Crater Lake National Park and Everglades National Park are two of the most unique and captivating parks in the United States. While Crater Lake boasts crystal-clear waters and stunning volcanic landscapes, the Everglades presents a unique ecosystem teeming with exotic wildlife and diverse plant life. Both offer visitors a chance to immerse themselves in nature, but in vastly different ways. Whether you’re seeking adventure, scenic beauty, or a chance to learn about the natural world, these two parks offer something for everyone. So, pack your bags and get ready for a journey to two of America’s most incredible natural wonders!
Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park and Everglades National Park
Crater Lake National Park and Everglades National Park both offer a diversity of hiking trails, ranging from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry adventures. At Crater Lake, the easiest hike is the Rim Trail, a 2-mile round trip trail that offers stunning views of the lake and its surrounding peaks. On the other hand, the most difficult hike at Crater Lake is the Cleetwood Cove Trail, a steep 1.1-mile trail leading down to the lake shore.
In contrast, the easiest hike in Everglades National Park is the Anhinga Trail, a 0.8-mile boardwalk that takes visitors through a sawgrass marsh and mangrove swamp, offering a chance to observe alligators, wading birds, and other wildlife. For more experienced hikers, the most challenging trail in the Everglades is the backcountry trail network, which spans over 100 miles and requires permits, navigation skills, and a wilderness mindset.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield Peak Trail | 5471.756 | 325.8312 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cleetwood Cove Trail | 3379.614 | 189.8904 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Watchman Peak Trail | 2574.944 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Scott Trail | 6759.228 | 383.7432 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Discovery Point Trail | 6437.36 | 278.892 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Plaikni Falls Trail | 3218.68 | 40.8432 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Wizard Island Trail | 3701.482 | 228.9048 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Sun Notch Trail | 1287.472 | 38.7096 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Pinnacles Valley Trail | 1126.538 | 11.8872 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mazama Village to Rim Village at Crater Lake | 13357.522 | 530.9616 | Moderate | 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 Crater Lake National Park and Everglades National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is known for its diverse bird population, including species like the bald eagle, common raven, and Steller’s jay. The park is also home to various mammals like the black-tailed deer, American black bear, and the threatened species, the northern spotted owl. In contrast, Everglades National Park in Florida is known for its vast array of reptiles, including the American alligator and various species of snakes. The park is also home to a diverse range of bird species, including the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, and the everglade snail kite. Additionally, the Everglades is a critical habitat for the manatee, and the park is also home to species like the Florida panther and the marsh rabbit. Both parks have a diverse array of plant life, including unique and protected species like the Venus flytrap in the Everglades and the subalpine lupine in Crater Lake.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Crater Lake National Park and Everglades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Crater Lake 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 |
| Bald Eagle | American Kestrel |
| Song Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
| European Starling | Song Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | European Starling |
| American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
| American Pipit | American Wigeon |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Crater Lake 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 |
| Mink | Least Shrew |
| Mule Deer Or Black-Tailed Deer | |
| Gray Fox | |
| Wolf | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| American Badger | |
| Ermine |
Fish
| Crater Lake National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| Brook Trout | Bluegill |
| Brown Trout | Golden Shiner |
| Lake Trout | Yellow Bullhead |
| Silver Salmon | Channel Catfish |
| Kokanee Salmon | Black Crappie |
| Cutthroat Trout | Mosquitofish |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish |
Reptiles
| Crater Lake National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Western Terestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Crater Lake National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog |
Insects
| Crater Lake National Park | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Crater Lake National Park and Everglades National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is famous for its deep blue lake, surrounded by the remnants of a collapsed volcano, Mount Mazama. Visitors can hike along the rim for panoramic views or take a guided boat tour on the lake.
Everglades National Park in Florida is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, known for its unique combination of sawgrass prairies and mangrove forests, as well as its abundant wildlife, including the American Alligator and the Florida Manatee. Canoe or kayak trips through the park are popular, as well as airboat tours and hiking trails.
Things To-Do and Activities in Crater Lake National Park and Everglades National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is known for its stunning blue waters, which are the result of the park’s famous lake being fed by snow and rainwater. Visitors to the park enjoy scenic drives, boat tours of the lake, fishing, and observing wildlife, including the park’s famous bald eagles.
Everglades National Park in Florida, on the other hand, is a unique ecosystem that is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and a variety of bird species. Visitors to the park enjoy airboat tours, hiking, camping, and kayaking or canoeing through the park’s mangrove forests and sawgrass marshes. Both parks offer ranger-led programs, but Everglades also offers opportunities for backcountry camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing by bike or on foot.
Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park and Everglades National Park
Crater Lake National Park, located in Oregon, has a high-elevation, subalpine climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, dry summers. The park receives an average of 43 feet of snow annually, making it popular for winter sports. The best time to visit for clear views of the lake is from July to September.
Everglades National Park, located in Florida, has a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. The park receives most of its rainfall from May to October, with the wettest months being June through September. The best time to visit the Everglades is from December to April, when there is less rain and mosquito activity is low.
Family Friendliness of Crater Lake National Park and Everglades National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is great for families with its calm, clear lake and kid-friendly trails. The park provides ranger-led programs and activities for children, and the Rim Drive offers scenic views and picnic areas. Everglades National Park in Florida, while also offering ranger-led programs, is known for its swamp-like environment that may not be as appealing to some families. However, the park offers boat tours, which can be a unique and exciting experience for children. Both parks offer opportunities for families to connect with nature and have a memorable experience, but Crater Lake may be the better choice for families traveling with children due to its more accessible and kid-friendly amenities.