Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park are two of the most stunning and diverse wilderness areas in the United States. Both parks offer a unique blend of rugged beauty, breathtaking landscapes, and abundant wildlife. However, they couldn’t be more different from each other in terms of climate, geography, and activities. In this article, we will compare and contrast these two national parks, so you can decide which one is right for your next adventure.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is a true gem of the Northern Hemisphere. This park features glaciers, fjords, and snow-capped peaks that will take your breath away. With its subarctic climate, visitors can hike on glaciers, kayak in the nearby waters, and witness the incredible migration of humpback whales.
On the other hand, Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California is a desert oasis that offers a completely different landscape. This park is home to the iconic Joshua trees, which can grow up to 40 feet tall, as well as towering rock formations that have been shaped by wind and water over millions of years. Visitors can hike, rock climb, or simply enjoy the stunning sunsets and starry nights in this unique desert environment.
Hiking Trails in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and features a diverse landscape of glaciers, fjords, and forests. Joshua Tree National Park, on the other hand, is located in California and boasts desert landscapes with unique rock formations and Joshua trees.
For hikers, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offers various trails ranging from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes is the Bartlett Cove Trail, a 2-mile round trip hike that leads to a beach and offers views of glaciers and wildlife. For a more challenging hike, try the West Arm Trail, which is a 11-mile round trip trek that takes you through the park’s backcountry and offers stunning views of the glaciers and fjords.
In Joshua Tree National Park, the easiest hike is the Cholla Cactus Garden Trail, a 0.5-mile loop trail that takes you through a field of cholla cactus. The hardest hike in the park is the Ryan Mountain Trail, a 3-mile round trip hike that takes you to the top of Ryan Mountain and offers panoramic views of the park. Other challenging hikes include the Lost Horse Mine Trail, a 4.5-mile round trip hike that takes you to an abandoned gold mine, and the Boy Scout Trail, a 7.2-mile round trip trek through the park’s backcountry.
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 Joshua Tree National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Mountain Trail | 4828.02 | 325.8312 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Barker Dam Nature Trail | 2896.812 | 19.812 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hidden Valley Nature Trail | 1609.34 | 34.7472 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Lost Palms Oasis | 11587.248 | 312.7248 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Arch Rock Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 7.9248 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail | 4506.152 | 188.976 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail | 11104.446 | 277.9776 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Skull Rock Nature Trail | 2735.878 | 48.768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail | 321.868 | 1.8288 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Willow Hole Trail | 10943.512 | 74.9808 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska is a wilderness wonderland, offering a unique opportunity to view wildlife in its natural habitat. Visitors can see humpback whales, sea otters, and sea lions, as well as bald eagles, ravens, and other birds of prey. The park is also home to a variety of plant life, including spruce trees and wildflowers.
In contrast, Joshua Tree National Park in California is a desert environment that is home to a different set of wildlife. Visitors can spot jackrabbits, roadrunners, and rattlesnakes, as well as a variety of birds, including the cactus wren and the phainopepla. The park is also home to the iconic Joshua tree, as well as a variety of cacti and other desert plants.
While both parks offer unique opportunities to view wildlife, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a must-visit for anyone interested in marine wildlife, while Joshua Tree National Park is a must-visit for anyone interested in desert wildlife. Visitors to both parks will be treated to an unforgettable experience and memories that will last a lifetime.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Joshua Tree 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 | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
| Little Brown Bat | Bobcat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | House Mouse |
| Mountain Lion | Cougar |
| Mink | Mule Deer |
| Mule Deer | Gray Fox |
| Gray Wolf | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | American Badger |
| Snowshoe Hare | Californian Myotis |
| River Otter | Snowhsoe Hare |
| Masked Shrew | Fringed Myotis |
| Water Shrew | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Red Squirrel | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Montane Shrew | Pallid Bat |
| Long-Tailed Vole | Ringtail |
| Lynx | Desert Cottontail |
| Wolverine | Virginia Opossum |
| Marten | Black-Tailed Jackrabbit |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Brush Deermouse |
| Grizzly Bear | Western Spotted Skunk |
Fish
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Goldfish |
| Brook Trout | |
| 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
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Canyon Treefrog |
Reptiles
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake |
Insects
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska, USA and is famous for its glaciers, fjords, and wildlife. The park is home to the famous Marjorie Glacier which is the main attraction of the park. Visitors can take a boat tour to see the glacier up close and witness its beauty and power. The park is also home to various wildlife species such as humpback whales, otters, and bald eagles.
Joshua Tree National Park is located in California, USA and is famous for its namesake trees, rock formations, and desert landscapes. The park is home to the famous Joshua trees, which are a type of yucca plant, and are the main attraction of the park. Visitors can also explore the park’s rock formations, including the famous boulders, and take in the breathtaking views of the desert landscape from various overlooks. The park is also home to various wildlife species such as bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and rattlesnakes.
Both parks offer unique and breathtaking landscapes that are worth visiting. Whether it’s the glaciers, fjords, and wildlife at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve or the Joshua trees, rock formations, and desert landscapes at Joshua Tree National Park, both parks are sure to leave visitors in awe of nature’s beauty.
Things To-Do and Activities in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park are two popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a unique set of activities for visitors to enjoy.
At Glacier Bay, visitors can experience a diverse set of landscapes, from glaciers and fjords to rainforests and wildlife. Popular activities include kayaking, whale watching, and hiking. Visitors can also take ranger-led boat tours to see the glaciers up close and learn about the park’s history and geology.
At Joshua Tree, visitors can explore the park’s unique landscape of giant rock formations and Joshua trees. Popular activities include rock climbing, stargazing, and hiking. Visitors can also take scenic drives through the park to see the unique landscape and wildlife. The park is also known for its vibrant nightlife, with many visitors enjoying camping and stargazing under the clear night skies.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to connect with nature, whether it’s through exploring the incredible landscapes or observing the diverse wildlife. Whether you’re a hiker, kayaker, rock climber, or simply a nature lover, both Glacier Bay and Joshua Tree have something to offer for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park are two very different destinations, each with its own unique climate and weather patterns.
Glacier Bay, located in Alaska, is known for its cool, wet weather and heavy snowfall during the winter months. The best time to visit this park is during the summer months of June through August, when temperatures are warmer, and the snow has melted, making it easier to access the park’s glaciers and other attractions. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 60°F and the park experiences long hours of daylight.
On the other hand, Joshua Tree National Park is located in the Mojave Desert of California and experiences hot, dry weather during the summer months and cool, mild weather during the winter months. The best time to visit this park is during the spring and fall months, when temperatures are more comfortable and the park’s famous Joshua trees are in full bloom. During the spring months, temperatures can range from 60°F to 80°F, making it the perfect time for outdoor activities.
Both parks offer unique experiences, and the weather and seasonal changes greatly affect the best time to visit. It’s important to consider these factors when planning a trip to either Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve or Joshua Tree National Park.
Family Friendliness of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park are both popular destinations for families but offer different experiences. Glacier Bay is a remote wilderness area with limited visitor facilities, but offers access to glaciers and wildlife, including humpback whales, seals, and sea otters. The park is less accessible than Joshua Tree, with limited road access and boat or floatplane transportation needed to reach it. However, this remote setting can provide an immersive wilderness experience for families who are looking for a unique adventure.
In contrast, Joshua Tree is more accessible and has more visitor facilities, including campgrounds, picnic areas, and hiking trails. The park is famous for its unique desert landscape and rock formations, offering opportunities for rock climbing and stargazing. It also has a variety of educational and ranger-led programs for families to participate in.
When it comes to family-friendliness, both parks have something to offer, but it ultimately depends on the preferences and interests of the family. For families seeking a remote wilderness experience with opportunities to observe wildlife, Glacier Bay may be a better choice. For families looking for a more accessible park with a variety of visitor facilities and educational programs, Joshua Tree may be a better fit.