Bryce Canyon National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are two of the most unique national parks in the United States. They both offer visitors a wide range of outdoor activities and natural attractions that are sure to leave you in awe. Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its hoodoos, which are tall, thin spires of rock that rise up from the bottom of the canyon. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is known for its stunning scenery and recreational activities, including hiking, rafting, and rock climbing. Both parks are perfect for nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers and families alike. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful hike or a thrilling adventure, these parks have something for everyone. So pack your bags and get ready to explore two of the most beautiful places in the US.
Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve both offer a wide range of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy. Both parks offer a variety of trails that range from easy, paved trails to strenuous backcountry treks, but each park also has its own unique hiking experiences.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its hoodoos, which are spire-shaped rock formations that are unique to the park. The park offers several easy hiking trails that are perfect for families and visitors of all ages, such as the Rim Trail and the Bristlecone Loop. These trails provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the park’s unique hoodoos and other geological features, and offer breathtaking views of the park’s landscape. The park also offers several strenuous hiking trails, such as the Fairyland Loop and the Peek-a-Boo Loop, that take visitors through the heart of the hoodoos and offer a unique perspective of the park’s landscape.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, on the other hand, offers a different kind of hiking experience, with trails that take visitors through the beautiful New River Gorge, the longest and oldest river in North America, and the surrounding forest and wildflower meadows. The park offers several easy hiking trails, such as the Endless Wall Trail and the Long Point Trail, that are perfect for families and visitors of all ages, and provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the park’s unique landscape and wildlife, and offer breathtaking views of the park’s landscape. The park also offers several strenuous hiking trails, such as the Kaymoor Miners Trail and the Long Point Trail, that take visitors through the heart of the park’s wilderness areas and offer a unique perspective of the park’s landscape.
Overall, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its hoodoos and easy and strenuous hiking trails that take visitors through the heart of the park’s unique geological features, while New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is known for its easy and strenuous hiking trails that take visitors through the heart of the park’s unique landscape, including the New River Gorge and the surrounding forest and wildflower meadows. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to explore unique and beautiful landscapes, and to engage in a variety of outdoor activities.
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 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tolmie Peak Trail | 8851.37 | 463.9056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Skyline Trail | 8529.502 | 535.8384 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Comet and Christine Falls | 6920.162 | 610.8192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Camp Muir Route Via Skyline Trail | 13518.456 | 1403.9088 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail | 15127.796 | 780.8976 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Naches Peak Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 193.8528 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spray Park Trail to Mount Pleasant | 11104.446 | 635.8128 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Fremont Lookout Trail | 9012.304 | 348.996 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Pinnacle Peak Saddle Trail | 3862.416 | 321.8688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Summerland Trail | 13196.588 | 655.9296 | Moderate | out and back | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are both home to a diverse array of wildlife.
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah and is home to a variety of animals such as mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and coyotes. The park also has a variety of bird species, including the American dipper, black-capped chickadee, and the common raven. In addition to the wildlife, Bryce Canyon is also home to a variety of plant species such as pinyon pine, juniper, and sagebrush.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is located in West Virginia and is home to a variety of animals such as black bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and bobcat. The park also has a variety of bird species, including the pileated woodpecker, Baltimore oriole, and the scarlet tanager. The park is also home to a variety of plant species such as the American chestnut, rhododendron, and the mountain laurel.
Both parks offer unique wildlife experiences. Bryce Canyon is home to a variety of animals and birds that are commonly seen, while New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers a more diverse range of animals and bird species, as well as a unique plant life. Both Parks are great for wildlife observation and nature enthusiasts.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Bryce Canyon National Park | New River Gorge National Park and 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 | Great Horned Owl |
| American Robin | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Great Horned Owl | Barn Swallow |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Savannah Sparrow |
| Northern Flicker | Great Blue Heron |
| Merlin | Hermit Thrush |
| Barn Swallow | European Starling |
| Savannah Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
| Great Blue Heron | American Wigeon |
| Hermit Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Kestrel | American Pipit |
| Bald Eagle | Killdeer |
| Song Sparrow | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
| European Starling | Hairy Woodpecker |
| Northern Pintail | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
| American Wigeon | White-Crowned Sparrow |
| Green-Winged Teal | Northern Shoveler |
Mammals
| Bryce Canyon National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | House Mouse |
| House Mouse | Mountain Lion |
| Mountain Lion | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Mule Deer | Wolf |
| Common Gray Fox | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Ermine |
| American Badger | California Myotis |
| Ermine | Snowshoe Hare |
| California Myotis | North American River Otter |
| Snowshoe Hare | Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
| Bryce Canyon National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Common Garter Snake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Rubber Boa |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink |
Fish
| Bryce Canyon National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Eastern Brook Trout | |
| Brown Trout | |
| Coho Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Kokanee | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Amphibians
| Bryce Canyon National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Tiger Salamander |
| Tiger Salamander |
Insects
| Bryce Canyon National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve both offer visitors a wide range of beautiful landscapes and natural features to explore.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its hoodoos, which are tall, thin spires of rock that rise up from the bottom of the canyon. The park also features several scenic viewpoints, such as Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, and Inspiration Point, that offer panoramic views of the hoodoos and the surrounding landscape. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails that allow visitors to get up close and personal with the hoodoos and other natural features of the park.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is known for its stunning scenery and recreational activities, including hiking, rafting, and rock climbing. The park is home to the New River, which is one of the oldest rivers in North America and offers visitors the opportunity to see the beautiful scenery of the gorge while rafting or kayaking. The park also features several overlooks, such as Hawks Nest State Park, that offer panoramic views of the New River Gorge and the surrounding landscape. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails that allow visitors to explore the diverse and unique landscape of the park.
Both parks offer visitors a wide range of natural wonders to explore and enjoy, from the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park to the New River Gorge of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
Things To-Do and Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique rock formations, called hoodoos, and offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy such as hiking, photography, and wildlife viewing. The park has several hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous, including the popular Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden trails. These trails offer visitors the opportunity to explore the hoodoos and other unique geological features of the park. Photography is also a popular activity in Bryce Canyon as the park’s natural beauty offers many opportunities for capturing stunning images. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity in the park, visitors can spot mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and coyotes.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a destination for adventure lovers, it offers a variety of activities such as rock climbing, white-water rafting, and hiking. The New River Gorge is the heart of the park, and visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational activities such as kayaking, fishing, and swimming in the New River. Rock Climbing is one of the most popular activities in the park, visitors can access to over 1,400 traditional and sport routes on the cliffs of the New River Gorge. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails, including the popular Long Point Trail, which offers panoramic views of the New River Gorge.
Both parks offer unique experiences and visitors can choose the activities that suit their interests and abilities. Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique rock formations, hiking and photography, while New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is known for its adventure activities like rock climbing and white-water rafting. Both parks are great for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are located in different parts of the country, which leads to different weather patterns throughout the year. Understanding the seasonal weather at each park can help visitors plan the best time to visit.
Bryce Canyon National Park, located in Southern Utah, has a desert climate with hot summers and cold winters. The park’s summer months, from June to September, are the most popular time to visit as the temperature can reach above 100°F. Visitors can expect clear skies and warm weather, perfect for hiking and sightseeing. However, the park’s altitude of 8,000 ft can make the summer weather more extreme. Winter months, from December to February, can be very cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing and snowfall possible. Visitors can expect cold and clear weather, perfect for winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, located in West Virginia, has a temperate climate with mild summers and cold winters. The park’s summer months, from May to September, are the most popular time to visit as the temperature can reach around 80°F during the day. Visitors can expect clear skies and warm weather, perfect for hiking and sightseeing. The park’s autumn months from October to November offer a chance to see beautiful fall foliage. Winter months, from December to February, can be very cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing and snowfall possible. Visitors can expect cold and clear weather, perfect for winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park is best to visit during the summer months for hiking and sightseeing, while New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is best to visit during the summer and autumn months for hiking, sightseeing and also to see beautiful fall foliage. Both parks offer winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, but visitors should be prepared for cold and snowy weather.
Family Friendliness of Bryce Canyon National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Both Bryce Canyon National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are family-friendly parks that offer a wide range of activities and natural attractions for visitors of all ages. However, they each have a different emphasis and some features that might make one more suitable for families than the other.
Bryce Canyon National Park is a great place to visit with children because it offers a wide range of easy hiking trails and scenic viewpoints that are perfect for families. The park also has a Junior Ranger Program that allows children to learn about the park’s natural and cultural resources while earning a badge. The park also offers ranger-led activities and educational programs that are designed for families and children.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is also a great place to visit with children because it offers a wide range of recreational activities and natural attractions. The park offers a Junior Ranger program and ranger-led activities that are designed for children, as well as a variety of easy hiking trails and scenic overlooks that are perfect for families. The park also offers visitors the opportunity to experience the beautiful scenery of the New River Gorge by rafting, kayaking, and rock climbing.
Both parks are great options for families, and the best park to visit will depend on the specific interests and preferences of your family. Bryce Canyon National Park is more concentrated on the hoodoos, scenic viewpoints and easy hiking trails, while New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers a variety of activities and natural wonders for families to enjoy.