Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Indiana Dunes National Park are two of the most unique and beautiful national parks in the United States. While both parks offer breathtaking natural beauty and a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities, each has its own distinct character and charm that sets it apart from the other.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is known for its stunning glaciers, pristine wilderness, and abundant wildlife. This remote park offers visitors the chance to experience the raw power of nature, with towering glaciers, crystal-clear waters, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can kayak, hike, or take a boat tour to explore the park and its breathtaking landscapes.
Indiana Dunes National Park, on the other hand, is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and is known for its rolling sand dunes, diverse wildlife, and miles of pristine beaches. This park is the perfect destination for anyone looking for a relaxing getaway, with plenty of opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just looking for a quiet place to unwind, Indiana Dunes National Park has something for everyone.
So which park is right for you? Read on to find out!
Hiking Trails in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Indiana Dunes National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and offers a variety of hiking trails ranging from easy to challenging. The park is known for its glaciers, towering mountains, and stunning views of the ocean. Some of the easier hikes include the South Marble Island Trail, which leads to a beautiful beach and offers views of the glaciers, and the Bartlett Cove Trail, which is a flat, easy walk through the forest.
On the other hand, Indiana Dunes National Park is located in Indiana and offers a variety of hiking trails in a completely different landscape. The park is known for its miles of sandy beaches, diverse ecosystems, and unique sand dunes. Some of the easiest hikes include the Dunes Succession Trail, which showcases the different plant communities found in the park, and the Bailly Homestead Trail, which is a short, easy walk through the woods.
For those seeking a more challenging hike, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offers the McBride Glacier Trail, which is a strenuous hike to the face of the glacier, and the Beartrack Cove Trail, which is a strenuous hike through the forest and along the beach. Indiana Dunes National Park also offers challenging hikes, such as the Cowles Bog Trail, which is a strenuous hike through a unique wetland, and the Mount Tom Trail, which is a strenuous hike to the top of one of the park’s tallest sand dunes.
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 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Indiana Dunes National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowles Bog Trail | 6920.162 | 64.9224 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Little Calumet River Trail Loop | 6276.426 | 50.9016 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| West Beach Loop with Scallop Dunes and Long Lake Trail | 5471.756 | 78.9432 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Dune Succession and West Beach Walk | 4345.218 | 43.8912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| West Beach Loop | 1770.274 | 28.956 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Miller Woods Trail | 6115.492 | 40.8432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dune Ridge Trail | 1448.406 | 26.8224 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Tolleston Dunes | 5149.888 | 52.7304 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beach Trail to Waverly Beach | 1609.34 | 5.7912 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Indiana’s Lake Michigan Shoreline Scenic Drive | 35083.612 | 84.7344 | Moderate | point to point | 3.5 |
Wildlife in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Indiana Dunes National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a popular destination located in Alaska, USA. It is known for its stunning glaciers, wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes. Visitors can expect to see a variety of wildlife such as whales, sea otters, and bald eagles. The park is also home to a diverse range of plant species, including hemlock, spruce, and cottonwood trees.
Indiana Dunes National Park, on the other hand, is situated on the southern shore of Lake Michigan in Indiana, USA. The park is a popular destination for bird-watching, with over 300 species of birds known to inhabit the area. Visitors can expect to see a variety of birds, such as sandpipers, shorebirds, and warblers. The park is also home to diverse plant species, including prairie grasses, wildflowers and oak trees.
Both parks offer unique wildlife viewing experiences and are a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. While Glacier Bay is known for its whale watching and bird-watching opportunities, Indiana Dunes is a great place to see a diverse range of bird species and view the prairies and oak forests. Both parks are also great places to see unique plant species and learn about the diverse ecosystems that exist in these areas.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Indiana Dunes National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Indiana Dunes 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
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Indiana Dunes National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Little Brown Bat | Muskrat |
| Deer Mouse | Big Brown Bat |
| Black Bear | Bobcat |
| Porcupine | Striped Skunk |
| Red Fox | Little Brown Bat |
| House Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Raccoon |
| Mink | Black Bear |
| 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 | Mink |
| Water Shrew | Gray Fox |
| Red Squirrel | North American River Otter |
| Montane Shrew | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Long-Tailed Vole | White-Tailed Deer |
| Lynx | Virginia Opossum |
| Wolverine | Eastern Red Bat |
| Marten | White-Footed Mouse |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Norway Rat |
| Grizzly Bear | Eastern Cottontail |
Fish
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Indiana Dunes National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brook Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Longnose Sucker | Bluegill |
| Lake Trout | Fathead Minnow |
| Northern Pike | Golden Shiner |
| Burbot | European Carp |
| Silver Salmon | Yellow Bullhead |
| Chinook Salmon | Graceful Catfish |
| Slimy Sculpin | Black Crappie |
| Threespine Stickleback | Black Bullhead |
| Sockeye Salmon | Mosquitofish |
| Pink Salmon | Creek Chub |
| Chum Salmon | Brown Bullhead |
| Dolly Varden | Goldfish |
| Cutthroat Trout | Smallmouth Bass |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Indiana Dunes National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Bullfrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Indiana Dunes National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is home to glaciers, fjords, and snow-capped peaks. The park’s most famous landscape is the Marjorie Glacier, which towers over the waters of the bay. Visitors can take a boat tour to see the glacier and get up close to its icy walls. The park is also home to the Fairweather Range, a line of majestic peaks that rise above the glaciers and fjords.
Indiana Dunes National Park, located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, is known for its beautiful sand dunes, forests, and wetlands. The park’s most famous landscape is Mount Baldy, a massive sand dune that towers over the surrounding landscape. Visitors can hike to the top of Mount Baldy for panoramic views of the lake and surrounding countryside. The park is also home to a variety of wetlands, including marshes and swamps, that are home to a rich variety of wildlife, such as otters, beavers, and herons.
Things To-Do and Activities in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Indiana Dunes National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska and Indiana Dunes National Park in Indiana are very different in terms of the popular activities they offer. Glacier Bay is known for its stunning glaciers, marine wildlife and kayaking opportunities, while Indiana Dunes offers a variety of outdoor activities such as sand dune hiking, beachcombing, and bird watching.
At Glacier Bay, visitors can take a boat tour to observe whales, seals, and sea lions in their natural habitat. The park is also a popular kayaking destination, with visitors able to paddle through the stunning glaciers and fjords. On land, visitors can explore the park’s wilderness on foot, with trails ranging from easy to strenuous.
Indiana Dunes is a popular destination for families, with its 15,000 acres of sand dunes and 15 miles of sandy beaches. Hiking and bird watching are popular activities, with over 350 species of birds that can be seen in the park. The park also has several picnic areas and campgrounds, making it a great destination for those looking for a family-friendly outdoor experience.
In conclusion, both Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Indiana Dunes National Park offer unique and diverse experiences for visitors. Whether you are looking for a wilderness adventure or a relaxing beach vacation, these parks have something for every type of traveler.
Best Time to Visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Indiana Dunes National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, experiences a more extreme climate than Indiana Dunes National Park located in the Midwest region of the United States. In Glacier Bay, summers are short and mild with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to mid-60s Fahrenheit, while winters are long and harsh with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to mid-30s. In contrast, Indiana Dunes experiences warm summers with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to low-80s and cold winters with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to low-30s.
The best time to visit Glacier Bay is during the summer months of June to August when the weather is mild and wildlife is abundant. In Indiana Dunes, the best time to visit is during the spring and fall months when temperatures are mild and the park is less crowded. Winter months in Indiana Dunes can also be enjoyable for outdoor activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, making it a year-round destination.
In conclusion, both Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Indiana Dunes National Park offer unique experiences, but the weather conditions and seasonal changes affect the best time to visit. Visitors to Glacier Bay should plan their trip during the summer months for optimal wildlife viewing and mild weather, while those visiting Indiana Dunes can enjoy mild temperatures and fewer crowds during the spring and fall, or winter activities.
Family Friendliness of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Indiana Dunes National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, offers a unique experience for families with its stunning glaciers and diverse wildlife. The park offers various ranger-led activities, including whale watching and kayaking, which are perfect for families. However, the remote location and limited amenities can make it difficult for families with young children.
On the other hand, Indiana Dunes National Park, located in the Midwest, offers a more accessible and accommodating environment for families. The park features 15,000 acres of sand dunes, forests, wetlands, and prairies, providing a variety of outdoor activities for families. There are also several picnic areas, playgrounds, and campgrounds for families to enjoy. In addition, the park is located near several cities, making it easy for families to find restaurants, shops, and other attractions.
When it comes to family-friendliness, Indiana Dunes National Park is the clear winner. The park’s accessibility and variety of amenities make it a great destination for families with children. However, for families looking for a more unique and adventurous experience, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a great option, offering the chance to see glaciers and wildlife in a remote and stunning setting.