Glacier National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two of the most iconic natural wonders in the United States. Both are a testament to the power and majesty of nature, offering visitors a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the modern world and immerse themselves in the awe-inspiring beauty of the great outdoors. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, these parks have something to offer for everyone.
Glacier National Park is a breathtaking mountain wilderness, home to towering peaks, pristine lakes, and a diverse array of wildlife. From the rugged high country to the lush forests, Glacier is a hiker’s paradise, offering a wide range of challenging trails that take you deep into the heart of the park.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a unique and otherworldly landscape, where towering dunes of golden sand stretch as far as the eye can see. This park is a playground for hikers, sand-boarders, and photographers, offering endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. Whether you’re scaling the towering dunes or simply soaking up the sun, Great Sand Dunes is an experience you’ll never forget. So buckle up, and let’s dive into the wild world of Glacier National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve!
Hiking Trails in Glacier National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Glacier National Park in Montana and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in Colorado are two of America’s most beautiful national parks. Both offer unique hiking experiences, but there are some key differences to keep in mind.
Glacier National Park boasts over 700 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to strenuous backcountry treks. One of the most popular hikes is the Highline Trail, a moderate 11-mile hike with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Another popular hike is the Grinnell Glacier Trail, a strenuous hike that takes you to one of the park’s most famous glaciers.
On the other hand, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offers a completely different hiking experience with its unique landscape of towering sand dunes. The park has several easy hikes, including the Dunes Overlook Trail, a 1-mile hike with panoramic views of the dunes. For a more strenuous hike, try the High Dune, a 3-mile hike that takes you to the top of the tallest sand dune in North America.
Overall, both Glacier National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offer a wide range of hiking opportunities for visitors of all skill levels. Whether you’re looking for easy walks or challenging backcountry treks, these two parks have something for everyone.
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 Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Dune Trail | 4828.02 | 191.7192 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Mosca Pass Trail | 10299.776 | 444.7032 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dunes Trail from Pinyon Flats | 7242.03 | 290.7792 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Sand Dunes Loop Trail | 8046.7 | 225.8568 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Upper Sand Creek Lake Trail | 11909.116 | 598.932 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Medano Lake Trail | 12713.786 | 697.992 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Montville Nature Trail | 804.67 | 26.8224 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Dunes Overlook Sand Ramp Trail | 2414.01 | 80.772 | Moderate | out and back | 3.5 |
| Little Medano Creek Trail to Medano Lake | 40394.434 | 1079.9064 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Wellington Ditch Trail | 2896.812 | 47.8536 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Glacier National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Glacier National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two of the most spectacular parks in the US, each offering its own unique wilderness experience. When it comes to wildlife, Glacier National Park is home to a diverse array of species, including grizzly bears, moose, elk, mountain goats, and big-horned sheep. Visitors may also come across wolves, lynx, and wolverines, but these are more elusive.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, on the other hand, is a hotbed for bird-watching. The park is home to over 330 bird species, including the threatened Southwestern willow flycatcher and the endangered whooping crane. In addition to birds, visitors may also come across mule deer, pronghorns, and coyotes. The park also has a significant population of reptiles and insects, including rattlesnakes, tarantulas, and monarch butterflies.
Both parks are also home to unique and diverse plant life, including wildflowers and trees. Glacier National Park is known for its stunning alpine meadows, while the Great Sand Dunes are surrounded by vast forests of pine and spruce trees. Whether you’re an avid bird-watcher or just enjoy observing wildlife, both parks offer a chance to get up close and personal with nature.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Glacier National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Glacier National Park | Great Sand Dunes 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 National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Mule Deer |
| Mink | Gray Fox |
| Mule Deer | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Gray Wolf | Long-Eared Bat |
| Long-Legged Bat | Badger |
| Long-Eared Bat | Ermine |
| Badger | Snowshoe Hare |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Masked Shrew |
| California Myotis | Water Shrew |
| Snowshoe Hare | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
Fish
| Glacier National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brook Trout | German Brown Trout |
| Longnose Sucker | Cutthroat Trout |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Burbot | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Glacier National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Bull Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Rubber Boa | Western Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizards | |
| Milksnake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Glacier National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Glacier National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Glacier National Park is located in Montana, and is known for its stunning mountain landscapes and glaciers. The park features the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. In addition, the park is home to over 700 miles of trails, including popular hikes to Hidden Lake, Grinnell Glacier, and the Highline Trail. Visitors can also take boat tours on Lake McDonald to admire the panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in Colorado and is famous for its towering sand dunes, which are the tallest in North America. Visitors can explore the dunes by hiking, sandboarding, or even horseback riding. The park also offers scenic drives, including the Medano Pass Primitive Road, which passes through the dunes and provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains. In addition, the park is home to several rare and unique habitats, including alpine lakes, wetlands, and forests, making it a popular destination for wildlife viewing.
Things To-Do and Activities in Glacier National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Glacier National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are both popular destinations for those who love the great outdoors. While these two parks have some similarities, they also have their own unique qualities that make them each worth visiting.
At Glacier National Park, visitors can enjoy scenic drives, such as Going-to-the-Sun Road, which offers stunning views of the park’s glaciers, alpine meadows, and wildlife. The park also offers several boat tours on its pristine lakes, where visitors can take in the stunning scenery while learning about the park’s history and wildlife.
At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, visitors can experience the thrill of sand sledding, hiking and backpacking on the park’s towering sand dunes. The park also offers star-gazing, stargazing and wildlife viewing, including bison, pronghorns and mule deer. In addition, visitors can enjoy kayaking and rafting on the nearby Medano Creek, which runs through the park.
Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities and are popular destinations for those who love to explore and experience the beauty of nature. Whether you prefer the dramatic landscapes of Glacier National Park or the unique challenges of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, you won’t be disappointed by the opportunities for adventure and recreation that these parks offer.
Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Glacier National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique experiences and breathtaking scenery, but the weather at each park is quite different.
Glacier National Park is located in Montana and is known for its glaciers, alpine meadows, and rugged peaks. The park experiences a subalpine climate with warm summers and cold winters. The best time to visit Glacier National Park is during the summer months of June through September when temperatures are warm and the snow has melted, making it easier to access the park’s many trails and scenic drives.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in Colorado and is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. The park experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The best time to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is during the spring and fall months when temperatures are mild and the sand is not too hot to walk on. Winter is also a popular time to visit the park, as the dunes are covered in snow and offer a unique and beautiful landscape.
Family Friendliness of Glacier National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Glacier National Park is located in Montana and is known for its rugged scenery and diverse wildlife. On the other hand, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in Colorado and is known for its towering sand dunes that reach up to 750 feet high. Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities, but when it comes to traveling with children, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve may be a better option.
The sand dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve provide a unique and exciting opportunity for children to play and explore. With gentle slopes and soft sand, the dunes are perfect for sand sledding and building sandcastles. The park also offers ranger-led programs and activities for families, making it a great place for children to learn about nature and the environment.
Glacier National Park, while beautiful, can be a bit more challenging for families with young children. With steep terrain and challenging hiking trails, it may be difficult for young children to keep up. Additionally, the park’s remote location and limited services can make it a less convenient option for families.
In conclusion, both Glacier National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offer unique and spectacular outdoor experiences, but for families traveling with children, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve may be the better option due to its accessibility and family-friendly activities.