Both parks offer a unique experience, but in different ways. Bryce Canyon National Park is all about natural beauty and outdoor adventure, while Gateway Arch National Park is all about history, culture, and city views. If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure and to explore the geological wonders, Bryce Canyon National Park is the perfect place for you. But if you’re looking to learn about the history of America’s Westward expansion and the architectural marvel, Gateway Arch National Park is the place to go. Both parks are worth visiting and they can offer an unforgettable experience.
Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Gateway Arch National Park are both popular tourist destinations, offering a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore. However, 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.
Gateway Arch National Park, on the other hand, is a much smaller park located in St. Louis, Missouri, and it doesn’t offer many hiking trails. The park is centered around the Gateway Arch, a 630-foot-tall monument that visitors can ride to the top of for views of the city. There is a park over the river that offers several easy walking trails and bike paths. The park also features the Old Courthouse and the Museum of Westward Expansion, which provide visitors with historical and cultural information about the region.
Overall, Bryce Canyon National Park offers a variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the unique geology and natural beauty of the park. Gateway Arch National Park is a smaller park that is centered around the Gateway Arch, a 630-foot-tall monument and doesn’t offer many hiking trails, but it offers easy walking trails, bike paths, and cultural information about the region, which is a great option for visitors who want to explore the city and learn about its history.
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 Gateway Arch National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Riverfront Trail | 34439.876 | 109.728 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Jefferson National Expansion Memorial | 2574.944 | 20.7264 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Gateway Arch National Park are both popular destinations, but the wildlife you can expect to see at each park is quite different due to the vastly different environments.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its diverse array of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn. Visitors may also see smaller mammals such as chipmunks, ground squirrels, and marmots. The park is also home to a variety of birds, including the American dipper, the Clark’s nutcracker, and the peregrine falcon. Additionally, the park has a diverse array of plant life, including a variety of wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.
Gateway Arch National Park, however, is an urban park and the wildlife you can expect to see is limited. The park is home to a variety of birds such as American kestrel, red-tailed hawks, and American goldfinches, but visitors are less likely to see larger mammals such as elk, deer or bighorn sheep. Additionally, the park has a limited variety of plant life, mostly small shrubs and trees, because of the urban environment.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its diverse array of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and a variety of birds and plants, while Gateway Arch National Park is an urban park and has limited wildlife, mostly birds, and a limited variety of plants.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park and Gateway Arch National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Gateway Arch 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 | 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 | Gateway Arch National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Gateway Arch National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | Gateway Arch National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Eelpout | |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Gateway Arch National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander |
Beautiful Landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its spectacular 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. Visitors can also enjoy hiking and backpacking on trails such as the Queen’s Garden Trail, Navajo Loop Trail, and the Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail.
On the other hand, Gateway Arch National Park is known for its iconic 630-foot stainless steel arch that stands as a symbol of the city of St. Louis and the United States’ westward expansion. The park offers a variety of interactive exhibits, films, and tours that tell the story of the city’s history and the arch’s construction. Visitors can take a tram to the top of the arch and enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the Mississippi River. The park also offers a variety of activities such as boat tours, bike rentals, and walking trails to explore the area. The Old Courthouse and the Museum of Westward Expansion are also great places to visit and learn about the history of the area.
In conclusion, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its beautiful and unique hoodoo rock formations, while Gateway Arch National Park is known for its iconic arch and its history and culture. Both parks offer a variety of activities, beautiful views, and unique experiences.
Things To-Do and Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Gateway Arch National Park are both popular destinations, but they offer different experiences and types of activities for visitors.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its scenic hiking trails, offering visitors a chance to explore the park’s unique geology and natural beauty. The park has a variety of trails, from easy, wheelchair-accessible walks to strenuous backcountry treks. Visitors can also take a scenic drive on the park’s main road, the 18-mile long Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive, which offers stunning views of the park’s rock formations. Additionally, the park offers ranger-led programs such as guided nature walks, stargazing, and campfire programs.
Gateway Arch National Park, on the other hand, is primarily known for its 630-foot tall Gateway Arch, which is the centerpiece of the park and offers visitors a chance to take a tram ride to the top of the arch for panoramic views of the city. Visitors can also take a guided tour of the Old Courthouse, which was an important site during the Dred Scott case, and learn about the history of the city. Additionally, the park has a museum, the Gateway Arch Museum, that allows visitors to learn about the history of the city and the riverfront. Visitors can also take a riverboat cruise to learn about the history of the Mississippi River.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park offers visitors a chance to explore the park’s unique geology and natural beauty through hiking, scenic drives and ranger-led programs, while Gateway Arch National Park is primarily known for its 630-foot tall Gateway Arch, visitors can take a tram ride to the top of the arch for panoramic views of the city, take a guided tour of the Old Courthouse, and learn about the history of the city through the Gateway Arch Museum and riverboat cruises.
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Gateway Arch National Park have vastly different climates, which affects the best time of year to visit each park.
Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southern Utah, experiences hot summers and cold winters. The park’s high elevation means that temperatures can drop below freezing even in the summer months. The best time to visit is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are mild and the park’s famous hoodoos are at their most colorful. Summer can be very hot with temperatures reaching above 90F and during the winter, snow and ice are common, making some of the trails inaccessible.
On the other hand, Gateway Arch National Park, located in St. Louis, Missouri, experiences a humid continental climate. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching above 90F, while winters are cold and snowy. Spring and fall are the best times to visit, as the weather is mild and the park’s foliage is at its most vibrant. Summer can be very hot and humid, and during the winter, the park can be covered in snow and ice, making some of the trails and walkways slippery, so visitors should be prepared.
Overall, the weather at Bryce Canyon National Park and Gateway Arch National Park affects the best time of year to visit each park. Visitors to Bryce Canyon National Park should plan to visit in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the park’s hoodoos are at their most colorful. Visitors to Gateway Arch National Park should plan to visit in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the park’s foliage is at its most vibrant.
Family Friendliness of Bryce Canyon National Park and Gateway Arch National Park
Both Bryce Canyon National Park and Gateway Arch National Park are family-friendly destinations, but they offer different types of experiences and activities for families.
Bryce Canyon National Park is a great place for families who love outdoor activities and exploring nature. The park offers a variety of short and easy hiking trails, such as the Bristlecone Loop, the Sunset Point-Sunrise Point Loop, and the Queens Garden-Navajo Loop, that are suitable for families with children of all ages. The park also offers ranger-led programs, such as the Junior Ranger Program and the Night Sky Program, that are designed to educate and entertain children. Families can also enjoy picnicking, camping, and stargazing in the park.
On the other hand, Gateway Arch National Park is a great place for families who are interested in history and culture. The park offers a variety of interactive exhibits, films, and tours that tell the story of the city’s history and the arch’s construction. The park also offers a tram ride to the top of the arch, where visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the Mississippi River. Families can also take a boat tour and explore the area. The Old Courthouse and the Museum of Westward Expansion are also great places to visit and learn about the history of the area.
In conclusion, both Bryce Canyon National Park and Gateway Arch National Park are family-friendly destinations, but they offer different types of experiences and activities for families. Bryce Canyon National Park is a great place for families who love outdoor activities and exploring nature, while Gateway Arch National Park is a great place for families who are interested in history and culture. So, depending on what families are looking for in a vacation and the age of children, one park may be more suitable for them than the other.