Glacier Nationwide Park vs. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park: Out of doors Writers Debate Which One You Ought to Go to Subsequent

Visiting each nationwide park is a dream for many individuals, however with 63 complete parks, it’s exhausting to search out the time or cash. So, with regards to Glacier Nationwide Park vs. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, which do you have to select?

Two of our writers assume they’ve the reply for you, even when they don’t agree.

Workforce Glacier Nationwide Park

By Matthew Kok

1. Glacier Nationwide Park’s Crowds Aren’t as Dangerous

Any time you’re planning a visit to a nationwide park, one of many most important questions at hand is “how crowded is it gonna be?” Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park has roughly 4.5 million guests a 12 months. By comparability, Glacier Nationwide Park has about 3 million. Granted, these numbers are each fairly excessive, however that distinction of 1.5 million guests is not any small factor.

Probably the most very important consideration right here isn’t within the numbers however within the expertise. Once you go climbing in Glacier, relying on what a part of the 12 months you’re in and the way well-liked the path is, you may very well get a while alone. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is gorgeous, certain, however additionally it is extra saturated. In the event you’re fascinated about a bit little bit of solitude in nature, Glacier Nationwide Park is the park for you. You’ll have to do some bit of labor to get that solitude, however not practically as a lot as in Rocky Mountain.

2. Glacier Beats Rocky Mountain within the Fascinating Mammal Division

I get it—the presence of grizzly bears is usually a divisive subject. Certain, they require way more stringent food-storage tips. They require particular issues for climbing: making noise as you go, staying in teams, maybe even leaving your canine at dwelling. Understandably, some people dwell in worry of operating right into a grizzly. Some, although, are chomping on the bit to see one from a distance. Nobody needs to run right into a mom bear and her cubs . . . watching a grizzly dash up a hillside from a distance, although? What a wildlife expertise.

In addition to grizzlies, you’ve a greater likelihood of operating into another mammals in Glacier. Whereas a mountain goat could often wander into Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, they don’t seem to be native to that space. (Don’t confuse them with bighorn sheep, which you could find in both park.) Wolves could someday find yourself again in Rocky Mountain, however there are already 6-8 wolf packs in Glacier. Moreover, whereas lynx or wolverine sightings could be uncommon in Glacier, they’re practically inconceivable in Rocky Mountain. Everybody needs to know what attention-grabbing wildlife you noticed after your nationwide park journey, so why not go for the one with extra potential bragging rights?

3. The Canadian Rockies Are Extra Lovely (And They’re Humble About It)

It will be silly to attempt to disparage the mountains of Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. The Rockies in Colorado are unimaginable. They’re sweeping, they’re gorgeous, they’re iconic. Nonetheless, Glacier Nationwide Park, on this author’s opinion, simply barely edges them out. As you get additional up towards Canada, the mountains tackle a special really feel. In the event you have been to proceed north from Glacier, maybe alongside the Nice Divide Path, you’d end up in a special world. After all, Glacier Nationwide Park is a bit piece of the Canadian Rockies that the U.S. managed to eke out when that border was outlined. Glacier has extra outlined peaks, extra sheer cliff faces. There’s a purpose the native Pikuni contemplate Glacier sacred and name it “the backbone of the world.”

4. Montana’s Out of doors Tradition Is Wilder

That is an extension of the primary level in favor of Glacier Nationwide Park. Not solely is Glacier much less crowded, however the crowds are completely different. After all, neither facet is fallacious or unhealthy, nevertheless it will depend on your desire and the way you need your nationwide park journey to really feel. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, being so near Denver, finally ends up being an escape for many individuals in that space. It’s a improbable useful resource for Denver and the encircling space, however maybe there are little items of metropolis residing that seep into the out of doors tradition there. The closest notable metropolis to Glacier, by comparability, is Kalispell, with a inhabitants of roughly 26,000. Visiting Glacier Nationwide Park requires a bit extra intention. Making mates with strangers in, say, a Many Glacier campsite, will deliver a special expertise than it might in Rocky Mountain. You’ll meet people from extra far-flung locations, who’ve maybe been planning this journey for a big a part of their lives.

5. Glacier Nationwide Park Has the Glaciers (Duh)

Right here’s some extent in favor of Glacier Nationwide Park the place Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park can’t even compete. Glacier has the glaciers. This additionally lends a time-sensitive purpose for selecting Glacier because the park to go to. Right here’s overview of the present state of glaciers within the park. Projections from 2003 checked out Blackfoot Glacier and Jackson Glacier, the biggest, and theorized that after they disappeared, the remaining within the park would already be gone. They first predicted it’d occur by 2030, then informally up to date that projection to 2020 after they realized the glaciers have been receding quicker than their preliminary predictions. Since then, scientific understanding of glacial soften has modified, and the predictions have been pushed again.

If you could find the time to take a look at these glaciers, it helps to know their historical past. Whereas they could not look, in our lifetime, like a pure pressure that formed the earth, that’s precisely what they’re. It’s a typical chorus in our wild locations, our valleys and mountains. 1000’s and 1000’s of years in the past, it was glaciers that carved out the pure locations that we all know and love. Seeing the glaciers that stay in Glacier Nationwide Park is a strategy to entry the historical past of the earth and its present state. Plus, there are some unimaginable views alongside the way in which, which those self same glaciers created.

Workforce Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park

By Alex Murphy

1. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park Is a Mountaineering Paradise

Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park (RMNP) is a hiker’s paradise. Trails cowl the varied panorama. A latest article outlined the truth that there are 235 completely different treks inside the park. That’s a lifetime of adventures.

Whereas some well-liked trails like Bear Lake and Bluebird Lake will deliver the crowds, it’s straightforward sufficient to get off the overwhelmed path and discover your individual journey. The very best half is the variation in Rocky Mountain’s various ecosystem. Some trails will undergo pine forests, whereas others will deliver you above treeline into an alpine tundra. The alternatives to discover a brand new space are limitless in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park.

Glacier Nationwide Park, one other hiker’s park, has considerably fewer trails at 154. That quantity continues to be spectacular, however there are 81 extra trails in RMNP.

2. You Can Have 12 months-Spherical Enjoyable in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park

Glacier Nationwide Park sits on the Montana/Canada border, which signifies that winter begins early there and continues till about June. Rocky Mountain might even see some snow on the upper peaks within the fall, however even after winter climate formally arrives, a lot of the park continues to be accessible year-round. 

In truth, Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is a winter wonderland within the colder months. Probably the most distinctive points of interest is Hidden Valley—a shutdown ski resort that also attracts skiers, sledders, and snowboarding fanatics. You can even ice skate on frozen alpine lakes and revel in limitless snowshoe alternatives. Simpler entry to the park in comparison with Glacier permits for adventures any time of 12 months. 

3. You Can Get Larger in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park

Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park presents a number of alternatives to overcome new heights.

The primary is Path Ridge Street, which brings drivers as much as 12,183 toes. The street has the best elevation of any continuous freeway within the decrease 48 states. You may really see the change in local weather and wildlife as you drive into the sky. On the prime, there’s a ranger station and even a small cafe.

One other strategy to get some epic views as you climb to new heights is by summiting Longs Peak. The mountain is considered one of Colorado’s 14ers and tops out at 14,259 toes. What begins as a climbing path turns into a scramble for the ultimate few miles to the highest. Conquering Longs isn’t straightforward, and the mountain constantly makes the checklist as considered one of Colorado’s most harmful 14ers.

4. Estes Park Might Be the Greatest Gateway Group

Sitting proper outdoors Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park is the city of Estes Park. The picturesque mountain city is certainly extra of a vacationer vacation spot than the areas outdoors Glacier, and I imply that in a great way.

After an extended day within the mountains, discovering a comfortable restaurant for dinner and drinks is nice. Estes Park is loaded with superb spots to seize a chew to eat—and there are breweries, as a result of that is Colorado, in any case. There are many small outlets and different cool spots to discover within the city the place elk randomly roam. 

Estes Park can be dwelling to the Stanley Lodge, the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shinning. And you’ll guide a room there, which is unimaginable.

5. No Have to Fear About Grizzly Bears 

A whole lot of animals name Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park dwelling, however you gained’t encounter any grizzly bears. Whereas the park nonetheless has the smaller and extra timid black bear, you don’t essentially want to hold bear spray right here. 

Grizzly bears are a vital a part of many ecosystems. Nonetheless, backcountry adventures require further preparation and security measures in areas with grizzlies. If that’s not one thing you’re keen to do in Glacier, keep away from grizzly territory altogether and go to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park as a substitute.

What do you assume? Within the debate of Glacier Nationwide Park vs. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, which one tops your checklist? Tell us within the feedback beneath.