Both Rocky Mountain National Park and Glacier National Park offer incredible natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Glacier National Park provides a more expansive wilderness experience with a greater number of hiking trails, while Rocky Mountain National Park features higher elevations and closer proximity to a major metropolitan area (Denver). The choice depends on the visitor's preference for vast wilderness versus accessibility and high-altitude landscapes.
| Attribute | Rocky Mountain National Park | Glacier National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Rocky Mountain National Park | Glacier National Park |
| Average Annual Visitors | Over 4 million (4.1 million in 2023, 4,434,848 in 2021) | More than 3 million |
| Park Size (Acres) | 265,461 acres (415 square miles) | 1,012,837 |
| Number of Hiking Trails | Over 300 miles (355 miles) | Over 700 miles (175 trails) |
| Highest Elevation (Feet) | 14,259 (Longs Peak) | 10,466 |
| Primary Activities | Hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, scenic drives, fishing, bird watching, technical rock climbing, alpinism | Hiking, camping, fishing, boating, photography, bicycling, ranger-led programs, guided tours, river rafting, and snowshoe walks |
| Wildlife Viewing Opportunities | Elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, marmots, pikas, coyotes, black bears (over 60 species of mammals and 280 species of birds) | Bears (grizzly and black), mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, elk, wolves, wolverines, and various bird species |
| Accessibility | Trail Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, Free shuttle buses in Bear Lake Corridor (accessible with wheelchair lifts and tie downs) | Going-to-the-Sun Road, free Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle, temporary shuttle service for hikers wanting to access the Many Glacier area from July 1-September 21, 2025 |
| Camping Facilities | Five drive-in campgrounds, campsites for tents and RVs, electric hookups, picnic tables, fire rings with grates, food storage boxes | 13 front country campgrounds (8 Class A with 943 sites, 5 Class B with 61 sites), 65 backcountry campgrounds with 208 sites |
| Entrance Fee | 7-Day Vehicle Pass: $35, 7-Day Motorcycle Pass: $30, 1-Day Per Person Pass: $15, 7-Day Per Person Pass: $20, Annual Pass: $70 | Summer Rate: $35 for 7 days per vehicle, Winter Rate: $25 for 7 days per vehicle (November 1 to April 30) |
| Best Time to Visit | Late spring to early fall (Summer and fall are busiest) | July to mid-September for hiking, first week of July through early September for most people |
| Availability of Lodging Inside the Park | Variety of lodges located in the park | Historic grand hotels, motor inns, rustic cabins, Glacier National Park Lodges operates five lodges |
| Distance from Nearest Major Airport | Approximately 55 miles (89 km) northwest of Denver | Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, Montana |
| Price | Not available | Not available |
| Ratings | Not available | Not available |