Are you ready for a nature lover’s dream vacation? Look no further than Biscayne National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. Both parks offer unique and breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, is a tropical paradise with crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and a diverse array of marine life. Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is a rugged wilderness with snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and a variety of land and marine animals. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation or an adventurous wilderness trek, these two parks have something for everyone. Keep reading to find out more about the natural wonders and activities that await you at Biscayne National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve.
Hiking Trails in Biscayne National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are both great destinations for hiking, but they offer different types of trails and experiences.
Biscayne National Park offers a variety of short, easy trails that are great for visitors of all ages and abilities. The park’s main trail is the short, 0.5-mile long Jetty Trail which leads visitors to an observation platform that offers great views of the park’s mangrove forests and the bay. Another easy trail is the 0.25-mile long Mangrove Trail, which winds through the park’s mangrove forests and provides an opportunity to see the park’s wildlife, such as manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, offers a variety of challenging, backcountry trails that are great for experienced hikers. The park’s most popular trail is the 10-mile long Twin Lakes Trail, which is considered one of the most challenging trails in the park due to its steep inclines and rugged terrain. The trail leads hikers to Twin Lakes, which are known for their stunning views and the variety of fish and wildlife that call the area home. Another challenging trail is the Telaquana Trail, which is a 14-mile long hike that leads visitors to an overlook that offers great views of the park’s glaciers, and wildlife.
In summary, Biscayne National Park offers a variety of short, easy trails that are great for visitors of all ages and abilities, such as the Jetty Trail and the Mangrove Trail, which provide an opportunity to see the park’s wildlife, and beautiful views of the bay, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offers a variety of challenging, backcountry trails that are great for experienced hikers, such as the Twin Lakes Trail, and the Telaquana Trail, which lead visitors to an overlook that offers great views of the park’s glaciers, and wildlife. Both parks offer unique hiking experiences, and it depends on the visitors interests and what they want to get out of their visit.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Biscayne National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biscayne National Park Walk | 15932.466 | 0.9144 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Creek Canal Trail | 2735.878 | 0.9144 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Jetty Trail | 1448.406 | 0 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Boca Chita Trail | 1287.472 | 0.9144 | Easy | loop | 3 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.7 |
Wildlife in Biscayne National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are both home to a diverse array of wildlife, but the types of animals, birds, and plants that you will see at each park are quite different.
Biscayne National Park is located in the Florida Keys and is known for its marine wildlife. Visitors to the park can expect to see a wide variety of fish, including colorful tropical species like parrotfish and angelfish. The park is also home to a number of sea turtles, manatees, and dolphins. Visitors can also see a variety of shorebirds, like pelicans and herons, and wading birds such as egrets and ibis.
On the other hand, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is known for its terrestrial wildlife. Visitors to the park can expect to see a wide variety of land animals, including grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves and wolverines. The park is also home to a number of bird species, including the bald eagle, hawk and falcon, as well as waterfowl such as the trumpeter swan and the tundra swan.
Additionally, Biscayne National Park is home to a variety of coastal and mangrove plant species, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is home to a variety of tundra and boreal forest plant species.
In summary, Biscayne National Park is known for its marine wildlife, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is known for its terrestrial wildlife, each park has its unique wildlife and plant species.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Biscayne National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Biscayne National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
| Osprey | Osprey |
| Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Mallard |
| American Robin | Canada Goose |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
| Northern Flicker | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| Merlin | American Robin |
| Barn Swallow | Great Horned Owl |
| Savannah Sparrow | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Great Blue Heron | Northern Flicker |
| American Kestrel | Merlin |
| Bald Eagle | Barn Swallow |
| Song Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| European Starling | Great Blue Heron |
| Northern Pintail | Hermit Thrush |
| American Wigeon | American Kestrel |
| American Pipit | Bald Eagle |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Song Sparrow |
| Killdeer | Northern Pintail |
| Brown-Headed Cowbird | American Wigeon |
| Red-Winged Blackbird | Green-Winged Teal |
| Blue-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Biscayne National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Bobcat | Coyote |
| Striped Skunk | American Beaver |
| Raccoon | Muskrat |
| House Mouse | Little Brown Bat |
| Common Gray Fox | Black Bear |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Porcupine |
| White-Tailed Deer | Red Fox |
| Virginia Opossum | Mink |
| Black Rat | Gray Wolf |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Least Shrew | Snowshoe Hare |
| Northern River Otter | |
| Masked Shrew | |
| Water Shrew | |
| Red Squirrel | |
| Montane Shrew | |
| Lynx | |
| Wolverine | |
| American Marten | |
| Brown Bear | |
| Meadow Vole | |
| Moose | |
| Least Weasel | |
| Pygmy Shrew | |
| Meadow Jumping Mouse |
Fish
| Biscayne National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Steelhead |
| Bluegill | Longnose Sucker |
| Golden Shiner | Lake Trout |
| Common Carp | Northern Pike |
| Yellow Bullhead | Burbot |
| Black Crappie | Silver Salmon |
| Brown Bullhead | King Salmon |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Insects
| Biscayne National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee |
Amphibians
| Biscayne National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Biscayne National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park is known for its beautiful coral reefs, crystal clear waters, and diverse marine life. Visitors can explore these underwater wonders by snorkeling or diving. The park also features several small islands, including Boca Chita Key and Elliot Key, which offer scenic hiking trails and panoramic views of the surrounding waters. One of the most popular spots in the park is the Convoy Point, from where visitors can take a boat tour to the offshore islands and see the different marine and bird life.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a rugged wilderness known for its snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and diverse wildlife. The park’s most famous landscapes include the volcanoes of the Aleutian Range, such as Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna, which offer spectacular views for those who are willing to hike to the summit. Visitors can also explore the park’s glaciers, including the Lower Twin Glacier, which is accessible by boat. The park also features several rivers and lakes, such as the Kijik River and Lake Clark, which offer excellent opportunities for fishing and boating. The park also is home to many different species of animals, including bears, moose, wolves, and caribou.
Things To-Do and Activities in Biscayne National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offer vastly different activities for visitors, as they are located in very different environments.
At Biscayne National Park, the most popular activities include snorkeling and diving to explore the coral reefs, boating and kayaking to visit the offshore islands, and fishing. Visitors can also enjoy hiking on the small islands, such as Boca Chita Key and Elliot Key, and take a boat tour to visit the park’s historic sites, such as the Convoy Point.
At Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, the most popular activities include backpacking, hiking, and river rafting. Visitors can explore the park’s rugged wilderness and see the snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and diverse wildlife. Fishing and boating are also popular activities on the park’s rivers and lakes, such as the Kijik River and Lake Clark. Visitors can also enjoy flightseeing tours, which offer breathtaking views of the park’s landscapes, including the volcanoes of the Aleutian Range.
Both parks offer unique experiences, Biscayne National Park being a marine park with easy access to coral reefs and other marine life, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is a wilderness park with rugged landscapes, glaciers, and diverse wildlife and activities that are more strenuous.
Best Time to Visit Biscayne National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve have very different seasonal weather patterns that can greatly affect when the best time of year to visit each park is.
Biscayne National Park is located in southern Florida and is known for its warm, tropical weather. The park experiences two main seasons: the dry season (from November to April) and the wet season (from May to October). During the dry season, the weather is pleasant with warm temperatures and low humidity. This is the best time of year to visit the park if you’re looking to enjoy outdoor activities, such as snorkeling and kayaking, as the water is usually clear and the weather is perfect for being on the water. However, during the wet season, the weather is hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms, which can make outdoor activities less enjoyable.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and has a much different climate than Biscayne National Park. The park experiences two main seasons: the short summer season (from June to August) and the long winter season (from September to May). The summer is the best time to visit the park as the weather is relatively mild, with daytime temperatures reaching into the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit. During this time, the park’s glaciers, wildflowers, and wildlife are at their most active, and the park’s hiking trails and scenic drives are accessible. However, during the winter, the weather can be very cold with temperatures well below freezing, and the park’s roads and trails are closed due to snow and ice.
In summary, Biscayne National Park is best visited during the dry season, from November to April when the weather is pleasant with warm temperatures and low humidity, making it perfect for outdoor activities, such as snorkeling and kayaking. While Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is best visited during the short summer season, from June to August, when the weather is relatively mild, and the park’s glaciers, wildflowers, and wildlife are at their most active. Visitors should keep in mind the weather conditions and plan their visit accordingly to make the most out of their experience.
Family Friendliness of Biscayne National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are both great options for families, but each park offers a different type of experience.
Biscayne National Park is a great option for families looking for a more laid-back and easy-going vacation. The park has a variety of activities that are perfect for kids of all ages, including snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing. The park also has several picnic areas and playgrounds that are perfect for families with young children. Additionally, the park offers a variety of educational programs and ranger-led activities that can help children learn about the park’s unique ecosystem and the animals that call it home.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a great option for families looking for a more adventurous and rugged vacation. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to a variety of unique and interesting animals, including bears, moose, and wolves, which can be exciting for children to see. The park also has several ranger-led activities that can help children learn about the park’s unique ecosystem and the animals that call it home.
In summary, both Biscayne National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are family-friendly, but each park offers a different type of experience. Biscayne National Park is perfect for families looking for a more laid-back and easy-going vacation, while Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is better for families looking for a more adventurous and rugged vacation. Visitors should keep in mind their preferences and plan their visit accordingly to make the most out of their experience.