Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park are two of the most iconic national parks in the United States, each offering its own unique natural wonders and activities for visitors.
Bryce Canyon is known for its hoodoos, which are tall, skinny spires of rock that have been sculpted by erosion. The park is located at a high elevation, making for a cooler climate and beautiful sunsets. In contrast, Grand Teton is known for its grand mountain range and its alpine lakes. The park is located at a lower elevation, making for a warmer climate and beautiful sunrises.
Both parks offer excellent hiking and camping opportunities, as well as opportunities to see wildlife such as bison, elk, and bears. Whether you’re looking to explore unique geological formations, or want to hike in the shadow of towering peaks, Bryce Canyon and Grand Teton have something for everyone. So, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned national park enthusiast, these two parks are definitely worth a visit.
Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park both offer a wide variety of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy. Both parks are known for their stunning landscapes and unique geologic features, but there are also some distinct differences between the two parks in terms of the hiking trails available.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, the most popular hiking trails include the Rim Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the park’s colorful hoodoos and other unique geologic features. The park also offers several other shorter, easy hikes, such as the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop trails, that are suitable for visitors of all ages and fitness levels. For more experienced hikers, there are also several strenuous backcountry trails that lead deep into the park’s wilderness areas.
On the other hand, at Grand Teton National Park, the most popular hiking trails include the Teton Crest Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the park’s majestic mountain ranges. The park also offers several other shorter, easy hikes, such as the Jenny Lake Trail and the String Lake Trail, that are suitable for visitors of all ages and fitness levels. For more experienced hikers, there are also several strenuous backcountry trails that lead deep into the park’s wilderness areas.
In conclusion, both Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park offer a wide variety of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy, including easy nature walks and strenuous backcountry treks. However, the specific hiking trails available at each park may vary depending on the park’s unique geologic features and geography.
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 Grand Teton National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade Canyon Trail | 15610.598 | 343.8144 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Jenny Lake Trail | 12391.918 | 221.8944 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Taggart Lake Loop | 6598.294 | 130.7592 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Delta Lake via Amphitheater Lake Trail | 14484.06 | 709.8792 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes Trail | 14323.126 | 896.7216 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Hidden Falls Trail | 7885.766 | 179.832 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Phelps Lake Trail | 11265.38 | 220.98 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Lake Solitude Trail | 25749.44 | 803.7576 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| String Lake Trail | 5954.558 | 79.8576 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake Loop | 9656.04 | 231.9528 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its diverse wildlife, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, pronghorn, and many species of birds such as the peregrine falcon and the American dipper. The park also has a variety of plant life, including the iconic hoodoos, juniper trees, and wildflowers.
Grand Teton National Park is also known for its diverse wildlife, including bison, elk, moose, black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, and many species of birds such as the bald eagle and the trumpeter swan. The park also has a variety of plant life, including aspen trees, wildflowers, and alpine tundra.
Both parks offer excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, however, Grand Teton National Park is more known for its large mammals like Moose, Elk, Bison, bears etc. whereas Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its iconic hoodoos and spires, and its diverse birdlife.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Grand Teton 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 | Grand Teton 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 | Mountain Lion |
| Mountain Lion | Mink |
| Mule Deer | Mule Deer |
| Common Gray Fox | Wolf |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| American Badger | Badger |
| Ermine | Ermine |
| California Myotis | California Myotis |
| Snowshoe Hare | Snowshoe Hare |
Reptiles
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Gopher Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Rubber Boa |
| 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 | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Redband Trout |
| Brook Trout | |
| Brown Trout | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander |
Beautiful Landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is renowned for its hoodoos, which are tall, skinny spires of rock that have been sculpted by erosion. These unique rock formations can be seen throughout the park, particularly at the Bryce Amphitheater, where visitors can hike along the rim and view the hoodoos from various overlooks. Other natural features at Bryce Canyon include the Natural Bridge, a natural arch that was formed by erosion, and the Mossy Cave, a small waterfall tucked away in a narrow canyon.
Grand Teton National Park is known for its grand mountain range, which is home to the highest peak in the park, Grand Teton, at 13,775 ft. The park also features alpine lakes, such as Jenny Lake and String Lake, which offer great opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Visitors can also hike to the top of Signal Mountain for a panoramic view of the park, and take a scenic drive along the Teton Park Road to see the park’s many peaks and valleys. Other notable landscapes include the Cascade Canyon and the Paintbrush Canyon.
Things To-Do and Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. Both parks are popular for hiking and camping, but offer different types of trails and experiences.
Bryce Canyon National Park offers a range of hiking trails, from easy, paved paths to strenuous backcountry trails. The park’s most famous hike is the Navajo Loop Trail, which takes hikers through the park’s iconic hoodoos. Other popular hikes include the Peekaboo Loop and the Queen’s Garden Trail. The park also offers horseback riding and stargazing opportunities.
Grand Teton National Park, on the other hand, is known for its challenging backcountry hikes. The park’s most famous hike is the Teton Crest Trail, which takes hikers through some of the park’s most spectacular scenery. Other popular hikes include the Cascade Canyon Trail and the Death Canyon Trail. The park also offers rock climbing, backpacking, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities. In addition, visitors can also enjoy camping, picnicking, and boating on the park’s lakes and rivers.
In terms of family-friendly, Grand Teton National Park is more suitable for families, due to its wide range of easy and moderate hikes, as well as its many visitor centers and ranger-led programs. Bryce Canyon National Park can be a bit more challenging for families with young children, due to the steep and strenuous trails.
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park are both located in different regions of the United States, and as such, have distinct seasonal weather patterns.
Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southern Utah, experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The best time to visit the park is during the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and the park’s colorful hoodoos are at their most vibrant. Summer temperatures can reach over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, making it less comfortable to hike and explore the park. Winter can be very cold and snowy, which can make some park facilities and roads closed.
On the other hand, Grand Teton National Park, located in northwest Wyoming, experiences a subalpine climate, with mild summers and cold winters. The best time to visit the park is during the summer, when the weather is mild and the park’s wildflowers are in bloom. The fall is also a good time to visit, as the trees turn golden and the park is less crowded. Winter can be very cold and snowy, which can make some park facilities and roads closed. Hiking in the winter is possible but requires proper gear and experience.
In conclusion, the best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park will depend on what activities you plan to do, and your personal preferences. Bryce Canyon National Park is best visited in the spring and fall, while Grand Teton National Park is best visited in the summer and fall.
Family Friendliness of Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Both Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park offer a variety of activities that are suitable for families. However, they differ in terms of the level of difficulty of the activities and the type of terrain.
Bryce Canyon National Park is considered to be more family-friendly due to the relatively easy nature of its hiking trails. The park features several short, paved trails that are suitable for children and strollers, such as the Rim Trail and the Bristlecone Loop. In addition, the park offers ranger-led programs and family-friendly activities, such as guided nature walks, stargazing, and campfire programs.
Grand Teton National Park, on the other hand, offers more challenging hikes, such as the Taggart Lake Trail and the Jenny Lake Trail, which may not be suitable for young children or families with strollers. However, the park does have several shorter and easier hikes, such as the String Lake Trail and the Leigh Lake Trail, that are suitable for families. The park also offers ranger-led programs such as nature walks and campfire programs.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park is considered to be more family-friendly than Grand Teton National Park, especially if you are traveling with young children or strollers. However, if you are looking for more challenging hikes and activities, Grand Teton National Park is a good option as well.