Bryce Canyon National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are both stunning national parks that offer visitors the chance to experience the beauty and wonder of the natural world in different ways. Bryce Canyon is known for its hoodoos, which are tall, thin spires of rock that are formed by erosion, while Lake Clark is famous for its rugged wilderness, glaciers, and beautiful lakes and rivers. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to explore the great outdoors, but in very different ways. If you’re looking for a unique and exciting national park experience, then Bryce Canyon and Lake Clark are definitely worth checking out. Whether you’re a nature lover, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply someone who loves to explore new places, you won’t be disappointed by what these parks have to offer. Keep reading to learn more about these two amazing national parks and decide which one is the best fit for your next adventure.
Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offer visitors a wide variety of hiking trails that range from easy, leisurely strolls to challenging, backcountry treks.
At Bryce Canyon, some of the easiest hikes include the Rim Trail, which offers stunning views of the hoodoos, and the Queens Garden/Navajo Loop, which is a moderate hike that takes visitors through a beautiful and diverse landscape. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Fairyland Loop and the Riggs Spring Loop are great options. These trails take hikers into the heart of the hoodoos and offer a more strenuous hiking experience.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve has a diverse range of hiking trails as well. The Tanalian Trail is an easy hike that offers beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, while the Chinitna Bay Trail is a moderate hike that takes visitors through a beautiful wilderness area. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Twin Lakes Trail is a great option. This hike is considered strenuous and takes hikers through a rugged wilderness area, with steep climbs and rocky terrain.
Both Parks offer many different trails to explore, it’s recommended to check the park website, get a trail map, and plan ahead before starting your hike. Both Parks have different terrains, weather and trail conditions, so it’s important to be prepared before hitting the trail.
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 Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.7 |
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park:
– Wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park includes mule deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and coyotes. Visitors may also see black bears, mountain lions, and bobcats.
– The park is also home to a variety of bird species, such as the American dipper, the white-throated swift, the canyon wren, and the peregrine falcon.
– Some of the park’s plant life includes juniper, pinyon pine, sagebrush, and various wildflowers, such as the Bryce Canyon phlox and the Bryce Canyon paintbrush.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve:
– Wildlife at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve includes brown bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep. Visitors may also see lynx, wolverines, and otters.
– The park is also home to a variety of bird species, such as the trumpeter swan, the bald eagle, the sandhill crane, and the willow ptarmigan.
– Some of the park’s plant life includes cottonwood, willow, alder, and various wildflowers, such as the fireweed and the lupine.
Both parks are home to a diverse range of wildlife, but the type of animals and plants you’ll see will vary depending on the season and location within the park. Visitors should be aware of park regulations and safety guidelines regarding wildlife encounters, and always keep a safe distance from wild animals.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Lake Clark 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 | 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 | Northern Pintail |
| Northern Pintail | American Wigeon |
| American Wigeon | Green-Winged Teal |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | Mink |
| Raccoon | Gray Wolf |
| Black Bear | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Porcupine | Snowshoe Hare |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Northern River Otter |
| Hoary Bat | Masked Shrew |
| Red Fox | Water Shrew |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Squirrel |
| House Mouse | Montane Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Lynx |
| Mule Deer | Wolverine |
| Common Gray Fox | American Marten |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Brown Bear |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Meadow Vole |
| American Badger | Moose |
| Ermine | Least Weasel |
| California Myotis | Pygmy Shrew |
| Snowshoe Hare | Meadow Jumping Mouse |
Reptiles
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Lake Clark 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 | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Steelhead |
| Longnose Sucker | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Burbot | |
| Silver Salmon | |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander |
Beautiful Landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southern Utah, is known for its unique geologic formations, specifically the hoodoos. Hoodoos are tall, thin spires of rock that have been sculpted by erosion. The most famous landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park are the main amphitheater and the surrounding area, which is filled with colorful rock formations, including the iconic hoodoos. The park also offers scenic drives, including the 18-mile long Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive, which offers views of the park’s geologic wonders.
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, located in southwest Alaska, is known for its remote wilderness and scenic landscapes. The park is home to many glaciers, including the Tanalian Glacier, which is one of the largest glaciers in the park. Visitors can also see beautiful mountain ranges, including the Chigmit Mountains which are a part of the Aleutian Range and the Tordrillo Mountains, which are home to many active volcanoes. The park also offers scenic views of the lake Clark, which is one of the largest and most remote lakes in the United States. Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful waterfalls, including the Telaquana falls which can be seen from the air or from the Telaquana Lake.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique geologic formations, specifically the hoodoos, the main amphitheater and the surrounding area, scenic drives, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is known for its remote wilderness, scenic landscapes, glaciers, mountain ranges, beautiful lake Clark, and waterfalls.
Things To-Do and Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are both popular tourist destinations, but the types of activities that visitors can participate in are quite different.
Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southern Utah, is known for its unique geologic formations and offers a variety of outdoor activities for visitors. Some of the most popular activities include hiking, with many trails winding through the park’s hoodoos and rock formations, including the popular Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden trails. Visitors can also take scenic drives through the park, and enjoy camping and picnicking. There are also guided ranger walks and talks, stargazing programs and Ranger led tours that are available for visitors.
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, located in southwest Alaska, is known for its remote wilderness and scenic landscapes. Visitors can participate in a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, backpacking, and camping. The park’s main attraction is the Lake Clark, which is a popular destination for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and boat tours. Visitors can also enjoy flightseeing tours, which provide a unique perspective of the park’s landscape and glaciers. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity, with visitors often seeing grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, and caribou. Visitors can also enjoy hunting in specific areas of the park with a permit.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique geologic formations, hiking and scenic drives, camping, picnicking and ranger-led tours, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is known for its remote wilderness, scenic landscapes, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and boat tours, flightseeing tours, and wildlife viewing, hunting with a permit.
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve have distinct seasonal weather patterns that can greatly affect the best time of year to visit the parks.
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah and has a semi-arid climate. Summers are warm with temperatures averaging in the 80s and 90s, and winters are cold with temperatures averaging in the 20s and 30s. The park also receives a significant amount of snowfall during the winter months, which can make some trails and roads impassable. Because of this, the best time to visit Bryce Canyon is during the spring and fall when the weather is milder and the crowds are smaller.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in southern Alaska and has a subarctic climate. Summers are mild with temperatures averaging in the 50s and 60s, and winters are extremely cold with temperatures averaging well below freezing. The park also receives a significant amount of snowfall during the winter months, which can make some trails and roads impassable. The best time to visit Lake Clark is during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is milder, and the park is more accessible.
It’s important to keep in mind that both Parks are located in different regions, so it’s essential to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. Both Parks have different terrains, weather, and trail conditions so it’s important to be prepared before hitting the trail.
Family Friendliness of Bryce Canyon National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve both offer unique and beautiful experiences for families, but they are quite different in terms of accessibility and family-friendliness.
Bryce Canyon National Park is more easily accessible for families with children, with well-maintained roads and several easy hiking trails that take visitors to the park’s famous hoodoos and other geological features. The park also offers a variety of ranger-led programs, including Junior Ranger activities and guided walks, that are designed for children and families. Additionally, Bryce Canyon has a visitor center and several campgrounds that are well-suited for families.
On the other hand, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is a remote wilderness area that requires a significant amount of planning and preparation to visit. The park is only accessible by boat or small plane, and most of the park’s trails are rugged and require a high level of physical fitness. Additionally, the park is home to bears and other wild animals, which can be dangerous if not respected. The park has limited facilities and amenities, and it’s not ideal for families with young children.
In conclusion, Bryce Canyon National Park is generally considered to be more family-friendly than Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. It’s more accessible, with more amenities and facilities, and it offers more opportunities for children and families to learn about the park’s natural wonders.