If you’re planning a vacation and would like a quick comparison of Denali National Park & Preserve and Bryce Canyon National Park, we’ve got you covered.
We’ll take a look at what they have to offer in terms of hiking and wildlife, plus what the best time of year to visit might be.
Let’s get started with an overview of Denali National Park & Preserve.
Table Of Contents
- 1 Denali National Park & Preserve Overview
- 2 Bryce Canyon National Park Overview
- 3 Hiking At National Parks
- 4 Denali National Park & Preserve Hiking Trails
- 5 Hiking Overview at Bryce Canyon National Park
- 6 Wildlife at Denali National Park & Preserve
- 7 Wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park
- 8 What’s the best time to visit?
Denali National Park & Preserve Overview
Denali National Park is an awe-inspiring natural haven located in Alaska. This vast expanse of seemingly untouched wilderness is home to wide-open tundra, rushing rivers and towering mountains. Denali is perhaps best known for its namesake peak, Denali, which at 20,310 feet is the highest mountain in North America. But despite Denali’s impressive stature, this national park covers more than 6 million acres of land, offering visitors plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife watching. Whether you are a seasoned adventurer looking for a challenge or just want to soak up the stunning scenery of Denali National Park, there is something for everyone at Denali. So why not pack your bags and experience this breathtaking corner of the world today? You won’t regret it!
Bryce Canyon National Park Overview
Hoodoos (irregular columns of rock) exist on every continent, but here is the largest concentration found anywhere on Earth. Situated along a high plateau at the top of the Grand Staircase, the park’s high elevations include numerous life communities, fantastic dark skies, and geological wonders that defy description.
Hiking At National Parks
Most national parks have some of the best hiking trails you’ll find anywhere in the US.
If you’re planning to take along your furry friend, double-check the rules before you go – as many of the parks have different rules about bringing animals along with you.
Denali National Park & Preserve Hiking Trails
Denali National Park is home to some of the best hiking trails in Alaska. The park features six different trails, ranging from easy to difficult. For those looking for an easy hike, the Denali Nature Trail is a great option. This one-mile loop takes hikers through a beautiful spruce forest and along the edge of a river. The more challenging Tanana Loop Trail is also a great option for those looking for a bit more of a workout. This four-mile trail takes hikers through several different ecosystems, including forests, meadows, and wetlands. For those looking for an even greater challenge, the Savage River Loop Trail is the most difficult trail in the park. This eight-mile trail gains almost 2,000 feet in elevation as it winds its way through subalpine meadows and alpine tundra. No matter what level of difficulty you are looking for, Denali National Park has a hiking trail that is perfect for you.
Best Hikes At Denali National Park & Preserve
The ratings below are based on user-submitted data at AllTrails.com
| Hike Name | Elevation Gain | Difficulty Rating | Type | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bison Gulch | 1178.9664 | 5 | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rock Creek Trail | 287.7312 | 3 | out and back | 4 |
| Taiga Trail | 62.7888 | 3 | loop | 4 |
| McKinley Station Trail | 113.9952 | 1 | loop | 4.5 |
| Mount Thorofare Ridge Loop | 507.7968 | 5 | loop | 4.5 |
| McKinley Bar Trail | 295.9608 | 1 | out and back | 4 |
| Tiaga Loop and Horseshoe Lake Trail to Beaver Dam | 158.8008 | 3 | loop | 4.5 |
| Blueberry Hill Trail | 46.9392 | 3 | out and back | 4.5 |
| Stampede Trail to Sushana River | 1292.9616 | 5 | out and back | 4.5 |
| Camp Ridge Trail | 538.8864 | 5 | out and back | 5 |
Hiking Overview at Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is a hiker’s paradise, offering trails of varying difficulty that wind through some of the most stunning landscapes in the world. For those looking for an easy hike, the Rim Trail provides panoramic views of Bryce Canyon without any significant elevation gain. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Fairyland Loop descends nearly 800 feet into the canyon, passing by towering hoodoos and colorful rock formations. And for those looking for an even greater challenge, the Peekaboo Loop climbs to the top of Bryce Point, providing hikers with an breathtaking birds-eye view of Bryce Canyon. No matter what your hiking level, Bryce Canyon National Park has a trail that’s perfect for you.
Top 10 Hiking Trails at Bryce Canyon National Park
| Hike Name | Elevation Gain | Difficulty Rating | Type | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peekaboo Loop, Wall Street, and Rim Trails | 572.7192 | 5 | out and back | 4.5 |
| Yovimpa Point | 1.8288 | 1 | out and back | 4 |
| Paria View | 23.7744 | 1 | out and back | 4 |
| Rainbow Point, Yovimpa Point, and Bristlecone Loop | 36.8808 | 1 | loop | 4 |
| Sheep Creek and Swamp Canyon Loop | 243.84 | 3 | loop | 4 |
| Hat Shop via Under the Rim Trail | 294.7416 | 3 | out and back | 4.5 |
| Piracy Point | 17.9832 | 1 | out and back | 4 |
| Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail | 189.8904 | 3 | loop | 5 |
| Under the Rim Trail: Bryce Point to Whiteman Bench | 945.7944 | 7 | point to point | 4 |
| Whiteman Bench to Mud Canyon Spring | 128.9304 | 1 | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife at Denali National Park & Preserve
Denali National Park is well known for its incredible biodiversity, with a wide range of plant and animal life. Whether you are interested in seeing majestic moose or soaring eagles, Denali is the place to be. Some of the other common species you can expect to find within the park include grizzly bears, caribou, lynx, peregrine falcons, wolves, and coyotes. Denali is also home to an incredible array of flora, from delicate alpine wildflowers to towering spruce trees and ancient coniferous forests. With so much wildlife and beauty packed into Denali National Park, it truly is a nature-lover’s paradise. So if you are looking for an unforgettable experience in the great outdoors, be sure to add Denali to your list of must-visit destinations.
Wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, from the small and elusive Pika to the majestic elk. With over 150 species of animals, Bryce Canyon is a veritable paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. The park also boasts an impressive variety of plants, with over 1,000 different species. Whether you’re looking for a rare bird sighting or just want to enjoy the beauty of the natural world, Bryce Canyon National Park is sure to offer something for everyone.
What’s the best time to visit?
A lot of times, weather can dictate when it makes the most sense to visit a particular national park.
Plus, depending on the types of activities you’re hoping to take part in, seasonality will be a huge factor in whether those things are even available.
Denali National Park & Preserve Weather Considerations
Denali National Park is located in the heart of Alaska, and the weather conditions can be extreme. The best time to visit Denali National Park is during the summer months, when the weather is milder and there are more daylight hours. However, this is also the busiest time of year, so visitors should be prepared for crowds. The worst time to visit Denali National Park is during the winter, when temperatures can drop below zero and there is very little daylight. However, this is also the time of year when Denali National Park is at its most beautiful, with the snow-capped mountains providing a stunning backdrop.
Bryce Canyon National Park Weather Considerations
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southwestern Utah, and it is known for its hoodoos. Hoodoos are formed when an area of rock is more resistant to erosion than the surrounding rock, and over time, the softer rock is worn away, leaving behind the more resistant rock. Bryce Canyon National Park has an average elevation of 8,000 feet, and as a result, the weather can vary considerably throughout the year. The park experiences cold winters with snowfall, and summers are typically hot and dry. Spring and fall are generally the best times to visit Bryce Canyon National Park because the weather is milder. Late summer and early fall can also be a good time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park because the hoodoos take on a reddish hue as the sun sets.