Bryce Canyon National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park are two of America’s most treasured natural wonders, each offering its own unique set of experiences and activities. Imagine the breathtaking vistas of Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos and the awe-inspiring limestone caverns of Mammoth Cave. Both parks offer visitors a chance to explore the great outdoors and immerse themselves in nature. From the fiery red rock formations of Bryce Canyon to the dark and mysterious underground passages of Mammoth Cave, these two parks are sure to leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re a hiker, a caver, or just looking for a peaceful escape, these two parks have something to offer for everyone. In this comparison, we’ll take a closer look at the natural beauty, activities, and family-friendliness of both Bryce Canyon National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park, making it easier for you to decide which one you want to visit first.
Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park offer a diverse range of hiking trails for visitors to explore.
Bryce Canyon National Park boasts a variety of trails that vary in difficulty, ranging from easy boardwalks to strenuous backcountry hikes. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Rim Trail, which is a paved path that offers stunning views of the park’s hoodoos, and the Bristlecone Loop, which is a short, paved trail that winds through a grove of ancient bristlecone pines. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Fairyland Loop Trail and the Peekaboo Loop Trail offer steep inclines and rugged terrain.
Mammoth Cave National Park also has a variety of hiking trails that vary in difficulty. The easiest hikes in the park include the Heritage Trail, which is a paved trail that offers a glimpse into the park’s history, and the Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike and Hike Trail, which is a flat, easy trail that follows the route of the old railroad. For those looking for more of a challenge, the Sal Hollow Trail and the Frozen Niagara Trail offer steep inclines and rugged terrain. Additionally, Mammoth Cave National Park offers guided tours of the cave system which can be strenuous and not suitable for some visitors.
Both parks offer a variety of hikes that cater to different skill levels and interests, making them both great options for hikers.
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 Mammoth Cave National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green River Bluffs Trail | 7242.03 | 169.7736 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cedar Sink Trail | 2896.812 | 70.7136 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mammoth Cave National Park Scenic Drive | 17541.806 | 173.736 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Sinkhole Trail | 3862.416 | 108.8136 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Echo River Spring and Sinkhole Loop | 4988.954 | 122.8344 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Echo River and River Styx Springs Trail | 5471.756 | 129.8448 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Sal Hollow and Buffalo Creek Loop Trail | 8690.436 | 100.8888 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Dixon Cave Trail Loop | 2414.01 | 83.82 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| First Creek Lake Trail | 5793.624 | 158.8008 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| McCoy Hollow Trail | 19794.882 | 434.9496 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park are both located in the United States and offer visitors the opportunity to see a variety of unique wildlife and plants.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its diverse array of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. Visitors may also spot smaller mammals such as coyotes, foxes, and marmots. Birds commonly seen in the park include golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and various species of hawks and owls. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles and amphibians, including the Great Basin collared lizard and the Western toad.
Mammoth Cave National Park, on the other hand, is known for its subterranean wildlife, which includes bats, cave fish, and cave salamanders. Visitors may also spot aboveground wildlife such as white-tailed deer, turkeys, and coyotes. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the Wood Duck, the Great Blue Heron, and the Barred Owl. The park is also home to a variety of plant life, including the Wild Hyacinth, the Fringed Polygala, and the Wild Senna.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its diverse array of aboveground wildlife and birds, while Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its subterranean wildlife and unique plant life. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a variety of unique and interesting species, making them great destinations for wildlife enthusiasts.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Mammoth Cave 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 | Mammoth Cave 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 | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Porcupine | Hoary Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Red Fox |
| Hoary Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | House Mouse |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Mink |
| House Mouse | Gray Fox |
| Mountain Lion | Western Long-Eared Bat |
| Mule Deer | River Otter |
| Common Gray Fox | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Long-Legged Myotis | White-Tailed Deer |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Virginia Opossum |
| American Badger | Meadow Vole |
| Ermine | Eastern Red Bat |
| California Myotis | White-Footed Mouse |
| Snowshoe Hare | Norway Rat |
Reptiles
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Black Racer |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Ringneck Snake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Eastern Garter Snake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink |
Fish
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Bluegill | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| Common Carp | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Eastern Tiger Salamander |
| Tiger Salamander | Bullfrog |
| Wood Frog |
Insects
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Mammoth Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Commom Wood Nymph |
Beautiful Landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique and colorful hoodoos, which are tall spires of rock formed by erosion. The park’s main attraction is Bryce Amphitheater, a natural amphitheater filled with thousands of hoodoos. Visitors can take a scenic drive along the park’s 18-mile road, or hike the park’s many trails for close-up views of the hoodoos. Other notable landscapes in the park include the rim of the Bryce Canyon and the Paunsaugunt Plateau, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its extensive system of caves, including Mammoth Cave, the longest known cave system in the world. Visitors can take guided tours of the cave to see its unique underground formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone. The park also has over 70 miles of above-ground hiking trails, including the River Styx Spring Trail which leads to the Green River, and the Frozen Niagara Trail that leads to the Frozen Niagara formation. Additionally, the park offers beautiful landscapes and natural features like the rolling hills, sinkholes, and the park’s namesake, the Mammoth Cave.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique hoodoos, while Mammoth Cave National Park is known for its extensive system of caves and beautiful landscapes. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a variety of unique and beautiful natural features, making them great destinations for nature lovers.
Things To-Do and Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park:
-Hiking: The park’s most popular activity, with trails ranging from easy to strenuous. Visitors can hike to the rim or down into the canyon to see unique rock formations.
-Scenic drives: Visitors can drive the 18-mile park road to see views of the hoodoos, the park’s unique rock formations.
-Ranger-led programs: The park offers guided tours, talks, and walks led by park rangers to learn more about the park’s geology, history, and wildlife.
-Camping: The park has two campgrounds for visitors to stay overnight.
-Stargazing: The park has one of the best night skies for stargazing in the United States, visitors can attend ranger-led stargazing programs.
Mammoth Cave National Park:
-Cave tours: The park’s main attraction, visitors can take guided tours to explore the underground cave system, the longest known cave system in the world.
-Hiking: The park has over 70 miles of trails, including the Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike & Hike Trail, which follows the route of an old railroad track.
-Camping: The park has two campgrounds and an RV camping area for visitors to stay overnight.
-Ranger-led programs: The park offers guided tours, talks, and walks led by park rangers to learn more about the park’s geology, history, and wildlife.
-Canoeing/Kayaking: Visitors can paddle on the Green River and explore the park from a different perspective.
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park have different climates and weather patterns, which can affect when is the best time of year to visit each park.
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in Southern Utah, at a high elevation of over 8000 feet. The park experiences a wide range of temperatures, with hot summers and cold winters. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while in the winter, temperatures can drop below freezing. The park receives most of its precipitation in the form of snowfall during the winter and spring months, making the park’s trails and roads impassable in the winter. The best time to visit the park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild, and the park’s landscapes are at their most colorful.
Mammoth Cave National Park is located in Central Kentucky, at a lower elevation than Bryce Canyon National Park. The park experiences a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while in the winter, temperatures can drop to freezing. The park receives most of its precipitation in the form of rain, and there is a higher chance of thunderstorms and heavy rain during the summer months. The best time to visit the park is during the spring and fall when the weather is milder, and the park’s landscapes are at their most beautiful.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park’s climate is characterized by hot summers, cold winters, and heavy snowfall in the winter and spring, while Mammoth Cave National Park’s climate is characterized by hot summers and mild winters with a higher chance of thunderstorms and heavy rain during the summer months. The best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park is during the spring and fall, while the best time to visit Mammoth Cave National Park is also during the spring and fall, when the weather is milder and the park’s landscapes are at their most beautiful.
Family Friendliness of Bryce Canyon National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Mammoth Cave National Park are both family-friendly destinations, but each park offers a different type of experience for families.
Bryce Canyon National Park is great for families because of its variety of outdoor activities. The park offers easy and short hikes that are suitable for children, such as the Queens Garden Trail, which is just under a mile long. The park also offers scenic drives, which is a great way to see the park’s unique rock formations without having to hike. The park’s ranger-led programs are also a great way for children to learn about the park’s geology, history, and wildlife.
Mammoth Cave National Park, on the other hand, is great for families who are interested in caves and underground exploration. The park offers several cave tours that are suitable for children, such as the Frozen Niagara tour, which is a short and easy tour that is suitable for children. The park also offers hiking trails, and a variety of ranger-led programs where children can learn about the park’s geology, history, and wildlife.
Both parks are family-friendly, but if you’re traveling with children and looking for a more outdoor activity-based vacation, Bryce Canyon National Park is the better choice. But if you’re traveling with children and looking for a more cave and underground exploration-based vacation, Mammoth Cave National Park is the better choice.