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.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are two of the most unique and awe-inspiring national parks in the United States. Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that will leave you in awe. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or simply seeking adventure, these two parks have something for everyone. From the underground wonder of Carlsbad Caverns to the stunning glaciers and fjords of Glacier Bay, these parks are truly a marvel of nature. So, buckle up and get ready for a journey through two of the most incredible parks in the country!
Hiking Trails in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are two very different parks that offer unique hiking experiences. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in southeastern New Mexico and is known for its underground caves and stunning geological formations. The park has several trails that range from easy to strenuous, including the Big Room Trail, which is a 1.25-mile loop that takes visitors through the largest underground cave chamber in North America. On the other hand, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its glaciers, fjords, and wildlife. The park has several trails that range from easy to strenuous, including the Bartlett Cove Trail, which is a 2-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through the lush rainforest to the beach.
In terms of difficulty, the trails at Carlsbad Caverns National Park are generally easier than those at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. The trails at Carlsbad Caverns are well-maintained and offer visitors an easy way to explore the park’s unique geological formations. The trails at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, can be more challenging due to the rugged terrain and the need to navigate through the rainforest and along the coastline. However, both parks offer visitors the opportunity to explore stunning landscapes and see some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park Trail | 1287.472 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 5 |
| North Slaughter Canyon Trail | 17863.674 | 469.6968 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Carlsbad Caverns Highway to Carlsbad Caverns National Park | 23657.298 | 309.9816 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Juniper Ridge Trail | 3057.746 | 140.8176 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Yucca Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 443.7888 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Slaughter Canyon Cave Trail | 1609.34 | 140.8176 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Rattlesnake Canyon | 8690.436 | 207.8736 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Walnut Canyon Trail | 482.802 | 7.9248 | Easy | out and back | 2.5 |
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 Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are both home to a rich diversity of wildlife, each offering unique and exciting wildlife-watching opportunities.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, visitors can see a variety of bats, including the Brazilian free-tailed bat and the Cave Myotis bat. In addition to bats, the park is also home to a number of other species of mammals, such as mule deer, bobcats, and mountain lions. Visitors may also see a variety of birds, including golden eagles, roadrunners, and various species of owls.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its abundant marine wildlife. Visitors can see a variety of whales, including humpback whales, orcas, and gray whales. The park is also home to a number of other marine mammals, such as sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters. In addition to marine mammals, visitors may also see a variety of birds, including bald eagles, tufted puffins, and kittiwakes.
In conclusion, both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are home to a rich diversity of wildlife, each offering unique and exciting wildlife-watching opportunities. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is known for its bats and other land-dwelling mammals, while Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is known for its abundant marine wildlife.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Carlsbad Caverns 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
| Carlsbad Caverns 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 |
| Deer Mouse | Red Fox |
| Raccoon | House Mouse |
| Black Bear | Mountain Lion |
| Porcupine | Mink |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Mule Deer |
| Hoary Bat | Gray Wolf |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | Snowshoe Hare |
| Mountain Lion | River Otter |
| Mule Deer | Masked Shrew |
| Common Gray Fox | Water Shrew |
| Gray Wolf | Red Squirrel |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Montane Shrew |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Tailed Vole |
| American Badger | Lynx |
| California Myotis | Wolverine |
| Fringed Myotis | Marten |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Grizzly Bear |
Reptiles
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Sonoran Gophersnake | |
| Eastern Racer | |
| Green Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Common Gartersnake | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Desert Kingsnake | |
| Texas Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| New Mexico Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Big Bend Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Barred Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Fish
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Mosquitofish | Longnose Sucker |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Burbot | |
| Silver Salmon | |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Beautiful Landscapes in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is known for its underground landscapes, featuring a massive cave system with over 119 known caves. The main attraction is the Big Room, a large underground chamber filled with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Visitors can explore the caves through self-guided tours or ranger-led tours. The park also offers scenic overlooks, offering views of the Chihuahuan Desert and the Guadalupe Mountains.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its stunning glaciers, fjords, and rugged coastal mountains. The park is home to over 50 glaciers, including the massive Margerie Glacier, which is over a mile wide and over 200 feet tall. Visitors can also see whales, seals, and other marine life in the park’s waterways, as well as breathtaking views of the Alaskan wilderness from scenic overlooks. The park also offers opportunities for kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
In conclusion, both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer unique and breathtaking landscapes that are sure to leave visitors in awe. Whether you’re exploring underground caves or viewing glaciers and fjords, these parks offer a truly unforgettable experience.
Things To-Do and Activities in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve both offer a variety of popular activities for visitors to enjoy.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the most popular activity is exploring the caves. Visitors can take guided tours of the caves, including the popular “Big Room” tour, or they can explore the caves on their own with a self-guided tour. In addition to cave exploring, visitors can also enjoy hiking on the park’s trails, bird watching, and stargazing.
At Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, the most popular activity is whale watching. Visitors can take boat tours of the park to see the whales and other marine wildlife. In addition to whale watching, visitors can also enjoy kayaking and fishing in the park’s waterways. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails, including the popular Bartlett Cove Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s glaciers and waterways.
In conclusion, both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer a variety of popular activities for visitors to enjoy. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is known for its cave exploring, hiking, bird watching, and stargazing, while Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is known for its whale watching, kayaking, fishing, and hiking.
Best Time to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve have very different seasonal weather patterns. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert and experiences hot and dry summers with temperatures reaching up to 100°F and cool, mild winters with temperatures ranging from 40°F to 60°F. The best time to visit is spring or fall when temperatures are mild and comfortable for outdoor activities.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and experiences a maritime climate with cool, rainy summers and cold, snowy winters. Summer temperatures range from 40°F to 60°F, while winter temperatures can drop to below freezing. The best time to visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is during the summer months when the weather is mild and there is more daylight for outdoor activities. It is important to note that the weather in Alaska can be unpredictable, so visitors should be prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions.
In conclusion, the seasonal weather at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is very different, with Carlsbad being hot and dry in the summer and Glacier Bay being cool and rainy. The best time to visit each park depends on what type of weather and outdoor activities visitors prefer.
Family Friendliness of Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer opportunities for families to experience the beauty of nature, but the level of family-friendliness may vary depending on the age of the children and the activities you are interested in.
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, families can enjoy self-guided tours of the caves, including the Big Room, which is accessible by a paved trail. The park also offers ranger-led tours, which can be a great way to learn about the caves and their history. The park’s scenic overlooks are also great for families, offering views of the surrounding desert and mountains.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, may be more challenging for families with young children, as the park offers more rugged and remote wilderness experiences. The park is best for families who enjoy outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The park’s glaciers and fjords are truly awe-inspiring, but may not be as accessible or suitable for families with young children.
In conclusion, both Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offer unique opportunities for families to experience the beauty of nature, but the level of family-friendliness may vary depending on the age of the children and the activities you are interested in.