There’s A Second “Glacier” National Park

Sometimes called “The Crown of the Continent,” Glacier National Park hosts a number of the most breathtaking pure wonders within the U.S., from towering peaks to scenic alpine lakes and cascading waterfalls. Its essential characteristic, which is mirrored in its title, is the unimaginable assortment of glaciers.

This main nationwide park in Montana has the second-highest focus of glaciers within the decrease 48, after North Cascades National Park in Washington, which hosts greater than 300 glaciers.

Welcoming practically three million vacationers yearly, Glacier is without doubt one of the most popular national parks in the USA. Whereas its awe-inspiring pure landscapes are arduous to outshine, Glacier Bay National Park, one of many many scenic national parks in Alaska, is simply as fascinating and beautiful and bears nearly the identical title.

Nestled west of Juneau within the Gulf of Alaska, the park boasts a number of the most spectacular views within the area and thrilling adventures that you just’ll dwell to recollect. Skip Montana’s Glacier Nationwide Park for Alaska’s personal “Glacier” Nationwide Park for a number of the most unforgettable outside experiences.

What To Know About Glacier Bay Nationwide Park, Alaska

The park has a wealthy human historical past relationship again to about 10,000 years in the past

Archeological proof reveals that the world round Glacier Bay Nationwide Park was first inhabited by the Tlingit about 10,000 years in the past. Though most of the earlier villages have been scoured by glacial push over 300 years in the past, a couple of archeological websites show how a lot the world has stood the check of time, with Xákwnoowú being the oldest dated spot. Found in 1993, the Tlingit Fort is nestled on a bluff overlooking Dundas Bay, and estimated to be 850 years previous.

The positioning the place the park is situated was lined in ice when European explorers first arrived within the late 1700s. Accompanied by Rev. S. Corridor Younger and guided by 4 Tlingit Indians, John Muir made his first go to right here in 1879, however sadly, solely managed to succeed in Geikie Inlet as a result of a lot of the panorama was nonetheless lined in glaciers. When he returned in 1890, he was in a position to discover a bit additional north to what’s now known as Muir Level.

In 1925, the location was made Glacier Bay Nationwide Monument by President Calvin Coolidge, who was impressed by the tidewater glaciers, forests, and the unimaginable alternative to check the glacial conduct of the place. President Franklin D. expanded the monument to greater than double its authentic measurement in 1939, and in 1980, it was designated a nationwide park by President Carter, increasing the land additional.

In the present day, it covers a whopping 3.3 million acres, greater than thrice the scale of Glacier Nationwide Park, which is 1.01 million acres.

Why Skip Montana’s Glacier Nationwide Park For Glacier Bay Nationwide Park In Alaska

The parks share plenty of similarities, however Glacier Bay is quieter and extra adventurous, because of its huge, distant panorama

Each Glacier Bay Nationwide Park and Protect and Glacier Nationwide Park are stunning parks, crammed with various landscapes, and have glaciers, with Montana’s Nationwide Park internet hosting 25 energetic glaciers.

The parks are additionally identified for having an unimaginable number of wildlife, with Black Bears, mountain goats, and moose being widespread in each parks. Majestic mountains and alpine lakes are a standard characteristic in Glacier Nationwide Park and Glacier Bay Nationwide Park & Protect. Glacier Bay’s panorama additionally contains huge fjords, coves, harbors, forests, and extra.

The apparent distinction between the parks is their recognition. Whereas Glacier attracts practically three million vacationers, solely about 400,000 guests make it to Glacier Bay. Though Alaska’s distinctive gem isn’t among the many very least visited US national parks, it’s positively underrated. On the brilliant facet, you’ll be able to benefit from the park’s scenic landscapes with out crowds.

One other main distinction is that Montana’s Glacier Nationwide Park is extra land-based than Alaska’s Glacier Bay, which is generally crammed with water, with glaciers protecting 27% (over 1.3 million acres) of the entire measurement. Glacier Bay can also be one of many most remote national parks in America, and vacationers can solely get there by boat, aircraft, or cruise ship. This remoteness along with its vastness make it a extra adventurous nationwide park than Glacier Nationwide Park.

Total, you’ll get pleasure from loads of enjoyable journey alternatives, from visiting its harbors, coves, and inlets by boat to birdwatching and kayaking.

Issues To Do In Glacier Nationwide Park, Alaska

From wilderness adventures to boating and cruising experiences, Glacier Bay’s actions are various

With over three million acres of house, Glacier Bay is without doubt one of the largest nationwide parks within the U.S., and whether or not enthusiastic about land-based wilderness adventures or water actions, there are a number of issues to do within the park.

One of many must-do experiences within the park is exploring Bartlett Cove, the park’s solely developed space, full with a lodge, a public dock, Customer Heart, Park Headquarters, kayak leases, a walk-in campground, and extra.

As talked about, Glacier Bay is generally lined in water, which suggests boating, cruising, and kayaking are very fashionable. Plus, if you’re keen to sweat a bit for a number of the most unforgettable experiences right here, you’ll be able to take pleasure in wilderness adventures, equivalent to backpacking, climbing, mountaineering, and rafting.

Regardless of boasting a number of the most dramatic surroundings and thrilling adventures in the USA, Glacier Bay Nationwide Park in Alaska is without doubt one of the most underrated nationwide parks within the shadow of common ones like Montana’s Glacier Nationwide Park.

Though its remoteness might need contributed to its fewer visits, if there may be one place that’s value going out of the best way for, then it’s this pristine gem in Alaska that simply so occurs to have a really related title to its extra well-known and common counterpart in Montana.