Glacier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the United States. Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes, unique wildlife, and opportunities for adventure, but they couldn’t be more different. From the towering peaks of Glacier National Park to the expansive glaciers of Wrangell – St Elias, each park offers its own flavor of wilderness.
In this article, we’ll do a side-by-side comparison of these two magnificent parks, highlighting their differences and similarities, so you can choose the best one for your next adventure. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply looking for a breathtaking escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, Glacier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias have something for everyone. So, buckle up and get ready to explore two of the most awe-inspiring parks in the United States!
Hiking Trails in Glacier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Glacier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest national parks in the United States, both offering a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore. Glacier National Park is known for its stunning mountain scenery and well-maintained trails, offering hikes that range from easy to strenuous. On the other hand, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a rugged wilderness with challenging hikes that require backcountry experience.
At Glacier National Park, one of the easiest hikes is the Trail of the Cedars. This boardwalk trail winds through a lush forest and is suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities. For a more strenuous hike, visitors can tackle the Highline Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. This trail is not for the faint of heart, as it involves steep inclines and narrow, rocky sections.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is a more challenging destination for experienced hikers. One of the hardest hikes in the park is the Donoho Basin Trail, which takes visitors deep into the park’s backcountry and offers stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and peaks. For those who are up for a real adventure, the park also offers backpacking trips that can last several days and require a high level of fitness and endurance.
In conclusion, both Glacier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry adventures. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely hike or a rugged wilderness experience, there’s something for everyone at these two incredible national parks.
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 Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Glacier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Glacier National Park and Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest and most diverse protected areas in the United States. Both parks offer unique and spectacular landscapes, and are home to numerous species of wildlife.
In Glacier National Park, visitors can expect to see a range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, mountain lions, and moose. Other common animals include bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, and deer. Birdwatchers will have the opportunity to spot a variety of species, including bald eagles, ospreys, and peregrine falcons.
Wrangell-St Elias is also rich in wildlife, with visitors able to see species such as caribou, Dall sheep, and brown bears. The park is also home to numerous species of birds, including the bald eagle and the northern hawk owl. In addition, the park is known for its diverse plant life, including species of wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.
Both parks offer unique opportunities to see and experience wildlife in their natural habitats. Whether you are a seasoned hiker, a birdwatcher, or simply someone who loves nature, Glacier National Park and Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve are two must-visit destinations.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Glacier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Glacier National Park | Wrangell – St Elias 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 | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | Puma |
| Raccoon | Mink |
| Black Bear | Mule Deer |
| Porcupine | Wolf |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Hoary Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| Red Fox | Land Otter |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Common Shrew |
| Mountain Lion | Water Shrew |
| Mink | Red Squirrel |
| Mule Deer | Montane Shrew |
| Gray Wolf | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Long-Legged Bat | Lynx |
| Long-Eared Bat | Wolverine |
| Badger | American Marten |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| California Myotis | Grizzly Bear |
| Snowshoe Hare | Meadow Vole |
Fish
| Glacier National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Steelhead |
| Brook Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Longnose Sucker | Lake Trout |
| Fathead Minnow | Northern Pike |
| Lake Trout | Burbot |
| Northern Pike | Silver Salmon |
| Burbot | King Salmon |
| Mottled Sculpin | Slimy Sculpin |
| Slimy Sculpin | Threespine Stickleback |
| Longnose Dace | Sockeye Salmon |
| Sockeye Salmon | Pink Salmon |
| Arctic Grayling | Chum Salmon |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Glacier National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa |
Amphibians
| Glacier National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog |
Insects
| Glacier National Park | Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Silvery Blue | |
| Clouded Sulphur |
Beautiful Landscapes in Glacier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Glacier National Park has one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and is home to over 700 miles of trails and over 130 named lakes. Many visitors to the park come to see the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, which offers breathtaking views of the park’s mountains, valleys, glaciers and waterfalls. The park is also home to the Crown of the Continent ecosystem, where visitors can see glaciers, alpine meadows, and wildlife like grizzly bears and mountain goats.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is the largest national park in the country and spans over 13.2 million acres. The park is also known for its stunning landscapes, which include nine of the 16 highest peaks in the United States, including Mount St. Elias, which is the second tallest mountain in the country. Visitors can also see glaciers, lakes, rivers, and valleys, as well as wildlife such as caribou, moose, and brown bears. The park offers a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Things To-Do and Activities in Glacier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Glacier National Park in Montana and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska are two of the most magnificent national parks in the US. Both parks offer a wide range of outdoor activities, but they are different in terms of the most popular activities. In Glacier National Park, visitors love to hike, go boating, and take scenic drives to see the breathtaking views. There are many trails that take visitors to glaciers, lakes and waterfalls, which are the most popular spots in the park. Boating is also a popular activity in Glacier National Park and visitors can take guided boat tours of the park’s stunning lakes.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its backcountry adventures. Visitors to this park love to go camping, fishing, and backpacking. The park is home to the largest assemblage of glaciers in North America, and visitors can explore the glaciers by hiking or taking a guided tour. The park also has several rivers that are famous for fishing, and visitors can also go camping in the backcountry. This park is ideal for visitors who love to explore the wilderness and are looking for a more rugged and remote experience.
Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Glacier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the most spectacular national parks in the United States. Both parks are known for their stunning natural beauty and unique landscapes. However, the weather in these two parks is very different and it affects when is the best time of year to visit each park.
Glacier National Park is located in Montana and is known for its cold and snowy winters. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the park is a popular destination for hikers and campers. The park is also home to numerous glaciers, which are best seen during the summer months when the snow has melted.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and is known for its extremely cold temperatures, even during the summer months. Winter temperatures can reach as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a great destination for those who want to escape the heat and enjoy the beauty of the wilderness.
Both parks offer unique experiences and breathtaking scenery. However, the weather in each park affects when is the best time of year to visit. If you’re looking for a warm and sunny summer vacation, Glacier National Park is the perfect destination. If you’re looking for a winter wonderland or a cool escape from the summer heat, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is the ideal destination.
Family Friendliness of Glacier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Glacier National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest and most beautiful national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a range of outdoor activities, stunning vistas, and opportunities for wildlife viewing, but when it comes to family-friendliness, there are some key differences.
Glacier National Park is considered to be more family-friendly due to its numerous well-maintained trails, scenic drives, and ranger-led programs. The park also has a number of campgrounds that are suitable for families, as well as a range of accommodation options, including lodges and cabins. The park also has a range of educational programs and activities for children, making it a great choice for families who want to learn more about the natural world.
Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a more remote and rugged destination. The park features a number of challenging trails and backcountry camping opportunities, making it a better choice for experienced hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. While the park does have some family-friendly activities, such as ranger-led programs and scenic drives, it may not be the best choice for families with young children who are looking for a more relaxed vacation experience.
In summary, Glacier National Park is the better option for families who are looking for a more traditional family vacation experience, with a range of educational and recreational opportunities for children. Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is better suited to families who are looking for a more adventurous and rugged outdoor experience.