Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park are two vastly different national parks, each offering unique and breathtaking natural experiences. Biscayne National Park, located in Florida, is a tropical paradise surrounded by crystal clear waters and colorful coral reefs. On the other hand, North Cascades National Park, located in Washington state, is a rugged wilderness area with towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and deep valleys. Whether you’re looking for a tropical escape or a rugged adventure, both of these parks have something to offer. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the similarities and differences between Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park, and help you decide which park is the best fit for your next outdoor excursion.
Hiking Trails in Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park
Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park are both known for their beautiful hiking trails, but the types of trails and difficulty levels vary greatly between the two parks.
Biscayne National Park is located on the coast of southern Florida and offers a unique hiking experience as it is mostly composed of water, with the majority of the park’s hiking trails being boardwalks that wind through the mangrove forests and seagrass beds. Some of the easiest hikes at Biscayne National Park include the Biscayne Nature Center Trail and the Sandspur Beach Trail, both of which are short and easy walks through the park’s natural habitats. The longest and most strenuous trail in the park is the Elliott Key Trail, which is a 6.5-mile hike through the park’s tropical hardwood hammock.
North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, is located in Washington state and is known for its rugged terrain and challenging hiking trails. Some of the easiest hikes at North Cascades National Park include the Diablo Lake Trail and the Ross Lake Trail, which offer beautiful views of the park’s lakes and mountains. The park’s most challenging hike is the Ptarmigan Traverse, which is a 34-mile backpacking trip that takes hikers through the heart of the North Cascades and offers stunning views of the park’s peaks, glaciers, and alpine meadows.
Both Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park offer a variety of hiking trails, but the types of trails and difficulty levels vary greatly between the two parks. Biscayne National Park offers easy and short boardwalk hikes through its mangrove forests and seagrass beds, while North Cascades National Park offers challenging hikes through rugged terrain and offers stunning views of the park’s peaks, glaciers and alpine meadows.
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 North Cascades National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Lake Trail | 8529.502 | 291.9984 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail | 17541.806 | 1175.9184 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Sourdough Mountain Trail | 14644.994 | 1555.6992 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
Cascade Pass Trail to Cottonwood Camp | 25588.506 | 1422.8064 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Cascade Pass Trail | 10460.71 | 542.8488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Sahale Arm Trail to Quien Sabe Glacier | 19955.816 | 1651.7112 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk | 3057.746 | 21.9456 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Fourth of July Pass via Panther Creek Trail | 14966.862 | 759.8664 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Ruby Mountain Summit via Fourth of July and Thunder Creek Trail | 23335.43 | 1949.8056 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
Gorge Creek Falls Trail | 804.67 | 11.8872 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
Wildlife in Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park
Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife, however, the types of animals, birds, and plants that are commonly seen are quite different due to the vastly different ecosystems.
Biscayne National Park is located in the Florida Keys and is mostly composed of water. The park is known for its colorful coral reefs, which are home to a wide variety of fish and other marine life, including manatees, sea turtles, and dolphins. Visitors can also see a variety of bird species, such as herons, egrets, and pelicans, as well as reptiles like crocodiles and alligators.
North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Pacific Northwest and is primarily composed of rugged mountains and dense forests. The park is home to a variety of large mammals, including black bears, mountain lions, and elk. Visitors can also see a variety of bird species, such as the bald eagle and the osprey, as well as many types of fish in the park’s rivers and lakes. The park also has a diverse plant life, including old-growth forests and wildflowers that bloom during the summer.
In summary, Biscayne National Park is great for viewing marine life and birds, while North Cascades National Park is great for viewing large mammals, birds, and diverse plant life.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Biscayne National Park | North Cascades 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 | Merlin |
American Kestrel | Barn Swallow |
Bald Eagle | Savannah Sparrow |
Song Sparrow | Great Blue Heron |
European Starling | Hermit Thrush |
Northern Pintail | American Kestrel |
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 | North Cascades 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 | Porcupine |
Silver-Haired Bat | |
Hoary Bat | |
Red Fox | |
Long-Tailed Weasel | |
House Mouse | |
Puma | |
Mink | |
Black-Tailed Deer | |
Wolf | |
Long-Legged Myotis | |
Western Long-Eared Bat | |
Ermine | |
California Myotis | |
Snowshoe Hare |
Fish
Biscayne National Park | North Cascades National Park |
---|---|
Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
Bluegill | Brook Trout |
Golden Shiner | Largemouth Bass |
Common Carp | Longnose Sucker |
Yellow Bullhead | Lake Trout |
Black Crappie | Burbot |
Brown Bullhead | Silver Salmon |
King Salmon | |
Slimy Sculpin | |
Longnose Dace | |
Threespine Stickleback | |
Kokanee | |
Pink Salmon | |
Chum Salmon | |
Dolly Varden | |
Cutthroat Trout |
Insects
Biscayne National Park | North Cascades National Park |
---|---|
Honey Bee | Orange Sulphur |
Painted Lady | |
Red Admiral | |
Mourning Cloak | |
Silvery Blue | |
Clouded Sulphur | |
Honey Bee | |
Purplish Copper | |
Anise Swallowtail |
Reptiles
Biscayne National Park | North Cascades National Park |
---|---|
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
Western Yellowbelly Racer | |
Prairie Rattlesnake | |
Common Garter Snake | |
Rubber Boa | |
Western Fence Lizard |
Beautiful Landscapes in Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park
Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park are both incredibly unique and offer a wide variety of landscapes for visitors to explore. Biscayne National Park, located in Florida, is known for its crystal clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and mangrove forests. Visitors can explore the park by boat, kayak, or even snorkel and scuba dive to get a closer look at the marine life that calls Biscayne National Park home.
North Cascades National Park, located in Washington, is home to rugged mountain ranges, glaciers, and deep valleys. The park is a hiker’s paradise, with over 300 miles of trails that range from easy to strenuous. Visitors can take in the stunning views from high alpine meadows or take a dip in the park’s many glistening lakes. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, mountain goats, and marmots.
Both parks offer visitors a chance to experience the beauty of nature in their own unique way. Biscayne National Park is an underwater paradise while North Cascades National Park is a hiker’s dream. Visitors will be able to enjoy a wide variety of landscapes at both parks, and are sure to leave with lasting memories of their visit.
Things To-Do and Activities in Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park
Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park are both popular national parks that offer visitors a variety of activities to enjoy.
At Biscayne National Park, visitors can enjoy a variety of water-based activities such as snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. The park’s crystal clear waters are home to a diverse array of marine life, making it a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. Visitors can also take a boat tour to see the park’s mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs.
In contrast, North Cascades National Park is known for its rugged, mountainous terrain and offers a variety of hiking and backpacking opportunities. The park is home to over 300 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. Visitors can also enjoy rock climbing, mountaineering, and fishing in the park’s many alpine lakes and rivers.
Both parks offer wildlife viewing opportunities. Biscayne National Park is home to a variety of marine life, including manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles, as well as a variety of bird species such as the roseate spoonbill and the osprey. North Cascades National Park, on the other hand, is home to black bears, mountain goats, and a variety of bird species such as the American dipper and the bald eagle.
In summary, Biscayne National Park is a great destination for visitors who want to enjoy water-based activities and explore the park’s marine life, while North Cascades National Park is a great destination for visitors who want to hike, backpack, and explore the park’s rugged, mountainous terrain. Both parks offer wildlife viewing opportunities, making them perfect for nature enthusiasts.
Best Time to Visit Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park
Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park are both beautiful national parks, but the weather at each park can vary greatly depending on the season.
Biscayne National Park, located in southern Florida, has a tropical climate with hot and humid summers, and mild winters. The best time to visit Biscayne National Park is during the winter and spring months, from December to May, when the temperatures are cooler and the humidity is lower. The summer months, from June to September, can be very hot and humid, making it less comfortable for outdoor activities. Additionally, the park can experience heavy rainfall and thunderstorms during the summer months, which can make some trails and activities inaccessible.
North Cascades National Park, located in Washington state, has a more varied weather, with mild summers and cold winters. The park receives heavy snowfall during the winter months, which can make some trails and activities inaccessible. The best time to visit the park is during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is mild and the snow has melted, allowing for access to the park’s trails and activities. Fall months, from September to November, can also be a good time to visit, as the park’s forests turn golden with changing leaves.
Both Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park are beautiful and offer a variety of activities, but the best time to visit each park is different. Biscayne National Park is best visited during the winter and spring months, while North Cascades National Park is best visited during the summer and fall months. Visitors should also keep in mind that weather can be unpredictable, and check the forecast before planning a trip to ensure that they can enjoy the park’s activities and trails to the fullest.
Family Friendliness of Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park
Biscayne National Park and North Cascades National Park are both beautiful and unique national parks, but they offer very different experiences for families. Biscayne National Park is located in southern Florida and is primarily made up of water, with 95% of the park being covered by the Biscayne Bay. This makes it a great destination for water activities such as snorkeling, diving, and boating. There are also several family-friendly educational programs and ranger-led activities offered throughout the year, making it a great place to learn about the local environment and marine life.
On the other hand, North Cascades National Park is located in the state of Washington and is known for its rugged and wild landscapes. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including black bears, mountain goats, and over 300 species of birds. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails, including some that are family-friendly. However, many of the trails are steep and rugged, making them less suitable for young children or families with strollers. Additionally, the park is typically only accessible during the summer months, as it is closed during the winter due to heavy snowfall.
If you’re traveling with children, Biscayne National Park may be the better choice as it offers more opportunities for water activities, educational programs, and year-round accessibility. However, if your family is adventurous and looking for a more rugged and wild experience, North Cascades National Park is definitely worth visiting during the summer months.