The Grand Teton and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks are two of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the United States. Both parks offer breathtaking views, unique wildlife and an abundance of recreational activities. But which one is right for you? In this article, we compare these two magnificent parks, so you can make an informed decision on which one to visit next.
The Grand Teton National Park is located in Wyoming and is famous for its jagged mountain range and stunning alpine lakes. It is a hiker’s paradise, with trails ranging from easy hikes to challenging backcountry treks. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives, wildlife viewing and seasonal fishing.
On the other hand, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in Tennessee and North Carolina and is known for its rolling hills, lush forests, and diverse wildlife. This park also offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, camping, and horseback riding. In addition, the Great Smoky Mountains is home to several historic sites, including pioneer homesteads and Civil War fortifications.
Both parks have a lot to offer, but the question is, which one will you choose for your next adventure? Read on to find out the differences and similarities between the Grand Teton and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks.
Hiking Trails in Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are both popular hiking destinations in the United States, but they offer very different experiences. The Grand Teton National Park is known for its stunning mountain vistas and challenging hikes, while the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its lush forests and more moderate trails.
In Grand Teton National Park, some of the easiest hikes include the Taggart Lake Trail and the String Lake Trail, both of which offer stunning views of the park’s iconic peaks. For experienced hikers, the park offers challenging hikes such as the Paintbrush Canyon Trail and the Death Canyon Trail, which lead to breathtaking panoramas of the Teton Range and the surrounding valleys.
On the other hand, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to many easy hikes that wind through the park’s lush forests, including the Grotto Falls Trail and the Rainbow Falls Trail. For more experienced hikers, the park offers challenging hikes such as the Mount LeConte Trail, which offers panoramic views of the Smokies and the surrounding landscape, as well as the strenuous Alum Cave Trail, which leads to the top of Mount LeConte.
Overall, both Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park offer a range of hiking options for people of all skill levels, from easy, scenic walks to challenging hikes that test the limits of even the most experienced hikers.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Grand Teton National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade Canyon Trail | 15610.598 | 343.8144 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Jenny Lake Trail | 12391.918 | 221.8944 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Taggart Lake Loop | 6598.294 | 130.7592 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Delta Lake via Amphitheater Lake Trail | 14484.06 | 709.8792 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes Trail | 14323.126 | 896.7216 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Hidden Falls Trail | 7885.766 | 179.832 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Phelps Lake Trail | 11265.38 | 220.98 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Lake Solitude Trail | 25749.44 | 803.7576 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| String Lake Trail | 5954.558 | 79.8576 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake Loop | 9656.04 | 231.9528 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte | 17219.938 | 916.8384 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Chimney Tops Trail | 5793.624 | 392.8872 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rainbow Falls Trail | 8851.37 | 503.8344 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Grotto Falls Trail | 4184.284 | 162.7632 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Laurel Falls Trail | 3862.416 | 120.7008 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Abrams Falls Trail | 7885.766 | 191.7192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail | 1931.208 | 100.8888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail | 13840.324 | 603.8088 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ramsey Cascades Trail | 13035.654 | 677.8752 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Peregrine Peak via Alum Cave Bluffs Trail | 6759.228 | 322.7832 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife but there are some differences in terms of the types of wildlife you can expect to see.
At Grand Teton National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of large mammals such as moose, elk, bison, and grizzly bears. The park is also home to a number of bird species including bald eagles, ospreys, and peregrine falcons. The park is also known for its diverse plant life, including wildflowers and aspen groves.
In contrast, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its rich diversity of wildlife, including over 1,500 species of plants and animals. Visitors can expect to see species such as black bears, deer, foxes, and raccoons. The park is also home to a number of bird species, including warblers, vireos, and thrushes. Additionally, the park is famous for its large number of salamanders, which are commonly seen in the park’s streams and rivers.
Both parks offer a unique opportunity to see a variety of wildlife in their natural habitats. Whether you’re interested in seeing large mammals, birds, or plants, both Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park offer something for everyone.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Grand Teton National Park | Great Smoky Mountains 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 Teton National Park | Great Smoky Mountains 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 | Panther (Mountain Lion) |
| Mule Deer | Mink |
| Wolf | Gray Fox |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Gray Wolf |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Snowshoe Hare |
| Badger | River Otter |
| Ermine | Masked Shrew |
| California Myotis | Water Shrew |
| Snowshoe Hare | Red Squirrel |
Fish
| Grand Teton National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Redband Trout | Rainbow Trout |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout |
| Brown Trout | Brown Trout |
| Lake Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Mottled Sculpin | Green Sunfish |
| Longnose Dace | Bluegill |
| Speckled Dace | Common Carp |
| Arctic Grayling | Longnose Dace |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Grand Teton National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Rubber Boa |
Amphibians
| Grand Teton National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Insects
| Grand Teton National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered Skipper | |
| Common Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Grand Teton National Park is located in the state of Wyoming and is known for its stunning views of the Teton Mountain Range. The park’s most famous landscape is the Teton Range, which is a majestic chain of peaks that rise dramatically from the valley floor. Other natural wonders in the park include Jenny Lake, which is a popular spot for boating and hiking, and the Snake River Overlook, which provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the valley below.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in the states of Tennessee and North Carolina, is known for its stunning mountain vistas and diverse wildlife. The park’s most famous landscape is the Great Smoky Mountains, which are a range of peaks that are shrouded in a bluish haze, hence the name “Smoky.” The park is also home to a number of waterfalls, including Laurel Falls and Grotto Falls, which are popular hiking destinations. Additionally, visitors can see scenic overlooks like Clingmans Dome, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, and the park’s many hiking trails, which provide opportunities to explore diverse ecosystems and see wildlife in their natural habitat.
Things To-Do and Activities in Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, attracting millions of visitors each year. Both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities, but the most popular activities are different between them.
At Grand Teton National Park, visitors can participate in a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park is also a popular destination for rock climbing, with challenging routes in the Teton Range. In addition, visitors can take scenic drives through the park and enjoy the stunning views of the Teton Mountains.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the other hand, is known for its stunning landscape of rolling hills and dense forests. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping. The park is also famous for its scenic drives, including the Newfound Gap Road that offers breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains. In addition, visitors can enjoy horseback riding, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.
Both parks are popular for their scenic beauty and variety of outdoor activities, but the specific activities that are most popular are different depending on the park. Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike or a scenic drive, both Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park have something to offer.
Best Time to Visit Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique experiences and breathtaking natural beauty, but the seasonal weather at each park is different.
The Grand Teton National Park is situated in the state of Wyoming and has a semi-arid climate, with hot summers and cold winters. The best time to visit this park is during the summer months of June to August, when the weather is warm and ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing. Winter months can be harsh, with temperatures often dropping below freezing and snowfall can be heavy.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. This park has a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters and hot, humid summers. The best time to visit this park is during the spring and fall months, when temperatures are mild and the park’s scenic beauty is at its peak. Heavy rainfall during the summer months can make hiking trails slippery and difficult to navigate.
In conclusion, the seasonal weather at each park plays a significant role in determining the best time of year to visit. Whether you’re looking to beat the heat in the Great Smoky Mountains or enjoy the warm weather in the Grand Teton National Park, it’s important to plan your trip accordingly to ensure a memorable experience.
Family Friendliness of Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Both Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are highly regarded as family-friendly destinations, offering a wealth of opportunities for families to explore and enjoy the great outdoors. When it comes to comparing the two parks, both have their own unique appeal, but one may be a better choice for families depending on their interests and preferences.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is ideal for families who enjoy scenic drives, as it boasts over 340 miles of roadways that wind through the heart of the park, offering stunning views of the rolling mountains and lush forests. The park also has numerous picnic areas and campgrounds, making it easy for families to pack a lunch and spend the day exploring. Additionally, the park’s diverse range of hiking trails, from easy nature walks to strenuous climbs, means there’s something for every level of fitness.
On the other hand, Grand Teton National Park is perfect for families who enjoy more adventure. The park is known for its rugged beauty, with towering mountain peaks, pristine lakes, and abundant wildlife. Family-friendly activities here include ranger-led walks, horseback riding, and boating excursions, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the wilderness. Additionally, the park offers a variety of camping options, including drive-in campsites and backcountry camping.
Ultimately, both Grand Teton National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are fantastic choices for families, but the park that is better suited to your needs will depend on your family’s interests and travel style. Whether it’s scenic drives, adventure activities, or a mix of both, these parks have something to offer families of all ages.