Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Katmai National Park & Preserve: two of Alaska’s most breathtaking national parks. Both offer stunning views of glaciers, wildlife and rugged wilderness, but which one should you choose for your next adventure? In this article, we’ll explore the unique features of each park and help you decide which one is right for you.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering visitors the chance to witness the spectacle of glaciers calving into the sea. The park is home to some of the world’s most active glaciers and is a popular destination for kayaking, whale watching, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can also hike through the park’s stunning wilderness, taking in breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and pristine glaciers.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is famous for its population of brown bears. Each year, thousands of visitors flock to Brooks Camp to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures as they fish for salmon in the Brooks River. In addition to bear watching, visitors can also enjoy fishing, kayaking, and hiking in the park’s rugged wilderness. Whether you’re an avid hiker or a wildlife enthusiast, both Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Katmai National Park & Preserve offer a truly unforgettable experience.
Hiking Trails in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Katmai National Park & Preserve are two of Alaska’s most popular parks, both known for their majestic glaciers and abundant wildlife. Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails, from easy strolls to challenging backcountry treks.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is home to the Bartlett Cove Trail, a 1.5-mile easy hike that offers stunning views of the glaciers and the surrounding bay. Another popular hike is the West Glacier Trail, a 6.5-mile moderate hike that takes you through the heart of the park, with views of glaciers, mountains, and wildlife along the way. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Park has the Muir Trail, a 12-mile trek that takes you through the heart of the wilderness, with breathtaking views of the glaciers and surrounding landscape.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its rugged terrain and diverse wildlife. The park’s Brooks Camp Trail is an easy 2.5-mile hike that takes you through the heart of the park, with opportunities to see bears and other wildlife along the way. The park’s Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is a challenging 8-mile hike that takes you through a volcanic landscape, with stunning views of the ash-filled valleys and steaming vents. For those looking for a true backcountry experience, the park’s Dumpling Mountain Trail is a strenuous 20-mile trek that takes you through the heart of the wilderness, with breathtaking views of the glaciers, mountains, and wildlife along the way.
In conclusion, both Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Katmai National Park & Preserve offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors of all levels, from easy walks to challenging backcountry treks.
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 Katmai National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Falls | 4667.086 | 63.7032 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dumpling Mountain | 4828.02 | 225.8568 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is known for its glaciers and diverse wildlife, including humpback whales, orcas, harbor seals, and sea lions. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including bald eagles, puffins, and cormorants. Additionally, visitors may spot brown and black bears, as well as mountain goats and moose.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is famous for its brown bears. The park is home to one of the largest populations of brown bears in the world, and visitors can watch them fish for salmon in Brooks River. In addition to brown bears, visitors may also spot moose, caribou, and foxes. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with species such as the bald eagle, Arctic tern, and sandhill crane commonly seen.
Both parks offer unique opportunities to see Alaska’s amazing wildlife, but the specific animals you’ll see will depend on the time of year and your specific location within the park. For example, Glacier Bay is best for whale watching in the summer months, while Katmai’s bears are most active in July and September. Regardless of when you visit, both parks are sure to offer breathtaking wildlife sightings and unforgettable experiences.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Katmai National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Katmai 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 | Northern Flicker |
| Northern Flicker | Merlin |
| Merlin | Barn Swallow |
| Barn Swallow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Hermit Thrush |
| Great Blue Heron | American Kestrel |
| Hermit Thrush | Bald Eagle |
| American Kestrel | Song Sparrow |
| Bald Eagle | European Starling |
| Song Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
| European Starling | American Wigeon |
| Northern Pintail | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Wigeon | American Pipit |
| Green-Winged Teal | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Katmai National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Little Brown Bat | Muskrat |
| Deer Mouse | Little Brown Bat |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| House Mouse | Mink |
| Mountain Lion | Gray Wolf |
| Mink | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Mule Deer | Varying Hare |
| Gray Wolf | Northern River Otter |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Masked Shrew |
| Snowshoe Hare | Red Squirrel |
| River Otter | Montane Shrew |
| Masked Shrew | Lynx |
| Water Shrew | Wolverine |
| Red Squirrel | American Marten |
| Montane Shrew | Grizzly Bear |
| Long-Tailed Vole | Meadow Vole |
| Lynx | Moose |
| Wolverine | Least Weasel |
| Marten | Pygmy Shrew |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Meadow Jumping Mouse |
| Grizzly Bear | Northern Bog Lemming |
Fish
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Katmai National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Redband Trout |
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Longnose Sucker | Lake Trout |
| Lake Trout | Northern Pike |
| Northern Pike | Burbot |
| Burbot | Silver Salmon |
| Silver Salmon | King Salmon |
| Chinook Salmon | Slimy Sculpin |
| Slimy Sculpin | Threespine Stickleback |
| Threespine Stickleback | Sockeye Salmon |
| Sockeye Salmon | Pink Salmon |
| Pink Salmon | Chum Salmon |
| Chum Salmon | Dolly Varden |
| Dolly Varden | Arctic Grayling |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Katmai National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a stunning park located in Alaska that covers over 3 million acres. The park is most famous for its glaciers, including the largest tidewater glacier in North America. Visitors can also witness the stunning beauty of the Bay’s glaciers from the water on a boat tour or from the air on a scenic flight. Additionally, the park features numerous hiking trails, including the West Glacier Trail, which offers panoramic views of the glaciers, mountains, and ocean.
Katmai National Park & Preserve is also located in Alaska and covers over 4 million acres. The park is best known for the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a unique volcanic landscape filled with over 100 steam vents and fumaroles. Visitors can also see the famous Brooks Falls, where brown bears come to fish for salmon during the summer months. The park also offers opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, including the chance to see moose, caribou, and bald eagles.
Things To-Do and Activities in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Katmai National Park & Preserve are two of Alaska’s most popular parks. Both offer unique experiences for visitors, but they differ in their main attractions.
Glacier Bay is famous for its glaciers, which visitors can observe from tour boats or kayaks. The park also offers opportunities for whale watching, fishing and wildlife viewing, including otters, seals, bears and eagles. Hiking is also popular in the park, with trails ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry treks.
Katmai, on the other hand, is known for its active brown bears and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a volcanic valley filled with steam vents and ash. Visitors can observe bears fishing for salmon at Brooks Falls, or take a boat tour to see the bears in their natural habitat. The park also offers opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and hiking.
Both Glacier Bay and Katmai offer visitors a chance to experience the rugged beauty and wildlife of Alaska, but each park has its own unique offerings. Whether you’re interested in glaciers, bears or volcanic landscapes, these two parks are must-visits for anyone traveling to Alaska.
Best Time to Visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Katmai National Park & Preserve are both located in Alaska and offer unique and diverse landscapes for visitors to explore. The seasonal weather at these parks, however, can greatly impact the experience for visitors and determine the best time of year to visit.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve has a subarctic climate with mild summers and cold winters. The best time to visit is between May and September, when the weather is warmer and the park’s glaciers are accessible for kayaking and hiking. Winter temperatures can reach well below freezing, making it difficult for visitors to access the park’s features.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, experiences a subarctic climate with cool summers and mild winters. The best time to visit is between June and September, when the weather is warm enough for visitors to enjoy the park’s wildlife and recreational activities. In the winter months, the park is covered in snow, making it more difficult for visitors to access its features.
Both Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Katmai National Park & Preserve offer unique experiences for visitors, but the seasonal weather patterns greatly determine the best time of year to visit. Visitors should plan accordingly and be prepared for the conditions they may encounter during their trip.
Family Friendliness of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Katmai National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Katmai National Park & Preserve are both popular destinations in Alaska, but they offer very different experiences. When it comes to family-friendliness, Glacier Bay may be the better option. This park has a number of ranger-led activities, educational programs and boat tours that are designed to introduce kids to the natural beauty and wildlife of the area. There is also a visitor center with interactive exhibits, as well as a number of scenic hikes and shore walks that are suitable for families.
Katmai National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is more rugged and remote. While it does offer opportunities for wildlife viewing, such as the famous Brooks Falls where visitors can observe grizzly bears catching salmon, the park is not as well-equipped for families. There are fewer ranger-led activities and educational programs, and the park can be challenging to navigate for those unfamiliar with the wilderness.
Both parks are beautiful and offer unique experiences, but if you’re traveling with children, Glacier Bay is likely the better choice. With its many family-friendly activities, educational programs and visitor center, it provides a great introduction to the natural wonders of Alaska.