Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wind Cave National Park are two of America’s most unique and awe-inspiring natural wonders. Both parks offer visitors a chance to explore some of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes and to witness the power of nature at its finest.
But what sets these two parks apart? Well, Glacier Bay is home to towering glaciers, majestic whales, and a landscape that’s constantly changing due to the forces of nature. On the other hand, Wind Cave is a subterranean wonderland filled with intricate cave formations, diverse wildlife, and a rich history that spans thousands of years.
So, if you’re looking for an adventure that will take you from the top of towering glaciers to the depths of a mysterious cave, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you prefer the rugged beauty of glaciers or the underground magic of Wind Cave, there’s a little something for everyone in these two incredible parks.
Hiking Trails in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wind Cave National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wind Cave National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a diverse range of hiking trails, from easy walks to challenging backcountry treks.
One of the easiest hikes in Glacier Bay is the Bartlett Cove Trail, which is a 1.5-mile round trip hike. The Bartlett Cove Trail offers breathtaking views of the park’s glaciers and wildlife, including whales, seals, and bald eagles. Another easy hike is the McBride Glacier Trail, a 2.5-mile round trip hike that takes you to the face of the McBride Glacier.
On the other hand, the most challenging hike in Glacier Bay is the Muir Inlet Trail, a 12-mile round trip hike that takes you through the heart of the park’s wilderness. The Muir Inlet Trail offers stunning views of glaciers, wildlife, and the park’s rugged coastal landscape.
At Wind Cave National Park, the easiest hike is the Rankin Ridge Trail, a 1.5-mile loop that takes you to the top of Rankin Ridge. The trail offers panoramic views of the park’s prairies and wildlife, including bison, pronghorns, and coyotes. The hardest hike in Wind Cave is the Centennial Trail, a 10-mile loop that takes you deep into the park’s backcountry. The Centennial Trail offers a unique opportunity to explore the park’s rugged terrain and diverse wildlife.
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 Wind Cave National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wind Cave National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a stunning natural wonder that boasts a rich array of wildlife. Visitors can expect to see a variety of marine animals such as Orcas, Humpback Whales, Harbor Seals, Sea Otters, and Steller Sea Lions. Bird watchers will love the park as it’s home to over 40 species of birds including Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and Tufted Puffins. The park is also a great place to see wildlife on land, including Black Bears, Caribou, and Mountain Goats. The park’s lush vegetation and stunning glaciers provide a unique habitat for these animals to thrive.
On the other hand, Wind Cave National Park offers a different type of wildlife experience. The park is home to a variety of mammals such as Bison, Elk, Pronghorn, and Black-tailed Prairie Dogs. Bird enthusiasts will love the park as it’s home to over 200 species of birds including Prairie Falcons, Red-tailed Hawks, and Golden Eagles. Wind Cave is also home to a unique species of bats, the Cave Bat. In addition to the bats, visitors can also see several species of reptiles, including snakes and lizards. The park’s vast grasslands provide a diverse habitat for these animals to thrive.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wind Cave National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Wind Cave 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 | Wind Cave 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 | Weasels |
| Masked Shrew | House Mouse |
| Water Shrew | Mountain Lion |
| Red Squirrel | Mink |
| Montane Shrew | Mule Deer |
| Long-Tailed Vole | Wolf |
| Lynx | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Wolverine | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Marten | Badger |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Ermine |
| Grizzly Bear | Fringed Myotis |
Fish
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brook Trout | Fathead Minnow |
| Longnose Sucker | Long Nose Dace |
| Lake Trout | Black Bullhead |
| Northern Pike | Creek Chub |
| 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 | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouses Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Bull Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Milksnake |
Insects
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfer | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary |
Beautiful Landscapes in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wind Cave National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its magnificent glaciers, towering mountains, and pristine wilderness. Visitors can see glaciers calving into the sea and explore the park’s lush rainforests and fjords. The park’s main attraction is the Marjorie Glacier, which is one of the largest glaciers in Alaska and can be seen from the park’s scenic overlooks. Glacier Bay also offers paddling, fishing, and hiking opportunities for visitors who want to experience the park’s wilderness up close.
Wind Cave National Park is a unique park located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The park is famous for its underground caves and prairies, which offer a stark contrast to the glaciers and mountains of Glacier Bay. Wind Cave is one of the longest and most complex caves in the world and is home to a rare geological formation known as boxwork. Visitors can take guided tours of the caves and explore the park’s prairies, where bison and other wildlife roam free. The park also offers hiking, camping, and horseback riding opportunities for visitors who want to experience the park’s rugged beauty.
Things To-Do and Activities in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wind Cave National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wind Cave National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. These parks are known for their unique geological features and diverse wildlife. Glacier Bay is located in Alaska and is home to glaciers, fjords, and whales, while Wind Cave is located in South Dakota and is known for its intricate cave system and bison herds.
Visitors to Glacier Bay love to go whale watching, kayaking, and fishing. The best time for whale watching is during the summer months, when visitors can see humpback whales, orcas, and other marine mammals. Kayaking is another popular activity, as visitors can explore the stunning fjords and glaciers up close. Fishing is also a popular activity, with visitors able to catch salmon and halibut in the park’s waters.
Wind Cave National Park is a popular destination for wildlife viewing, hiking, and cave tours. The park is home to a large herd of bison, which visitors can observe from the park’s scenic drives. Hiking is also popular, with visitors able to explore the park’s rolling grasslands and forests. The highlight of Wind Cave, however, is its intricate cave system, which visitors can explore on guided tours. These tours showcase the unique rock formations and underground passages that make Wind Cave one of the world’s most unique geological wonders.
Best Time to Visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wind Cave National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wind Cave National Park are two unique national parks located in different parts of the United States. The seasonal weather at these parks is vastly different, affecting the best time of year to visit each park.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is known for its cold, wet weather, with temperatures ranging from the high 40s to low 50s in the summer to below freezing in the winter. Despite the cold and wet weather, the summer months are the best time to visit Glacier Bay National Park, as the warmer temperatures and long daylight hours make it easier to explore the park’s glaciers and wildlife.
Wind Cave National Park, located in South Dakota, is known for its hot, dry weather, with temperatures ranging from the high 80s to low 90s in the summer to the high 30s to low 40s in the winter. The best time to visit Wind Cave National Park is in the fall and winter, when the temperatures are cooler, making it more comfortable to explore the park’s caves, which can get very hot in the summer months.
Family Friendliness of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wind Cave National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska and Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota are two popular national parks in the United States. Both parks are family-friendly, but each offers a different type of experience.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is an ideal destination for families who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and wildlife watching. The park’s glaciers, fjords, and wildlife provide endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. Children will love seeing whales, sea lions, and other wildlife in their natural habitats. There are also ranger-led programs and boat tours available to help families learn about the park and its environment.
Wind Cave National Park is a great choice for families who are interested in natural history and geology. The park is famous for its complex network of underground caves and tunnels, which can be explored on guided tours. Children will love learning about the unique geology of the area and the wildlife that lives in the caves. The park also offers above-ground attractions like hiking trails and opportunities to see bison and other wildlife.
In conclusion, both Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wind Cave National Park are excellent destinations for families. If you’re traveling with children, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve offers a more active and outdoor-focused experience, while Wind Cave National Park is a great choice for families who are interested in natural history and geology.