Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park are two of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the United States. These parks are located in Montana and Wyoming respectively, and offer a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors. Both parks are known for their stunning mountain ranges, pristine lakes and diverse wildlife, but there are also some key differences that set them apart.
Glacier National Park boasts over 700 miles of trails and over a million acres of wilderness, providing visitors with endless opportunities for adventure and exploration. From the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the crystal-clear waters of its many lakes, Glacier National Park is a true natural gem.
Grand Teton National Park, on the other hand, is known for its dramatic and iconic Teton Range, which rises abruptly from the valley floor and provides breathtaking views in every direction. This park is also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose and wolves, making it a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
Whether you’re an avid hiker, a wildlife watcher or just looking for a peaceful escape, both Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park are must-sees for nature lovers. In this article, we will explore these two parks in depth, comparing and contrasting their unique features and attractions to help you decide which one is right for you. So grab your hiking boots, pack a picnic and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Hiking Trails in Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park both offer scenic and challenging hiking trails for visitors. In Glacier National Park, popular hikes include the Highline Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s glaciers, and the difficult Grinnell Glacier Trail, which takes visitors to the base of one of the park’s glaciers. The park also features many scenic lakes, including Lake Josephine and Lake McDonald, which are popular destinations for easy hikes.
Grand Teton National Park, on the other hand, is known for its towering peaks, including the Grand Teton itself, which is a challenging hike for experienced hikers. The park also features many easier hikes, such as the Jenny Lake Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s lakes and mountains. The park’s Cascade Canyon Trail is another popular hike, which takes visitors through scenic canyons and to waterfalls.
Both parks offer a range of hiking trails for visitors of all skill levels, from easy nature walks to challenging mountain climbs. Visitors to Glacier National Park can expect to find scenic trails through forests, along rivers, and to stunning mountain vistas, while visitors to Grand Teton National Park can expect to find challenging hikes to the park’s peaks, as well as easier hikes through scenic canyons and along the park’s lakes.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Glacier National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grinnell Glacier Trail | 18185.542 | 658.9776 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Avalanche Lake via the Trail of the Cedars | 9173.238 | 227.9904 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Iceberg Lake Trail | 14966.862 | 441.96 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Hidden Lake Trail | 8529.502 | 418.7952 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Highline Trail – Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet | 23979.166 | 785.7744 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail | 4667.086 | 137.7696 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hidden Lake Overlook | 4506.152 | 176.784 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cracker Lake Trail | 19312.08 | 502.92 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Trail of the Cedars | 1287.472 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| The Garden Wall | 23657.298 | 1068.9336 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Grand Teton National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade Canyon Trail | 15610.598 | 343.8144 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Jenny Lake Trail | 12391.918 | 221.8944 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Taggart Lake Loop | 6598.294 | 130.7592 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Delta Lake via Amphitheater Lake Trail | 14484.06 | 709.8792 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes Trail | 14323.126 | 896.7216 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Hidden Falls Trail | 7885.766 | 179.832 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Phelps Lake Trail | 11265.38 | 220.98 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Lake Solitude Trail | 25749.44 | 803.7576 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| String Lake Trail | 5954.558 | 79.8576 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake Loop | 9656.04 | 231.9528 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Glacier National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, mountain lions, moose, and bighorn sheep. Visitors to the park may also spot elk, deer, and mountain goats. In addition to these large mammals, Glacier is also known for its birdlife, with species like the bald eagle, osprey, and peregrine falcon commonly seen in the park.
Grand Teton National Park is also known for its rich wildlife, including elk, moose, bison, and pronghorn antelope. Visitors to the park may also see black bears, coyotes, and mule deer. Birders will love Grand Teton, with species like the trumpeter swan, sandhill crane, and American white pelican often seen in the park.
Both parks are also home to a variety of plant life, including wildflowers, trees, and shrubs. In Glacier, you can find species like the western larch, Douglas fir, and Engelmann spruce, while Grand Teton is home to cottonwoods, aspens, and sagebrush. Whether you’re interested in wildlife or botany, both Glacier and Grand Teton National Parks offer something for everyone.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Glacier National Park | Grand Teton 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 National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mountain Lion | Mountain Lion |
| Mink | Mink |
| Mule Deer | Mule Deer |
| Gray Wolf | Wolf |
| Long-Legged Bat | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Eared Bat | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Badger | Badger |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Ermine |
| California Myotis | California Myotis |
| Snowshoe Hare | Snowshoe Hare |
Fish
| Glacier National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Redband Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Longnose Sucker | Brown Trout |
| Fathead Minnow | Lake Trout |
| Lake Trout | Mottled Sculpin |
| Northern Pike | Longnose Dace |
| Burbot | Speckled Dace |
| Mottled Sculpin | Arctic Grayling |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Glacier National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Rubber Boa |
| Rubber Boa |
Amphibians
| Glacier National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Glacier National Park, located in Montana, is famous for its stunning mountain landscapes, glaciers, and crystal-clear lakes. The park is home to the Rocky Mountains, which boasts peaks over 10,000 feet high, as well as over 700 miles of hiking trails that give visitors an up-close view of the diverse natural beauty of the park. One of the most famous landscapes in the park is the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 50-mile scenic drive that takes visitors through some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in the United States.
Grand Teton National Park, located in Wyoming, is known for its towering mountain range, pristine lakes, and abundant wildlife. The park is home to the Teton Range, which includes Grand Teton peak, the tallest mountain in the range at 13,768 feet. Visitors can hike, bike, and horseback ride through the park’s scenic trails, or take a scenic drive along the Teton Park Road, which offers breathtaking views of the Teton Range and the surrounding valley. The park is also known for its abundant wildlife, including elk, bison, moose, and grizzly bears, which can be seen in their natural habitats throughout the park.
Things To-Do and Activities in Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Both Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park are popular destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year. While both parks offer breathtaking natural beauty and a range of outdoor activities, there are some notable differences between the two.
At Glacier National Park, visitors love to explore the park’s abundant lakes, glaciers, and mountains by car, bike, or on foot. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a particularly popular drive, offering stunning views of the park’s rugged terrain. Boating, fishing, and camping are also popular activities at Glacier National Park, and visitors can also take guided tours to learn about the park’s natural and cultural history.
Grand Teton National Park, on the other hand, is known for its stunning mountain range, which is one of the most iconic landscapes in the United States. Visitors to Grand Teton love to hike, climb, and enjoy scenic drives through the park. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity at Grand Teton, as the park is home to a variety of animals, including elk, moose, and bison. Visitors can also experience the park’s beauty from the water by kayaking or canoeing on one of the park’s many lakes.
While both parks offer a range of outdoor activities, Glacier National Park is ideal for visitors who enjoy exploring mountainous terrain, while Grand Teton is a better choice for those who prefer to focus on mountain climbing and wildlife viewing.
Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer stunning natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor recreation, but their seasonal weather patterns are quite different.
Glacier National Park’s weather is influenced by its location in the mountains of Montana. The park typically experiences long, cold winters with heavy snowfall, and warm, mild summers with occasional thunderstorms. The best time to visit Glacier National Park is in the summer months of June through September, when temperatures are comfortable and the park’s many hiking trails are accessible.
Grand Teton National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming and has a more moderate climate. The park experiences mild, sunny summers with occasional thunderstorms, and cold, snowy winters. The best time to visit Grand Teton National Park is also in the summer months of June through September, when temperatures are warm and the park’s many outdoor activities, such as hiking and camping, are available.
In conclusion, both Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park offer unique experiences and breathtaking natural beauty, but their seasonal weather patterns and best times to visit are different. Visitors should consider the weather and their preferred outdoor activities when deciding when to visit these parks.
Family Friendliness of Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park are two of the most beautiful national parks in the United States. Both parks offer breathtaking views, diverse wildlife, and plenty of outdoor activities. However, when it comes to family-friendliness, there are some differences to consider.
Glacier National Park offers a wide range of family-friendly activities, including easy hiking trails, boat tours, and ranger-led programs. The park also has a number of picnic areas and campgrounds, making it a great place to spend a day or a week with the family. However, the park can be quite remote and some of the roads may be too winding for young children.
Grand Teton National Park, on the other hand, is more accessible and has a number of family-friendly facilities and activities. The park is located near the town of Jackson, which offers plenty of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. The park also has a number of scenic drives and easy hiking trails, making it a great place for families with young children. Additionally, the park offers a variety of ranger-led activities, including campfire programs and guided hikes, which are a great way to learn about the park’s natural and cultural history.
In conclusion, both Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park are great places to visit with the family, but Grand Teton National Park is a more accessible and family-friendly destination. With its easy hiking trails, scenic drives, and ranger-led activities, Grand Teton National Park is definitely the better choice for families with young children.