The Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park are two of America’s most iconic natural wonders. Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences, but which one is the better choice for your next outdoor adventure? In this article, we will take a closer look at these two national treasures and compare them head-to-head to find out which one is the ultimate destination for nature-lovers.
The Grand Canyon is a massive chasm that stretches for 277 miles, revealing millions of years of geological history in its towering cliffs and layered rock formations. On the other hand, Yellowstone is known for its geothermal wonders, including bubbling mud pots, steaming geysers, and colorful hot springs. But these natural wonders are just the tip of the iceberg.
Join us as we explore the unique features and activities each park has to offer, discover which one is the best for wildlife-viewing, and find out which park has the most awe-inspiring views. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a family looking for a fun-filled vacation, this comparison will help you decide which of these two American legends is the perfect choice for your next adventure.
Hiking Trails in Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, both offering a diverse range of hiking trails for visitors to explore.
Grand Canyon National Park is known for its challenging hikes, including the Bright Angel Trail and South Kaibab Trail, both leading to the bottom of the canyon. The Bright Angel Trail is a 9.5-mile round-trip hike with a steep descent, but offers stunning views of the canyon along the way. The South Kaibab Trail is a 7-mile round-trip hike with even steeper inclines and no access to water, making it a more strenuous option for experienced hikers.
On the other hand, Yellowstone National Park boasts easier hikes such as the Fairy Falls Trail, a 3-mile round-trip hike to a beautiful waterfall, and the Mystic Falls Trail, a 1.5-mile round-trip hike to a hidden waterfall. However, the park also offers more strenuous hikes such as the Mount Washburn Trail, a strenuous 6-mile round-trip hike to the summit of Mount Washburn with breathtaking panoramic views of the park.
In conclusion, both Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park offer a range of hiking trails for visitors, from easy hikes to strenuous ones. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking views or a peaceful stroll, these parks have something for everyone.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Grand Canyon National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bright Angel Trail to Bright Angel Campground and River Trail | 28485.318 | 1525.8288 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge | 4988.954 | 358.7496 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Three-Mile Resthouse via Bright Angel Trail | 8690.436 | 635.8128 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| South Kaibab, Phantom Ranch, and Bright Angel Trail Loop | 26875.978 | 1400.8608 | Hard | point to point | 5 |
| South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point | 2896.812 | 210.9216 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Grand Canyon Rim Trail | 8690.436 | 106.9848 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rim-to-Rim: North Kaibab to Grand Canyon Village | 34761.744 | 1614.8304 | Hard | point to point | 5 |
| Shoshone Point Trail | 3379.614 | 45.72 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
| Plateau Point Trail via Bright Angel Trail | 19633.948 | 961.9488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point | 8690.436 | 602.8944 | 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 Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone and Grand Canyon National Parks are two of the most iconic parks in the United States and both are known for their diverse wildlife. Yellowstone is home to a large number of mammals, including bison, elk, moose, and coyotes. Additionally, the park is famous for its large population of grizzly bears and wolves. Visitors may also catch a glimpse of more elusive creatures such as mountain lions and lynx.
On the other hand, Grand Canyon National Park is known for its diverse bird population, including species like the California Condor, Peregrine Falcon, and Bald Eagle. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles, including lizards and snakes, as well as several species of mammals, including deer, squirrels, and chipmunks. Despite its dry landscape, the Grand Canyon is also home to a number of species of cactus and other desert plants.
Both parks offer unique opportunities to see a wide range of wildlife in their natural habitats. Whether you’re interested in observing large mammals, birds of prey, or deserts plants, both Yellowstone and Grand Canyon National Parks are excellent choices for nature enthusiasts.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Grand Canyon 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
| Grand Canyon 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 |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Fox |
| House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mountain Lion | House Mouse |
| Mule Deer | Mountain Lion |
| Gray Fox | Mink |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Mule Deer |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Wolf |
| Badger | Long-Legged Myotis |
| California Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| North American River Otter | Badger |
| Fringed Myotis | Short Tailed Weasel |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | California Myotis |
Fish
| Grand Canyon National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Redband Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brown Trout |
| Largemouth Bass | Longnose Sucker |
| Green Sunfish | Lake Trout |
| Bluegill | Mottled Sculpin |
| Fathead Minnow | Longnose Dace |
| Golden Shiner | Speckled Dace |
| European Carp | Arctic Grayling |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Grand Canyon National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Racer |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Western Rattlesnake | Rubber Boa |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Western Skink | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Grand Canyon National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Canyon Treefrog | Bullfrog |
| Plains Spadefoot | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Grand Canyon National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | Orange Sulphur |
| Monarch Butterfly | Painted Lady |
| Common Sulphur | Monarch |
| Variegated Fritillary | American Painted Lady |
| Commom Wood Nymph | Red Admiral |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered Skipper | |
| Common Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is located in Arizona and is famous for its breathtaking landscapes that include the Colorado River and the iconic Grand Canyon. The canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep, making it one of the most unique landscapes in the world. Visitors to the Grand Canyon can take a scenic drive, hike down into the canyon, or take a helicopter tour to get a unique perspective of this natural wonder.
Yellowstone National Park is located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho and is famous for its geysers, hot springs, and other geothermal features. The most famous of these is Old Faithful, a geyser that shoots water over 100 feet into the air every hour or so. Yellowstone is also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including bison, grizzly bears, elk, and wolves, making it a popular destination for wildlife viewing. The park is also home to several mountain ranges, including the Teton Range and the Absaroka Range, as well as stunning lakes like Yellowstone Lake and Shoshone Lake.
Things To-Do and Activities in Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a variety of experiences for visitors, including scenic drives, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation. Some of the most popular activities at Grand Canyon National Park include taking scenic drives along Desert View Drive and Hermit Road, visiting the historic village of Tusayan, and exploring the park’s many scenic overlooks. At Yellowstone, visitors can explore the park’s geysers and hot springs, go on a wildlife tour to see bison, elk, and other animals, and hike in the park’s pristine wilderness.
Both parks also offer ranger-led activities, including guided walks and talks, campfire programs, and stargazing events. At Grand Canyon, visitors can take a guided hike to the bottom of the canyon, or take a mule ride along the rim. At Yellowstone, visitors can take a snowmobile tour in the winter, or go on a horseback ride in the summer. No matter what season you visit, there is always something to do at these iconic national parks. Whether you are looking for an adventure or a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, these parks offer a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.
Best Time to Visit Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique scenic beauty, but the weather at each park is quite different, which affects the best time of year to visit.
At the Grand Canyon, temperatures range from the high 80s to low 90s during the summer months and can drop to the mid-30s in the winter. Winter is also the wettest season at the Grand Canyon, with occasional snow and sleet. The best time to visit the Grand Canyon is from March to May and from September to November, when temperatures are mild and there is less rainfall.
Yellowstone, on the other hand, has a subalpine climate with long, cold winters and short summers. Summer temperatures in Yellowstone can reach into the 80s, but nights can still be quite chilly. Snow and icy conditions are common in the winter, making many park roads impassable. The best time to visit Yellowstone is from June to September when the weather is mild and many park facilities and roads are open.
In conclusion, the weather at Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park greatly affects the best time of year to visit each park. Visitors should plan their trips accordingly to ensure they have the best experience possible while visiting these stunning national parks.
Family Friendliness of Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Both the Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park are renowned for their natural beauty, but when it comes to family-friendliness, one of the parks comes out on top.
The Grand Canyon is renowned for its stunning vistas, but its location and lack of amenities can make it a challenging destination for families with young children. There are limited opportunities for hiking and exploring, and many of the trails are steep and difficult. In contrast, Yellowstone National Park offers a wider range of activities and amenities, making it a better choice for families with children.
Yellowstone boasts scenic drives, hiking trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds that are perfect for families. Kids will love exploring the geysers, hot springs, and other geological wonders. And, there are plenty of ranger-led programs and activities designed specifically for children. The park also boasts a range of accommodations, including lodges, cabins, and camping options, making it easy to plan a family-friendly trip.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with children, Yellowstone National Park is the better choice for a family-friendly vacation. With its wide range of activities and amenities, it provides a fun, educational, and memorable experience for visitors of all ages.