Bryce Canyon National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are both natural wonders that offer breathtaking landscapes and unique experiences. While Bryce Canyon is known for its hoodoos, which are tall spires of rock formed by erosion, Sequoia & Kings Canyon offers a glimpse into the world’s largest trees, the giant sequoias. Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and sightseeing, but each park has its own special charm. If you’re looking for a trip that combines the beauty of towering rock formations with the awe-inspiring size of ancient trees, then a visit to both Bryce Canyon and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks is a must. So, pack your hiking boots and get ready to explore two of America’s most iconic national parks.
Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Bryce Canyon National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks offer a diverse range of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, some of the easiest hikes include the Rim Trail, which is a paved trail that runs along the rim of the canyon and offers views of the hoodoos and natural amphitheater, and the Queen’s Garden Trail, which is a 1.8-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a series of natural rock bridges and to a viewpoint of the Queen Victoria Hoodoo. Some of the more strenuous hikes include the Peekaboo Loop Trail, which is a 5-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a series of switchbacks and offers panoramic views of the hoodoos and the park’s natural amphitheater, and the Fairyland Loop Trail, which is an 8-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a variety of landscapes, including hoodoos, natural bridges, and a slot canyon.
At Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, some of the easiest hikes include the Big Trees Trail, which is a 0.5-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a grove of giant sequoias and offers views of the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world by volume. Another easy hike is the Congress Trail, a 2-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a grove of giant sequoias and offers views of the General Sherman Tree, the General Grant Tree, and the General Lee Tree. Some of the more strenuous hikes include the High Sierra Trail, which is a 72-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a variety of landscapes, including mountains, meadows, and forests, and the Rae Lakes Loop, which is a 41-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a variety of landscapes, including mountains, meadows, and lakes.
Both of these national parks offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy, with Bryce Canyon National Park known for its hoodoos and natural rock bridges and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks known for its giant sequoias and diverse landscapes.
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 Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moro Rock Trail | 643.736 | 56.9976 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Tokopah Falls via Tokopah Valley Trail | 6437.36 | 194.7672 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Heather Lake, Emerald Lake, and Pear Lake Trail via Watchtower and Pear Lake Trails | 18990.212 | 887.8824 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| General Sherman Tree Trail | 1287.472 | 46.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Marble Falls Trail | 11909.116 | 495.9096 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Congress Trail | 5149.888 | 151.7904 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Alta Peak Trail | 23979.166 | 1238.7072 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mineral King to Eagle Lake Trail | 10460.71 | 674.8272 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Big Trees Trail | 2092.142 | 36.8808 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Giant Forest Loop Trail | 11265.38 | 390.7536 | Easy | loop | 5 |
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Bryce Canyon National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are both home to a wide variety of wildlife. Bryce Canyon is known for its diverse array of birds, including the peregrine falcon, American kestrel, and great horned owl. Mammals commonly seen in the park include mule deer, bighorn sheep, and elk. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of reptiles, including the western rattlesnake and desert tortoise. The park is also home to a variety of plants, including the iconic hoodoos, juniper, and piñon pine.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, on the other hand, are known for their giant sequoias, the largest trees on earth, and a variety of other trees, such as white firs, sugar pines, and incense cedars. Among the mammals commonly seen are black bears, mule deer, and marmots. The park also has a variety of birds, including the white-headed woodpecker, mountain quail, and the western tanager. Additionally, the park is home to many species of reptiles and amphibians, including the western fence lizard and the Pacific tree frog.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| 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 | Green-Winged Teal |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| 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 | House Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Mountain Lion |
| Mule Deer | Mink |
| Common Gray Fox | Mule Deer |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Gray Fox |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Wolf |
| American Badger | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Ermine | Long-Eared Myotis |
| California Myotis | Badger |
| Snowshoe Hare | Ermine |
Reptiles
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Gopher Snake |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | Racer |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Common Garter Snake |
| Nightsnake | Common Kingsnake |
| Striped Whipsnake | Rubber Boa |
| Tree Lizard | Nightsnake |
| Western Whiptail | Southwestern Black-Headed Snake |
| Western Skink | Western Whiptail |
| Western Skink | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Fish
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout Charr Salter | |
| Brown Trout | |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| European Carp | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Bullfrog |
| Tiger Salamander |
Beautiful Landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its hoodoos, which are tall spires of rock formed by erosion. The park’s most famous viewpoint is Sunrise Point, which offers a panoramic view of the hoodoos, including Thor’s Hammer and Queen Victoria. Another popular viewpoint is Bryce Point, which offers a view of the Bryce Amphitheater, the largest collection of hoodoos in the park. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails that take visitors through the hoodoos and offer different perspectives of the park’s landscapes.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, on the other hand, are known for their giant sequoias, which are the world’s largest trees. The most famous sequoia in the park is the General Sherman Tree, which is the largest tree in the world by volume. The park also features the Congress Trail, which is a 2-mile loop that takes visitors through a grove of giant sequoias. Other popular activities include visiting the Moro Rock, which offers panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and the Crystal Cave, a limestone cave that features beautiful rock formations.
Both parks offer a variety of beautiful landscapes and natural wonders to explore and enjoy. Bryce Canyon is known for its unique hoodoos, while Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are known for their giant sequoias and panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Things To-Do and Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Bryce Canyon National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks offer a variety of popular activities for visitors to enjoy.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, hiking is a top activity. With a variety of trails ranging from easy to strenuous, visitors can explore the park’s unique hoodoos and other geological formations. Other popular activities at Bryce Canyon include stargazing, horseback riding, and ranger-led programs.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks offer a different set of activities. The most popular activity is hiking, with a variety of trails that allow visitors to explore the giant sequoias, the largest trees in the world. The park also offers ranger-led programs, camping, and backpacking. Another popular activity is visiting the General Sherman Tree, the largest living tree on Earth. Additionally, the park offers opportunities for rock climbing, fishing, and backpacking.
In terms of family-friendliness, both parks offer a variety of activities that can be enjoyed by all ages, such as hiking and ranger-led programs, but Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks offers more options for outdoor activities like camping and backpacking. Both parks are great options for families to explore, but the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks might offer more options for families looking for a more adventurous experience.
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Bryce Canyon National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks have different seasonal weather patterns. Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southern Utah, has a high desert climate with hot summers and cold winters. The best time to visit is from April to June and from September to November, when the temperature is mild and the wildflowers are in bloom. The park is also less crowded during these seasons. In contrast, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, have a Mediterranean climate with cool summers and cold winters. The best time to visit is from May to October, when the temperature is warm and the waterfalls are flowing. However, the park is busiest during the summer months, so plan accordingly. Both parks have snow during the winter, making them not ideal for visiting during this time of year.
Family Friendliness of Bryce Canyon National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Bryce Canyon National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are both family-friendly destinations, but they offer different experiences.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique hoodoo rock formations and colorful cliffs. The park offers a variety of easy and accessible hikes, such as the Rim Trail and the Bristlecone Loop, that are suitable for families with children. The park also has a visitor center with educational exhibits, ranger-led tours, and a Junior Ranger program.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, on the other hand, are known for their giant sequoia trees, the largest living organisms on Earth. The parks offer a variety of hiking trails, including the easy Big Trees Trail and the strenuous High Sierra Trail. Families can also take the shuttle to the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world by volume, and visit the visitor center to learn about the natural and cultural history of the parks.
Both parks offer great opportunities for family-friendly activities, but if you’re traveling with children, Bryce Canyon National Park may be a better option due to its more easily accessible hikes and educational opportunities.