Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most iconic and beloved national parks in the United States. Both parks offer breathtaking natural beauty, a wealth of wildlife, and a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. However, there are some significant differences between these two parks that make each one unique and special in its own right. In this article, we will be comparing Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park, highlighting their similarities and differences and giving you a better idea of which park is right for you.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a remote wilderness located in Alaska that is known for its stunning glaciers and diverse ecosystem. On the other hand, Yellowstone National Park is located in the lower 48 states and is famous for its geysers and hot springs. Both parks offer a chance to get up close and personal with nature, but each park has its own unique character and charm. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a nature photographer, or just someone looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, these two parks have something for everyone.
Hiking Trails in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park are two of America’s most popular national parks, and both offer a wealth of hiking opportunities. In Glacier Bay, visitors can hike easy trails like the Bartlett Cove Nature Trail, which is a 1-mile flat trail that runs along the shore of the bay. On the other hand, the park’s most challenging hike is the Muir Beach Trail, which is a strenuous 7.6-mile hike that takes you up to a high overlook with stunning views of the park.
Yellowstone, on the other hand, has a wider range of hiking trails, from easy walks to strenuous backcountry treks. Some of the easiest hikes include the Geyser Hill Loop, a 0.8-mile trail that takes you past several active geysers and hot springs, and the Great Fountain Geyser, a 2-mile trail that takes you to one of the park’s most spectacular geysers. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Specimen Ridge Trail is a popular choice. This 8.5-mile trail takes you through the park’s backcountry and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Both parks offer unique hiking experiences, with Glacier Bay offering a focus on scenic coastal trails and Yellowstone offering a wider range of landscapes, from geyser basins to backcountry wilderness. Whether you’re looking for an easy stroll or a challenging hike, both parks provide visitors with unforgettable opportunities to experience the beauty of the great outdoors.
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 Yellowstone National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mystic Falls, Fairy Creek and Little Firehole Loop | 5632.69 | 184.7088 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Grand Prismatic Hot Spring | 2574.944 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop | 7242.03 | 73.7616 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Canyon Rim North Trail to Inspiration Point | 12713.786 | 349.9104 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail | 1609.34 | 17.9832 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Mammoth Hot Springs Area Trail | 5632.69 | 170.9928 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Artists Paintpots Trail | 1609.34 | 30.7848 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Avalanche Peak Trail | 7402.964 | 614.7816 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Old Faithful Geyser Loop Trail | 1126.538 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Upper Falls, Lower Falls and Crystal Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 140.8176 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming are two iconic national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique wildlife experiences for visitors.
In Glacier Bay, visitors can observe whales, sea lions, seals, and a variety of bird species such as bald eagles, puffins, and glaciers. The park’s glaciers also provide a habitat for a variety of plant species, including wildflowers, mosses, and lichens. Visitors can also witness the park’s glaciers calving and watch as chunks of ice crash into the sea.
Yellowstone, on the other hand, is known for its large herds of bison and elk, as well as its populations of wolves, grizzly bears, and black bears. The park’s diverse habitats, including hot springs and geysers, also provide a home for a variety of bird species, including trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, and ospreys. Yellowstone also boasts a diverse array of plant life, including wildflowers and conifers.
Both Glacier Bay and Yellowstone offer unique wildlife experiences and are must-visit destinations for nature lovers. Whether you’re interested in observing marine mammals in their natural habitats or watching large mammals roam through the wilderness, both parks offer unforgettable wildlife experiences.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Yellowstone 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 | Yellowstone 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 | Mule Deer |
| Long-Tailed Vole | Wolf |
| Lynx | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Wolverine | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Marten | Badger |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Short Tailed Weasel |
| Grizzly Bear | California Myotis |
Fish
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Longnose Sucker | Brown Trout |
| Lake Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Northern Pike | Lake Trout |
| Burbot | Mottled Sculpin |
| Silver Salmon | Longnose Dace |
| Chinook Salmon | Speckled Dace |
| Slimy Sculpin | Arctic Grayling |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Rubber Boa |
Insects
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered Skipper | |
| Common Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a protected area located in Alaska, known for its stunning glaciers and abundant wildlife. The park is home to glacier-carved valleys and fjords, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a boat tour to see glaciers up close, and even hear the thunderous sounds of ice calving into the ocean. The park is also a popular spot for wildlife watching, with opportunities to see whales, sea otters, and brown bears.
Yellowstone National Park, located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, is America’s first national park. It is famous for its geothermal wonders, including the iconic Old Faithful geyser, as well as its diverse wildlife, including bison, elk, and wolves. The park is also home to the Yellowstone Caldera, a volcanic hotspot, and offers dramatic views of geysers, hot springs, and mudpots. The park’s stunning landscapes include the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and its two waterfalls, as well as the rugged beauty of the Lamar Valley, an ideal spot for wildlife watching.
Things To-Do and Activities in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park are two popular National Parks in the United States. Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is known for its glaciers, kayaking, and whale watching opportunities. Visitors can take a boat tour to see glaciers up close, go kayaking in the park’s waterways, or go on a whale watching excursion to see humpback whales and other marine life.
Yellowstone National Park, on the other hand, is known for its geothermal features, including hot springs and geysers. Visitors can take a tour of the geyser basins to see the famous Old Faithful geyser, as well as other geysers and hot springs. The park also offers opportunities for fishing, wildlife watching, and hiking. Visitors can go fishing in the park’s rivers and lakes, go on a wildlife tour to see bison, elk, and other animals, or hike one of the park’s many trails to see its scenic views and natural wonders.
Both parks offer a unique and memorable outdoor experience for visitors. Whether it’s kayaking in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve or exploring the geothermal features in Yellowstone National Park, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Best Time to Visit Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. They both offer unique and breathtaking natural beauty, but the weather in each park can vary greatly.
Glacier Bay is located in Alaska, and the weather there is characterized by cool temperatures, high precipitation, and strong winds. Summer temperatures in the park average in the 40s – 50s°F, while winter temperatures can drop to well below freezing. The best time to visit Glacier Bay is during the summer months, when the weather is milder and the park is more accessible.
Yellowstone, on the other hand, is located in the northern Rocky Mountains, and the weather there can be quite different. Summer temperatures in Yellowstone average in the 60s – 70s°F, while winter temperatures can drop well below freezing. Winter is also the time when Yellowstone is covered in snow, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. However, the best time to visit Yellowstone is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is milder and the park is more accessible.
Family Friendliness of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both are known for their scenic beauty and abundant wildlife, but when it comes to family-friendliness, the two parks differ in several ways.
Yellowstone National Park is more developed and has a wider range of facilities, including several hotels, restaurants, and gift shops. It is also easier to get around, with several roads and trails that are suitable for families, including the popular Old Faithful Geyser trail. In addition, Yellowstone has several educational programs and ranger-led activities that are designed to engage children and help them learn about the park’s unique ecosystem.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a more remote and rugged destination. While it has fewer facilities and fewer opportunities for structured activities, it is still an excellent choice for families who want to experience the beauty of Alaska’s wilderness. The park has several trails that are suitable for families, including the Bartlett Cove and West Arm trails, and there are also ranger-led boat tours that provide a unique opportunity to see the park’s glaciers and wildlife.
In conclusion, both Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park are family-friendly destinations, but the choice of which park to visit will depend on the individual family’s preferences and travel style. If you are looking for a more developed park with a wider range of facilities and organized activities, Yellowstone National Park may be the best choice, but if you are looking for a more remote and rugged adventure, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is a great option.