Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are both natural wonders that offer a wide variety of outdoor activities and breathtaking scenery. But what sets these two national parks apart from each other?
Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southern Utah, is known for its unique rock formations called hoodoos, created by millions of years of erosion. This park offers spectacular views from its many overlooks, as well as hiking, horseback riding, and stargazing opportunities.
On the other hand, Rocky Mountain National Park, located in Colorado, is a hiker’s paradise. With more than 350 miles of trails, visitors can explore alpine meadows, forests, and rugged peaks, including the 14,259-foot Longs Peak. The park also offers a variety of wildlife viewing opportunities, including elk, bighorn sheep, and moose.
Both of these national parks offer unique natural beauty and outdoor experiences, making them perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Whether you’re looking for awe-inspiring rock formations or rugged mountain peaks, Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park will not disappoint. So, pack your bags, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready to explore two of America’s most beautiful national parks!
Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park both offer diverse hiking options for visitors of different skill levels. Bryce Canyon is known for its unique hoodoos, which are tall spire-shaped rock formations that can be seen on many of the park’s hikes. Some of the easiest hikes at Bryce Canyon include the Queen’s Garden Trail and the Navajo Loop Trail. Both of these trails offer easy to moderate difficulty with scenic views of the hoodoos and the park’s amphitheater. On the other hand, Rocky Mountain National Park offers a wide range of hikes that vary in difficulty. Some of the easiest hikes include Bear Lake Trail and the Alberta Falls Trail, which are both short and easy hikes with beautiful views of the park’s lakes and waterfalls. For more experienced hikers, Rocky Mountain National Park also offers challenging hikes such as the Keyhole Route and the Longs Peak Trail, which are both strenuous and require more hiking experience. Both parks offer a great variety of trails that cater to different skill levels and interests.
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 Rocky Mountain National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Lake Trail | 4988.954 | 215.7984 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail | 13035.654 | 537.972 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Gem Lake Trail | 4988.954 | 301.752 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Loch Lake Trail via Glacier Gorge Trail | 8690.436 | 326.7456 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Alberta Falls Trail | 2574.944 | 76.8096 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chasm Lake | 15127.796 | 792.7848 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Dream Lake Trail | 3218.68 | 129.8448 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bear Lake Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 12.8016 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Twin Sisters Peak Trail | 12070.05 | 766.8768 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ouzel Falls via Wild Basin Trail from Sandbeach Lake | 11909.116 | 361.7976 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife, but the types of animals, birds, and plants that you’ll see at each park can vary greatly.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, you can see a variety of mammals such as mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn. The park is also home to a variety of birds, such as the American dipper, the common raven, and the white-throated swift. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles and amphibians, such as the western skink, the western fence lizard, and the northern leopard frog. The park also has a variety of plants and flowers that are commonly seen, including the cliffrose, the sagebrush, and the yucca.
At Rocky Mountain National Park, you can see a variety of mammals such as elk, bighorn sheep, and moose. The park is also home to a variety of birds, such as the American dipper, the common raven, and the white-throated swift. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles and amphibians, such as the painted turtle, the western toad, and the boreal toad. The park also has a variety of plants and flowers that are commonly seen, including the columbine, the wild rose, and the lupine.
In summary, while both Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are home to a diverse array of wildlife, the types of animals, birds, and plants that you’ll see at each park can vary greatly. If you’re interested in seeing a wide variety of mammals, birds, and plants, both parks offer great opportunities to do so. However, if you’re interested in seeing a specific type of wildlife, it’s important to research which park is more likely to have that species before your visit.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Rocky Mountain 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 | Rocky Mountain 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 | Gray Fox |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Gray Wolf |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| American Badger | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Ermine | Badger |
| California Myotis | Ermine |
| Snowshoe Hare | Snowshoe Hare |
Reptiles
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Western Rattlesnake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink |
Fish
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | |
| Brown Trout | |
| Western Longnose Sucker | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Amphibians
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| Wood Frog |
Insects
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch | |
| American Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park both offer a wide variety of landscapes and natural features that are sure to take your breath away.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique rock formations called hoodoos. These tall, thin spires of rock are formed by millions of years of erosion and can be seen throughout the park. The park offers several overlooks, such as Sunset Point, Sunrise Point, and Inspiration Point, that provide spectacular views of the hoodoos. Visitors can also take a scenic drive on the 18-mile Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive to see the hoodoos from different angles. In addition, the park also offers several hiking trails that take visitors deep into the hoodoo formations, such as the Navajo Loop and the Queen’s Garden Trail.
Rocky Mountain National Park is home to rugged peaks, including Longs Peak, which stands at 14,259 feet tall. Visitors can take a scenic drive on the Trail Ridge Road, which reaches an elevation of 12,183 feet and offers breathtaking views of the peaks. The park also has several hiking trails that take visitors to the top of the peaks, such as the Longs Peak Trail, which is a challenging hike that takes visitors to the summit of Longs Peak. The park also offers several lakes and waterfalls, such as Bear Lake and Alberta Falls, that visitors can enjoy.
Both of these national parks offer a wide variety of landscapes and natural features that are sure to take your breath away. From the unique hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park to the rugged peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park, visitors will be amazed by the natural beauty these parks have to offer.
Things To-Do and Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are both popular tourist destinations, and each park offers a wide variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, the most popular activity is hiking. The park has a variety of trails that range in difficulty, from easy strolls to strenuous hikes. The park’s most popular trail is the Rim Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s famous hoodoos. Other popular trails include the Navajo Loop, the Peekaboo Loop, and the Queen’s Garden. Visitors can also enjoy horseback riding, stargazing, and ranger-led programs.
At Rocky Mountain National Park, the most popular activities are hiking and scenic drives. The park has over 300 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. Some of the most popular trails include the Bear Lake Loop, the Emerald Lake Trail, and the Glacier Gorge Trail. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives such as Trail Ridge Road, which offers breathtaking views of the park’s peaks and valleys. Other popular activities in the park include fishing, wildlife viewing, and ranger-led programs.
In summary, both Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park offer a wide variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. Hiking is the most popular activity at both parks, but visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park also have the opportunity to enjoy scenic drives and other activities such as fishing and wildlife viewing. Both parks also offer ranger-led programs. If you’re looking for a more strenuous hiking experience and scenic drives, Rocky Mountain National Park might be the right choice, while if you’re looking for a more moderate hiking experience and stargazing, Bryce Canyon National Park could be a better choice.
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park have vastly different seasonal weather patterns. Bryce Canyon, located in southern Utah, has a high desert climate with hot summers and cold winters. The park’s elevation ranges from 6,620 to 9,115 feet above sea level, which can cause temperatures to drop quickly during the evening. The best time to visit Bryce Canyon is from mid-spring to mid-fall when the temperatures are mild and comfortable.
Rocky Mountain National Park, located in northern Colorado, has a subalpine climate with cool summers and cold winters. The park’s elevation ranges from 7,860 to 14,259 feet above sea level, which can cause temperatures to drop below freezing even during the summer months. The park receives heavy snowfall during the winter, making it inaccessible to many of the park’s trails and roads. The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park is during the summer months when the snow has melted and the weather is mild. However, it can be crowded during this time.
Family Friendliness of Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Both Bryce Canyon National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are family-friendly and offer a wide variety of activities for visitors of all ages. However, each park caters to different interests and abilities.
Bryce Canyon National Park is a great option for families with children as it offers several easy hiking trails, such as the Rim Trail and the Queens Garden Trail, that provide spectacular views of the hoodoos without the strenuous climb. There are also several ranger-led programs, such as the Junior Ranger Program, that educate children about the park’s geology, wildlife, and history. The park also offers a Junior Ranger booklet for children to complete, which encourages them to explore the park and learn about its natural and cultural resources.
Rocky Mountain National Park, on the other hand, is known for its rugged peaks and challenging hiking trails. While the park has several easy hikes, such as the Bear Lake Nature Trail and the Alluvial Fan Trail, it also has several strenuous hikes that may not be suitable for young children. However, the park also offers a Junior Ranger Program, as well as ranger-led programs, where children can learn about the park’s natural and cultural resources. The park also offers several scenic drives, such as the Trail Ridge Road, that offer spectacular views of the peaks without the strenuous hike.
Both of these national parks offer a wide variety of activities that are suitable for families with children. However, Bryce Canyon National Park is better suited for families with young children as it offers several easy hiking trails and ranger-led programs that educate children about the park’s natural and cultural resources. Rocky Mountain National Park, on the other hand, may be better suited for families with older children who are interested in rugged peaks and challenging hiking trails.