Bryce Canyon National Park and Olympic National Park are two of the most unique and captivating national parks in the United States. Both offer visitors a chance to explore breathtaking landscapes and immerse themselves in nature, but in very different ways.
Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southern Utah, is a red-rock wonderland of hoodoos, spires, and canyons. The park’s main attraction is the Bryce Amphitheater, a natural amphitheater filled with thousands of orange and red hoodoos that seem to glow in the sunlight. Visitors can hike through the amphitheater on the Rim Trail or venture down into the hoodoos on the Queen’s Garden Trail.
Olympic National Park, located in Washington state, is a diverse park that offers visitors a chance to explore both rugged coastline and old-growth rainforests. The park’s main attraction is the Hoh Rainforest, a temperate rainforest that is home to some of the tallest and oldest trees in the world. Visitors can hike through the rainforest on the Hall of Mosses Trail or explore the rugged coastline on the Rialto Beach Trail.
Both of these parks are incredibly unique and offer an entirely different experience. If you’re looking for a chance to explore a red-rock wonderland, Bryce Canyon National Park is the perfect destination. If you want to explore a diverse park with rugged coastline and old-growth rainforests, Olympic National Park is the destination for you. Both parks are sure to leave you captivated and wanting to come back for more!
Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and Olympic National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Olympic National Park both offer a wide variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore. However, the types of trails and difficulty levels can vary greatly between the two parks.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, the hiking trails are primarily focused on exploring the park’s unique hoodoos and rock formations. The trails range from easy nature walks to moderate backcountry treks. Some of the easiest hikes include the Bristlecone Loop, the Mossy Cave Trail, and the Queen’s Garden Trail, all of which are relatively short and easy to navigate. The most strenuous hike is the Riggs Spring Loop Trail which is a 16-mile trail through the backcountry.
On the other hand, Olympic National Park offers a diverse range of hiking trails, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. Some of the easiest hikes include the Spruce Nature Trail, the Hoh River Trail, and the Rialto Beach Trail. All of which are relatively short, easy to navigate and offer great views. The most strenuous hike is the Hurricane Ridge Trail which is a 17-mile trail through the backcountry.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park and Olympic National Park offer a wide variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore. The trails at Bryce Canyon National Park tend to be focused on exploring the park’s unique hoodoos and rock formations, while the trails at Olympic National Park are more diverse and range from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. Visitors should be aware that some trails may be seasonal and weather dependent, and should always check with the park service before planning their trip.
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 Olympic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge | 4988.954 | 242.9256 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Storm King | 6276.426 | 638.8608 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail | 2574.944 | 77.724 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh Rain Forest Hall of Moss | 1609.34 | 23.7744 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Marymere Falls Trail | 2735.878 | 90.8304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh River Trail | 52786.352 | 1558.7472 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| High Divide – Seven Lakes Basin Loop | 30577.46 | 1617.8784 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Ruby Beach | 2253.076 | 20.7264 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Staircase Rapids Loop | 3379.614 | 64.9224 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spruce Railroad Trail: Lake Crescent | 18024.608 | 131.9784 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon National Park and Olympic National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Olympic National Park are both home to a diverse range of wildlife, but the types of animals, birds, and plants that are commonly seen at each park are quite different.
Bryce Canyon National Park is home to a variety of animals such as mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn. Visitors may also spot smaller mammals such as raccoons, chipmunks, and marmots. Birds such as the American Kestrel, Common Raven and the Peregrine Falcon can also be spotted in the park. The park also has a variety of plant life, such as sagebrush, juniper, and pinyon pine. The park’s unique geology also supports a variety of cacti, wildflowers and other desert plants.
Olympic National Park is home to a much different set of wildlife. Visitors can expect to see animals such as black bears, mountain goats, elk, and Roosevelt elk. The park also has a diverse range of bird species such as the Bald eagle, Pileated woodpecker, and the Vaux’s swift. Visitors may also spot smaller mammals such as the North American beaver, river otter, and the mink. The park also has a diverse range of plant life, such as ancient rainforest, meadows, and alpine tundra. Visitors can expect to see a variety of ferns, mosses, and lichens, as well as wildflowers such as lupines, paintbrush, and Indian paintbrush.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique rock formations, desert plants, and wildlife such as mule deer, elk, and bighorn sheep, while Olympic National Park is known for its diverse range of habitats, from ancient rainforest to alpine tundra, and the wildlife that inhabits them such as black bears, mountain goats, and elk. Visitors to either park can expect to see a variety of different animals, birds, and plants during their visit.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park and Olympic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Olympic 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 | 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 | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| 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 | Red Fox |
| Hoary Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | House Mouse |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Wolf |
| House Mouse | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Mountain Lion | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Mule Deer | California Myotis |
| Common Gray Fox | Snowshoe Rabbit |
| Long-Legged Myotis | North American River Otter |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Fringe-Tailed Myotis |
| American Badger | Masked Shrew |
| Ermine | Water Shrew |
| California Myotis | Western Big-Eared Bat |
| Snowshoe Hare | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
Reptiles
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Common Garter Snake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Rubber Boa |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Western Fence Lizard |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink |
Fish
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Steelhead/Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | |
| Largemouth Bass | |
| Salish Sucker | |
| Coho Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Amphibians
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Bullfrog |
| Tiger Salamander |
Insects
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee |
Beautiful Landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park and Olympic National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its red-rock landscapes, including hoodoos and natural amphitheater. The most famous landscape at the park is the Bryce Amphitheater, a natural bowl-shaped depression filled with thousands of orange and red hoodoos, spires and fins. The park’s main trail, Rim Trail, offers great views of the Amphitheater. The park also offers other popular trails like the Queens Garden Trail and the Navajo Loop Trail, which both offer great views of the hoodoos.
Olympic National Park is famous for its diverse landscapes, including rugged coastline, old-growth rainforests, and snow-capped mountains. The most famous landscape at the park is the Hoh Rainforest, a temperate rainforest that is home to some of the tallest and oldest trees in the world. Visitors can hike through the rainforest on the Hall of Mosses Trail or explore the rugged coastline on the Rialto Beach Trail. The park also features the Hurricane Ridge, a popular spot for hiking and skiing, offering great views of the Olympic Mountains. Visitors can also see the beautiful Sol Duc Falls and Marymere Falls. The park’s main trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, offers great views of the park’s landscapes.
Both parks offer a chance to see beautiful landscapes and natural wonders, but in different ways. Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its red-rock landscapes, while Olympic National Park is famous for its diverse landscapes, including rugged coastline, old-growth rainforests, and snow-capped mountains.
Things To-Do and Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Olympic National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Olympic National Park are both popular national parks that offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. However, the types of activities that are popular at each park are quite different.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its hiking trails, with the most popular trail being the Rim Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s famous hoodoos. Visitors also love to explore the park’s scenic drives, such as the 18-mile long Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive, which offers views of the park’s unique geology. Other popular activities at Bryce Canyon National Park include horseback riding, stargazing, and ranger-led programs.
Olympic National Park is known for its hiking trails, with some of the most popular trails being the Hurricane Ridge Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s mountains and valleys, and the Hoh Rainforest Trail, which takes visitors through one of the park’s ancient rainforests. Visitors also love to explore the park’s beaches, such as the Rialto Beach, which offers views of the park’s rugged coastline. Other popular activities at Olympic National Park include camping, fishing, and backpacking.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its hiking trails, scenic drives, and ranger-led programs, while Olympic National Park is known for its hiking trails, beaches, and camping. Both parks offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy, but depending on the visitor’s preferences, one park may be more appealing than the other.
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Olympic National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Olympic National Park are both located in the western United States and have different climates that affect when is the best time of year to visit.
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah and has a high desert climate. Summer temperatures can be quite hot, reaching into the 90s and even 100s Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, and snowfall is common, making some of the park’s trails and roads impassable. The best time to visit the park is in the spring or fall, when the temperatures are milder, and the park’s colorful rock formations are at their most vibrant.
On the other hand, Olympic National Park is located in Washington state and has a temperate maritime climate. The park receives a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year, making it a lush and green environment. The park’s lowland areas tend to be milder and wetter, while the high-altitude areas can receive significant snowfall in the winter. The best time to visit the park is in the summer, when the weather is mild and the park’s wildflowers are in full bloom.
In summary, the weather at Bryce Canyon National Park and Olympic National Park can vary greatly and affect when is the best time of year to visit. Bryce Canyon National Park is best visited in the spring or fall, when the temperatures are milder, and the park’s colorful rock formations are at their most vibrant, while Olympic National Park is best visited in the summer, when the weather is mild and the park’s wildflowers are in full bloom. Visitors should always check the weather forecast and trail conditions before planning their trip.
Family Friendliness of Bryce Canyon National Park and Olympic National Park
Both Bryce Canyon National Park and Olympic National Park are family-friendly destinations, but they offer different experiences for families with children.
Bryce Canyon National Park is a great option for families with children as it offers a variety of easy and short hiking trails, such as the Rim Trail, which offers great views of the park’s main attraction, the Bryce Amphitheater. The park also offers several educational programs and ranger-led activities, such as Junior Ranger Program, that are designed to help children learn about the park’s natural and cultural history. The park also has a visitor center that offers a variety of educational exhibits and interactive displays.
Olympic National Park is also a great option for families with children, but it offers different experiences. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, such as the Hall of Mosses Trail, which is a short and easy trail that takes visitors through the Hoh Rainforest. The park also offers ranger-led activities, such as Junior Ranger Program, that are designed to help children learn about the park’s natural and cultural history. The park also has a visitor center that offers a variety of educational exhibits and interactive displays. The park’s lake Crescent offers a great spot for swimming and picnics.
Overall, both parks are great options for families with children and both have a variety of activities and educational opportunities that are designed to help children learn about the park’s natural and cultural history. However, Bryce Canyon National Park offers a more compact and easy-to-explore experience, while Olympic National Park offer more diverse experiences and activities.