Glacier National Park and White Sands National Park are two of the most unique and captivating destinations in the United States. Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes, and stunning natural attractions that are sure to leave a lasting impression on any traveler. But, which park is right for you? This article will show you the differences between Glacier National Park and White Sands National Park, and help you decide which one to visit next.
Glacier National Park is located in Montana and boasts a diverse range of landscapes, from towering peaks to pristine lakes. It is home to a vast array of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, and mountain goats. Visitors can hike, boat, fish, and camp in this breathtaking wilderness. White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is located in New Mexico and features a sea of white sand dunes that stretch for miles. The park is home to a unique ecosystem that includes plants and animals found nowhere else on earth. Visitors can hike, picnic, and even sled down the sand dunes.
So, are you ready for an adventure in the mountains or a day in the sand? Keep reading to find out more about these two amazing parks and determine which one is the perfect destination for your next trip.
Hiking Trails in Glacier National Park and White Sands National Park
Glacier National Park, Montana and White Sands National Park, New Mexico are two very different national parks with unique hiking experiences. Glacier offers its hikers a variety of challenging terrain, with steep inclines and rocky paths, while White Sands features gentle, rolling sand dunes.
In Glacier, one of the easiest hikes is the Trail of the Cedars, a boardwalk trail that winds through a dense forest of cedars and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Another popular hike is the Grinnell Glacier Trail, a strenuous 11-mile hike that offers spectacular views of glaciers and the surrounding alpine landscape.
On the other hand, in White Sands, the easiest hike is the Dunes Loop, a 1.5-mile trail that leads visitors through the stunning white sand dunes. For those seeking a more challenging hike, the Alkali Flat Trail is a strenuous 5-mile hike that takes hikers to the top of the dunes for panoramic views of the park.
In conclusion, both Glacier and White Sands offer unique hiking experiences, with Glacier offering challenging terrain and stunning views of glaciers, while White Sands features gentle sand dunes and breathtaking views of the park.
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 White Sands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 6 |
Wildlife in Glacier National Park and White Sands National Park
Glacier National Park and White Sands National Park are two of the most unique and diverse national parks in the United States. Both offer visitors the chance to see a variety of wildlife and plants, but each park is unique in its own way.
At Glacier National Park, visitors can expect to see a wide range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, elk, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep. The park is also home to a large number of bird species, including bald eagles, ospreys, and peregrine falcons. Additionally, the park is known for its diverse plant life, with over 1,000 species of plants, including wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.
On the other hand, White Sands National Park is known for its unique landscape, which is covered in white sand dunes. Despite the harsh environment, the park is home to a surprising amount of wildlife, including rattlesnakes, lizards, and insects. In terms of birdlife, visitors can expect to see prairie falcons, roadrunners, and burrowing owls. The park is also home to a variety of plants, including cacti, yuccas, and creosote bush.
In conclusion, Glacier National Park and White Sands National Park are two very different parks, each offering a unique and diverse wildlife experience. Whether you’re interested in seeing grizzly bears or white sand dunes, both parks are sure to offer a memorable and exciting experience for visitors.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Glacier National Park and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Glacier National Park | White Sands 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 | White Sands 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 | House Mouse |
| Mink | Mountain Lion |
| Mule Deer | Mink |
| Gray Wolf | Common Gray Fox |
| Long-Legged Bat | Plains Wolf |
| Long-Eared Bat | American Badger |
| Badger | Ermine |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Snowshoe Hare |
| California Myotis | River Otter |
| Snowshoe Hare | Masked Shrew |
Fish
| Glacier National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Longnose Sucker | Green Sunfish |
| Fathead Minnow | Bluegill |
| Lake Trout | Fathead Minnow |
| Northern Pike | Golden Shiner |
| Burbot | Lake Trout |
| Mottled Sculpin | Northern Pike |
| Slimy Sculpin | Ellpout |
| Longnose Dace | Mottled Sculpin |
| Sockeye Salmon | Slimy Sculpin |
| Arctic Grayling | Longnose Dace |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Glacier National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa |
Amphibians
| Glacier National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Glacier National Park and White Sands National Park
Glacier National Park and White Sands National Park are two unique and contrasting national parks in the United States. Glacier National Park is located in Montana and is renowned for its towering peaks and glaciers. Visitors can admire the stunning views of the park’s rugged peaks and glaciers, such as Mount Reynolds and Grinnell Glacier. The park also boasts numerous scenic overlooks, like the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, which provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is a unique landscape of rolling sand dunes. The park is famous for its large and ever-shifting sand dunes, which are made of pure white gypsum sand. The park has several scenic trails and boardwalks, including the Dunes Drive, which provides excellent views of the dazzling dunes and nearby mountains. The park is also home to several unique species of plants and animals, including the bleached earless lizard and the white sands prickly pear cactus.
Things To-Do and Activities in Glacier National Park and White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park and Glacier National Park are two popular national parks that offer different types of outdoor experiences. While both parks are known for their stunning landscapes, the type of activities available to visitors are different.
At White Sands National Park, visitors can enjoy sand sledding, hiking, and stargazing. The park’s unique landscape of pure white sand dunes creates an otherworldly experience, and visitors can spend hours exploring the dunes on foot or by sled. The park is also an ideal location for stargazing, with clear skies and no light pollution.
In contrast, Glacier National Park is known for its glaciers, alpine meadows, and wildlife. Visitors to this park can go hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. With over 700 miles of trails, there is plenty of opportunity to explore the park’s diverse landscapes. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity, with visitors often spotting bears, mountain goats, and elk.
In conclusion, both White Sands National Park and Glacier National Park offer visitors unique and exciting outdoor experiences. Whether you prefer sand dunes or glaciers, both parks offer a variety of activities that are sure to create lasting memories.
Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park and White Sands National Park
Glacier National Park in Montana and White Sands National Park in New Mexico are two of the most unique parks in the U.S. The seasonal weather at each park greatly affects when is the best time of year to visit.
During the summer months, Glacier National Park is warm with occasional rain and thunderstorms. This is the best time to visit if you’re interested in hiking, boating or fishing as the weather is ideal for outdoor activities. Winter is the opposite, with snow covering the park and temperatures dropping to below freezing. This makes it a great destination for winter sports enthusiasts, however, road closures can limit accessibility.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, experiences hot and dry conditions in the summer months, with temperatures often reaching over 100°F. This is not the best time to visit if you are sensitive to heat. Winter temperatures are mild and visitors can enjoy clear skies and cool temperatures perfect for outdoor activities. The park is also known for its winter snowfall, which is a rare sight in the desert.
Both parks offer unique experiences and weather conditions, making it important to consider the time of year before planning a visit. Whether you’re interested in a scenic drive, a leisurely hike, or a winter wonderland, either park can offer a memorable experience.
Family Friendliness of Glacier National Park and White Sands National Park
Glacier National Park and White Sands National Park are two of the most popular National Parks in the United States. Both parks have their own unique attractions and facilities, making them both ideal destinations for families. However, each park has different levels of family-friendliness, making it important to consider when planning a trip.
Glacier National Park is a great destination for families who enjoy hiking and exploring the great outdoors. The park offers a range of trails that cater to different skill levels, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. The park also has several campgrounds and picnic areas, making it an ideal place to spend a night or two in the great outdoors. However, the park can be quite rugged, and some areas may not be suitable for young children or those with mobility issues.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is a more accessible option for families. The park’s main attraction is the huge expanse of white sand dunes, which are perfect for kids to run around and play in. The park also has several picnic areas and a campground, making it an ideal place to spend a day or two. Additionally, there are several ranger-led programs that cater to families, including nature walks and night sky watching.
In conclusion, both Glacier National Park and White Sands National Park are great family-friendly options, but each has its own unique characteristics that make it better suited to different types of families. If you’re looking for a more rugged outdoor experience, Glacier National Park is a great option. But if you’re traveling with young children or those with mobility issues, White Sands National Park is a more accessible option.