Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and a wide range of outdoor activities, but they also have their differences. In this article, we’ll compare these two parks and see which one comes out on top.
Yellowstone is the first national park in the United States and is famous for its geysers, hot springs, and geothermal features. On the other hand, Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park in the country and is known for its rugged wilderness, glaciers, and abundant wildlife.
So, which park is better? It depends on what you’re looking for! If you’re a fan of geysers and geothermal features, then Yellowstone might be the park for you. But if you prefer rugged wilderness and glaciers, Wrangell-St. Elias might be a better choice. In this article, we’ll dive into the details and compare these two parks on different categories, from their size and location to their wildlife and outdoor activities.
Hiking Trails in Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve boasts some incredible hiking trails, making it a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts. One of the most popular hikes in the park is the Root Glacier Trail, which is considered an easy hike and offers stunning views of the glacier. Another popular trail is the Kennicott Glacier Trail, which is a bit more challenging but also offers breathtaking views of the glacier and its surroundings. For those looking for a more strenuous hike, the Mount St. Elias trail is a challenging 14-mile hike that takes you to the summit of the mountain.
On the other hand, Yellowstone National Park offers a range of hiking trails for all skill levels. The Biscuit Basin Loop is a popular, easy hike that offers views of a number of geysers and hot springs. The Fairy Falls trail is a moderate hike that takes you to the base of a beautiful waterfall. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Mount Washburn trail is a strenuous hike that takes you to the summit of the mountain and offers panoramic views of the park.
Both Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park offer a range of hiking trails for all skill levels, from easy walks to strenuous mountaineering expeditions. Whether you’re looking for a scenic stroll or a challenging climb, these parks have something to offer for everyone.
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 |
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 Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is well known for its diverse wildlife, including the iconic bison, grizzly bears, and wolves. In addition to these large mammals, visitors can also see elk, pronghorns, and mule deer. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 300 species of birds, including the bald eagle, osprey, and trumpeter swan.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is home to a diverse range of wildlife as well, including caribou, moose, and Dall sheep. The park also boasts a large population of brown and black bears, making it a popular destination for bear viewing. In addition to these large mammals, the park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the golden eagle, gyrfalcon, and willow ptarmigan. The park’s abundant vegetation, including spruce and hemlock forests, makes it a great place for birdwatching.
Both parks offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities, but the type of wildlife you’ll see will depend on the time of year and the specific area of the park you visit. For example, visitors to Yellowstone during the summer months will have the best chance of seeing bison, while visitors to Wrangell-St. Elias during the spring will have the best chance of seeing caribou. Regardless of the time of year, both parks offer exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities for visitors.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve | 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
| Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Little Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Black Bear | Bobcat |
| Porcupine | Striped Skunk |
| Red Fox | Little Brown Bat |
| Puma | Deer Mouse |
| Mink | Raccoon |
| Mule Deer | Black Bear |
| Wolf | Porcupine |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Snowshoe Hare | Hoary Bat |
| Land Otter | Red Fox |
| Common Shrew | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Water Shrew | House Mouse |
| Red Squirrel | Mountain Lion |
| Montane Shrew | Mink |
| Long-Tailed Vole | Mule Deer |
| Lynx | Wolf |
| Wolverine | Long-Legged Myotis |
| American Marten | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Badger |
| Grizzly Bear | Short Tailed Weasel |
| Meadow Vole | California Myotis |
Fish
| Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Steelhead | Rainbow Trout |
| Longnose Sucker | Brook Trout |
| Lake Trout | Brown Trout |
| Northern Pike | Longnose Sucker |
| Burbot | Lake Trout |
| Silver Salmon | Mottled Sculpin |
| King Salmon | Longnose Dace |
| Slimy Sculpin | Speckled Dace |
| Threespine Stickleback | Arctic Grayling |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Silvery Blue | Orange Sulphur |
| Clouded 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 |
Reptiles
| Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Rubber Boa |
Beautiful Landscapes in Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is the largest national park in the United States, spanning over 13 million acres of pristine wilderness. This park boasts magnificent mountain ranges, glaciers, and over 40 active volcanoes. One of the most famous landscapes in the park is Mount Wrangell, an active shield volcano that rises to over 14,000 feet. Another popular destination is the Kennicott Glacier, which is a large glacier in the park that visitors can explore on guided hikes.
Yellowstone National Park is also known for its breathtaking natural beauty. The park is home to the largest concentration of geysers in the world, including the famous Old Faithful geyser. Visitors can also explore the park’s stunning landscapes, including the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, which is a deep canyon with towering cliffs and stunning waterfalls. The park also features a variety of wildlife, including bison, elk, and grizzly bears, which can be seen roaming the park’s vast wilderness. Whether you are looking for stunning landscapes or unique geological features, both Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park have something to offer.
Things To-Do and Activities in Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming offer unique and diverse experiences for visitors. In Wrangell – St. Elias, visitors can enjoy scenic flights, backcountry camping, rafting and kayaking on the Copper River, and wildlife viewing. The park is also home to the historic Kennicott Copper Mine, which visitors can tour. In contrast, Yellowstone offers more developed recreational activities including geyser viewing, hot springs soaking, scenic drives, and ranger-led programs.
Both parks have a wealth of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, but the specific activities available will largely depend on the time of year and weather conditions. In Wrangell – St. Elias, winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, while in Yellowstone, winter activities include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. In the summer, both parks offer opportunities for hiking, fishing, and backpacking.
No matter which park you choose, be sure to research the conditions and plan ahead to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Both parks have their own unique features and offer a range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful backcountry experience or a more developed recreational adventure, both Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park have something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park are both popular destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. However, their seasonal weather patterns differ greatly. Wrangell-St. Elias is located in south-central Alaska, and experiences long, harsh winters with heavy snowfall and low temperatures. Summertime, on the other hand, is mild with moderate temperatures and occasional rain. This makes the best time to visit from late May to early September when the weather is at its most temperate and the park is accessible.
In contrast, Yellowstone National Park, located in the western United States, has a more moderate climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. The best time to visit Yellowstone is during the summer months of June to August when the weather is warm and the park is accessible. Winter is also a popular time to visit as the park transforms into a winter wonderland with snow-covered landscapes and opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
In conclusion, the weather at both Wrangell-St. Elias and Yellowstone greatly affects when is the best time to visit each park. Visitors should consider the conditions they prefer and plan their trip accordingly to make the most of their experience.
Family Friendliness of Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve and Yellowstone National Park
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming are both popular destinations for families looking to experience the great outdoors. However, the two parks offer different experiences and may cater better to different age groups.
Yellowstone National Park is more established and has more visitor services and amenities, making it a more convenient and comfortable choice for families with children. The park also has a variety of educational programs and ranger-led activities to keep kids engaged, as well as a number of easy hiking trails and scenic drives.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a more remote and rugged wilderness destination. While it may not have as many visitor services, it offers a more immersive and adventurous experience for families who enjoy exploring and getting off the beaten path. The park has a number of backcountry trails, opportunities for wildlife viewing, and scenic flights to see the vast, unspoiled wilderness from above.
Ultimately, the choice between these two parks will depend on what type of family vacation you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a comfortable and convenient family getaway with plenty of amenities and activities, Yellowstone National Park may be the better choice. If you’re looking for a more adventurous and immersive wilderness experience, consider Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve.