Biscayne National Park and Olympic National Park may seem like vastly different destinations at first glance, one located in the subtropical Florida and the other in the Pacific Northwest, but both are equally mesmerizing and offer unique experiences to nature enthusiasts. Imagine swimming with colorful fish and snorkeling in crystal clear waters of Biscayne National Park and then hiking through the misty rainforests and rugged coastline of Olympic National Park. Both parks are home to a variety of ecosystems and diverse wildlife, making them perfect destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and families looking for an adventure. Whether you’re looking to explore the underwater world or the Pacific Northwest wilderness, these two parks have something to offer for everyone. Keep reading to learn more about the unique experiences and attractions that await at Biscayne National Park and Olympic National Park.
Hiking Trails in Biscayne National Park and Olympic National Park
Biscayne National Park and Olympic National Park are both known for their diverse natural landscapes and offer a variety of hiking experiences for visitors.
At Biscayne National Park, the easiest hike is the boardwalk trail to the nearby Boca Chita Key. The trail is a short half-mile round trip and leads visitors to a historic lighthouse with beautiful views of the surrounding water and islands. The park also offers longer hikes, such as the Spite Highway trail, which is a 4-mile round trip hike through mangroves and coastal hardwood hammocks.
On the other hand, Olympic National Park has a wide range of hiking trails available, from easy nature walks to challenging backpacking trips. The easiest hike is the Spruce Nature Trail, a 1.2-mile loop that is wheelchair-accessible and offers visitors a chance to see the park’s old-growth forest. For a more challenging hike, visitors can try the Hurricane Ridge Trail, a 5.5-mile round trip hike that offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Additionally, the park offers backpacking opportunities, such as the popular Seven Lakes Basin hike, which takes visitors through the park’s beautiful subalpine wilderness.
Both parks offer a diverse range of hiking experiences, with Biscayne National Park offering shorter hikes with an emphasis on island and coastal landscapes, while Olympic National Park offers a wide range of options, including coastal, forest and mountain landscapes, but with a more challenging hikes.
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 Olympic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge | 4988.954 | 242.9256 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Storm King | 6276.426 | 638.8608 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail | 2574.944 | 77.724 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh Rain Forest Hall of Moss | 1609.34 | 23.7744 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Marymere Falls Trail | 2735.878 | 90.8304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hoh River Trail | 52786.352 | 1558.7472 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| High Divide – Seven Lakes Basin Loop | 30577.46 | 1617.8784 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Ruby Beach | 2253.076 | 20.7264 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Staircase Rapids Loop | 3379.614 | 64.9224 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spruce Railroad Trail: Lake Crescent | 18024.608 | 131.9784 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Biscayne National Park and Olympic National Park
Biscayne National Park and Olympic National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife, but the species found in each park are quite different.
At Biscayne National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of marine life such as manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles. The park is also home to a wide variety of fish, including barracudas, tarpon, and grouper. On land, the park is home to raccoons, opossums, and armadillos. In terms of birds, Biscayne is known for its wading birds such as herons and egrets, as well as brown pelicans and roseate spoonbills.
On the other hand, Olympic National Park is home to a variety of animals such as black bears, elk, mountain goats, and marmots. The park is also home to many species of birds, including the bald eagle and the spotted owl. In addition, visitors may also see Olympic rainforest inhabitants, including the northern spotted owl, elk, black bear, and mountain goat.
In terms of plants, Biscayne National Park is home to a variety of mangroves and seagrass beds, while Olympic National Park is home to a variety of conifers and old-growth forests. Overall, while both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife, the types of animals and plants found in each park are quite different.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Biscayne National Park and Olympic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Biscayne National Park | Olympic 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 | 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 | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Bobcat | Coyote |
| Striped Skunk | American Beaver |
| Raccoon | Muskrat |
| House Mouse | Big Brown Bat |
| Common Gray Fox | Striped Skunk |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| White-Tailed Deer | Deer Mouse |
| Virginia Opossum | Raccoon |
| Black Rat | Black Bear |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Porcupine |
| Least Shrew | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Red Fox | |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | |
| House Mouse | |
| Wolf | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| California Myotis | |
| Snowshoe Rabbit | |
| North American River Otter | |
| Fringe-Tailed Myotis | |
| Masked Shrew | |
| Water Shrew | |
| Western Big-Eared Bat | |
| Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
Fish
| Biscayne National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Steelhead/Rainbow Trout |
| Bluegill | Brook Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Largemouth Bass |
| Common Carp | Salish Sucker |
| Yellow Bullhead | Coho Salmon |
| Black Crappie | Chinook Salmon |
| Brown Bullhead | Longnose Dace |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Threespine Stickleback | |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Insects
| Biscayne National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Honey Bee | Honey Bee |
Reptiles
| Biscayne National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Biscayne National Park | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Biscayne National Park and Olympic National Park
Biscayne National Park is known for its crystal clear waters, mangrove forests, and coral reefs. Some of the most famous landscapes at Biscayne National Park include the Biscayne Bay, which is home to a diverse array of fish, sea turtles, and coral, as well as the beautiful mangrove forests that are home to manatees, crocodiles, and many species of birds. Visitors can also take a boat tour to the nearby keys, where you can see the historic lighthouse, shipwrecks, and enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving.
Olympic National Park is renowned for its diverse landscapes, including rugged coastline, misty rainforests, and towering mountain ranges. Some of the most famous landscapes at Olympic National Park include the Hoh Rainforest, which is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the U.S and home to a variety of plants and animals. The park also features the Hurricane Ridge, which offers spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains and is a popular spot for hiking and skiing. The park also has a 73 miles of wild coastline with tide pools and sea stacks, as well as the Olympic Mountains, which are home to glaciers, alpine meadows, and a variety of wildlife.
Things To-Do and Activities in Biscayne National Park and Olympic National Park
Biscayne National Park and Olympic National Park are both popular tourist destinations, but they offer very different experiences. Biscayne National Park is located in southern Florida and is primarily known for its aquatic activities, such as snorkeling, diving, and boating. Visitors can explore the park’s coral reefs and see a variety of marine life, including fish, sea turtles, and manatees. Additionally, the park has several hiking trails that offer scenic views of the coast and mangrove forests.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is located in the state of Washington and is known for its diverse landscape. Visitors can explore the park’s rainforests, beaches, and mountains. Popular activities include hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to a variety of animals, including elk, black bears, and mountain goats. Additionally, the park has several peaks that offer scenic views, such as Hurricane Ridge and the summit of Mount Olympus.
In terms of family-friendly activities, both parks have something to offer. Biscayne National Park offers snorkeling and diving trips, as well as boat tours that are suitable for children. Olympic National Park has several family-friendly hikes, such as the Hurricane Hill Trail, which offers a great view of the surrounding area. However, Olympic National Park may be more suitable for families with older children as it has more strenuous hikes and some areas are not easily accessible by car.
Best Time to Visit Biscayne National Park and Olympic National Park
Biscayne National Park and Olympic National Park are both incredibly diverse, with vastly different seasons and weather patterns. Biscayne National Park is located in the subtropics of southern Florida and is known for its warm temperatures and high humidity, with temperatures averaging in the low 80s during the summer months and high 70s during the winter. The park receives heavy rainfall during the summer, and it is not uncommon for thunderstorms to roll through on a daily basis. The best time to visit Biscayne National Park is during the winter months, when the weather is mild and dry, making it the perfect time to explore the park’s many waterways and beaches.
Olympic National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and is known for its cool, wet climate. The park receives an average of 150 inches of rainfall per year, and the weather can range from sunny and mild to rainy and cold. The park’s temperatures average in the mid-60s during the summer months and low 40s during the winter. The park is home to several glaciers, and the high elevations receive heavy snowfall during the winter months, making it a popular destination for skiing and snowshoeing. The best time to visit Olympic National Park is during the summer months, when the weather is mild and the park’s many hiking trails are accessible.
Family Friendliness of Biscayne National Park and Olympic National Park
Both Biscayne National Park and Olympic National Park are great options for families to visit. However, the type of activities and the level of accessibility may vary depending on the park.
Biscayne National Park is a great option for families with children who enjoy water activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and boating. The park has many shallow areas that are perfect for children and is home to a variety of fish and sea creatures that children will enjoy seeing. The park also offers ranger-led boat tours, which are a fun and educational way for families to explore the park.
Olympic National Park is also a great option for families with children who enjoy hiking and exploring nature. The park features a variety of easy and moderate trails that are suitable for children of all ages. The park also has a number of ranger-led programs, such as the Junior Ranger Program, which are perfect for children who are interested in learning more about the park and its wildlife.
Overall, both parks offer a great family-friendly experience, and the best option will depend on the interests and age of the children. Biscayne National Park is great for families who enjoy water activities and Olympic National Park is great for families who enjoy hiking and exploring nature.