Biscayne National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park offer two completely different vacation experiences. Biscayne is a subtropical paradise located on the southern tip of Florida, with crystal clear waters, coral reefs, and an abundance of marine life. Indiana Dunes, on the other hand, is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and offers visitors a chance to enjoy the great outdoors with miles of sandy beaches, lush forests, and diverse wildlife. Both parks offer a wealth of activities for visitors to enjoy, but which one you choose will depend on your personal preferences. If you’re looking for a tropical getaway with snorkeling and diving opportunities, Biscayne National Park is the place for you. But if you’re looking for a more traditional Great Lakes vacation with swimming, hiking and beach activities, Indiana Dunes National Park is the place for you. So, whether you’re looking for a tropical vacation or a Great Lakes experience, these two parks have something to offer for everyone, read on to find out more about what you can expect from each park.
Hiking Trails in Biscayne National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Biscayne National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park offer vastly different hiking experiences. Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, is made up of mostly water, with the mainland portion of the park being relatively small. The park offers a variety of water-based activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving, but there are also a few hiking trails that take visitors through the mangrove forests and coastal hammocks that make up the mainland area of the park. The park’s most popular hike is the Biscayne Nature Center Trail which is a short .5 mile hike that is an easy level of difficulty and provides visitors with an overview of the park’s natural and cultural history.
Indiana Dunes National Park, located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, offers a much different hiking experience. The park has over 15 miles of hiking trails that take visitors through a variety of landscapes, including prairies, wetlands, and dunes. The park’s most popular hike is the Dunes Nature Trail which is a 1.5-mile hike that takes visitors through the park’s unique dune ecosystem and is considered an easy level of difficulty. For a more challenging hike, visitors can take the 3-mile round trip hike to the top of Mount Tom, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
Overall, Biscayne National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park offer unique hiking experiences, with Biscayne National Park focusing on water-based activities and short hikes through coastal hammocks, and Indiana Dunes National Park offering a variety of longer hikes through diverse landscapes including prairies, wetlands, and dunes.
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 Indiana Dunes National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowles Bog Trail | 6920.162 | 64.9224 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Little Calumet River Trail Loop | 6276.426 | 50.9016 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| West Beach Loop with Scallop Dunes and Long Lake Trail | 5471.756 | 78.9432 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Dune Succession and West Beach Walk | 4345.218 | 43.8912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| West Beach Loop | 1770.274 | 28.956 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Miller Woods Trail | 6115.492 | 40.8432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dune Ridge Trail | 1448.406 | 26.8224 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Tolleston Dunes | 5149.888 | 52.7304 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beach Trail to Waverly Beach | 1609.34 | 5.7912 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Indiana’s Lake Michigan Shoreline Scenic Drive | 35083.612 | 84.7344 | Moderate | point to point | 3.5 |
Wildlife in Biscayne National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Biscayne National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife.
Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, is known for its marine life. The park is home to a variety of fish, including barracuda, grouper, and snapper, as well as sea turtles, manatees, and dolphins. Visitors to the park may also see a variety of birds, including herons, egrets, and pelicans. The park also has a diverse array of plant life, including mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs.
Indiana Dunes National Park, located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, is known for its diverse ecosystems, which include sand dunes, wetlands, and prairies. Visitors to the park may see a variety of mammals, such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, and coyotes. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of birds, including herons, egrets, and sandhill cranes. Additionally, the park is home to a wide variety of plants, including wildflowers, prairie grasses, and dune grasses.
In summary, Biscayne National Park is known for its marine life and Indiana Dunes National Park is known for its diverse ecosystems and land-dwelling wildlife. Both Parks offer a variety of birds and plants to see and explore.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Biscayne National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Biscayne National Park | Indiana Dunes National Park |
|---|---|
| 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 | European Starling |
| Brown-Headed Cowbird | Northern Pintail |
| Red-Winged Blackbird | American Wigeon |
| Blue-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Biscayne National Park | Indiana Dunes National Park |
|---|---|
| Bobcat | Coyote |
| Striped Skunk | American Beaver |
| Raccoon | Muskrat |
| House Mouse | Big Brown Bat |
| Common Gray Fox | Bobcat |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Striped Skunk |
| White-Tailed Deer | Little Brown Bat |
| Virginia Opossum | Deer Mouse |
| Black Rat | Raccoon |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Black Bear |
| Least Shrew | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | |
| Red Fox | |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | |
| House Mouse | |
| Mink | |
| Gray Fox | |
| North American River Otter | |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | |
| White-Tailed Deer | |
| Virginia Opossum | |
| Eastern Red Bat | |
| White-Footed Mouse | |
| Norway Rat | |
| Eastern Cottontail |
Fish
| Biscayne National Park | Indiana Dunes National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Largemouth Bass |
| Bluegill | Green Sunfish |
| Golden Shiner | Bluegill |
| Common Carp | Fathead Minnow |
| Yellow Bullhead | Golden Shiner |
| Black Crappie | European Carp |
| Brown Bullhead | Yellow Bullhead |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Insects
| Biscayne National Park | Indiana Dunes National Park |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee |
Amphibians
| Biscayne National Park | Indiana Dunes National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Biscayne National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Biscayne National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park offer vastly different landscapes for visitors to explore. Biscayne National Park is located in southern Florida and is known for its crystal clear waters and coral reefs. Visitors can take a boat tour to see the colorful fish and other marine life that call the park home, or snorkel or scuba dive to get an up-close look at the underwater world. The park also has a number of mangrove islands that are home to a variety of birds and other wildlife.
Indiana Dunes National Park, on the other hand, is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and is known for its sand dunes, wetlands, and prairies. The park has 15 miles of beaches that are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. Visitors can also hike the many trails that wind through the dunes, wetlands, and prairies to see the diverse array of plants and animals that call the park home. The park is also home to several historic sites, including the Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm, which offer a glimpse into the area’s past.
Things To-Do and Activities in Biscayne National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Biscayne National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.
Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, is known for its water-based activities. The park’s crystal clear waters and coral reefs make it a popular destination for snorkeling and diving. Visitors can also take a boat tour to explore the park’s mangrove forests and see the marine life up close. Fishing is also a popular activity in the park, both on the shore and by boat.
Indiana Dunes National Park, located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. The park’s 15 miles of sandy beaches make it a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails, including an easy boardwalk trail that takes visitors through the park’s wetlands and prairies. Fishing is also a popular activity in the park, with opportunities for freshwater and lake fishing.
Additionally, both Parks offer camping and picnicking as well as ranger-led programs for visitors to learn about the park and its history. Biscayne National Park also offers kayaking and canoeing, while Indiana Dunes National Park also offers bird watching and horseback riding.
In summary, Biscayne National Park is known for its water-based activities, such as snorkeling, diving, and boating, while Indiana Dunes National Park is known for its beach activities, hiking and fishing opportunities and other land-based activities such as bird watching and horseback riding. Both Parks offer a variety of activities that can suit different interests and preferences.
Best Time to Visit Biscayne National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Biscayne National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park are two very different parks with unique weather patterns. Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, is known for its warm and humid climate. The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the winter and spring months, when temperatures are cooler and humidity is lower. Summer can be uncomfortably hot and thunderstorms are common in the afternoon. The park also experiences occasional hurricanes from June to November.
Indiana Dunes National Park, on the other hand, is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. The park experiences four distinct seasons, with hot summers, mild falls, cold winters, and cool springs. The best time to visit is during the summer months when temperatures are warm and the lake is perfect for swimming and boating. However, this also means the park can get quite crowded during the summer. Spring and fall are also good times to visit, as temperatures are comfortable and the crowds are smaller. The park can be quite cold and snowy during the winter months, and park facilities may be closed or have limited hours.
When it comes to hiking, Biscayne National Park has a variety of trails that offer visitors the opportunity to explore the park’s diverse ecosystems. Some popular trails include the Biscayne Nature Center Trail, the Mangrove Trail, and the Convoy Point Trail. The hikes in the park are relatively easy and offer visitors a chance to see the park’s mangroves, coral reefs and the local wildlife.
Indiana Dunes National Park, on the other hand, offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Some popular trails include the Great Marsh Trail, the Bailly Homestead Trail, and the Cowles Bog Trail. The trails in the park offer visitors the opportunity to explore the park’s diverse ecosystems such as sand dunes, wetlands, prairies, and forests. Visitors can also enjoy lake views from the trails.
Family Friendliness of Biscayne National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Both Biscayne National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park are family-friendly parks, but they offer different types of activities and experiences.
Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, is known for its clear waters and coral reefs, making it a great destination for snorkeling and diving. However, these activities may not be suitable for young children, and it may be more challenging for families with small children to enjoy the park’s offerings. The park does have some family-friendly activities such as ranger-led programs, picnicking and camping, but it may not be the best option for families with young children.
Indiana Dunes National Park, located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy. The park’s 15 miles of sandy beaches make it a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails, including an easy boardwalk trail that takes visitors through the park’s wetlands and prairies. Additionally, the park has ranger-led programs, picnicking and camping opportunities that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
In summary, Indiana Dunes National Park may be a better option for families with children because it offers a variety of land-based activities such as beach activities, hiking and ranger-led programs that are suitable for all ages. While Biscayne National Park also offers family-friendly activities, it may not be as suitable for families with young children because of its main focus on water-based activities.