Acadia National Park and Everglades National Park are two vastly different national parks located on opposite sides of the country. One is situated in the rugged and rocky coast of Maine and the other is in the subtropical wetlands of Florida. Both parks offer unique experiences and breathtaking landscapes that will leave visitors in awe. Whether you’re looking to hike through dense forests, spot wildlife, or explore the wilderness, these two parks have something for everyone. In this article, we will explore the similarities and differences between Acadia National Park and Everglades National Park and help you decide which park is the perfect destination for your next adventure. So, pack your hiking boots and bring your binoculars, because we’re about to dive into the wild!
Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park and Everglades National Park
Acadia National Park and Everglades National Park offer vastly different hiking experiences. Acadia National Park is known for its rugged terrain and steep mountain trails, such as the Precipice Trail and the Jordan Pond Path. These hikes offer challenging ascents and rewarding views of the park’s coastlines and mountains. The park also has a variety of easy to moderate hikes, like the Jordan Pond Shore Trail, which is a relatively flat trail that circles around Jordan Pond, offering views of the pond, mountains, and wildlife.
Everglades National Park, on the other hand, offers a completely different hiking experience. The park is mostly flat and is known for its vast wetlands and swamps. The park’s most popular hiking trail is the Anhinga Trail, a boardwalk trail that takes visitors through a sawgrass marsh, where they can see alligators, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. The park also offers a few more challenging hikes, such as the Gumbo Limbo Trail, which is a 4.5-mile hike through a pine rockland forest, and the Mahogany Hammock Trail, which is a 2.5-mile hike through a dense hardwood hammock.
Overall, both parks offer unique hiking experiences, but for those looking for a more challenging hike, Acadia National Park is the better option, while for those looking for an easy and scenic hike, the Everglades National Park is the better option.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Beehive Loop Trail | 2253.076 | 148.7424 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Cadillac North Ridge Trail | 6437.36 | 340.7664 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Jordan Pond Full Loop Trail | 5471.756 | 28.956 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Ocean Path and Gorham Mountain Loop Trail | 4988.954 | 181.9656 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail Loop | 12070.05 | 684.8856 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Precipice, Orange and Black and Champlain North Ridge Trail Loop | 3379.614 | 319.7352 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Ocean Path Trail: Thunder Hole and Monument Cove | 7242.03 | 113.9952 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Great Head Trail (Short Option) | 2574.944 | 91.7448 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| South Bubble Mountain and Jordan Pond Loop | 2253.076 | 149.9616 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cadillac Summit Loop Trail | 482.802 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shark Valley Trail | 25427.572 | 6.7056 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Anhinga Trail | 2414.01 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook Trail | 321.868 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Gumbo Limbo Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Long Pine Key Trail | 24944.77 | 0 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mahogany Hammock Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Everglades Coastal Prairie Trail | 27358.78 | 4.8768 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Pinelands Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Everglades National Park East Entrance to Flamingo Scenic Route | 58258.108 | 7.9248 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Nine Mile Pond | 8851.37 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Wildlife in Acadia National Park and Everglades National Park
Acadia National Park, located in Maine, is known for its diverse wildlife, including white-tailed deer, moose, black bears, beavers, and coyotes. Birds commonly seen in the park include the peregrine falcon, osprey, and various species of waterfowl. The park is also home to a variety of plant species, including balsam fir, red spruce, and eastern hemlock.
Everglades National Park, located in Florida, is known for its diverse wildlife, including American alligators, Florida panthers, and West Indian manatees. Birds commonly seen in the park include the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, and various species of wading birds. The park is also home to a variety of plant species, including mangroves, cypress, and sawgrass.
In summary, the wildlife in Acadia National Park and Everglades National Park is different due to the different climates and ecosystems. Acadia National Park is located in a more northern and temperate climate, and is known for its diverse bird species and vegetation, while the Everglades National Park is located in a subtropical climate and is known for its diverse aquatic wildlife and vegetation.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Acadia National Park and Everglades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Acadia National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
| Osprey | Osprey |
| Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
| Mallard | Mallard |
| Canada Goose | Canada Goose |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| American Robin | American Robin |
| Great Horned Owl | Great Horned Owl |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Northern Flicker | Northern Flicker |
| Merlin | Merlin |
| Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Acadia National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Bobcat |
| Muskrat | Striped Skunk |
| Big Brown Bat | Raccoon |
| Bobcat | Red Fox |
| Striped Skunk | House Mouse |
| Little Brown Bat | Mink |
| Deer Mouse | Gray Fox |
| Raccoon | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Black Bear | White-Tailed Deer |
| Porcupine | Eastern Cottontail |
| Silver-Haired Bat | House Rat |
| Hoary Bat | Spotted Skunk |
| Cross Fox | Fox Squirrel |
| New York Weasel | Eastern Gray Squirrel |
| House Mouse | Feral Hog |
| Mink | Northern Short-Tailed Shrew |
| Gray Wolf | Least Shrew |
| Bonaparte’s Weasel | |
| Varying Hare | |
| Masked Shrew | |
| Water Shrew | |
| Red Squirrel | |
| Virginia Deer | |
| Canada Lynx |
Fish
| Acadia National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Native Brook Trout | Bluegill |
| Loch Leven Brown Trout | Golden Shiner |
| Largemouth Bass | Yellow Bullhead |
| Fathead Minnow | Channel Catfish |
| Golden Shiner | Black Crappie |
| Togue | Mosquitofish |
| Threespine Stickleback | Brown Bullhead |
| Creek Chub | Goldfish |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Acadia National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Leopard Frog | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Acadia National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Ringneck Snake | |
| Eastern Garter Snake | |
| Milk Snake |
Beautiful Landscapes in Acadia National Park and Everglades National Park
Acadia National Park is located in the state of Maine and is known for its stunning coastal landscapes, including rocky cliffs and beaches. The park is home to Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest point on the east coast of the United States and offers panoramic views of the park and the surrounding area. Other popular landscapes in the park include Jordan Pond, a tranquil glacial lake surrounded by lush forests and the Precipice Trail, a challenging hike that leads to breathtaking views of the park’s rugged coastline.
Everglades National Park, located in the state of Florida, is known for its unique wetlands and diverse wildlife. The park is home to the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere and is a haven for a wide variety of bird species. Visitors can take an airboat tour or hike along the Anhinga Trail to get a glimpse of alligators, crocodiles, and other native animals. The park also features a large network of hiking trails that wind through the wetlands, offering visitors a chance to experience the park’s unique landscapes and diverse ecology. The Shark valley is one of the most famous spot to see the Everglades.
Things To-Do and Activities in Acadia National Park and Everglades National Park
Acadia National Park is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and rock climbing. The park features over 120 miles of hiking trails, including the Precipice Trail, which offers a challenging climb to the top of Champlain Mountain, and the Jordan Pond Path, which offers a more leisurely stroll around Jordan Pond. Camping is also a popular activity in the park, with several campgrounds and backcountry camping options available. Rock climbing is also possible in the park, with several popular climbing areas, such as Otter Cliffs and Great Head.
Everglades National Park is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, bird watching and wildlife viewing, boating, and fishing. The park features several hiking trails, such as the Anhinga Trail, which offers the opportunity to see alligators, snakes, and other reptiles in their natural habitat, and the Pa-hay-okee Overlook, which offers a panoramic view of the vast wetlands. Camping is also a popular activity in the park, with several campgrounds and backcountry camping options available. The park is also a great place for bird watching, with over 300 species of birds that have been seen in the park. Boating and fishing are popular activities, with several boat ramps and guided fishing trips available.
In summary, both Acadia National Park and Everglades National Park are popular destinations for outdoor activities, with hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing being some of the most popular activities. Acadia National Park is known for its diverse hiking trails, rock climbing and scenic drives, while the Everglades National Park is known for its unique ecosystem, bird watching, boating and fishing opportunities.
Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park and Everglades National Park
Acadia National Park and Everglades National Park are located in vastly different regions of the United States, and as a result, have very different seasonal weather patterns.
Acadia National Park is located in Maine, on the Atlantic coast. The park experiences four distinct seasons, with cold winters, mild springs, warm summers, and crisp autumns. The average high temperature in the summer is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low temperature in the winter is around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowfall is common in the winter, and the park’s peaks and summits may be covered in snow and ice. The best time to visit Acadia National Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild, and the park’s natural beauty is at its peak.
Everglades National Park, on the other hand, is located in southern Florida, and the weather is much warmer and more humid. The park experiences a tropical climate, with hot summers, warm winters, and a rainy season that typically runs from May to October. The average high temperature in the summer is around 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low temperature in the winter is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The best time to visit Everglades National Park is during the winter and early spring, when the weather is milder, and the humidity is lower, making outdoor activities more comfortable.
In summary, Acadia National Park’s best time to visit is spring and fall, while Everglades National Park’s best time to visit is winter and early spring. The weather in both parks is vastly different, with Acadia being cold and snowy in winter and Everglades being humid and hot in summer.
Family Friendliness of Acadia National Park and Everglades National Park
Acadia National Park and Everglades National Park are both great options for families, but each park offers a different experience and may be more suitable for certain families depending on their preferences.
Acadia National Park is considered to be more family-friendly as it offers a variety of activities that are suitable for visitors of all ages. The park has many short and easy hiking trails, such as the Jordan Pond Path, that are perfect for families with young children. There are also many scenic drives and overlooks that offer stunning views of the park’s landscapes and can be enjoyed by all members of the family. Additionally, the park has a variety of ranger-led programs that are designed to engage and educate children about the park’s natural and cultural history.
Everglades National Park is also a great option for families, but it may be more suitable for older children or families who are interested in exploring the park’s unique wetlands and wildlife. The park has a variety of ranger-led programs and guided tours that are designed to help visitors learn about the park’s ecosystems and the animals that live there. The Shark Valley Tram Tour is a famous attraction, where visitors can see alligators, crocodiles, and other native animals in their natural habitats. However, some of the hiking trails in the park can be challenging and may not be suitable for younger children.
Overall, Acadia National Park is considered to be more family-friendly, as it offers a wider range of activities that are suitable for visitors of all ages, while Everglades National Park is more suitable for older children or families who are interested in exploring the park’s unique wetlands and wildlife.