Jake Cain is an entrepreneur and writer from Cincinnati, Ohio. He spends his free time driving around the country in his late 90’s conversion van, affectionately known as the “Monster Van” with his wife and 3 boys.
Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park are two of America’s most unique and diverse national parks. From the red rock formations of Capitol Reef to the lush mangrove forests of the Everglades, these parks offer visitors a chance to explore some of the country’s most stunning and diverse landscapes. Whether you’re a hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply someone who loves the great outdoors, these parks are sure to captivate your imagination and leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. So, buckle up and get ready to embark on an epic adventure as we compare and contrast these two incredible parks!
Hiking Trails in Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park are both known for their unique landscapes and diverse ecosystems, and offer visitors a range of hiking opportunities. Whether you’re looking for easy, leisurely hikes or challenging, strenuous trails, these two parks have something to offer.
At Capitol Reef National Park, visitors can enjoy a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy, scenic walks to strenuous backpacking trips. Some of the easiest hikes include the Capitol Gorge Trail, which takes visitors through a narrow canyon, and the Grand Wash Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s red rock formations. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the park’s backcountry trails, including the Cassidy Arch Trail and the Hickman Bridge Trail, offer a strenuous workout and breathtaking views.
Everglades National Park is known for its unique landscape and diverse wildlife, and offers visitors a range of hiking opportunities, from easy boardwalks to challenging backcountry trails. Some of the easiest hikes include the Anhinga Trail, which takes visitors through a mangrove forest and offers excellent birdwatching opportunities, and the Gumbo Limbo Trail, which takes visitors through a lush tropical forest. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the park’s backcountry trails, including the Flamingo Trail and the Nine Mile Pond Trail, offer a strenuous workout and the chance to see a variety of wildlife, including alligators, wading birds, and manatees.
In conclusion, both Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park offer visitors a range of hiking opportunities, from easy, scenic walks to challenging backcountry trails. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely hike or a strenuous workout, these two parks are sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Capitol Reef National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickman Bridge Trail | 2735.878 | 129.8448 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cassidy Arch Trail | 4667.086 | 213.9696 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Grand Wash Trail via Northeast Trailhead | 7081.096 | 121.92 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chimney Rock Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 241.7064 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cohab Canyon Trail | 4828.02 | 241.7064 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Navajo Knobs Trail | 14001.258 | 650.748 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Goosenecks & Sunset Point | 4023.35 | 165.8112 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Capitol Gorge Trail | 7242.03 | 113.9952 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Sulphur Creek Route | 18507.41 | 427.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rim Overlook Trail | 6598.294 | 320.9544 | Hard | out and back | 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 Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park are both known for their diverse wildlife and rich ecosystems.
At Capitol Reef National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of desert wildlife, including coyotes, pronghorns, and rattlesnakes. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the peregrine falcon, the golden eagle, and the American kestrel. The park’s unique desert landscape is also home to a variety of cacti, wildflowers, and other desert plants.
At Everglades National Park, visitors can expect to see a wide range of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and a variety of wading birds. The park is also home to a rich diversity of plant life, including mangroves, cypress, and sawgrass. Visitors can take a boat tour or hike through the park to see the wildlife and plants up close.
In conclusion, both Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences. Whether you’re exploring the rugged beauty of the desert or the lush wetlands of the Everglades, you’re sure to see a variety of animals, birds, and plants that are unique to each park.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Capitol Reef 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
| Capitol Reef 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
| Capitol Reef National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brown Trout | Bluegill |
| Bluegill | Golden Shiner |
| Mottled Sculpin | Yellow Bullhead |
| Speckled Dace | Channel Catfish |
| Black Bullhead | Black Crappie |
| Cutthroat Trout | Mosquitofish |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish |
Reptiles
| Capitol Reef National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
| 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 | |
| Western Skink | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Capitol Reef National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park are both known for their stunning landscapes and unique natural features that draw visitors from all over the world.
At Capitol Reef National Park, visitors can admire the park’s famous Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in the Earth’s crust that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The park is also home to towering sandstone cliffs, sprawling deserts, and lush canyons, as well as a variety of natural arches, spires, and hoodoos that are sure to take your breath away.
At Everglades National Park, visitors can explore the park’s famous “River of Grass,” a vast and slow-moving river of sawgrass and mangroves that is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and a variety of bird species. The park is also home to a variety of other natural wonders, including cypress swamps, pine rocklands, and a variety of freshwater and saltwater habitats that are teeming with life.
In conclusion, both Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park are known for their stunning landscapes and unique natural features that draw visitors from all over the world. Whether you’re a fan of towering cliffs and deserts or lush swamps and wetlands, these parks are sure to offer something for everyone.
Things To-Do and Activities in Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park are both popular destinations, each offering a unique set of activities for visitors.
At Capitol Reef National Park, the most popular activities include hiking, scenic drives, wildlife watching, and exploring historic sites. Visitors can also enjoy picnicking, rock climbing, and stargazing in the park’s dark skies. The park’s unique landscape and natural wonders make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
At Everglades National Park, the most popular activities include boating, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching. Visitors can also enjoy airboat tours, kayaking, and camping in the park. The park’s unique ecosystem and diverse wildlife make it a popular destination for nature lovers and eco-tourists.
In conclusion, both Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a rugged desert adventure or a tropical wilderness experience, these parks offer something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park
Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park are both located in different regions of the United States and have distinct seasonal weather patterns that can greatly impact the best time to visit each park.
Capitol Reef National Park is located in southern Utah and experiences a dry, arid climate with hot summers and cool winters. The park’s high elevation and dry climate make it a popular destination for visitors seeking relief from the heat during the summer months. The best time to visit is from April to June and September to October, when temperatures are mild and the weather is dry. Winter can be cold and snowy, with temperatures sometimes dropping below freezing, making it a less popular time to visit.
Everglades National Park is located in southern Florida and experiences a subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and warm, mild winters. The park is known for its high rainfall, with the wettest months being June through September. The best time to visit is from December to April, when temperatures are mild and the weather is dry, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities such as hiking and wildlife viewing. Summer can be hot and humid, with heavy rainfall, making it a less popular time to visit.
In conclusion, the best time to visit Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park depends on the weather conditions and the activities you plan to enjoy. Both parks offer unique experiences and stunning landscapes, and with a little planning, you can have an unforgettable visit no matter what time of year you choose to go.
Family Friendliness of Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park
Both Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park are great options for families who are looking for an outdoor adventure, but each park offers a different set of experiences and attractions that may appeal to different types of families.
Capitol Reef National Park is a great option for families who enjoy hiking and exploring scenic landscapes. The park offers a variety of easy to moderate trails that are suitable for families with children, as well as a variety of scenic overlooks, picnic areas, and campgrounds where families can relax and enjoy the scenery. The park is also home to a number of ranger-led programs and educational opportunities that can help children learn about the park’s unique geology, history, and wildlife.
Everglades National Park, on the other hand, is a great option for families who are interested in wildlife and the natural sciences. The park offers a variety of ranger-led programs and educational opportunities that can help children learn about the park’s unique ecosystems, including its wetlands, forests, and marine environments. The park is also home to a variety of boat tours and kayaking trips that can help families get up close and personal with the park’s diverse wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and a variety of bird species.
In conclusion, both Capitol Reef National Park and Everglades National Park are great options for families who are looking for an outdoor adventure. The best park for your family will depend on your specific interests and what type of experiences you are looking for. Whether you’re looking for scenic hikes and educational opportunities or up-close encounters with wildlife, these parks are sure to offer something for everyone.