Are you looking for a tropical escape or an Arctic adventure? Look no further than Everglades National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. These two national parks offer vastly different experiences, but both showcase the beauty and diversity of America’s natural wonders.
In the hot and humid Everglades, visitors can witness the unique ecosystem of mangrove forests, sawgrass marshes, and wildlife that call this park home. From airboat tours to hiking trails, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
In contrast, the Gates of the Arctic offers a rugged and remote landscape, featuring towering mountains, glaciers, and pristine wilderness. It’s a place where visitors can truly escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and connect with nature in its rawest form. Whether you’re a seasoned backcountry explorer or just looking to escape the city, the Gates of the Arctic has something to offer.
So, pack your bags and get ready to experience the best of both worlds. Join us as we explore the differences and similarities between Everglades National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve.
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Everglades National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are two unique and vastly different national parks. Both offer visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of the United States, but the hiking trails at each park are quite distinct.
At Everglades National Park, the easiest hike is the Anhinga Trail, which is a half-mile boardwalk trail that takes visitors through the heart of the park’s sawgrass marshes and mangrove forests. The hardest hike is the Wilderness Waterway, a 99-mile backcountry trail that runs the length of the park and requires multiple overnight camping trips.
In contrast, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is a remote wilderness area that is only accessible by small aircraft. The easiest hike here is the Arrigetch Peaks Trail, which is a 6-mile round-trip trail that offers stunning views of the park’s towering peaks and glaciers. The hardest hike is the Boreal Forest Loop, a 22-mile loop trail that takes visitors through the rugged and remote wilderness of the park.
Both Everglades National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve offer visitors a chance to experience the beauty of the natural world in unique ways. Whether you’re looking for an easy boardwalk hike or a challenging backcountry adventure, these two parks have something to offer for everyone.
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 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
| 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 | 5 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Everglades National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are two unique national parks that offer visitors a chance to experience diverse wildlife. In Everglades, you can encounter alligators, manatees, and a variety of bird species such as the roseate spoonbill and the great egret. There are also many species of reptiles and fish that can be seen in the park’s waterways. The park’s mangrove forests and sawgrass marshes are also home to a variety of plant species, including the red mangrove and the black mangrove.
In contrast, Gates of the Arctic is known for its abundant caribou population and the opportunity to see gray wolves, grizzly bears, and moose. The park also offers birdwatching opportunities, with species such as the ptarmigan and the willow ptarmigan commonly seen. The tundra landscape is dotted with wildflowers, and visitors may also encounter Arctic foxes and Dall’s sheep.
Both parks provide visitors with a chance to experience unique and diverse wildlife, each in its own distinctive setting. Whether you are interested in reptiles and birds in a wetland environment or large mammals in an Arctic tundra, these national parks offer something for everyone.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Savannah Sparrow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Hermit Thrush |
| Great Blue Heron | American Kestrel |
| Hermit Thrush | Bald Eagle |
| American Kestrel | Northern Pintail |
| Bald Eagle | American Wigeon |
| Song Sparrow | Green-Winged Teal |
| European Starling | American Pipit |
| Northern Pintail | Swainson’s Thrush |
| American Wigeon | Hairy Woodpecker |
| Green-Winged Teal | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Mammals
| Everglades National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Bobcat | American Beaver |
| Striped Skunk | Muskrat |
| 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 | Varying Hare |
| Eastern Cottontail | River Otter |
| House Rat | Common Shrew |
| Spotted Skunk | Red Squirrel |
| Fox Squirrel | Montane Shrew |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Lynx |
| Feral Hog | Wolverine |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | American Marten |
| Least Shrew | Grizzly Bear |
| Meadow Vole | |
| Moose | |
| Least Weasel | |
| Pygmy Shrew | |
| Northern Bog Lemming |
Fish
| Everglades National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Longnose Sucker |
| Bluegill | Lake Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Northern Pike |
| Yellow Bullhead | Eelpout |
| Channel Catfish | King Salmon |
| Black Crappie | Slimy Sculpin |
| Mosquitofish | Chum Salmon |
| Brown Bullhead | Dolly Varden |
| Goldfish | Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Everglades National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Everglades National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are two of the national parks in the United States that offer unique landscapes. The Everglades National Park is located in Florida and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and offers visitors the opportunity to see unique landscapes, such as the sawgrass prairies, mangrove forests, and cypress swamps.
On the other hand, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and is the largest national park in the United States. It is known for its stunning mountain ranges, including the Brooks Range, which is home to Alaska’s tallest peak, Mount Isto. Visitors can also see the stunning northern lights, glaciers, and hot springs in this park. The park also offers visitors the chance to explore the wilderness on their own, with opportunities for backpacking, hiking, and fishing.
Both Everglades National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve offer visitors the chance to see unique and beautiful landscapes. Whether you’re interested in exploring the subtropical wilderness of the Everglades or the stunning mountain ranges of Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic, these parks are both worth visiting for their natural beauty.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Everglades National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both popular destinations for those seeking adventure in the great outdoors. However, the two parks offer vastly different experiences.
At Everglades National Park, visitors can enjoy a range of popular activities, including airboat tours, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, and bird-watching. The park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including alligators, panthers, and manatees, making it a favorite destination for animal lovers.
In contrast, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is a wilderness lover’s dream. This remote park is located in Alaska and is known for its rugged, pristine wilderness, with opportunities for backpacking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can enjoy the park’s abundant wildlife, including caribou, grizzly bears, and wolves.
Both Everglades National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve offer unique and unforgettable experiences for visitors. Whether you’re looking to explore the lush, subtropical wilderness of the Everglades or the rugged, remote wilderness of Alaska, these two parks are sure to deliver.
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Everglades National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both unique and offer different experiences to visitors. The seasonal weather plays a big role in determining the best time to visit each park.
Everglades National Park in Florida is hot and humid during the summer, with temperatures ranging from 80-90°F. The rainy season is from May to October and the park can be quite wet and swampy during this time. Winter is the best time to visit, with temperatures ranging from 60-70°F, and little to no rain.
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve in Alaska is a completely different experience. The park is located above the Arctic Circle and experiences long, dark winters and short, mild summers. During the winter, temperatures can dip as low as -40°F and the park is covered in snow and ice. Summer temperatures are much milder, ranging from 40-60°F, and the park is accessible only by foot or small plane.
When considering a visit to either park, it’s important to keep in mind the seasonal weather and how it may impact your visit. Everglades National Park is best visited during the winter months, while Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is best visited during the summer months, when temperatures are milder and the park is accessible.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Everglades National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve are both unique and beautiful destinations, but they offer vastly different experiences for families traveling with children.
Everglades National Park, located in Florida, is a popular family destination due to its diverse wildlife and scenery. Visitors can take airboat tours, hike, and participate in ranger-led activities. The park also has several picnic areas, making it an ideal spot for families to take a break and enjoy a meal together.
On the other hand, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve in Alaska is more remote and rugged, offering a true wilderness experience. The park is known for its stunning landscapes and opportunities for backpacking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. However, it is not as accessible or developed as Everglades National Park and may not be as suitable for families with young children.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with children and want a more accessible and developed experience, Everglades National Park is the better choice. But if you’re looking for a true wilderness adventure, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve is a unique and beautiful destination.