A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Glacier National Park vs. Salt Lake City for Backpackers, Hiking, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is a gorgeous, stunning, and breathtaking park. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a religious, architectural, and notable city. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums.

Glacier National Park and Salt Lake City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Glacier National Park than Salt Lake City, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Glacier National Park is better known for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Salt Lake City is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and shopping. Glacier National Park is more touristy than Salt Lake City and is popular for its miles of hiking trails, impressive glaciers, and pristine lakes. Also, Glacier National Park is famous for Going-to-the-Sun Road. Salt Lake City is well known for its religious landmarks and its large Mormon population.

How is Glacier National Park different from Salt Lake City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Salt Lake City and Glacier National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City is notable for its sights and museums. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its museums and history.

Salt Lake City offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the fascinating sights around town are influenced by the city's Mormon culture. Temple Square is a highlight for most visitors. It spans 35 acres and is beautifully landscaped with several fountains. There are also four main churches - The Temple, the Tabernacle, the Temple Annex, and Assembly Hall. The city also has several museums such as the Natural History Museum and the historic Liberty Park.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Glacier National Park. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most people head straight for the park.

Is the Food Better in Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Salt Lake City is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its restaurants.

Salt Lake City offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. In recent years the food scene has really improved and you'll find a variety of restaurants that serve everything from upscale dishes to more casual fare.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Glacier National Park. You'll find several restaurants and cafes both within and near the park, but this is an incredibly crowded park so you'll want to make reservations well in advance.

Is Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City Better for Nightlife?

Salt Lake City is a moderate city for nightlife. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for nightlife and partying.

Most people don't head to Salt Lake City specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Known for its large Mormon population, nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Salt Lake City. While it will likely never be a party city, there are a growing number of entertainment options around town.

Glacier National Park doesn't offer many options. People visit for the scenery, not the nightlife scene.

Is Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City Better for Resorts?

Glacier National Park is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Salt Lake City is not a resort destination.

Glacier National Park has a few great resort options. There are several lodges, cabins, and inns near or within the park, but reservations are recommended well in advance.

Salt Lake City is not a resort destination.

Is Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Salt Lake City is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Glacier National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Salt Lake City has a few good snorkeling spots. There are a number of good ski resorts nearby, making this a good base or starting point for a ski vacation.

Glacier National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City Better for Hiking?

Glacier National Park is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Glacier National Park. There are more than 700 miles of trails in the park. For the best experience, you should purchase a permit and explore the parks backcountry. Other popular trails include Highline Trail, Grinnell Glacier Trail, and Avalanche Lake Trail. It's best to start in the early morning as this is a popular park and the trails get busier as the day progresses.

Salt Lake City has hiking trails worth exploring. The city offers easy access to many diverse trails, so if you're a nature enthusiasts, you'll appreciate this destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City is a popular place for shopping. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its shopping opportunities.

Salt Lake City is a great destination for shopping. The city has sprawling outlet malls as well as local stores and craft shops. City Creek Center is a favorite shopping destination, but there are also several large shopping malls that are worth visiting.

If you're looking to go shopping, Glacier National Park has some nice offerings. There are park stores where you can pick up books, souvenirs, and gifts.

Is Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City.

Glacier National Park is a family-friendly place to visit. The landscapes are spectacular, but the crowds can be intense, which means it can be hard to find places to pull over and park during the peak seasons. Keep this in mind when you're traveling with kids because you may end up spending more time in the car than you'd expected.

Salt Lake City is a family-friendly park. There are museums that kids will enjoy like the Natural History Museum of Utah and the Leonardo Museum. There are also fun-filled activities like a visit to Lagoon Amusement Park. You can learn about history at This Is the Place Heritage Park or learn about the undersea world at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.

Is Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City Better for Couples?

Glacier National Park is a very popular place for couples. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Glacier National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Drive along the scenic Going-to-the-Sun-Road and take in the truly breathtaking scenery. Many people consider this to be a top destination for a honeymoon and couples will appreciate the impressive hikes, dramatic waterfalls, and adventure-filled activities.

Salt Lake City is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with beautiful gardens like Red Butte Garden. There are also nice restaurants and romantic hotels that will make this a nice place for a couple's getaway.

Is Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Glacier National Park is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Glacier National Park, as it is a very popular park for budget travelers. The backcountry is truly pristine, and obtaining a Wilderness Permit and getting off-the-beaten-path will help you escape some of the crowds that the park is known for.

Salt Lake City is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in town, but most backpackers overlook this destination or breeze through town quickly.

Is Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Salt Lake City is a popular place for its public transit. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for times when you don't have a car.

Salt Lake City has a few public transit options. There's a surprisingly good public transit system that includes light rail, buses, and commuter trains, but if you want to get out of town you'll need to have a car.

Public transit is mostly limited in Glacier National Park. There's a free shuttle along Going-to-the-Sun Road that's available on a first-come, first-served basis, but expect crowds. The road can get quite congested during peak times. There are also tours that take you along the road so you can enjoy the scenery without having to focus on driving.

Is Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City a more walkable city?

Salt Lake City is a moderate city for its walkability. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its high level of walkability.

Salt Lake City is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are walkable, like Temple Square, most visitors prefer to have a car.

Glacier National Park is not a very walkable park. You'll need a car to get almost anywhere in the park.

For even more information, also check out Is Glacier National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Salt Lake City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salt Lake City or Glacier National Park?

How long in Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Glacier National Park and Salt Lake City. In our opinion, Salt Lake City has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Salt Lake City than Glacier National Park. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Salt Lake City than Glacier National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Salt Lake City, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Salt Lake City than Glacier National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Salt Lake City that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salt Lake City than Glacier National Park if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Salt Lake City.

One day in Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City?

In Glacier National Park, you'll find . Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Salt Lake City, you'll find shopping and museums. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City?

Glacier National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salt Lake City. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city. It offers something for everyone.

Five days in Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Glacier National Park. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Salt Lake City is a fun place to experience. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Glacier National Park or Salt Lake City?

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the park of Glacier National Park. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the notable destination of Salt Lake City. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Glacier National Park and Salt Lake City, we can see that Salt Lake City is more expensive. And not only is Glacier National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Glacier National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Glacier National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Salt Lake City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salt Lake City than you might in Glacier National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Glacier National Park Expensive? and Is Salt Lake City Expensive?.