Death Valley and Glacier National Park are two of the most magnificent natural wonders in the US, each offering its own unique and breathtaking landscapes. On one hand, Death Valley boasts scorching hot temperatures and awe-inspiring sand dunes, while on the other, Glacier National Park is home to snow-capped peaks and pristine glaciers. Both parks are must-visits for any nature lover, offering an opportunity to witness the raw power of Mother Nature in all her glory. Whether you’re looking for a rugged, untamed wilderness or a place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, Death Valley and Glacier National Park have something for everyone. So, pack your bags and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime as we explore these two parks and discover the beauty that lies within.
Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Glacier National Park
Death Valley National Park and Glacier National Park are two popular hiking destinations in the United States. Death Valley is known for its arid environment, unique geology, and challenging terrain. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the salt flats and the sand dunes, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The hardest hikes in Death Valley include the trek to Telescope Peak, which is the highest point in the park, and the hike to the Racetrack Playa, a mysterious place where rocks move by themselves.
Glacier National Park is famous for its glaciers, alpine meadows, and stunning mountain scenery. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Hidden Lake and Avalanche Lake trails, both of which offer beautiful views of the park’s glaciers and wildlife. The hardest hikes in Glacier National Park include the Highline Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the park’s alpine meadows and glaciers, and the Grinnell Glacier hike, which requires a strenuous climb to reach the glacier.
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 National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grinnell Glacier Trail | 18185.542 | 658.9776 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Avalanche Lake via the Trail of the Cedars | 9173.238 | 227.9904 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Iceberg Lake Trail | 14966.862 | 441.96 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
Hidden Lake Trail | 8529.502 | 418.7952 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Highline Trail – Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet | 23979.166 | 785.7744 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail | 4667.086 | 137.7696 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Hidden Lake Overlook | 4506.152 | 176.784 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Cracker Lake Trail | 19312.08 | 502.92 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Trail of the Cedars | 1287.472 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
The Garden Wall | 23657.298 | 1068.9336 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and Glacier National Park
Death Valley NP is known for its harsh, arid climate and is home to a variety of desert-adapted wildlife such as bighorn sheep, coyotes, kit foxes, and desert tortoises. Birds such as golden eagles and ravens can also be seen. Plant life is limited to hardy species such as creosote bush and Joshua trees.
In stark contrast, Glacier NP is located in a mountainous region and has a much cooler, moister climate. This leads to a diverse array of wildlife such as mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, and grizzly bears. Bird species commonly seen include bald eagles and peregrine falcons. The park is home to a variety of plant life, including subalpine forests, wildflowers, and alpine tundra vegetation.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Glacier National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Death Valley National Park | Glacier National Park |
---|---|
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 National Park |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
Muskrat | American Beaver |
Big Brown Bat | Muskrat |
Bobcat | Big Brown Bat |
Little Brown Bat | Bobcat |
Deer Mouse | Striped Skunk |
Raccoon | Little Brown Bat |
Porcupine | Deer Mouse |
Silver-Haired Bat | Raccoon |
Hoary Bat | Black Bear |
House Mouse | Porcupine |
Mountain Lion | Silver-Haired Bat |
Mule Deer | Hoary Bat |
Gray Fox | Red Fox |
Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Long-Eared Myotis | Mountain Lion |
Badger | Mink |
Californian Myotis | Mule Deer |
Fringed Myotis | Gray Wolf |
Common Shrew | Long-Legged Bat |
Mexican Free-Tailed Bat | Long-Eared Bat |
Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | Badger |
Bushy-Tailed Woodrat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
Western Harvest Mouse | California Myotis |
Western Small-Footed Myotis | Snowshoe Hare |
Reptiles
Death Valley National Park | Glacier National Park |
---|---|
Gopher Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
Terrestrial Gartersnake | Common Garter Snake |
Ring-Necked Snake | Rubber Boa |
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 National Park |
---|---|
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 National Park |
---|---|
Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
Mosquitofish | Brook Trout |
Goldfish | Longnose Sucker |
Fathead Minnow | |
Lake Trout | |
Northern Pike | |
Burbot | |
Mottled Sculpin | |
Slimy Sculpin | |
Longnose Dace | |
Sockeye Salmon | |
Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
Death Valley National Park | Glacier National Park |
---|---|
Woodhouse’s Toad | |
Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Glacier National Park
Death Valley National Park is famous for its spectacular landscapes, including the Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, and the striking salt flats that stretch for miles. The park is also home to the Furnace Creek Ranch, a lush oasis surrounded by towering sand dunes and towering peaks.
Glacier National Park, in Montana, is known for its stunning mountain ranges, glistening glaciers, and pristine alpine lakes. Visitors can take in the breathtaking views from overlooks like the Logan Pass, or hike to hidden waterfalls and hidden valleys. The park’s most famous landscape, the Going-to-the-Sun Road, is a scenic drive that winds its way through the heart of the park, offering stunning views of its majestic peaks and glaciers.
Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Glacier National Park
Death Valley National Park and Glacier National Park are two of the most popular parks in the US, attracting millions of visitors each year. While both parks offer stunning natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor recreation, the activities popular at each park differ significantly. In Death Valley, visitors love to explore the unique and extreme landscape, with popular activities including scenic drives, stargazing, and visiting the park’s many historical sites. On the other hand, Glacier National Park is known for its glaciers, alpine meadows, and mountainous terrain, with popular activities including scenic drives, wildlife viewing, and boating or rafting on the park’s many lakes and rivers. Both parks offer a wealth of opportunities for outdoor exploration and adventure, and the choice between Death Valley and Glacier will likely come down to personal preferences and the type of experience you are looking for.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Glacier National Park
Death Valley NP, located in California and Nevada, has hot and dry summers, reaching temperatures up to 120°F, while winters are mild with occasional rain. On the other hand, Glacier NP, in Montana, has warm summers with occasional rain and snow, and cold snowy winters with temperatures often dropping below freezing. The best time to visit Death Valley is during its milder winter months, while Glacier NP is best visited in the summer for hiking and scenic drives.
Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Glacier National Park
Death Valley National Park and Glacier National Park are both great places to visit with children. Death Valley is more family-friendly due to its accessibility and lower elevation. It offers many opportunities for families to explore and learn about the desert environment through ranger-led programs, educational exhibits, and scenic drives. On the other hand, Glacier National Park is more rugged and remote, with higher elevations and more difficult terrain. However, the park features many kid-friendly hiking trails, scenic boat rides, and educational programs. Both parks offer unique experiences for families, and the best choice depends on the interests and abilities of the travelers.