Crater Lake National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are two of America’s most breathtaking natural wonders. While Crater Lake boasts the deepest lake in the United States, surrounded by towering cliffs and ancient forests, Glacier Bay offers a truly unique experience, with glaciers carving their way through the rugged Alaskan wilderness. Whether you’re seeking adventure or simply a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, these two parks offer a world of opportunities to explore and discover. So, pack your bags and get ready to embark on a journey of a lifetime.
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska are both popular destinations for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Crater Lake has several easy to moderate hikes, including the Rim Trail which offers stunning views of the lake, as well as the more challenging Garfield Peak that reaches an elevation of over 8,000 feet. On the other hand, Glacier Bay is known for its more strenuous hikes, such as the West Glacier Trail, which is a challenging 8.8 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet. For those looking for a more leisurely experience, the Bartlett Cove Beach Trail is a relatively flat hike that provides access to the park’s stunning coastal views.
Regardless of your hiking level, both of these national parks offer breathtaking scenery and a chance to experience the great outdoors.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield Peak Trail | 5471.756 | 325.8312 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cleetwood Cove Trail | 3379.614 | 189.8904 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Watchman Peak Trail | 2574.944 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Scott Trail | 6759.228 | 383.7432 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Discovery Point Trail | 6437.36 | 278.892 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Plaikni Falls Trail | 3218.68 | 40.8432 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Wizard Island Trail | 3701.482 | 228.9048 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Sun Notch Trail | 1287.472 | 38.7096 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Pinnacles Valley Trail | 1126.538 | 11.8872 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mazama Village to Rim Village at Crater Lake | 13357.522 | 530.9616 | Moderate | 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 Crater Lake National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are both renowned for their unique and diverse wildlife. At Crater Lake, visitors may observe many species of birds, including the threatened Peregrine Falcon and the American White Pelican. The park is also home to black bears, mountain lions, and mule deer. Meanwhile, Glacier Bay is famous for its marine wildlife, including humpback whales, sea otters and Steller sea lions, as well as several bird species such as puffins, cormorants and bald eagles. Both parks also host a variety of plants, including the Glacier Lily at Glacier Bay and the Dwarf Labrador Tea at Crater Lake.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake 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 |
| Bald Eagle | American Kestrel |
| Song Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
| European Starling | Song Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | European Starling |
| American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
| American Pipit | American Wigeon |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Crater Lake 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 |
| Mink | Red Squirrel |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | Montane Shrew |
| Gray Fox | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Wolf | Lynx |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Wolverine |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Marten |
| American Badger | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Ermine | Grizzly Bear |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Lake Trout | Lake Trout |
| Silver Salmon | Northern Pike |
| Kokanee Salmon | Burbot |
| Cutthroat Trout | Silver Salmon |
| Chinook Salmon | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | Wood Frog |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park is famous for its stunning blue lake created by the collapsed caldera of a long-dead volcano. The 33-mile Rim Drive circles the lake and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding cliffs and peaks. The park also features Wizard Island, a cinder cone volcano, and the Phantom Ship, an iconic rock formation.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve boasts beautiful glaciers, fjords, and tidewater glaciers that create a unique landscape. The park is home to the largest glacier in North America, the Margerie Glacier, and also features glaciers like Lamplugh and Johns Hopkins. Visitors can take a boat tour to see glaciers calving into the sea and watch whales, sea lions and other wildlife.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park is famous for its crystal-clear lake, which is the result of a volcanic eruption that took place thousands of years ago. Visitors enjoy scenic drives, leisurely walks, and boat tours to observe the lake and the surrounding landscape. In contrast, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is known for its glaciers, which can be observed by boat tours, kayaking, or hiking. Wildlife viewing and birdwatching are also popular activities in Glacier Bay, with opportunities to see whales, seals, and a variety of bird species. Both parks offer camping and ranger-led programs, though Glacier Bay also has a visitor center with educational exhibits and a park-run lodge.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon has a subalpine climate, characterized by cool and snowy winters, and mild and dry summers. In contrast, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska has a subarctic climate, with cold and wet winters, and cool summers with high precipitation. During the winter months, Crater Lake is blanketed in snow, making it popular for winter sports, and the road to the lake may be inaccessible. On the other hand, Glacier Bay experiences frequent storms with high winds, heavy rain, and snow, making it more challenging to visit during the winter months. The best time to visit Crater Lake is during the summer, when the weather is mild and dry, and the lake is accessible by road. The best time to visit Glacier Bay is during the summer as well, when the weather is more stable, and the glaciers and wildlife are more active. However, visitors should be prepared for possible rain and wind.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Crater Lake National Park, in Oregon, offers many family-friendly activities such as boat tours of the lake, ranger-led programs, and scenic drives. Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska has opportunities for whale watching, kayaking and hiking, but some of these activities may not be suitable for young children. Both parks offer stunning natural beauty, but Crater Lake may be a more convenient choice for families with young children due to its more accessible amenities and facilities.