Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park are two of the most popular natural attractions in the United States, and for good reason. They both offer a unique blend of stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife, making them ideal destinations for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and adventure seekers alike. Whether you’re a fan of glaciers, lakes, forests, or wildlife, these two parks are sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
But which one is the best choice for your next vacation? That’s a question many people ask themselves when planning a trip to the great outdoors. To help answer that question, we’ve put together a comprehensive comparison of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park. In this article, we’ll explore everything from the geography and topography to the wildlife and recreational activities available at each park, so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
So, if you’re ready to plan your next adventure in the great outdoors, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and read on to find out which of these two amazing parks is right for you!
Hiking Trails in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park are two of the most popular parks in the US. Both offer incredible hiking trails that are sure to impress even the most seasoned hikers.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve boasts a number of challenging hikes, including the Bartlett Cove Trail and the West Glacier Trail. The Bartlett Cove Trail is a strenuous hike that takes you through dense forests and along the coast, offering breathtaking views of the park’s glaciers. The West Glacier Trail is a more difficult hike, taking you through rugged terrain and over steep inclines. Both of these hikes are perfect for those looking for a true wilderness adventure.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, is home to some of the easiest hikes in the country. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center Trail and the Rainy Lake Trail are two of the most popular and accessible hikes in the park. These trails are perfect for families and those seeking a leisurely hike through the park’s beautiful forests and along the shore of Rainy Lake.
Harder hikes can also be found at Voyageurs National Park, such as the Kettle Falls Trail, which takes you through rugged terrain and over steep inclines, offering stunning views of the park’s lakes and forests. The Angleworm Trail is another challenging hike, taking you through dense forests and along the shores of Angleworm Lake.
Overall, both Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park offer a range of hiking trails, from easy and accessible to challenging and strenuous. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a leisurely stroll, there’s something for everyone in these two incredible parks.
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 Voyageurs National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park are both known for their rich and diverse wildlife. Glacier Bay is home to a variety of marine mammals, such as humpback whales, orcas, sea lions and harbor seals, as well as a variety of bird species like bald eagles, puffins and guillemots. The park is also known for its abundant plant life, including glaciers, glaciers, glaciers, glaciers, and glaciers, as well as meadows, forests and wetlands.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, is known for its populations of moose, deer, and black bears, as well as a variety of bird species like loons, eagles and ospreys. The park is also known for its diverse plant life, including bogs, coniferous forests and wetlands, as well as its clear lakes and rivers. The park is also home to a variety of fish, including walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass.
Both Glacier Bay and Voyageurs National Parks are unique and offer a chance to see a wide range of wildlife in their natural habitats. Whether you are interested in marine mammals, birds, plants or fish, both parks are sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Voyageurs 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 | Voyageurs 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 | Porcupine |
| Gray Wolf | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Hoary Bat |
| Snowshoe Hare | Red Fox |
| River Otter | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Masked Shrew | House Mouse |
| Water Shrew | Mountain Lion |
| Red Squirrel | Mink |
| Montane Shrew | Common Gray Fox |
| Long-Tailed Vole | Plains Wolf |
| Lynx | American Badger |
| Wolverine | Ermine |
| Marten | Snowshoe Hare |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | River Otter |
| Grizzly Bear | Masked Shrew |
Fish
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Longnose Sucker | Green Sunfish |
| Lake Trout | Bluegill |
| Northern Pike | Fathead Minnow |
| Burbot | Golden Shiner |
| Silver Salmon | Lake Trout |
| Chinook Salmon | Northern Pike |
| Slimy Sculpin | Ellpout |
| Threespine Stickleback | Mottled Sculpin |
| Sockeye Salmon | Slimy Sculpin |
| Pink Salmon | Longnose Dace |
| Chum Salmon | Black Crappie |
| Dolly Varden | Black Bullhead |
| Cutthroat Trout | Creek Chub |
| Arctic Grayling | Brown Bullhead |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, located in Alaska, features stunning glaciers, fjords and wildlife. The park is home to the 16-mile-long Glacier Bay, where visitors can witness the retreat of glaciers and the resulting impact on the surrounding landscape. The park also offers opportunities for kayaking, whale watching, and hiking.
Voyageurs National Park, located in northern Minnesota, is centered around the interconnected waterways of Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, and Namakan Lake. The park is known for its stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife, including moose, bald eagles, and beavers. Visitors can enjoy canoeing, boating, and fishing in the park’s waterways, as well as hiking and camping on its scenic islands. Additionally, the park is famous for its night skies, which offer breathtaking views of the stars and northern lights.
Both Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park offer unique and breathtaking landscapes that are well worth a visit. Whether you’re interested in glaciers, waterways, or wildlife, these parks are sure to leave you in awe of the natural beauty of the United States.
Things To-Do and Activities in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both offer unique and diverse natural experiences, but there are some differences between the two.
Glacier Bay is famous for its glaciers, and visitors can take a boat tour to see them up close. The park also offers opportunities for kayaking, whale watching, and fishing. In contrast, Voyageurs National Park is known for its waterways. Visitors here can enjoy boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing on the numerous lakes and rivers in the park. Both parks offer ample opportunities for wildlife viewing, including moose, bear, and bald eagles.
In terms of hiking, Glacier Bay has a number of trails that lead to stunning vistas and waterfalls. Voyageurs, on the other hand, has a more limited number of trails, but they offer a unique experience, with many of them following the park’s waterways.
Overall, both Glacier Bay and Voyageurs offer a wide range of outdoor activities, but they each have their own unique features. Visitors to Glacier Bay will be drawn to its glaciers and stunning vistas, while those visiting Voyageurs will be drawn to its waterways and opportunities for boating and canoeing.
Best Time to Visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park are both located in Alaska and offer unique and diverse experiences for visitors. However, their seasonal weather is different and affects when is the best time to visit each park.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve experiences a subarctic climate with cool summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures range from 40-60°F while winter temperatures can drop to below 0°F. The best time to visit Glacier Bay is during the summer months, when the weather is mild and the park’s glaciers are accessible by boat tour.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, has a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures average in the 70-80°F range while winter temperatures can drop below freezing. The best time to visit Voyageurs is during the summer months, when the park’s water routes are open for boating, fishing, and canoeing. Winter activities such as snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are also popular.
In conclusion, both Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park offer unique experiences for visitors, but their seasonal weather affects when is the best time to visit each park. Visitors should plan their trips accordingly to take advantage of the best weather and activities each park has to offer.
Family Friendliness of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Voyageurs National Park are two great options for families looking for a national park adventure. Both parks offer unique experiences, but it depends on what type of experience you are looking for. Glacier Bay has rugged wilderness and pristine glaciers that are best explored by boat cruises. While these cruises are not recommended for young children, they provide a spectacular view of the glaciers and wildlife that can be seen from the boat.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, is a water-based park that is ideal for families with children. The park provides easy access to its many bays, lakes and waterways, which are perfect for kayaking, fishing, and swimming. In addition, the park has many campgrounds, picnic areas, and hiking trails that are perfect for families to explore. This park is also known for its stargazing opportunities, making it a great place to spend time outside and enjoy the natural beauty of the stars.
In conclusion, if you are traveling with children, Voyageurs National Park is the better option as it provides more opportunities for family-friendly activities such as kayaking, fishing and hiking. Meanwhile, Glacier Bay is better suited for older children and adults who want to experience the rugged wilderness and stunning glaciers.