Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park are two of the most breathtaking and unique wilderness areas in the United States. Both parks offer visitors a chance to experience the raw power and majesty of nature, from the glaciers of Glacier Bay to the fiery peaks of Lassen. Whether you are an avid hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply someone looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, these parks have something for everyone.
In this article, we will compare and contrast Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park, highlighting the best features of each park and helping you decide which one is the perfect destination for your next adventure. From the glaciers that march down from the peaks of the Alaska Range to the steaming vents and bubbling mud pots of Lassen, these parks are truly one-of-a-kind experiences that shouldn’t be missed. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to discover two of America’s most stunning wilderness areas!
Hiking Trails in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park are two popular national parks in the United States that offer unique and challenging hiking experiences. Both parks are known for their diverse landscapes and breathtaking views, but they differ in their topography, weather, and trail offerings.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its glaciers, fjords, and rugged coastlines. The park has a variety of trails, ranging from easy boardwalk trails to strenuous backcountry hikes. Some of the easiest hikes include the Bartlett Cove Trail and the Beach Trail, which are both wheelchair-accessible and offer stunning views of the park’s glaciers and wildlife. The hardest hike in the park is the McBride Glacier Trail, which is a 12-mile round trip hike that takes you to the base of a massive glacier.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in California and is known for its volcanic activity and geothermal features. The park has a variety of trails, ranging from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry hikes. Some of the easiest hikes include the Bumpass Hell Trail, which is a 1.5-mile round-trip hike that takes you to a geothermal area, and the Manzanita Lake Trail, which is a 2-mile round-trip hike that takes you around a beautiful lake. The hardest hike in the park is the Lassen Peak Trail, which is a 5-mile round-trip hike that takes you to the top of a volcanic peak.
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 Lassen Volcanic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lassen Peak | 8207.634 | 599.8464 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Kings Creek Falls Trail | 4345.218 | 143.8656 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cinder Cone Nature Trail | 7724.832 | 317.9064 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Brokeoff Mountain Trail | 12230.984 | 786.9936 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Mill Creek Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 237.744 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Manzanita Lake Loop | 3057.746 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Devil’s Kitchen Trail | 7402.964 | 187.7568 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chaos Crags Trail | 6437.36 | 301.752 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cluster Lakes Loop Trail | 16737.136 | 451.7136 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Boiling Springs Lake Loop Trail | 3701.482 | 75.8952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park are two famous national parks in the United States with distinct differences in terms of wildlife. In Glacier Bay, visitors may encounter a variety of marine mammals such as humpback whales, harbor seals, and sea lions. The park is also home to a large number of bird species, including bald eagles, cormorants, and puffins. On land, visitors may spot black and brown bears, moose, and mountain goats.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the other hand, offers a unique blend of wildlife and volcanic landscapes. Visitors may encounter black bears, mule deer, and many species of birds such as the mountain bluebird, the western tanager, and the spotted owl. The park is also home to a number of plant species, such as the hemlock, the western red cedar, and the Douglas-fir.
Both parks offer visitors a chance to see some of the most beautiful and unique wildlife in the United States. Whether you prefer the rugged beauty of the glaciers in Glacier Bay or the volcanic landscapes of Lassen Volcanic National Park, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience filled with opportunities to see amazing wildlife.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic 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 | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | American Beaver |
| American Beaver | Muskrat |
| Little Brown Bat | Bobcat |
| Deer Mouse | Striped Skunk |
| Black Bear | Raccoon |
| Porcupine | Black Bear |
| Red Fox | Silver-Haired Bat |
| House Mouse | Hoary Bat |
| Mountain Lion | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mink | Mountain Lion |
| Mule Deer | Mink |
| Gray Wolf | Mule Deer |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Gray Fox |
| Snowshoe Hare | Wolf |
| River Otter | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Masked Shrew | Snowshoe Hare |
| Water Shrew | Fringed Myotis |
| Red Squirrel | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Montane Shrew | Yuma Myotis |
| Long-Tailed Vole | Bighorn Sheep |
| Lynx | Montane Shrew |
| Wolverine | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Marten | Ringtail |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Virginia Opossum |
| Grizzly Bear | Wolverine |
Fish
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Redband Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Longnose Sucker | Brown Trout |
| Lake Trout | Fathead Minnow |
| Northern Pike | Golden Shiner |
| Burbot | Silver Salmon |
| Silver Salmon | King Salmon |
| Chinook Salmon | Mottled Sculpin |
| Slimy Sculpin | Speckled Dace |
| Threespine Stickleback | Brown Bullhead |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Bullfrog |
Reptiles
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Buckeye | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska is known for its stunning glaciers and fjords, while Lassen Volcanic National Park in California is famous for its active volcanic activity. In Glacier Bay, visitors can take a boat tour to see the glaciers up close and witness the amazing power of ice and water carving out the rugged coastline. The park also offers scenic hikes, kayaking and wildlife viewing opportunities, including humpback whales and sea lions.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the other hand, boasts four types of volcanic activity: mud pots, fumaroles, hot springs, and boiling pools. Additionally, visitors can hike to the summit of Lassen Peak, a 10,457-foot active volcano, for breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The park also features over 150 miles of hiking trails, including a trek through the Bumpass Hell geothermal area, where you can see colorful pools and steaming vents. Whether you’re looking for glaciers, volcanoes, or a combination of both, both parks offer unique and unforgettable landscapes.
Things To-Do and Activities in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park offer a diverse range of outdoor activities for visitors. In Glacier Bay, visitors can enjoy whale watching, kayaking, and take a scenic flight to see the glaciers. The park is also home to a number of glaciers, including the Margerie Glacier which is the most visited. In addition to the glaciers, visitors can also explore the park’s diverse wildlife, including bears, mountain goats, and seals.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the other hand, offers a more volcanic landscape, with opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping. The park is home to Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world, and visitors can hike to the summit for panoramic views of the surrounding area. The park also offers an array of geothermal features, including boiling mud pots and steaming fumaroles.
Both parks provide opportunities for scenic drives, with Glacier Bay offering a scenic route along the coast and Lassen offering a drive through the park to see the volcanic landscape. Additionally, visitors to both parks can attend ranger-led programs and educational walks to learn about the unique geology, wildlife and history of the area. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful hike or an adventure, both parks offer something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska and Lassen Volcanic National Park in California have vastly different seasonal weather patterns. Glacier Bay experiences a maritime climate with cool, wet summers and cold, dry winters. The best time to visit is during the summer months, when temperatures are mild and the park’s glaciers are accessible by boat. On the other hand, Lassen Volcanic National Park experiences a subalpine climate with long, cold winters and short, warm summers. Winter is the best time to visit Lassen if you enjoy snow sports, while the summer months are ideal for hiking and exploring the park’s geothermal features.
It’s important to note that both parks can experience unpredictable weather, with sudden changes in temperature and precipitation, so be prepared for anything when visiting. Additionally, both parks offer unique weather-related experiences that are only available during certain times of the year. For example, Lassen’s famous hydrothermal features, such as boiling mud pots and steaming vents, are most active during the summer months. In Glacier Bay, visitors can witness the awe-inspiring sight of calving glaciers during the summer months.
Family Friendliness of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are two popular destinations for families who love outdoor adventures. Both parks offer unique experiences, but if you are traveling with children, it’s important to consider which park is more family-friendly.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a great option for families looking for an educational experience. The park is home to a variety of volcanic features, including geysers and mud pots, which are fascinating for kids to learn about. Additionally, the park has many hiking trails, which are great for families to explore together.
On the other hand, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a more remote and rugged destination, but it also provides some of the most stunning views of glaciers and wildlife in Alaska. The park offers a variety of boat tours, which are a great way for families to get up close and personal with the glaciers and wildlife. However, the boat tours can be expensive, so families should be prepared to spend a significant amount of money.
In conclusion, both Lassen Volcanic National Park and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve are great options for families who love outdoor adventures. However, depending on what you’re looking for, one park may be more family-friendly than the other. If you’re looking for an educational experience and more accessible hiking trails, Lassen Volcanic National Park is the better choice. If you’re looking for stunning views of glaciers and wildlife, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is the way to go.