Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the United States. Both parks offer visitors a chance to explore unique landscapes and experience the beauty of the natural world in different ways. While Glacier National Park is known for its stunning glaciers and snow-capped peaks, Petrified Forest National Park is famous for its ancient petrified trees and colorful badlands.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a first-time nature lover, these parks offer endless opportunities for adventure and discovery. From scenic drives to challenging trails, there’s something for everyone in Glacier and Petrified Forest. And, as you’ll see in this comparison, these two parks are more different than you might think.
So, buckle up and get ready for a journey through two of America’s most breathtaking national parks. In this article, we’ll explore the unique features and activities that make Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park truly one-of-a-kind destinations.
Hiking Trails in Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer vastly different hiking experiences. Glacier is known for its challenging terrain, with numerous steep and strenuous trails that lead to stunning mountain vistas. Some of the most popular hikes in the park include the Highline Trail, Grinnell Glacier Trail, and Iceberg Lake Trail. These trails can take anywhere from a half day to multiple days to complete and offer a true wilderness experience.
On the other hand, Petrified Forest National Park offers a more relaxed hiking experience. The park’s trails are generally flat and easy to navigate, making them suitable for families and visitors of all ages. Some of the most popular trails include the Giant Logs Trail, Blue Mesa Trail, and the Long Logs Trail. This park also offers backpacking opportunities, but these trails are much easier than those found in Glacier National Park.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, Petrified Forest National Park and Glacier National Park offer something for everyone. Glacier is a perfect destination for the adventurous backpacker, while Petrified Forest is a great option for the nature lover who wants a more leisurely experience.
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 Petrified Forest National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Mesa Trail | 1448.406 | 32.9184 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Crystal Forest Trail | 1448.406 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Painted Desert Rim Trail | 1770.274 | 11.8872 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Petrified Forest Scenic Drive | 46027.124 | 297.7896 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Giant Logs Trail | 965.604 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Onyx Bridge Trail | 7402.964 | 134.7216 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail | 3379.614 | 24.9936 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Puerco Pueblo Trail | 482.802 | 2.7432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Devil’s Playground Loop | 12070.05 | 144.78 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Old Jasper Forest Road | 4184.284 | 53.9496 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both unique in their own way, with diverse wildlife and vegetation. Glacier National Park is located in Montana and is known for its diverse wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, wolves, and mountain lions. Visitors can also spot a variety of bird species such as the Harlequin duck and the White-tailed Ptarmigan. The park is also home to a variety of plants such as wildflowers, shrubs, and trees like the Western red cedar and Douglas fir.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, is known for its diverse collection of fossils and petrified wood, but it is also home to a variety of wildlife. Some of the most common animals seen in the park include pronghorns, jackrabbits, and reptiles like the collared lizard. Bird species that can be spotted in the park include the Greater Roadrunner and the Western Tanager. The park is also home to a variety of cacti, succulents, and other desert plants, such as the Joshua tree and the creosote bush.
In conclusion, both Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park offer visitors the opportunity to experience unique and diverse wildlife. From the rugged peaks of Glacier National Park to the arid deserts of Petrified Forest National Park, each park offers a unique and unforgettable experience for nature lovers.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Glacier National Park | Petrified Forest 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 | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
| Muskrat | Bobcat |
| Big Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Bobcat | Little Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Deer Mouse |
| Little Brown Bat | Raccoon |
| Deer Mouse | Black Bear |
| Raccoon | Porcupine |
| Black Bear | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Porcupine | Hoary Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Red Fox |
| Hoary Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | Mountain Lion |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Mule Deer |
| Mountain Lion | Gray Fox |
| Mink | Wolf |
| Mule Deer | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Gray Wolf | Badger |
| Long-Legged Bat | California Myotis |
| Long-Eared Bat | Fringed Myotis |
| Badger | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| California Myotis | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Snowshoe Hare | Western Harvest Mouse |
Fish
| Glacier National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | |
| Brook Trout | |
| Longnose Sucker | |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Burbot | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Glacier National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Rubber Boa | Western Rattlesnake |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Southwestern Black-Headed Snake | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Amphibians
| Glacier National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Glacier National Park is located in Montana and boasts stunning mountain ranges and glaciers. The park’s most famous landscape is Going-to-the-Sun Road, a scenic drive that crosses the park and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Another popular destination is Logan Pass, a high mountain pass that offers panoramic views of the park’s glaciers and alpine meadows. Visitors can also enjoy scenic hikes to hidden waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and other natural wonders.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, is known for its colorful petrified wood and other geological wonders. One of the most famous landscapes in the park is the Painted Desert, a colorful landscape with striking red rock formations and other geological wonders. Another popular destination is the Petrified Forest, a forest of petrified trees that once stood tall in the area. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives through the park, as well as hikes to the park’s many natural wonders, including the Blue Mesa and other geological formations.
Things To-Do and Activities in Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park differ greatly in terms of the popular activities offered to visitors. Glacier National Park is known for its stunning mountain vistas and scenic drives, while Petrified Forest National Park is famous for its unique geology and ancient history.
At Glacier National Park, visitors can enjoy scenic drives like the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which offers breathtaking views of glaciers and mountain peaks. Hiking is also a popular activity, with over 700 miles of trails ranging from easy to strenuous. Wildlife viewing is another popular activity, with opportunities to see animals like grizzly bears, mountain goats, and elk.
Petrified Forest National Park, on the other hand, offers a different type of experience. Visitors can explore the park’s ancient history by walking through the petrified forest, which contains some of the largest and most colorful specimens of petrified wood in the world. The park also offers scenic drives, picnic areas, and ranger-led programs that highlight the geology, history, and cultural heritage of the area. For those interested in hiking, the park offers several short trails that allow visitors to get up close and personal with the petrified wood and other geological features.
Overall, both parks offer unique and exciting experiences for visitors, making them both worth a visit. Whether you are looking for stunning mountain vistas, breathtaking scenic drives, or the chance to explore ancient history and unique geology, Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park have something to offer for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Glacier National Park, located in Montana, is known for its beautiful glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and alpine meadows. Summer temperatures can reach into the 80s, making it a great time to hike and explore the park. Winter temperatures can drop below zero, making it a great time for winter sports like skiing and snowshoeing. The park is also known for its unpredictable weather, so it is important to be prepared for sudden changes.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in Arizona, is known for its beautiful landscapes of petrified wood, painted deserts, and badlands. Summer temperatures can reach into the 90s, making it a great time to visit the park early in the morning or late in the evening. Winter temperatures can be mild, making it a great time to explore the park and see the petrified wood. However, because the park is located in a desert, it can be very dry and windy, so it is important to bring plenty of water and be prepared for sudden changes in weather.
In conclusion, both Glacier and Petrified Forest National Parks have their own unique weather patterns, and the best time to visit each park depends on what you want to see and do. While Glacier National Park is a great place to visit in the summer for hiking and exploring, Petrified Forest National Park is best visited in the winter when temperatures are mild and the petrified wood is more visible.
Family Friendliness of Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two of America’s most stunning national parks. Both parks offer unique experiences and are family-friendly, but in different ways. For families traveling with children, Petrified Forest National Park offers a more educational experience and is a better option for a family-friendly visit.
Petrified Forest National Park is home to one of the world’s largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood. It offers a variety of educational programs and guided tours, as well as picnic areas and hiking trails that are suitable for families. Children can learn about the history of the area, the process of petrification, and the different species of plants and animals that once lived in the area.
Glacier National Park, on the other hand, offers a more adventurous experience for families. It is home to stunning glaciers, alpine meadows, and a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, and mountain goats. The park offers a range of activities, including hiking, fishing, and boating, but some of these activities can be challenging for young children. However, the park also has a number of family-friendly trails and ranger-led programs that are designed to help families explore and learn about the park’s unique ecosystem.
In conclusion, both Glacier National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are family-friendly, but Petrified Forest National Park is a better option for families traveling with children who are looking for a more educational experience.