Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are two of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring national parks in the United States. They are both unique and offer a diverse range of experiences for visitors. Imagine standing at the edge of a vast and colorful canyon, gazing out at the seemingly endless expanse of rock and sand, or imagine yourself on a boat, cruising through icy fjords, surrounded by glaciers and snow-capped peaks, these two parks will offer you all that and more.
Canyonlands National Park, located in southern Utah, is a vast and rugged landscape of canyons, mesas, and towering rock formations. It’s a place where visitors can hike, camp, and explore the backcountry for days on end. The park is known for its spectacular scenery and offers visitors the chance to experience the rugged beauty of the American Southwest.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is a place of ice and fire, with glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and a diverse range of wildlife. It’s a place where visitors can cruise through the icy fjords and witness the power of glaciers as they calve into the ocean. The park is known for its spectacular glaciers, abundant wildlife, and rugged wilderness.
Both of these parks offer visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of the United States in a unique and exciting way. Whether you’re a hiker, a camper, or a nature lover, Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve have something to offer everyone. So, pack your bags, grab your hiking boots and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!
Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are both renowned for their hiking trails, but the nature of the hiking experiences at each park is quite different.
Canyonlands National Park offers a wide variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy, paved walks to challenging backcountry routes. One of the easiest hikes in the park is the Island in the Sky district’s Grand View Point Trail, which is only a half-mile round trip and offers stunning views of the park’s canyons and mesas. Another easy hike is the Mesa Arch trail, a 1-mile round trip hike that leads to an arch with a stunning view of the surrounding canyons. On the other hand, some of the most challenging hikes in the park include the Chesler Park Loop, which is a strenuous 11-mile hike through the park’s backcountry, and the Confluence Overlook, which is a rugged, 8-mile round trip hike.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its rugged and remote wilderness, and the park’s hiking trails reflect that. The park’s hiking trails range from easy, level walks to strenuous backcountry treks. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Bartlett Cove Trail, a 1.5-mile round trip hike that leads to a beach with views of the park’s glaciers, and the Glacier Bay Lodge Nature Trail, a 2-mile round trip hike that offers views of the park’s wildlife and glaciers. However, most of the park’s hikes are strenuous as they are backcountry treks, such as the Reid Glacier trail, a 7.5-mile round trip hike that leads to the base of a glacier, and the West Glacier trail which is a 8-mile round trip hike that leads to a viewpoint of the glacier.
Overall, both Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer a wide variety of hiking trails, but the hiking experiences at each park are quite different. Canyonlands National Park offers a range of easy and challenging hikes through the park’s canyons and mesas, while Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offers a range of strenuous hikes through the park’s rugged wilderness, including hikes to glaciers.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa Arch Trail | 965.604 | 18.8976 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Grand View Point Trail | 2896.812 | 52.7304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chesler Park Loop Trail | 18668.344 | 589.788 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| False Kiva Trail | 3057.746 | 136.8552 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Upheaval Dome via Crater View Trail | 2414.01 | 91.7448 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Aztec Butte Trail | 2092.142 | 66.7512 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Druid Arch Trail | 15288.73 | 418.7952 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Shafer Trail | 30899.328 | 949.7568 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| White Rim Overlook Trail | 2896.812 | 48.768 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Syncline Loop | 13840.324 | 496.824 | Very Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bartlett Cove Forest Loop Trail | 1770.274 | 33.8328 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Bartlett River Trail | 11104.446 | 266.7 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Bartlet Lake Trail | 9495.106 | 141.732 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Tlingit Trail | 1770.274 | 19.812 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Point Gustavus | 20116.75 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are both home to a diverse array of wildlife, but the types of animals, birds, and plants found in each park are quite different.
Canyonlands National Park is located in a desert ecosystem, and it’s home to a variety of animals such as desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, and bobcats. Some of the birds commonly seen in the park include golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and turkey vultures. The park also has a variety of reptiles, including rattlesnakes, lizards, and turtles. Plant life in Canyonlands is diverse, and includes Joshua trees, sagebrush, and prickly pear cactus.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in a coastal and maritime ecosystem, and it’s home to a variety of marine mammals such as humpback whales, orcas, harbor seals, and sea otters. Some of the birds commonly seen in the park include bald eagles, cormorants, and murres. The park also has a variety of fish, including salmon and halibut. The park’s plant life includes Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and willow.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park is known for its desert and land-based wildlife, while Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is known for its marine and coastal wildlife. Both parks offer a unique and diverse array of wildlife to observe, but if you’re interested in seeing marine mammals and coastal birds, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve would be the best choice.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Canyonlands National Park | Glacier Bay 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
| Canyonlands National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Little Brown Bat |
| Big Brown Bat | Deer Mouse |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | House Mouse |
| Raccoon | Mountain Lion |
| Black Bear | Mink |
| Porcupine | Mule Deer |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Gray Wolf |
| Hoary Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | Snowshoe Hare |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | River Otter |
| House Mouse | Masked Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Water Shrew |
| American Mink | Red Squirrel |
| Mule Deer | Montane Shrew |
| Common Gray Fox | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Lynx |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Wolverine |
| American Badger | Marten |
| Ermine | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| California Myotis | Grizzly Bear |
Fish
| Canyonlands National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brook Trout |
| Largemouth Bass | Longnose Sucker |
| Green Sunfish | Lake Trout |
| Bluegill | Northern Pike |
| Fathead Minnow | Burbot |
| Common Carp | Silver Salmon |
| Northern Pike | Chinook Salmon |
| Speckled Dace | Slimy Sculpin |
| Yellow Bullhead | Threespine Stickleback |
| Channel Catfish | Sockeye Salmon |
| Kokanee Salmon | Pink Salmon |
| Black Crappie | Chum Salmon |
| Black Bullhead | Dolly Varden |
| Mosquitofish | Cutthroat Trout |
| Smallmouth Bass | Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Canyonlands National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
| Eastern Racer | |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Canyonlands National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve both offer a wide range of beautiful landscapes and natural features for visitors to enjoy.
At Canyonlands National Park, some of the most famous landscapes include the Island in the Sky, the Needles, and the Maze. The Island in the Sky is a large mesa that offers panoramic views of the surrounding canyons and the Colorado River. The Needles is a region of the park known for its colorful sandstone spires and rocky formations. The Maze is a remote and rugged area of the park that is known for its challenging hiking and backpacking.
At Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, some of the most famous landscapes include the glaciers, fjords, and wildlife. The park is home to several active glaciers, including the Margerie Glacier, the Grand Pacific Glacier, and the Lamplugh Glacier. Visitors can take a boat tour to see the glaciers up close and witness the power of the ice as it calves into the ocean. The fjords of the park are also a popular spot for visitors, offering stunning views of the snow-capped peaks and rugged coastline. Wildlife is abundant in the park, visitors can spot whales, bears, mountain goats, and many other species.
Both of these parks offer visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of the United States in a unique and exciting way. Whether you’re a hiker, a camper, or a nature lover, Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve have something to offer everyone.
Things To-Do and Activities in Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer a variety of activities for visitors, but the most popular activities at each park are quite different.
Canyonlands National Park is known for its hiking and backpacking opportunities. The park has a variety of trails that range in difficulty, from easy to strenuous, and offer breathtaking views of the park’s canyons, mesas, and other geological formations. Many visitors also enjoy scenic drives, rock climbing, and camping. The park has several campgrounds and backcountry camping areas for visitors to explore.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its boat tours and kayaking opportunities. The park offers several boat tours, including full-day and half-day tours, which take visitors up close to the park’s glaciers, as well as to see whales, seals, and other marine wildlife. Kayaking is another popular activity in the park, visitors can rent kayaks and explore the park’s fjords, bays, and inlets. Visitors can also hike, camp, and fish in the park, but boat tours and kayaking are the most popular activities.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park is known for its hiking and backpacking opportunities, while Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is known for its boat tours and kayaking opportunities. Both parks offer a variety of activities, but the most popular activities at each park are quite different, so visitors should decide based on their interests and preferences.
Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
The seasonal weather at Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve can be quite different and can affect the best time of year to visit each park.
Canyonlands National Park is located in southeastern Utah and has a desert climate. The park experiences hot summers, with temperatures often reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and mild winters with occasional snowfall. The best time to visit the park is during the spring and fall months when the temperatures are more moderate, and the wildflowers and fall foliage are in bloom. Summertime is hot and not recommended for long hikes, and the winter months can be cold and snowy, making the park’s backcountry trails difficult to access.
On the other hand, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and has a maritime climate. The park experiences cool summers, with temperatures in the mid-50s to low-60s Fahrenheit, and cold winters, with temperatures in the low 20s to low 30s Fahrenheit. The best time to visit the park is during the summer months when the park’s glaciers are most easily accessible and the park’s wildlife, including bears and whales, are most active. The park can be very cold and snowy in the winter, making access to the park’s trails and glaciers difficult.
In summary, the best time to visit Canyonlands National Park is during the spring and fall months when the weather is mild and the wildflowers and fall foliage are in bloom. On the other hand, the best time to visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is during the summer months when the park’s glaciers are most easily accessible and the park’s wildlife is most active.
Family Friendliness of Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Canyonlands National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are both great places to visit for families, but each park offers a different experience for families with children.
Canyonlands National Park is a great place for families to explore the outdoors together. The park offers a wide range of easy and moderate hiking trails that are suitable for families with children. The park also has several picnic areas and campgrounds where families can enjoy a meal or spend the night. The park has a Junior Ranger program that is designed to educate children about the park’s natural and cultural resources.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is also a great place for families to visit, but it is a different experience than Canyonlands. The park is known for its spectacular glaciers, abundant wildlife, and rugged wilderness. Visitors can take a boat tour to see the glaciers up close and witness the power of the ice as it calves into the ocean. The park also offers ranger-led walks and talks for visitors of all ages. The park has a Junior Ranger program that is designed to educate children about the park’s natural and cultural resources.
Both of these parks are great options for families, but it depends on the type of experience you are looking for. If you’re looking for a more traditional outdoor experience, with hiking, camping, and exploring the backcountry, Canyonlands National Park might be the better choice. If you’re looking for a more unique and adventurous experience, such as cruising through icy fjords, and seeing glaciers and wildlife, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve might be the better option.