Denali National Park & Preserve and Everglades National Park are two of the most iconic and diverse national parks in the United States. Both of these parks offer unique experiences, breathtaking landscapes, and an abundance of wildlife. Whether you’re a nature lover, adventure seeker, or just looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, these two parks have something to offer for everyone.
Denali is a place of extremes; towering mountains, pristine glaciers, and untamed wilderness. It is also home to North America’s tallest peak, Mount Denali, which rises over 20,000 feet above sea level. With its diverse landscape, Denali is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts, and the park offers a range of activities, from hiking and backpacking to wildlife viewing and mountaineering.
Everglades, on the other hand, is a unique and fascinating ecosystem that covers over 1.5 million acres in southern Florida. It is home to an abundance of wildlife, including threatened and endangered species like the American alligator, manatee, and panther. The park offers a variety of activities, from canoeing and kayaking to bird watching and fishing. Whether you want to explore the swamp and mangroves, or simply relax and take in the beauty of this unique landscape, Everglades has something for everyone.
Hiking Trails in Denali National Park & Preserve and Everglades National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is home to the highest peak in North America, Mount McKinley. It offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to strenuous backcountry adventures. The park’s most popular hike is the 6.2-mile round trip Horseshoe Lake Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s diverse landscape and wildlife.
In contrast, Everglades National Park in Florida is a unique ecosystem and is known for its vast wetlands and diverse wildlife. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, including easy walks along the Anhinga Trail, which offers views of alligators, wading birds, and other wildlife. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the park’s backcountry trails, such as the Nine-Mile Pond Trail, offer a chance to explore the park’s remote wilderness areas.
Both parks offer a range of hiking experiences, but Denali is known for its more strenuous backcountry hikes and scenic views, while Everglades is known for its unique ecosystem and easy walks. Regardless of your hiking abilities, both parks offer opportunities to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of North America.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Denali National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Healy Overlook Trail | 6920.162 | 507.7968 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Horseshoe Lake Trail | 3379.614 | 119.7864 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Triple Lakes Trail | 29772.79 | 1124.712 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bison Gulch | 11265.38 | 1178.9664 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rock Creek Trail | 7081.096 | 287.7312 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Taiga Trail | 2574.944 | 62.7888 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| McKinley Station Trail | 4667.086 | 113.9952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mount Thorofare Ridge Loop | 6598.294 | 507.7968 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| McKinley Bar Trail | 7402.964 | 295.9608 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Tiaga Loop and Horseshoe Lake Trail to Beaver Dam | 4828.02 | 158.8008 | Moderate | 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 Denali National Park & Preserve and Everglades National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Everglades National Park are two of the most unique and diverse national parks in the United States. Each park is home to its own unique variety of wildlife, making them both wonderful places to explore and discover nature. In Denali, visitors can expect to see a range of large mammals such as moose, caribou, and grizzly bears. The park is also home to many species of birds, including the golden eagle and the gyrfalcon. In addition, the park is known for its stunning wildflowers, including the fireweed and the alpine forget-me-not.
In contrast, Everglades National Park is known for its diverse array of reptiles and amphibians, including alligators, snakes, and turtles. The park is also a critical habitat for many species of birds, such as the wood stork and the roseate spoonbill. In addition, visitors to Everglades National Park can expect to see a variety of plant life, including mangroves, cypress trees, and sawgrass. The park is also home to a variety of fish, including the popular snook and tarpon.
Both Denali National Park & Preserve and Everglades National Park offer visitors a unique and exciting opportunity to see a variety of wildlife in their natural habitats. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, a birdwatcher, or just someone who loves the outdoors, both parks are well worth a visit.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Denali National Park & Preserve and Everglades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Denali National Park & Preserve | 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 |
| Hermit Thrush | Great Blue Heron |
| American Kestrel | Hermit Thrush |
| Bald Eagle | American Kestrel |
| Song Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
| European Starling | Song Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | European Starling |
| American Wigeon | Northern Pintail |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Wigeon |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Bobcat |
| Muskrat | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Red Fox |
| Porcupine | House Mouse |
| Red Fox | Mink |
| Mink | Gray Fox |
| Wolf | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Short-Tailed Weasel | White-Tailed Deer |
| Snowshoe Hare | Eastern Cottontail |
| River Otter | House Rat |
| Common Shrew | Spotted Skunk |
| Water Shrew | Fox Squirrel |
| Red Squirrel | Eastern Gray Squirrel |
| Montane Shrew | Feral Hog |
| Lynx | Northern Short-Tailed Shrew |
| Wolverine | Least Shrew |
| American Marten | |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | |
| Grizzly Bear | |
| Meadow Vole | |
| Moose | |
| Least Weasel | |
| Pygmy Shrew |
Fish
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Longnose Sucker | Largemouth Bass |
| Lake Trout | Bluegill |
| Northern Pike | Golden Shiner |
| Burbot | Yellow Bullhead |
| Coho Salmon | Channel Catfish |
| Chinook Salmon | Black Crappie |
| Slimy Sculpin | Mosquitofish |
| Chum Salmon | Brown Bullhead |
| Dolly Varden | Goldfish |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Everglades National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Denali National Park & Preserve and Everglades National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and covers over 6 million acres of land. It is best known for its stunning mountain scenery, including the 20,310-foot tall Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), which is the highest peak in North America. Visitors can see the mountain from several scenic overlooks, including the Polychrome Pass and Wonder Lake, or take a guided hike to see it up close. The park is also home to glaciers, tundra, and diverse wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, and moose. In addition to its natural beauty, Denali National Park & Preserve offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including backpacking, camping, fishing, and mountaineering.
Everglades National Park is located in Florida and covers over 1.5 million acres of land. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and is home to a unique and diverse ecosystem that includes mangrove forests, sawgrass marshes, and cypress swamps. Visitors can take airboat rides, paddling trips, and hiking trails to see alligators, migratory birds, and other wildlife that call the Everglades home. One of the most famous landscapes in the park is the Ten Thousand Islands, a maze of mangrove islands and channels that are home to a variety of bird species. Another popular attraction is the Shark Valley Observation Tower, which provides visitors with a panoramic view of the Everglades and its wildlife.
Things To-Do and Activities in Denali National Park & Preserve and Everglades National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Everglades National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States, each offering unique experiences and activities for visitors.
At Denali, visitors can take scenic drives, wildlife viewing and photography, and ranger-led programs. The park is home to North America’s highest peak, Mount Denali, and visitors can take a flightseeing tour to get a bird’s eye view of the majestic mountain and surrounding wilderness. Additionally, visitors can take part in backcountry camping and fishing, providing a true wilderness experience.
Everglades National Park, on the other hand, is a unique ecosystem filled with abundant wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and over 300 species of birds. The park offers canoe and kayak trips, ranger-led programs, and guided boat tours to explore its vast network of waterways and get up close with the wildlife. Visitors can also hike the Anhinga Trail or the Gumbo Limbo Trail for a peaceful journey through the park’s lush tropical landscape.
Both parks offer a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, but each has its own distinct character and offerings. Whether seeking breathtaking views or intimate encounters with wildlife, both Denali and Everglades are must-visit destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Best Time to Visit Denali National Park & Preserve and Everglades National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Everglades National Park are two very different parks with unique seasonal weather patterns. Denali is located in Alaska and is known for its long, harsh winters and short, mild summers. During the winter months, temperatures can drop to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the park is blanketed in snow and ice. On the other hand, summer temperatures are mild and can reach up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the best time to visit the park as the snow has melted and the wildlife is abundant. However, visitors should be prepared for rain as June and July are the wettest months in Denali.
Everglades National Park, located in Florida, has a subtropical climate with hot and humid summers and cool and mild winters. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity can be high. Winter temperatures are mild and can reach up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The best time to visit Everglades National Park is during the winter months when the weather is mild and the mosquitoes are not as bad. However, summer is a great time to visit if you don’t mind the heat and humidity. The park is also home to many species of migratory birds that are best seen during the summer months.
Family Friendliness of Denali National Park & Preserve and Everglades National Park
Denali National Park & Preserve and Everglades National Park are both renowned national parks in the United States. They are both popular destinations for families and offer unique experiences, but they are quite different from each other.
Denali National Park & Preserve has a lot to offer families. It’s a great place to take kids on a wildlife viewing adventure, as you can see grizzly bears, caribou, moose, and other animals. The park also has several ranger-led activities and educational programs for kids, such as guided hikes, campfire talks, and wildlife tracking.
Everglades National Park, on the other hand, is more water-focused. It’s a great place to take kids on a boat tour to see alligators, manatees, and other wildlife. The park also has a number of ranger-led activities, such as canoe trips, bird watching walks, and educational programs.
If you’re traveling with children, Denali National Park & Preserve is probably the better choice. The park has a lot of family-friendly activities and a variety of wildlife to see, making it an ideal destination for kids who love to learn about nature. However, if your kids love water activities, Everglades National Park might be the better option as it offers a variety of water-based activities.