This Wyoming state park is a dead end for Glacier National Park – TheTravel

Glacier National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States, with nearly three million tourists visiting annually. The park is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, which includes alpine lakes, lush forests, an impressive glacier system and majestic mountains.

Glacier National Park is also home to America’s most scenic drive, the Going-to-the-Sun Road, among other exciting outdoor adventures, from scenic hiking trails to incredible rock climbing routes. However, the park is often crowded, reducing the chances of enjoying an intimate outdoor experience.

Fortunately, many less visited destinations, including state parks that are considered similar to Glacier National Park but better in certain ways, make perfect alternatives. While Montana has a number of overlooked parks that are similar to Glacier, another nearby state also has excellent examples of its own. That state is Wyoming.

Wyoming already has a state park that is helpless to Yellowstone National Park. But how about something similar to Glacier National Park? One of Wyoming’s underrated parks that is similar to Glacier is Sinks Canyon State Park, nestled in west-central Wyoming, just south of Lander, in the Wind River Mountains.

With its dramatic scenery that includes towering cliffs, lush forests, a rushing river and incredible wildlife, this park is perfect for Glacier National Park.

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7 National Parks Better Than Glacier National Park

As beautiful as Glacier National Park is, these parks offer the same epic views and activities without the Glacier crowds or timed entry requirements.

Sinks Canyon State Park is a perfect choice for Glacier National Park

With towering cliffs, lush forests, a rushing river, glacial deposits and incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, Sinks Canyon State Park is similar to Glacier

While Glacier National Park draws some of the largest crowds in the US national park system, many scenic but underrated state parks also deserve a mention. Wyoming is home to some of the most famous tourist destinations in the US, with its two national parks; Yellowstone and Grand Teton are the most visited.

However, its state park system, which boasts 12 state parks, also hosts some of the most breathtaking and diverse scenery in the country. Although Sinks Canyon’s more than half a million annual visits are more than many parks in the system, it is still an overlooked destination that deserves as much attention as the more popular ones.

Sinks Canyon State Park, WY, Wyoming, USA

Plus, this underrated Wyoming state park is a dead ringer for Glacier. Like Glacier National Park, Sinks Canyon’s landscape is characterized by towering cliffs, glacial deposits, a raging river, lush forests and incredible wildlife, but without the crowds.

Sinks Canyon State Park boasts towering cliffs, a rushing river, and glacial deposits

As soon as you enter Sinks Canyon, you will be amazed by its impressive sandstone and limestone cliffs that tower over the canyon floor.

The sheer walls of the cliffs offer some of the best rock climbing adventures in the U.S. Madison Limestone, which is 345 million years old, is one of the main rock formations in the park.

Sinks Canyon State Park, WY, Wyoming, USA

One of the most unique features of the park is the fact that the Popo Agie River flows through the canyon and then disappears into a large cave called “the sinks” and reappears about a quarter of a mile down the canyon at a point called , “The Rise “.

Of course, Sinks Canyon doesn’t active glaciers like Glacier National Park, which boasts the second largest concentration of active glaciers outside of Alaska.

However, the park has significant glacial deposits and visitors can see that glacial activity is visible in the beautiful canyon, making this hidden gem a popular place for geological studies, welcoming students from all over the country and some parts of the world.

The canyon was shaped by glaciers during the Ice Age, and the same glaciers are believed to be responsible for creating the unique “dips” and “rises” features of the park.

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7 Montana State Parks with a Glacier National Park vibe, but better

While Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, these Montana state parks are just as good (and even better!).

Sinks Canyon’s lush forests and incredible wildlife

Sinks Canyon State Park features a variety of natural habitats, including coniferous forests and aspen meadows. The park boasts an incredibly diverse plant life, with species varying according to altitude and location.

Wildlife sign at Sinks Canyon State Park, WY, Wyoming, USA

Conifers such as Douglas Fir Pine and Limber occupy mostly the north slopes of the canyon. Along the banks of the Popo Agie River you will find riparian plant species such as chokeberry and plain cottonwood. Shrubs, such as service grain, mountain lover and snow forest, as well as wildflowers; lily, bluebells and lupine also call this park home.

A variety of wildlife, including mountain lions, meadow voles, mule deer, black bears, bighorn sheep, and prairie rattlesnakes, also thrive in the diverse natural habitats of Sinks Canyon State Park.

Trout in the Popo Agie River at The Rise in Sinks Canyon State Park, Wyoming

Bird watchers can also see a variety of species including prairie voles, ravens, great horned owls, golden eagles and hummingbirds. Meanwhile, the Popo Agie River also supports many species of fish, including trout, mountain whitefish, rainbow trout, brownfish and cutthroat trout.

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This state park is a dead ringer for Acadia National Park

This Maine state park bears a striking resemblance to Acadia National Park and offers similar activities without the crowds and expense.

Sinks Canyon State Park is a haven for outdoor adventurers

From hiking and caving tours to camping, scenic drives and rock climbing, this underrated state park has a lot to offer outdoor enthusiasts

Glacier National Park is home to some of the best hiking in the national park, offered at various levels of difficulty, but you’re unlikely to explore the trails without crowds, especially the popular ones. While the hikes at Sinks Canyon State Park aren’t as numerous and varied as Glacier, they guarantee beautiful scenery and fun adventures, and you won’t have to deal with crowds.

The park offers a range of routes suitable for the whole family. The North Slope Trail is one of the best hikes in Sinks Canyon State Park, thanks to its stunning views, wildlife viewing opportunities, and fewer crowds. The trail is well marked and there are informative signs along the way. The other hike is the North Slope Trail and Pogo Agie Nature Trail Loop, where hiking trails wind through aspen groves guaranteeing scenic views.

Exploring the Boulder Choke Cave system to see how water magically disappears and reappears in Sinks Canyon is another must-do. This is also an ideal opportunity to learn about the geology of the cave. Guided cave tours take around two to three hours to complete and ensure a safe adventure in this natural wonder.

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7 Wyoming State Parks with a Yellowstone vibe, but better

While Yellowstone boasts great wildlife and spectacular views, high prices and large crowds keep tourists heading to the state parks.

As mentioned above, Sinks Canyon’s variety of rock formations, from sandstone to limestone, make it a premier rock climbing destination with a wide variety of routes suitable for all levels of climbers.

There are also two campgrounds for campers, and all sites are primitive (meaning no electricity or water).

Scenic drive enthusiasts can explore Loop roadwhich starts and ends in Lander. The 70-kilometer scenic drive passes through Sinks Canyon and offers spectacular views of the Wind River Mountains.

Sinks Canyon State Park, Wyoming

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The California state park that is a dead ringer for Yosemite

This underrated state park in California is very similar to Yosemite, but with fewer crowds to contend with while enjoying the amazing scenery.

With so many similarities, from lush forests to towering cliffs perfect for rock climbing, diverse wildlife and fun outdoor adventures, Sinks Canyon State Park is a dead ringer for Glacier National Park, but without the crowds.