Glacier National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and opportunities for adventure. However, while they share many similarities, they also have unique differences that make them unique destinations.
Imagine standing in front of a towering mountain range surrounded by glaciers and alpine lakes, or hiking through a narrow canyon with steep cliffs looming over you. These are just a few of the awe-inspiring experiences that Glacier and Zion National Parks have to offer. Whether you’re a nature lover, a hiker, or just looking for a scenic getaway, these two parks are sure to impress.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Glacier and Zion National Parks, comparing and contrasting their landscapes, wildlife, and recreational opportunities. You’ll learn about the best time to visit, top attractions, and insider tips for making the most of your trip. Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime adventure or just looking for inspiration for your next outdoor escape, this article is a must-read.
Hiking Trails in Glacier National Park and Zion National Park
Glacier National Park and Zion National Park are both well known for their breathtaking hiking trails. Glacier is located in Montana and offers over 700 miles of trails, while Zion is located in Utah and offers over 159 miles of trails. Both parks offer a range of hikes, from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks, but each park has its own unique offerings.
At Glacier National Park, some of the easiest hikes include the Trail of the Cedars, which is a wheelchair accessible nature walk through a towering cedar forest, and the Apgar Lookout, which is a gentle climb to a scenic fire lookout tower with panoramic views of the park. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Highline Trail is a popular choice, offering stunning views of the park as you traverse along a narrow ledge high above the forest floor.
Zion National Park offers a similar range of hiking experiences, from easy walks like the Riverside Walk, a 2.2-mile trail along the Virgin River, to strenuous backcountry treks like Angels Landing, a thrilling 5.4-mile hike along a narrow ridge with steep drop-offs. Another popular hike in Zion is The Narrows, a strenuous hike through a narrow canyon filled with rushing water and towering cliffs.
Both parks offer a variety of hiking experiences, with something for every level of hiker. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely nature walk or a challenging backcountry trek, Glacier National Park and Zion National Park have you covered.
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 Zion National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angels Landing Trail | 6598.294 | 492.8616 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| The Zion Narrows Riverside Walk | 2896.812 | 62.7888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Zion Canyon Overlook Trail | 1609.34 | 64.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Watchman Trail | 4988.954 | 196.9008 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| The Subway Trail | 11265.38 | 397.764 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Weeping Rock Trail | 482.802 | 23.7744 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Zion Narrows Trail to Imlay Temple and Big Spring | 13840.324 | 1268.8824 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Lower Emerald Pool Trail | 2092.142 | 34.7472 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Emerald Pools Trail | 4667.086 | 184.7088 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Hidden Canyon Trail | 4828.02 | 283.7688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Glacier National Park and Zion National Park
Glacier National Park, Montana and Zion National Park, Utah offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences. In Glacier National Park, visitors have the opportunity to see grizzly bears, wolves, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep. The park is also home to over 270 species of birds, including the bald eagle, the peregrine falcon, and the gray jay. In addition to the large mammals, visitors can also observe a variety of plant life, including wildflowers and alpine tundra.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, offers a different wildlife experience. While visitors may see some of the same large mammals as in Glacier National Park, such as mule deer and coyotes, Zion is best known for its bird watching opportunities. The park is home to over 200 species of birds, including the California Condor, the Peregrine Falcon, and the Swainson’s Hawk. In addition to birds, visitors can also observe a variety of reptiles and insects, including the desert tortoise and the Zion snail. The park also offers a stunning array of wildflowers and cacti, including the prickly pear and the Joshua tree.
Overall, both Glacier National Park and Zion National Park offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences. Whether you are interested in observing large mammals, birds, reptiles, or plants, both parks are sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Glacier National Park and Zion National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Glacier National Park | Zion 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 | Zion 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 | Mule Deer |
| Gray Wolf | Gray Fox |
| Long-Legged Bat | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Eared Bat | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Badger | American Badger |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Ermine |
| California Myotis | California Myotis |
| Snowshoe Hare | Fringed Myotis |
Fish
| Glacier National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Longnose Sucker | Brown Trout |
| Fathead Minnow | Speckled Dace |
| Lake Trout | Channel Catfish |
| Northern Pike | Goldfish |
| Burbot | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Reptiles
| Glacier National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Gophersnake |
| Common Garter Snake | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Rubber Boa | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Glacier National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Glacier National Park and Zion National Park
Glacier National Park is located in Montana and is known for its breathtaking mountain ranges and glaciers. The most famous landscape in the park is the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is a 50-mile scenic byway that offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Another popular attraction is the Highline Trail, which offers panoramic views of the park’s rugged terrain and wildlife.
Zion National Park is located in Utah and is famous for its towering sandstone cliffs and canyons. The most famous landscape in the park is the Narrows, which is a narrow canyon with walls that rise up to 2,000 feet. Another popular attraction is Angels Landing, a dramatic cliff-top hike that offers panoramic views of the surrounding canyons and valleys. Additionally, the park is home to several waterfalls, including the Virgin River, which adds to its natural beauty.
Things To-Do and Activities in Glacier National Park and Zion National Park
Glacier National Park and Zion National Park are two popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy, but there are some differences between the two parks.
At Glacier National Park, visitors love to go backpacking, fishing, and boating on the park’s many lakes and streams. The park also offers scenic drives, such as the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which provides breathtaking views of the park’s glaciers, mountains, and wildlife.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is known for its stunning canyons and rock formations. Hiking and rock climbing are popular activities in the park, and visitors can explore the narrows of the Virgin River or climb the challenging trails of Angels Landing. The park also offers guided horseback riding tours, scenic drives, and camping.
In conclusion, both Glacier National Park and Zion National Park offer unique outdoor experiences for visitors. Whether you are looking for scenic drives, hiking, camping, or water activities, both parks offer a variety of activities to choose from.
Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park and Zion National Park
Glacier National Park and Zion National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, but the seasonal weather patterns at each park are quite different.
Glacier National Park is located in Montana and is known for its alpine glaciers and snow-capped peaks. The weather in Glacier is typically cool and wet in the spring, warm and dry in the summer, and cold and snowy in the winter. The best time to visit Glacier is during the warm and dry summer months, when the park’s many hiking trails are accessible and visitors can enjoy stunning views of the glaciers.
Zion National Park, located in Utah, is known for its towering red rock cliffs and canyons. The weather in Zion is hot and dry in the spring and summer, and mild and wet in the fall and winter. The best time to visit Zion is in the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and the park’s many hiking trails are less crowded. In the summer, temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making outdoor activities challenging.
In conclusion, both Glacier National Park and Zion National Park offer unique and breathtaking landscapes, but the best time to visit each park depends on the weather patterns and the type of outdoor activities you are interested in. When planning a trip to one of these parks, consider the seasonal weather patterns and plan accordingly.
Family Friendliness of Glacier National Park and Zion National Park
Glacier National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, known for their breathtaking natural beauty and diverse recreational opportunities. When it comes to family-friendliness, both parks offer a range of activities that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. However, there are some key differences to consider when choosing which park to visit with children.
Zion National Park is generally considered to be the more family-friendly of the two. With its well-maintained trails and accessible scenic drives, it is easy for families to explore the park and take in its stunning vistas. In addition, the park offers a variety of educational programs and ranger-led activities that are designed to engage young visitors and help them learn about the natural world.
On the other hand, Glacier National Park can be more challenging for families, particularly those with younger children. With its rugged terrain and more strenuous hiking trails, it can be difficult for kids to keep up and fully enjoy the experience. However, for families with older children or teenagers who are experienced hikers, Glacier National Park offers a unique and rewarding outdoor experience that is unlike anything else.
Ultimately, the choice between Glacier National Park and Zion National Park will depend on the ages and interests of your children, as well as your own preferences and travel style. Both parks offer a wealth of natural beauty and opportunities for adventure, making either one a great choice for families seeking an unforgettable outdoor experience.