“Two of the most unique and contrasting National Parks in the United States are Death Valley and Glacier Bay. While Death Valley boasts scorching temperatures, salt flats, and sand dunes, Glacier Bay offers glaciers at the edge of the ocean, towering peaks, and marine wildlife. These parks are a study in opposites and offer visitors the chance to experience the extremes of this country’s diverse landscapes. From the heat of the Mojave Desert to the ice floes of the Alaskan wilderness, these parks offer a chance to explore the power of nature and the beauty of the American wilderness. So, pack your sunscreen and your parka, and get ready for an adventure unlike any other.”
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Death Valley and Glacier Bay National Parks offer unique hiking experiences. Death Valley is known for its scorching temperatures and challenging terrain, with hikes ranging from easy walks to strenuous backcountry adventures. Some popular easy hikes include the Mosaic Canyon trail and the Natural Bridge hike, while more challenging hikes include Telescope Peak and Badwater Basin. On the other hand, Glacier Bay offers a completely different landscape with lush forests and breathtaking glaciers. Popular easy hikes here include the Forest Trail and the Bartlett Cove trail, while more challenging hikes include the Reid Glacier trail and the West Glacier trail. Despite the differences in climate and terrain, both parks provide opportunities for stunning scenery and memorable hikes.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail | 2896.812 | 2.7432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Trail | 4506.152 | 62.7888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Zabriskie Point | 643.736 | 15.8496 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dante’s View Trail | 2574.944 | 109.728 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Telescope Peak Trail | 19312.08 | 1012.8504 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Golden Canyon Trail to Red Cathedral | 4667.086 | 174.9552 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch Loop via Zabriskie Point | 9334.172 | 332.8416 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Mosaic Canyon Trail | 5632.69 | 324.9168 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Death Valley Natural Bridge Road | 6920.162 | 304.8 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Darwin Falls Trail via Old Toll Road | 3057.746 | 68.8848 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
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 Death Valley National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Death Valley National Park is a desert park, which is home to a variety of species adapted to the harsh environment, including bighorn sheep, coyotes, kit foxes, and mountain lions. The park also has over 300 species of birds, including the golden eagle and the roadrunner. On the other hand, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and has a subarctic climate, with a diverse range of wildlife including humpback whales, sea otters, and harbor seals. The park also has over 40 species of land mammals such as moose, mountain goats, and black bears. Additionally, Glacier Bay is home to over 200 species of birds, including the bald eagle and common loon. Both parks have unique plant life, with Death Valley featuring species such as creosote bush and Joshua trees, while Glacier Bay has a mix of tundra, forest, and glaciers that support a variety of wildflowers, mosses, and shrubs.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Death Valley 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
| Death Valley National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Muskrat | American Beaver |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Deer Mouse |
| Little Brown Bat | Black Bear |
| Deer Mouse | Porcupine |
| Raccoon | Red Fox |
| Porcupine | House Mouse |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Mountain Lion |
| Hoary Bat | Mink |
| House Mouse | Mule Deer |
| Mountain Lion | Gray Wolf |
| Mule Deer | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Gray Fox | Snowshoe Hare |
| Long-Legged Myotis | River Otter |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Masked Shrew |
| Badger | Water Shrew |
| Californian Myotis | Red Squirrel |
| Fringed Myotis | Montane Shrew |
| Common Shrew | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Lynx |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Wolverine |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Marten |
| Western Harvest Mouse | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis | Grizzly Bear |
Reptiles
| Death Valley National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Smith������S Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Death Valley National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Death Valley National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Mosquitofish | Brook Trout |
| Goldfish | 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 |
Amphibians
| Death Valley National Park | Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Wood Frog |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Death Valley National Park is known for its vast landscapes, including towering sand dunes and the colorful rock formations of Artist’s Drive & Palette. Visitors can also see the salt flats at Badwater Basin, one of the lowest points in North America at 282 ft below sea level.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is famous for its glaciers, including the massive John Hopkins Glacier and the picturesque Margerie Glacier. Visitors can also see the wildlife in the park, including whales, seals, and bears. The stunning views of the Tidal Inlets and the snow-capped mountains make this park a must-visit destination.
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Death Valley National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are two popular US National Parks renowned for their unique landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities. People visiting Death Valley enjoy scenic drives, such as the Badwater Basin road, as well as stargazing, camping, and exploring the park’s diverse geologic formations like sand dunes, canyons, and salt flats. On the other hand, Glacier Bay is a popular destination for boat tours, kayaking, and whale watching. The park’s glaciers, fjords, and abundant wildlife, including bald eagles, seals, and humpback whales, attract visitors from all over the world. While hiking is also a popular activity in both parks, Glacier Bay’s more rugged terrain and opportunities for backcountry exploration make it a top destination for more experienced hikers. Both Death Valley and Glacier Bay offer unique experiences and are must-visit destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Death Valley National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve have completely different weather patterns. Death Valley is one of the hottest and driest places in the world, with summer temperatures often exceeding 120°F, while Glacier Bay is known for its cool and damp climate, with temperatures ranging from the high 30s to mid 60s. The best time to visit Death Valley is from November to April, when temperatures are cooler and there is less chance of rain. On the other hand, Glacier Bay is best visited from May to September, when temperatures are warmer and there is more daylight for outdoor activities. The warm summer months also bring the chance to see glaciers calving, whales, and other wildlife.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Death Valley and Glacier Bay are quite different in terms of family-friendliness. Death Valley is a desert park with extreme heat, limited shade, and few bodies of water, making it a less ideal location for families with young children. On the other hand, Glacier Bay offers an array of outdoor recreational activities, glaciers, and wildlife viewing opportunities, making it a more attractive option for families. Additionally, Glacier Bay has various ranger-led programs and educational opportunities, making it a great place to learn about the natural world and Alaska’s ecosystem.