Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most magnificent and awe-inspiring natural wonders in the United States. Both parks are known for their stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife. But which one is the better destination? That’s what we aim to find out in this article. We’ll compare these two parks on various aspects, from the geography and geology, to the recreational activities and accommodations. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a casual tourist, you’ll want to keep reading.
Glacier National Park is located in Montana and spans over one million acres. It’s known for its towering peaks, pristine lakes, and abundant wildlife. On the other hand, Yellowstone National Park is located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho and is famous for its geysers, hot springs, and old-growth forests. Both parks offer a unique and unforgettable experience, but which one will come out on top? Get ready for an adventurous comparison as we delve into the details of Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park.
Hiking Trails in Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, known for their stunning natural beauty and abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. One of the most popular activities in both parks is hiking.
Glacier National Park boasts over 700 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry treks. Some of the easiest hikes include the Trail of the Cedars and the Avalanche Lake Trail, both of which offer breathtaking views of the park’s scenery. The hardest hike in the park is the Grinnell Glacier trail, a strenuous 11-mile trek that takes you to the top of the mountain for panoramic views of the park.
Yellowstone National Park also has a great selection of hiking trails, with over 900 miles of trails to explore. Easy hikes include the Upper Geyser Basin and the Fairy Falls Trail, while the hardest hike in the park is the Mount Washburn Trail, a steep 7-mile climb that takes you to the top of the mountain for panoramic views of the park. The park also has a variety of backcountry trails for those who want to explore the wilderness on extended trips.
Both parks offer a diverse range of hiking experiences for visitors, from easy walks to challenging backcountry treks. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely hike or an adventurous backpacking trip, both Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park have something to offer.
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 Yellowstone National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mystic Falls, Fairy Creek and Little Firehole Loop | 5632.69 | 184.7088 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Grand Prismatic Hot Spring | 2574.944 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop | 7242.03 | 73.7616 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Canyon Rim North Trail to Inspiration Point | 12713.786 | 349.9104 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail | 1609.34 | 17.9832 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Mammoth Hot Springs Area Trail | 5632.69 | 170.9928 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Artists Paintpots Trail | 1609.34 | 30.7848 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Avalanche Peak Trail | 7402.964 | 614.7816 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Old Faithful Geyser Loop Trail | 1126.538 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Upper Falls, Lower Falls and Crystal Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 140.8176 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park are both located in the United States and offer visitors the chance to see a variety of wildlife in their natural habitats. Yellowstone is known for its large herds of bison and elk, as well as its grizzly bears and wolves. In addition to these larger mammals, visitors to Yellowstone may also see black bears, pronghorns, and coyotes.
On the other hand, Glacier National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and moose. Visitors may also spot lynx, mountain lions, and wolverines. The park is also a popular destination for birdwatchers, who come to see species such as the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and the common loon.
Both parks offer opportunities to see unique and varied plant life, from the towering conifers of the northern forests to the wildflowers and shrubs of the alpine meadows. Visitors to Glacier National Park can enjoy hiking through the park’s diverse landscapes, from the rugged peaks of the Continental Divide to the calm waters of its many lakes. Yellowstone, too, boasts a variety of landscapes, including the geyser basins and hot springs that give the park its name.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Glacier National Park | Yellowstone 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 | Yellowstone 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 | Mule Deer |
| Long-Legged Bat | Wolf |
| Long-Eared Bat | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Badger | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Badger |
| California Myotis | Short Tailed Weasel |
| Snowshoe Hare | California Myotis |
Fish
| Glacier National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Longnose Sucker | Brown Trout |
| Fathead Minnow | Longnose Sucker |
| Lake Trout | Lake Trout |
| Northern Pike | Mottled Sculpin |
| Burbot | Longnose Dace |
| Mottled Sculpin | Speckled Dace |
| Slimy Sculpin | Arctic Grayling |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Glacier National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Racer |
| Common Garter Snake | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Rubber Boa | Rubber Boa |
Amphibians
| Glacier National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Glacier National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered Skipper | |
| Common Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most famous national parks in the United States, known for their stunning natural beauty and diverse landscapes. Glacier National Park’s most famous landscape is Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 50-mile road that takes visitors through the heart of the park and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. One of the most popular natural features to see along the road is St. Mary Lake, a stunning alpine lake surrounded by towering peaks. Visitors can also hike to Hidden Lake Overlook and experience the park’s unique wildlife, including mountain goats and bighorn sheep.
Yellowstone National Park is known for its geothermal features, including the famous Old Faithful geyser and the Grand Prismatic Spring. The park also boasts the largest collection of geysers in the world, making it a must-see destination for visitors interested in geology and natural history. Yellowstone is also home to the Yellowstone Canyon and the Yellowstone River, which offers visitors stunning views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and its tall waterfalls. The park is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, and elk, making it a prime destination for wildlife viewing.
Things To-Do and Activities in Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park are both popular destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Both parks offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, but some of the most popular are different.
At Glacier National Park, visitors love to take scenic drives, such as the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which offers stunning views of the park’s glaciers, mountains, and valleys. Other popular activities include camping, fishing, and boat tours on the park’s many lakes and rivers. Hiking is also a favorite activity in Glacier National Park, with over 700 miles of trails that offer breathtaking views and a chance to see wildlife.
In contrast, Yellowstone National Park is known for its geothermal features, such as the famous Old Faithful geyser, hot springs, and bubbling mud pots. Visitors love to take tours of these features and learn about the geological processes that create them. Wildlife viewing is also a popular activity in Yellowstone, with opportunities to see bears, wolves, bison, and other animals in their natural habitats. Additionally, fishing and boating are popular in the park’s many rivers and lakes.
Both Glacier and Yellowstone offer a wealth of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy, but each park has its own unique attractions and experiences. Whether you’re interested in scenic drives, wildlife viewing, or geothermal features, both parks are sure to provide a memorable experience.
Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park are both popular tourist destinations, but they have different climates. Glacier National Park is located in Montana and has a subarctic climate, with cold winters and cool summers. Average temperatures range from 20°F in January to 60°F in July. Snow is common from October to May, with the heaviest snowfall in December and January. This makes the park an ideal destination for winter sports enthusiasts, but it can be difficult to access the park during this time.
Yellowstone National Park, on the other hand, is located in Wyoming and has a more temperate climate, with milder winters and warmer summers. Average temperatures range from 20°F in January to 70°F in July. Snow is also common in Yellowstone, but it tends to be lighter and less persistent than in Glacier National Park. This allows for year-round access to the park, but it can be crowded during the summer months.
The best time to visit Glacier National Park is in the summer, when the weather is mild and the snow has melted, making it easier to access the park’s scenic roads and hiking trails. The best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. Both parks offer unique experiences, and the weather will play an important role in determining when is the best time to visit.
Family Friendliness of Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, both of which are great destinations for families. However, they offer different experiences, making one better suited for families than the other.
Glacier National Park is famous for its stunning natural beauty, with towering mountain peaks, crystal-clear lakes and glaciers, and diverse wildlife. However, the park’s remote location and challenging terrain can make it less accessible for families traveling with children. Hiking trails can be strenuous, and many of the park’s attractions are only accessible by car, which can be tiring for young children.
On the other hand, Yellowstone National Park is more family-friendly, with a wider range of activities and amenities. The park has more accessible hiking trails, as well as a number of educational and interactive exhibits and programs designed to engage children. There are also several geysers, hot springs, and other geological features that are sure to capture the imagination of kids and adults alike.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with children, Yellowstone National Park is the better choice. It offers a more accessible and educational experience, with a variety of activities and amenities that are sure to keep the whole family entertained.