Canyonlands National Park and Everglades National Park are two of the most diverse and unique national parks in the United States. Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to explore some of the most breathtaking and diverse landscapes in the country, but they couldn’t be more different. Canyonlands, located in Utah, is a vast and rugged desert landscape with towering sandstone cliffs and deep canyons. Everglades, located in Florida, is a vast network of wetlands, swamps and marshes teeming with wildlife. Imagine the contrast between the red rocks, arches and canyons of Canyonlands and the lush greenery, mangrove forests and sawgrass prairies of Everglades. Picture yourself exploring the rugged backcountry of Canyonlands by foot or off-road vehicle, then imagine yourself gliding through the tranquil waters of the Everglades on a kayak or airboat. These two parks are truly like night and day, and both are worth a visit for anyone who loves nature and adventure. The different activities offered by both parks, the unique wildlife and the diverse landscapes make it a great comparison to explore.
Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park and Everglades National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Everglades National Park both offer a wide variety of hiking trails that offer visitors the opportunity to explore diverse landscapes and ecosystems.
Canyonlands National Park is known for its rugged and remote terrain that offers hikers a variety of challenging trails. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include:
– The Grand View Point Trail, which is a 2-mile round-trip hike that offers panoramic views of the surrounding canyons and mesas.
– The Upheaval Dome Trail, which is a 1.5-mile round-trip hike that leads to a unique geological feature that is believed to have been formed by a meteor impact.
– The Cave Spring Trail, which is a 1-mile round-trip hike that leads to an historic cowboy camp and an old cowboy line shack.
On the other hand, some of the hardest hikes in the park include:
– The Chesler Park Loop, which is a 11-mile round-trip hike that offers challenging terrain, and it’s recommended for experienced hikers with good navigation skills.
– The Druid Arch Trail, which is a 8-mile round-trip hike that leads to a spectacular natural arch and offers challenging terrain, and it’s recommended for experienced hikers with good navigation skills.
– The Maze Overlook Trail, which is a 10-mile round-trip hike that leads to a remote and rugged area that is known for its challenging hikes and unique rock formations, and it’s recommended for experienced hikers with good navigation skills.
Everglades National Park offers a different experience, known for its diverse landscapes, including freshwater sloughs, sawgrass prairies, mangrove forests, and hardwood hammocks. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include:
– The Anhinga Trail, which is a 0.8-mile round-trip hike that leads through a sawgrass marsh and offers the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife, such as alligators, herons, and egrets.
– The Gumbo Limbo Trail, which is a 0.4-mile round-trip hike that leads through a hardwood hammock and offers the opportunity to see a variety of tropical plants and wildlife.
– The Pineland Trail, which is a 1-mile round-trip hike that leads through a pine rockland and offers the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife, such as foxes, raccoons, and opossums.
On the other hand, some of the hardest hikes in the park include:
– The Flamingo Trail, which is a 16-mile round-trip hike that leads through the backcountry of the park and offers challenging terrain and it’s recommended for experienced hikers.
– The Snake Bight Trail, which is a 3.5-mile round-trip hike that leads through a mangrove forest and offers challenging terrain and it’s recommended for experienced hikers.
– The Mahogany Hammock Trail, which is a 1.5-mile round-trip hike that leads through a hardwood hammock and offers challenging terrain, and it’s recommended for experienced hikers.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park offers a wide variety of challenging hikes that offer stunning views and unique landscapes, while Everglades National Park offers a diverse range of hikes that offer the opportunity to explore different ecosystems and see a wide variety of wildlife.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Canyonlands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa Arch Trail | 965.604 | 18.8976 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Grand View Point Trail | 2896.812 | 52.7304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chesler Park Loop Trail | 18668.344 | 589.788 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| False Kiva Trail | 3057.746 | 136.8552 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Upheaval Dome via Crater View Trail | 2414.01 | 91.7448 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Aztec Butte Trail | 2092.142 | 66.7512 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Druid Arch Trail | 15288.73 | 418.7952 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Shafer Trail | 30899.328 | 949.7568 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| White Rim Overlook Trail | 2896.812 | 48.768 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Syncline Loop | 13840.324 | 496.824 | Very Hard | 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 Canyonlands National Park and Everglades National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Everglades National Park are both home to a diverse array of wildlife, each unique to their respective regions.
Canyonlands National Park, located in southern Utah, is home to a variety of desert-dwelling animals such as desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, pronghorn, and coyotes. Reptiles such as lizards, snakes and the desert tortoise can also be found in the park. Birds such as golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and turkey vultures are commonly seen soaring above the park’s rugged terrain. The park is also home to a variety of cacti and other desert plants.
Everglades National Park, located in southern Florida, is home to a wide variety of animals such as alligators, crocodiles, manatees, and dolphins. The park is also home to a variety of wading birds such as herons, egrets, and ibis, as well as many species of waterfowl. Visitors may also spot panthers, black bears, and key deer on the park’s trails. The park is also home to a wide variety of plants such as mangroves, cypress trees, and sawgrass prairies.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park is home to a variety of desert-dwelling animals, reptiles, and birds, as well as cacti and other desert plants. While Everglades National Park is home to a wide variety of animals such as alligators, crocodiles, manatees, and dolphins, as well as a variety of wading birds, panthers, black bears and key deer. Both parks offer different wildlife experiences and are best explored during different seasons.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Canyonlands National Park and Everglades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Canyonlands 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
| Canyonlands 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 |
| Red Fox | Fox Squirrel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Eastern Gray Squirrel |
| House Mouse | Feral Hog |
| Mountain Lion | Northern Short-Tailed Shrew |
| American Mink | Least Shrew |
| Mule Deer | |
| Common Gray Fox | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| American Badger | |
| Ermine | |
| California Myotis |
Fish
| Canyonlands National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brown Trout | Bluegill |
| Largemouth Bass | Golden Shiner |
| Green Sunfish | Yellow Bullhead |
| Bluegill | Channel Catfish |
| Fathead Minnow | Black Crappie |
| Common Carp | Mosquitofish |
| Northern Pike | Brown Bullhead |
| Speckled Dace | Goldfish |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Kokanee Salmon | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Canyonlands National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
| Eastern Racer | |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Canyonlands National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Canyonlands National Park and Everglades National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Everglades National Park both offer visitors a chance to see some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in the United States.
Canyonlands National Park, located in southern Utah, is known for its vast and rugged desert landscape with towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and striking red rock formations. Some of the most famous landscapes in the park include the Island in the Sky mesa, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding canyons and the Green and Colorado Rivers, and the Needles district, which features a maze of colorful sandstone spires and towering rock formations. Other notable landscapes in the park include the Maze district, a remote and rugged area known for its labyrinth of canyons and narrow passages and Upheaval Dome, a unique geological feature that is thought to be the result of a meteor impact.
Everglades National Park, located in southern Florida, is known for its vast network of wetlands, swamps, and marshes, as well as its diverse array of plant and animal life. Some of the most famous landscapes in the park include the Shark Valley, a 15-mile paved loop that offers visitors a chance to see alligators, panthers, and a wide variety of birds and plants. Another famous landscape in the park is the Anhinga Trail, a boardwalk that winds through a sawgrass marsh, where visitors can see alligators, wading birds, and other wetland wildlife. Other notable landscapes in the park include the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, which offers a glimpse into the park’s unique coastal ecosystem and the Royal Palm Visitor Center, which offers a good starting point for exploring the park’s mangrove forests and freshwater sloughs.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park is known for its vast and rugged desert landscape with towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and striking red rock formations, while Everglades National Park is known for its vast network of wetlands, swamps, and marshes, as well as its diverse array of plant and animal life. Both parks offer visitors a chance to see some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in the United States.
Things To-Do and Activities in Canyonlands National Park and Everglades National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Everglades National Park both offer a wide variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, each unique to their respective regions.
Canyonlands National Park, located in southern Utah, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking and backpacking are among the most popular activities in the park, with trails that range from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry treks. The park also offers visitors opportunities for rock climbing, mountain biking, and river rafting. Many visitors also enjoy scenic drives and sightseeing, taking in the park’s spectacular vistas and unique geologic features.
Everglades National Park, located in southern Florida, is also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The park is known for its diverse array of plant and animal life and visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities such as wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and photography. Hiking, canoeing, and kayaking are also popular activities, with many visitors taking guided tours to explore the park’s wetlands, swamps, and marshes. Visitors can also take an airboat tour to see alligators, panthers, and other wildlife, or take a ranger-led tram tour.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and offers activities such as hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, river rafting, and scenic drives, while Everglades National Park is known for its diverse array of plant and animal life and offers activities such as wildlife viewing, birdwatching, photography, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, airboat tours, and ranger-led tram tours. Both parks offer different activities and opportunities to explore the natural wonder.
Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park and Everglades National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Everglades National Park are located in different regions of the United States and therefore have different weather patterns.
Canyonlands National Park is located in southern Utah and has a desert climate. The park experiences hot summers with temperatures often reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and cool winters with temperatures dropping below freezing. The park receives very little precipitation, with most of it falling in the form of snow during the winter months. The best time to visit Canyonlands National Park is during the spring or fall when temperatures are mild and the park’s wildflowers are in bloom.
Everglades National Park is located in southern Florida and has a subtropical climate. The park experiences hot and humid summers with temperatures often reaching into the 90s and mild winters with temperatures in the 60s and 70s. The park receives most of its precipitation in the form of heavy rain during the summer months, with occasional thunderstorms. The best time to visit Everglades National Park is during the winter months when temperatures are mild and the park’s wildlife is more active.
In summary, Canyonlands National Park is best visited in spring and fall due to mild temperatures and wildflowers in bloom. On the other hand, Everglades National Park is best visited in the winter due to mild temperatures and wildlife activity.
Family Friendliness of Canyonlands National Park and Everglades National Park
Canyonlands National Park and Everglades National Park are both beautiful and unique national parks, but they offer different experiences.
Canyonlands National Park is known for its striking sandstone cliffs, canyons, and mesas, and has many hiking trails and scenic drives to explore. It may not be as family-friendly as other national parks, as the terrain can be rugged and some trails can be difficult for young children.
Everglades National Park, on the other hand, is a vast wetland wilderness and is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including alligators, manatees, and many species of birds. It offers a variety of activities such as hiking, camping, canoeing, and boat tours which are perfect for families with children.
Overall, Everglades National Park is considered to be more family-friendly than Canyonlands National Park due to its variety of activities, and the ease of accessibility.