Bryce Canyon National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two vastly different yet equally breathtaking national parks. While Bryce Canyon is known for its colorful hoodoos and stunning sunrises and sunsets, Wrangell-St. Elias boasts some of the most rugged and remote wilderness in the country. Both parks offer visitors a chance to escape into nature and experience the beauty of the American landscape. Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely stroll through a fairyland of hoodoos or a challenging backpacking trip through the Alaskan wilderness, these two parks have something for everyone. So come along and join us as we explore the unique features and highlights of these two national parks, and discover why they’re worth a visit!
Hiking Trails in Bryce Canyon National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah and Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska are two very different national parks that offer unique hiking experiences.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, visitors can hike along the rim of the canyon to see the famous hoodoos and enjoy panoramic views of the park. Some of the most popular hikes include the Queen’s Garden Trail, which is considered an easy hike and leads to some of the most iconic hoodoos in the park, and the Peek-a-Boo Loop Trail, which is considered a moderate hike and offers a more strenuous experience. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Fairyland Loop Trail is considered one of the hardest in the park, taking hikers through a variety of different landscapes and offering spectacular views of the hoodoos.
Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its rugged wilderness and offers a backpacking experience. The park is home to some of the tallest mountains in North America and visitors can hike to the summit of some of these peaks. Some of the most popular hikes include the Root Glacier hike, which is considered an easy hike, and the Nabesna Glacier hike, which is considered a more challenging hike. The park also offers more strenuous hikes such as the Kontrashibuna and Chitistone Pass hikes. These hikes are considered more challenging and require more preparation and experience.
In summary, Bryce Canyon National Park offers a variety of easy and moderate hikes that take visitors through unique landscapes and offer beautiful views. Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its rugged wilderness and offers more challenging and backpacking experiences.
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 Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Bryce Canyon National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve are both home to a wide variety of wildlife, but the types of animals, birds, and plants that are commonly seen in each park are quite different.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of mammals such as mule deer, bighorn sheep, and coyotes. The park is also home to a wide variety of birds including the American dipper, the white-throated swift, and the violet-green swallow. The park’s vegetation is mostly composed of various species of conifers and deciduous trees, as well as a variety of wildflowers in spring and summer.
Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its larger mammals such as grizzly bears, moose, and caribou. The park is also home to a wide variety of birds, including the bald eagle, the golden eagle, and the trumpeter swan. The park’s vegetation is mostly composed of spruce, hemlock, and cottonwood trees, as well as various types of shrubs, mosses, and lichens.
While both parks offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities, those looking for a chance to see larger mammals and birds of prey may want to visit Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve, while those looking for a more diverse array of plant life may want to visit Bryce Canyon National Park.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & 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 | 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 | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | Puma |
| Raccoon | Mink |
| Black Bear | Mule Deer |
| Porcupine | Wolf |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Hoary Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Red Fox | Land Otter |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Common Shrew |
| House Mouse | Water Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Red Squirrel |
| Mule Deer | Montane Shrew |
| Common Gray Fox | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Lynx |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Wolverine |
| American Badger | American Marten |
| Ermine | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| California Myotis | Grizzly Bear |
| Snowshoe Hare | Meadow Vole |
Reptiles
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Steelhead |
| Longnose Sucker | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Burbot | |
| Silver Salmon | |
| King Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander |
Insects
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur |
Beautiful Landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two vastly different national parks that offer unique and awe-inspiring landscapes. Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its hoodoos, which are tall, thin spires of rock that have been formed by erosion. These hoodoos, along with the colorful rock layers, make for a breathtaking sight that visitors can see from various overlooks along the park’s scenic drive. On the other hand, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is known for its vast wilderness, which includes the largest protected area in the United States. This park boasts towering mountain ranges, including the Wrangell Mountains, which are home to some of the highest peaks in North America. Additionally, visitors can explore glaciers, braided rivers, and vast expanses of tundra, making for a truly wild and remote experience. Both parks offer unique landscapes that are sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors.
Things To-Do and Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are both known for their natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, but the types of activities that are popular at each park are quite different.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, the most popular activities include hiking, stargazing, and sightseeing. The park is known for its unique hoodoos, which are tall, spire-shaped rock formations that have been formed by erosion. Visitors can hike along the park’s many trails, including the popular Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop trails, to get a close-up look at these unique rock formations. The park’s high elevation and clear skies also make it an excellent spot for stargazing, and the park offers ranger-led stargazing programs during the summer months.
At Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, the most popular activities include backpacking, camping, and fishing. The park is the largest national park in the United States, and it is home to several large glaciers, including the largest glacier in North America. Visitors can hike along the park’s many backcountry trails, including the Root Glacier Trail, to get a close-up look at these glaciers. The park also offers several campsites and primitive backcountry campsites for overnight visitors. Fishing is also a popular activity in the park, with several streams and rivers that are known for their salmon and Dolly Varden populations.
Overall, both parks offer a wide variety of outdoor activities for visitors, but the types of activities that are popular at each park are quite different. Bryce Canyon National Park is best known for its unique rock formations and stargazing opportunities, while Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is known for its large glaciers and backcountry hiking opportunities.
Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park, located in Utah, is known for its stunning hoodoos, which are tall, thin spires of rock formed by erosion. The park has a high desert climate, with hot summers and cold winters. The best time to visit is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are more moderate.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is known for its vast wilderness and diverse landscapes, including glaciers, mountains, and rivers. The park has a subarctic climate, with cold temperatures and heavy snowfall in the winter and milder temperatures in the summer. The best time to visit is during the summer, when the weather is warmer and the days are longer. However, visitors should be prepared for unpredictable weather and bring appropriate gear and clothing.
Family Friendliness of Bryce Canyon National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Bryce Canyon National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are both great for families, but offer different types of experiences. Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique hoodoos, which are tall, thin spires of rock, and offers a variety of easy hiking trails and scenic drives for families to enjoy. There are also ranger-led programs and Junior Ranger activities available. On the other hand, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a vast wilderness area and offers more rugged and remote experiences. The park has many opportunities for backpacking, camping, and fishing, but these activities are more challenging and require more planning. Families who enjoy outdoor adventures and are looking for a more remote wilderness experience may prefer Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve, but those who prefer shorter, easier hikes and more developed facilities may prefer Bryce Canyon National Park.