Bryce Canyon National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two of the most diverse and breathtaking national parks in the United States. While Bryce Canyon is known for its towering hoodoos and stunning red rock formations, Voyageurs offers a unique experience with its network of interconnected waterways and lush forests. Both parks offer a wide range of activities, from hiking and camping to boating and fishing, making them perfect destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking for a rugged adventure or a peaceful escape, these two parks offer something for everyone. So pack your bags, grab your hiking boots, and get ready for an unforgettable trip to Bryce Canyon and Voyageurs National Park.
Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two very different parks that offer unique hiking experiences. Bryce Canyon is known for its hoodoos, which are tall, thin spires of rock that are formed by erosion. The park has several trails that take visitors through the hoodoos, such as the Navajo Loop Trail and the Peek-a-Boo Loop Trail. Both of these trails offer easy to moderate hiking experiences and are great for families. The harder and more strenuous hikes include the Fairyland Loop Trail and the Riggs Spring Loop Trail, which offer more challenging ascents and longer distances.
On the other hand, Voyageurs National Park is known for its water-based activities and hiking opportunities. The park is located on the border of Minnesota and Canada, and is home to several lakes, including Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, and Namakan Lake. The park has several hiking trails that take visitors through the park’s rugged wilderness and offer great opportunities to see wildlife. Some of the easiest hikes include the Kettle Falls Trail and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center Trail. The harder hikes include the Ash River Trail and the Kabetogama Lake Trail, which offer more challenging terrain and longer distances.
Overall, both parks offer unique and beautiful hiking experiences, but Bryce Canyon is more popular for its famous hoodoos and easier trails, while Voyageurs National Park is more popular for its water-based activities and more challenging hikes.
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 Voyageurs National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Voyageurs National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife.
Bryce Canyon National Park is home to a variety of mammals, including mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and porcupines. Visitors may also spot coyotes, bobcats, and black bears. The park is also a popular destination for birdwatching, with species such as the peregrine falcon, American dipper, and the common raven. Additionally, visitors may also see a variety of reptiles and amphibians, including the western rattlesnake, painted turtle, and the chorus frog.
Voyageurs National Park is known for its abundance of waterfowl, including common loons, mergansers, and wood ducks. Visitors may also spot a variety of mammals such as beavers, black bears, and moose. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of reptiles, including the common garter snake, painted turtle, and the eastern massasauga rattlesnake. There are also many species of fish that can be found in the park’s lakes and streams, including walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique geological features and its colorful hoodoos, while Voyageurs National Park is known for its pristine lakes and waterways. Both parks offer the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife, but the type of animals and habitats you’ll see at each park are quite different.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park and Voyageurs National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Bryce Canyon National Park | Voyageurs 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 | Voyageurs 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 | House Mouse |
Mountain Lion | Mountain Lion |
Mule Deer | Mink |
Common Gray Fox | Common Gray Fox |
Long-Legged Myotis | Plains Wolf |
Long-Eared Myotis | American Badger |
American Badger | Ermine |
Ermine | Snowshoe Hare |
California Myotis | River Otter |
Snowshoe Hare | Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
Bryce Canyon National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
---|---|
Gophersnake | |
Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
Prairie Rattlesnake | |
Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
Side-Blotched Lizard | |
Nightsnake | |
Striped Whipsnake | |
Tree Lizard | |
Western Whiptail | |
Western Skink |
Fish
Bryce Canyon National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
---|---|
Brook Trout | Largemouth Bass |
Longnose Sucker | |
Green Sunfish | |
Bluegill | |
Fathead Minnow | |
Golden Shiner | |
Lake Trout | |
Northern Pike | |
Ellpout | |
Mottled Sculpin | |
Slimy Sculpin | |
Longnose Dace | |
Black Crappie | |
Black Bullhead | |
Creek Chub | |
Brown Bullhead | |
Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
Bryce Canyon National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
---|---|
Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southern Utah, is famous for its colorful hoodoos, which are spire-shaped rock formations. The park’s main attraction is the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater, which offers a spectacular view of the hoodoos from the rim. Other famous landscapes in the park include the Mossy Cave, the Wall of Windows, and the Queen’s Garden.
Voyageurs National Park, located in northern Minnesota, is famous for its waterways. The park’s main attraction is the interconnected system of lakes, which offer a great opportunity for boating, canoeing, and kayaking. Visitors can also enjoy beautiful landscapes, such as the Kabetogama Peninsula, which offers panoramic views of the park’s lakes and forests. Other natural wonders include the Kettle Falls Dam and the Ash River Trail, which offers a scenic drive through the park’s forests.
Things To-Do and Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Voyageurs National Park are both known for their unique landscapes and outdoor activities.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, visitors can hike the park’s famous hoodoos, which are spire-shaped rock formations. The park also offers horseback riding, stargazing, and ranger-led programs. One of the most popular activities at Bryce Canyon is taking in the views from the park’s many overlooks, such as Bryce Point and Inspiration Point.
At Voyageurs National Park, visitors can explore the park’s network of interconnected waterways by boat, canoe, or kayak. Fishing, swimming, and water skiing are also popular activities. Hiking and biking trails can also be found throughout the park, and visitors can take guided tours to learn about the park’s history and natural features. The park also offers ranger-led programs and campfire talks.
In terms of wildlife, Bryce Canyon National Park is home to a variety of animals, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, and elk. The park also has a diverse bird population, including the peregrine falcon, the American dipper, and the violet-green swallow. The park is also home to a variety of plants, including sagebrush, pinyon pine, and juniper.
Voyageurs National Park is home to a variety of animals, including black bears, wolves, and moose. The park also has a diverse bird population, including the common loon, the great blue heron, and the bald eagle. The park is also home to a variety of plants, including tamarack, balsam fir, and white spruce.
Overall, both Bryce Canyon National Park and Voyageurs National Park offer a wide range of activities and sights for visitors to enjoy. However, Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique hoodoos and scenic overlooks, while Voyageurs National Park is known for its waterways and water-based activities. If you’re looking for hiking and scenic views, Bryce Canyon National Park may be the better option for you, while if you’re looking for water-based activities and canoeing, Voyageurs National Park may be the better option.
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Voyageurs National Park are vastly different in terms of weather. Bryce Canyon is located in southern Utah, and has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The park receives most of its precipitation in the form of snowfall during the winter months, with snowfall averaging around 100 inches per year. The best time to visit Bryce Canyon is during the spring and fall months when the weather is mild and the park is less crowded.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, is located in northern Minnesota and is known for its cool and wet climate. The park receives an average of 28 inches of precipitation per year, with most of it falling in the form of rain during the summer months. The park also experiences long, cold winters with heavy snowfall, which can make some areas of the park inaccessible during the winter months. The best time to visit Voyageurs National Park is during the summer months when the weather is mild and the park’s many lakes and rivers are accessible for boating and fishing.
In terms of hiking trails, Bryce Canyon National Park offers a variety of trails that range from easy, paved loops to strenuous, backcountry trails. Some of the most famous hikes at Bryce Canyon include the Queen’s Garden Trail and the Navajo Loop Trail. On the other hand, Voyageurs National Park has many hiking trails that are relatively easy, but it is also known for its water-based activities like canoeing and kayaking. Some of the most popular hikes at Voyageurs include the Kettle Falls Trail and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center Trail.
Family Friendliness of Bryce Canyon National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park and Voyageurs National Park both offer a variety of activities and landscapes that can be enjoyed by families. However, they differ in the types of activities and experiences they offer.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique hoodoos and colorful rock formations. Visitors can take short hikes to overlooks for panoramic views of the park, and longer hikes that take them down into the hoodoos. The park also offers ranger-led programs and a Junior Ranger program for kids.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, is known for its water-based activities. The park is located on the border of Minnesota and Canada and is home to over 40 lakes, as well as the Kabetogama Peninsula, which is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and canoeing. The park also offers ranger-led boat tours and a Junior Ranger program.
Both parks offer great opportunities for families to explore and connect with nature, but if your family is looking for more of a hiking and exploring experience, Bryce Canyon National Park may be a better option. If your family is looking for more of a water-based vacation, Voyageurs National Park may be a better choice.