Jake Cain is an entrepreneur and writer from Cincinnati, Ohio. He spends his free time driving around the country in his late 90’s conversion van, affectionately known as the “Monster Van” with his wife and 3 boys.
Capitol Reef National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are two of the most unique and breathtaking national parks in the United States. While both offer stunning landscapes and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, each park has its own distinct personality that sets it apart from the rest. Capitol Reef is a land of towering sandstone cliffs and hidden canyons, where visitors can hike through narrow slot canyons, explore ancient Native American petroglyphs, and discover hidden oases. Meanwhile, Glacier Bay is a frozen wonderland of glaciers, fjords, and wildlife, where visitors can witness the power of nature as glaciers calve into the sea and watch as whales, seals, and other marine mammals swim in the icy waters. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or just looking for a peaceful escape, these two parks are sure to leave you in awe. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable journey through two of America’s most beautiful and diverse national parks.
Hiking Trails in Capitol Reef National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Capitol Reef National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer a diverse range of hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts. Capitol Reef offers shorter, easier hikes such as the Capitol Gorge Trail, a 2-mile round trip hike through a narrow canyon, and the Rim Overlook Trail, a 0.5-mile hike to a scenic overlook. On the other hand, Glacier Bay offers longer, more strenuous hikes such as the Bartlett Cove Trail, a 6-mile round trip hike through a temperate rainforest, and the Reid Glacier Trail, a 7.5-mile round trip hike to a glacial lake.
For those seeking a challenge, Capitol Reef offers the Cassidy Arch Trail, a 3-mile round trip hike to a towering natural arch, and the Grand Wash Trail, a 5-mile round trip hike through a narrow canyon. Glacier Bay also offers challenging hikes such as the Lamplugh Glacier Trail, a 8-mile round trip hike to a glacier, and the West Glacier Trail, a 10-mile round trip hike through a rugged wilderness.
Both parks offer a variety of scenic and challenging hikes for all levels of hikers, but Glacier Bay offers longer and more strenuous hikes for those seeking a greater challenge, while Capitol Reef is better suited for shorter, easier hikes. Regardless of the trail chosen, both parks offer breathtaking views and a chance to immerse oneself in nature.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Capitol Reef National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickman Bridge Trail | 2735.878 | 129.8448 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cassidy Arch Trail | 4667.086 | 213.9696 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Grand Wash Trail via Northeast Trailhead | 7081.096 | 121.92 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chimney Rock Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 241.7064 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cohab Canyon Trail | 4828.02 | 241.7064 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Navajo Knobs Trail | 14001.258 | 650.748 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Goosenecks & Sunset Point | 4023.35 | 165.8112 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Capitol Gorge Trail | 7242.03 | 113.9952 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Sulphur Creek Route | 18507.41 | 427.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rim Overlook Trail | 6598.294 | 320.9544 | Hard | out and back | 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 Capitol Reef National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Capitol Reef National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are both unique and beautiful national parks, each with its own unique wildlife and vegetation.
At Capitol Reef, common wildlife sightings include pronghorns, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, and rock squirrels. Birdwatchers may see golden eagles, ravens, and peregrine falcons. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles, including desert iguanas, collared lizards, and rattlesnakes. Vegetation in the park includes sagebrush, Joshua trees, and piñon pines.
At Glacier Bay, visitors may see a variety of marine mammals, including humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, and porpoises. On land, you may spot black and brown bears, moose, and mountain goats. Bird species commonly seen in the park include bald eagles, puffins, and kittiwakes. The park is also home to a wide variety of plant life, including spruce and hemlock forests, and meadows of wildflowers in the summer.
In conclusion, both Capitol Reef and Glacier Bay offer unique wildlife and vegetation experiences, with Capitol Reef showcasing the wildlife and vegetation of the deserts and Glacier Bay showcasing the wildlife and vegetation of the arctic and sub-arctic regions.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Capitol Reef National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Capitol Reef 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
| Capitol Reef 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
| Capitol Reef National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Longnose Sucker |
| Mottled Sculpin | Lake Trout |
| Speckled Dace | Northern Pike |
| Black Bullhead | Burbot |
| Cutthroat Trout | Silver Salmon |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Capitol Reef National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
| 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 | |
| Western Skink | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Capitol Reef National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Capitol Reef National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Capitol Reef National Park is known for its stunning sandstone cliffs and rock formations, including the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth’s crust that is visible from the park’s scenic drive. The park also boasts a variety of unique landscapes, including the Grand Wash, a narrow canyon that winds its way through the park, and the Chimney Rock Pillar, a towering sandstone spire that offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is renowned for its glaciers, which are some of the most active and dynamic in the world. The park is home to over 50 glaciers, including the famous Margerie Glacier, which is one of the most active glaciers in the park and often “calves,” or sheds ice into the sea, creating a spectacular show for visitors. In addition to its glaciers, Glacier Bay is also known for its stunning fjords, which are narrow inlets of the sea surrounded by towering cliffs and glaciers. Visitors can also enjoy breathtaking views from the park’s many overlooks, including the Bartlett Cove Overlook, which offers panoramic views of the park’s glaciers, fjords, and wildlife.
Things To-Do and Activities in Capitol Reef National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Capitol Reef National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of activities for visitors to enjoy.
At Capitol Reef, popular activities include hiking, rock climbing, and scenic drives. The park features a number of trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the Capitol Gorge Trail and the Grand Wash Trail. Rock climbers can test their skills on the park’s sandstone cliffs, while scenic drives, such as the Scenic Drive and the Cathedral Valley Road, offer stunning views of the park’s unique geology.
At Glacier Bay, visitors can enjoy a variety of water-based activities, such as kayaking, whale watching, and fishing. The park’s protected waters are home to a wide variety of marine life, including whales, sea lions, and porpoises, and visitors can take guided tours to see these animals up close. Kayaking and fishing are also popular activities, allowing visitors to explore the park’s glaciers and fjords at a more leisurely pace.
In conclusion, both Capitol Reef and Glacier Bay offer a range of activities to suit different interests and skill levels. Capitol Reef is ideal for hikers and rock climbers, while Glacier Bay is perfect for water-based activities and wildlife watching.
Best Time to Visit Capitol Reef National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Capitol Reef National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve have distinct seasonal weather patterns that greatly affect when is the best time to visit each park. Capitol Reef, located in southern Utah, has a warm and dry desert climate with temperatures ranging from the high 80s in the summer to the low 30s in the winter. The park is best visited in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and the wildflowers are in bloom.
Glacier Bay, located in Alaska, has a subarctic maritime climate with temperatures ranging from the high 40s in the summer to the low 20s in the winter. The park is best visited in the summer when the glaciers are free of snow and ice, and the wildlife is abundant. Winter is also a popular time to visit Glacier Bay for those interested in viewing the Northern Lights.
In conclusion, the weather greatly affects the best time to visit each park. Capitol Reef is best visited in the spring and fall, while Glacier Bay is best visited in the summer. Visitors should plan their trips accordingly and be prepared for the seasonal weather conditions of each park.
Family Friendliness of Capitol Reef National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Both Capitol Reef National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are great options for families, but they offer different experiences and may be better suited for different types of families.
Capitol Reef National Park is a great choice for families with children who enjoy hiking and exploring. The park has a variety of trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes, that allow families to experience the park’s unique landscapes and natural wonders up close. Additionally, the park offers educational programs and ranger-led activities that are designed to engage and educate children about the park’s history and ecology.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a great choice for families who are interested in wildlife and glaciers. The park is home to a variety of marine mammals, including whales, seals, and sea lions, which are often visible from the park’s boats and overlooks. Additionally, the park’s glaciers and fjords provide a unique and awe-inspiring experience that is sure to captivate children and adults alike. However, it is important to note that Glacier Bay is a remote park, and some of its activities, such as boat tours, may not be suitable for very young children.
Ultimately, the best park for your family will depend on your family’s interests and abilities. If your family enjoys hiking and exploring, Capitol Reef National Park may be the better choice. If your family is interested in wildlife and glaciers, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve may be the better choice.