Biscayne National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are two vastly different national parks that offer visitors a unique and unforgettable experience. Biscayne National Park located in Florida is a tropical paradise with crystal clear waters and diverse marine life that’s perfect for boating, snorkeling, and scuba diving. On the other hand, Kenai Fjords National Park located in Alaska, is a rugged and wild place that offers visitors the opportunity to see glaciers, wildlife, and spectacular views of the fjords. The two parks are as different as night and day, and both have something unique to offer visitors. Imagine swimming with colorful fish and coral in Biscayne National Park and then, a few days later, exploring the icy waters and glaciers of Kenai Fjords National Park. Both parks are sure to leave visitors in awe and create memories that will last a lifetime. So, pack your bags and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime as we explore these two amazing national parks.
Hiking Trails in Biscayne National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Biscayne National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park both offer visitors the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the parks through hiking and backpacking. However, the types of hiking trails and experiences offered at each park are quite different.
Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, has a variety of easy and moderate hiking trails that take visitors through the park’s mangrove forests and along the coast. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Biscayne Nature Center Trail and the Mangrove Trail, which are both short and relatively flat. These trails offer visitors the opportunity to see a variety of plant and animal life, including mangroves, sea turtles, and a variety of bird species. For those looking for a more strenuous hike, the park also offers the Bear Cut Preserve Trail, a 3.5-mile hike that takes visitors through a mangrove forest and along the coast.
Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, has a variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Exit Glacier Nature Trail, which is a 1.8-mile trail that takes visitors to the edge of the Exit Glacier, and the Harding Icefield Trail, which is a 8.2-mile hike that offers a scenic view of the Harding Icefield. For those looking for a more strenuous hike, the park also offers the Mount Healy Overlook Trail, which is a 8.2-mile hike that takes visitors to the top of the mountain with a panoramic views of the park.
In summary, Biscayne National Park offers a variety of easy and moderate hiking trails that take visitors through the park’s mangrove forests and along the coast. Kenai Fjords National Park offers a variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous and take visitors through the park’s scenic landscapes, including glaciers, fjords and alpine mountain ranges. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of hiking experiences, but the type of hike will depend on the park you 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 Kenai Fjords National Park
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 | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Biscayne National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Biscayne National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both known for their diverse and unique wildlife, but the types of animals, birds, and plants that can be seen in each park are quite different.
Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, is home to a wide variety of marine life, including more than 500 fish species, sea turtles, dolphins, and manatees. Visitors to the park can see these animals while snorkeling or diving in the park’s crystal-clear waters, or while taking a guided boat tour. The park also has a number of bird species, including pelicans, ospreys, and herons, which can be seen while exploring the park’s small islands. Additionally, the park has a number of plant species, including mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs, which provide important habitats for the park’s marine life.
Kenai Fjords National Park, located in southern Alaska, is home to a wide variety of land and marine wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, and caribou. Visitors to the park can see these animals while hiking through the park’s rugged wilderness, or while taking a guided boat tour of the park’s fjords and glaciers. The park also has a number of bird species, including puffins, guillemots, and eagles, which can be seen while exploring the park’s rugged coastline. Additionally, the park has a number of plant species, including spruce and hemlock trees, and alpine tundra, which provide important habitats for the park’s land and marine wildlife.
In summary, while both Biscayne National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are known for their diverse and unique wildlife, the types of animals, birds, and plants that can be seen in each park are quite different. Biscayne National Park is known for its marine life and bird species, while Kenai Fjords National Park is known for its land and marine wildlife and bird species. Both parks offer unique and exciting opportunities to observe and learn about the wildlife that lives in these environments.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Biscayne National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Biscayne National Park | Kenai Fjords 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 | Bald Eagle |
American Pipit | Song Sparrow |
Swainson’s Thrush | European Starling |
Killdeer | Northern Pintail |
Brown-Headed Cowbird | American Wigeon |
Red-Winged Blackbird | Green-Winged Teal |
Blue-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
Biscayne National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
---|---|
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 | Black-Tailed Deer |
Eastern Gray Squirrel | Gray Wolf |
Least Shrew | Short-Tailed Weasel |
California Myotis | |
Snowshoe Hare | |
Northern River Otter | |
Masked Shrew | |
Red Squirrel | |
Montane Shrew | |
Lynx | |
Wolverine | |
American Marten | |
Northern Flying Squirrel | |
Brown Bear | |
Meadow Mouse | |
Moose | |
Pygmy Shrew |
Fish
Biscayne National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
---|---|
Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
Bluegill | Longnose Sucker |
Golden Shiner | Burbot |
Common Carp | Silver Salmon |
Yellow Bullhead | Chinook Salmon |
Black Crappie | Slimy Sculpin |
Brown Bullhead | Threespine Stickleback |
Red Salmon | |
Pink Salmon | |
Chum Salmon | |
Dolly Varden |
Insects
Biscayne National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
---|---|
Honey Bee |
Amphibians
Biscayne National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
---|---|
Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Biscayne National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Biscayne National Park is famous for its beautiful landscapes and crystal clear waters. The park’s most famous landscape is Biscayne Bay, which is known for its diverse marine life and coral reefs. Visitors can take a boat tour to explore the bay and see various species of fish, sea turtles, and other marine animals. Another famous landscape in the park is the mangrove forests, which are home to a diverse array of wildlife such as manatees, crocodiles, and a variety of birds. The park also offers a variety of scenic overlooks, such as the Cape Florida Lighthouse, which offers spectacular views of the bay and the Miami skyline.
Kenai Fjords National Park is famous for its rugged and wild landscapes. The park’s most famous landscape is the Harding Icefield, which is one of the largest ice fields in the United States. Visitors can take a boat tour to see the glaciers and ice chunks calving into the ocean. Another famous landscape in the park is the Exit Glacier, which visitors can hike to and get a close-up view of the glacier. The park also offers a variety of scenic overlooks such as the Holgate Glacier Overlook and the Aialik Glacier Overlook, which offer spectacular views of the fjords and glaciers. Additionally, visitors can see wildlife such as bears, moose, and sea otters, and birds like bald eagles, puffins, and cormorants.
In summary, Biscayne National Park offers crystal clear waters, diverse marine life, and scenic overlooks, while Kenai Fjords National Park offers spectacular landscapes of glaciers, fjords, rugged mountains, and wildlife. Both parks have their unique natural wonders that can only be seen in person.
Things To-Do and Activities in Biscayne National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Biscayne National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but the types of activities that visitors can enjoy in each park are quite different.
Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, is known for its crystal-clear waters and coral reefs, making it a popular destination for snorkeling, diving, and boating. Visitors can also explore the park’s small islands on foot, where they can see a variety of bird species, and discover the park’s rich cultural history. Camping, picnicking, and fishing are also popular activities in the park. Visitors can also rent kayaks or paddleboards to explore the park’s waters at their own pace.
Kenai Fjords National Park, located in southern Alaska, is known for its rugged wilderness and glaciers, making it a popular destination for hiking, backpacking, and sea kayaking. Visitors can also take a guided boat tour to see the park’s fjords, glaciers, and marine wildlife, such as whales, seals, and otters. Camping, picnicking and fishing are also popular activities in the park. Visitors can also take a ranger-led hike to learn more about the park’s natural and cultural history.
In summary, while both Biscayne National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park offer unique and exciting outdoor activities, the types of activities that visitors can enjoy in each park are quite different. Biscayne National Park is known for its water activities and island exploration, while Kenai Fjords National Park is known for its hiking, backpacking and sea kayaking, as well as its marine wildlife and glaciers. Both parks are ideal for visitors looking to experience the natural beauty of these unique and diverse environments.
Best Time to Visit Biscayne National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Biscayne National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are located in very different regions of the country, and as such, have very different seasonal weather patterns.
Biscayne National Park is located in southern Florida, and as such, has a tropical climate. The park experiences hot and humid summers, with average temperatures in the mid-90s, and mild winters, with average temperatures in the mid-70s. The park also experiences a rainy season from May to October, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in June and September. The best time to visit the park is during the winter months, from December to February, when the weather is cooler and drier. During these months, visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and snorkeling, without the extreme heat and humidity of the summer months.
Kenai Fjords National Park is located in Alaska and has a subarctic climate. The park experiences cool summers, with average temperatures in the mid-60s, and cold winters, with average temperatures in the low 20s. The park also experiences a lot of rain and snowfall, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in June and September. The best time to visit the park is during the summer months, from June to August, when the weather is milder and visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
In summary, Biscayne National Park is best visited in the winter months, when the weather is cooler and drier, while Kenai Fjords National Park is best visited in the summer months, when the weather is milder and visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.
Family Friendliness of Biscayne National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Biscayne National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both family-friendly parks, but they offer different experiences for families depending on the age of the children and their interests.
Biscayne National Park is generally considered to be more family-friendly for young children, as the park offers a variety of activities that are suitable for kids of all ages. The park’s main attraction is Biscayne Bay, where families can go boating, snorkeling, and fishing. The park also offers a visitors center with interactive exhibits and ranger-led programs that are suitable for kids. Additionally, the park has a playground and picnic areas, making it a great place to spend a day with the family.
Kenai Fjords National Park, on the other hand, is more suitable for older children and teenagers who are interested in outdoor activities and nature. The park offers a variety of hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous, providing an opportunity for the whole family to explore the park. The park also offers boat tours to see glaciers and wildlife, which can be a great activity for children who are interested in nature and science. However, the park’s rugged terrain and cold weather may be challenging for young children, and visitors should be prepared for inclement weather.
In summary, Biscayne National Park is more family-friendly for young children, with a variety of activities and facilities that are suitable for kids of all ages. Kenai Fjords National Park is more suitable for older children and teenagers, with a variety of outdoor activities and nature-based experiences. Both parks offer unique experiences, and it depends on the family’s interests and what they want to get out of their visit.