Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most breathtaking and awe-inspiring natural wonders in Alaska, USA. Both are known for their stunning glaciers, towering peaks, and diverse wildlife. These two national parks and preserves are a must-visit for anyone who loves nature and adventure.
Glacier Bay, located in the panhandle of Alaska, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its glaciers that are constantly advancing and retreating, creating new landscapes and habitats for wildlife. Wrangell – St Elias, on the other hand, is the largest national park in the United States and is home to some of the tallest peaks in North America, including Mount Saint Elias which towers at 18,008 feet.
In this article, we will compare and contrast Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, highlighting the unique features and experiences that each has to offer. From thrilling glacier hikes to wildlife encounters, we’ll explore the reasons why these destinations should be on your bucket list.
Hiking Trails in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of Alaska’s most beautiful national parks. Both offer visitors a chance to explore stunning wilderness areas and see glaciers and wildlife up close. When it comes to hiking, both parks have a lot to offer.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve has a variety of trails ranging from easy, scenic walks to challenging backcountry treks. The easy trails, such as the Bartlett Cove Trail, are great for those looking to take a leisurely walk and enjoy the stunning views of the bay and glaciers. The park’s challenging hikes, such as the Muir Trail, offer adventure seekers the opportunity to explore deeper into the wilderness and see glaciers and wildlife up close.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve also offers a range of hiking trails, from easy walks to challenging backcountry trips. The Root Glacier Trail is a great option for those looking for an easy hike, while the more challenging hikes, such as the Nizina River Trail, are perfect for experienced hikers looking to explore the rugged wilderness of the park.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a leisurely walk, both Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve have something to offer. The parks’ challenging trails offer a chance to explore the rugged wilderness of Alaska, while the easy trails provide visitors with the opportunity to enjoy the stunning views of glaciers and wildlife up close.
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 Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
| 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 | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest National Parks in the US, both known for their stunning wilderness and abundant wildlife.
At Glacier Bay, visitors can expect to see a variety of marine wildlife including humpback whales, sea lions, harbor seals, and porpoises. On land, visitors may spot black and brown bears, moose, and mountain goats. In addition to the mammals, there is a diverse bird population including bald eagles, pigeon guillemots, and gulls.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is home to a larger variety of terrestrial wildlife. Visitors may see caribou, wolves, wolverines, and coyotes. The bird population in the park is also diverse, with species such as the gyrfalcon, horned lark, and the three-toed woodpecker commonly spotted.
Both parks have a variety of plant life, including glaciers, forests, and tundra. Visitors to Glacier Bay may see a mix of spruce and hemlock trees, while Wrangell – St Elias is home to alder and willow trees. Both parks are also home to a variety of wildflowers and other plants, including the fireweed and arctic cotton.
In conclusion, the two parks offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities and visitors should plan their visit based on the species they hope to see. Whether it be marine mammals at Glacier Bay or a greater variety of terrestrial wildlife at Wrangell – St Elias, both parks offer a chance to experience the beauty and diversity of Alaska’s wilderness.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Wrangell – St Elias 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 | 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 | Wrangell – St Elias 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 | Puma |
| Mountain Lion | Mink |
| Mink | Mule Deer |
| Mule Deer | Wolf |
| Gray Wolf | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Snowshoe Hare |
| Snowshoe Hare | Land Otter |
| River Otter | Common Shrew |
| Masked Shrew | Water Shrew |
| Water Shrew | Red Squirrel |
| Red Squirrel | Montane Shrew |
| Montane Shrew | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Long-Tailed Vole | Lynx |
| Lynx | Wolverine |
| Wolverine | American Marten |
| Marten | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Grizzly Bear |
| Grizzly Bear | Meadow Vole |
Fish
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Steelhead |
| 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 | Cutthroat Trout |
| Cutthroat Trout | Arctic Grayling |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Wood Frog |
Insects
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur |
Beautiful Landscapes in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest and most diverse national parks in the United States. Glacier Bay is famous for its glaciers, which are slowly retreating and creating new landscapes as they do. The park is also known for its fjords and inlets, as well as its wildlife, including whales, sea lions, and brown bears. Visitors can take boat tours to see the glaciers up close and also hike in the park for stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Wrangell – St Elias is also known for its glaciers, but it is also home to one of the largest volcanic fields in the world, the Wrangell Mountains. The park is also known for its high peaks, which include Mount Saint Elias, the second tallest mountain in the United States. Visitors can hike in the park, take scenic drives, and go backpacking in the wilderness to see the glaciers and mountains up close. The park also has several historic sites, including an old mining town and a former Russian Orthodox Church, adding to the diverse experiences available to visitors.
Things To-Do and Activities in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a popular destination for those who want to see glaciers and whales, while Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a paradise for those who love to explore the wilderness and go mountaineering.
In Glacier Bay, visitors can take a ranger-led cruise to see the glaciers and observe whales, seals, sea lions, and birds in their natural habitat. The park also offers opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and backpacking.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is known for its diverse terrain, which includes glaciers, peaks, and valleys. Hiking and backpacking are popular activities here, as well as mountaineering and rock climbing. Visitors can also go rafting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. This park is also a popular destination for backcountry skiing and snowboarding.
Both parks offer a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors, but the type of experience will depend on which park you choose. If you’re looking for a more relaxed, water-based experience, Glacier Bay might be the better choice. However, if you’re looking for a more challenging and adventurous experience in the wilderness, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is the place to go.
Best Time to Visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two of Alaska’s largest and most beautiful national parks. Both parks offer unique and breathtaking landscapes, but the weather in each park can greatly affect the visitor experience.
Glacier Bay is located in Southeast Alaska and has a temperate rainforest climate with mild, wet summers and cold, dry winters. The best time to visit Glacier Bay is during the summer months of June through August when the weather is warm and sunny and the glaciers are more accessible. However, even during the summer, visitors should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and pack accordingly.
Wrangell-St. Elias, on the other hand, is located in Southcentral Alaska and has a subarctic climate with cold, snowy winters and cool, wet summers. The park is accessible year-round, but the best time to visit is during the summer months of June through September when the weather is mild and the roads are clear. Winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are also popular, but visitors should be prepared for harsh winter conditions.
In conclusion, both Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique and beautiful landscapes, but the best time to visit each park greatly depends on the weather. Visitors should research the weather conditions and pack accordingly before visiting either park to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Family Friendliness of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest national parks in the United States, and both offer unique experiences for families. Glacier Bay is known for its stunning glaciers, whales, and wildlife, while Wrangell – St Elias offers a vast wilderness with opportunities for backcountry camping, hiking and fishing.
When it comes to family-friendliness, Glacier Bay is the better option. The park offers ranger-led activities, such as boat tours and interpretive walks, that are perfect for families. In addition, the park facilities, including campgrounds and visitor centers, are well-maintained and provide educational opportunities for children.
Wrangell – St Elias, on the other hand, is more rugged and remote, making it less suitable for families with young children. However, for families with older children or teenagers who enjoy outdoor activities, Wrangell – St Elias offers an amazing wilderness experience. The park also has a historic mining town and opportunities for backcountry flying and heli-skiing, which can be exciting for adventurous families.
In summary, if you’re traveling with young children, Glacier Bay is the better choice for a family-friendly vacation. If you have older children or teenagers who are up for an adventure, Wrangell – St Elias is well worth considering.