The United States is home to some of the most magnificent natural wonders in the world, and two of the most awe-inspiring parks are Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park. These two parks offer a unique and diverse experience for visitors, but which one is right for you?
Everglades National Park, located in southern Florida, is a subtropical wilderness filled with alligators, manatees, and a variety of bird species. It’s a place where you can kayak through mangrove forests, watch the sunset over the water, and get up close and personal with some of the most exotic wildlife on the planet.
On the other hand, Grand Canyon National Park, located in Arizona, is a breathtaking canyon that has been carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. It’s a place where you can hike to the bottom of the canyon, raft down the river, or simply stand on the rim and take in the views. The Grand Canyon is a natural wonder that truly needs to be seen to be believed.
Both parks are truly remarkable, and it’s hard to choose between them. So, grab your hiking boots, pack your sunscreen, and join us on a journey as we compare Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park.
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park
Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. They both offer unique and beautiful landscapes, but they differ in terms of hiking trails.
The Everglades has a network of trails that range from easy boardwalks to challenging backcountry treks. An example of an easy hike is the Anhinga Trail, a half-mile boardwalk that takes visitors through a sawgrass marsh to observe alligators, wading birds, and other wildlife. On the other hand, the most challenging hike in the Everglades is the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway, which requires permits, a watercraft, and several days to complete.
At Grand Canyon National Park, hiking trails range from easy rim walks to multi-day backcountry adventures. One of the easiest hikes is the Rim Trail, a 13-mile trail that runs along the rim of the canyon and offers stunning views of the canyon and the surrounding landscape. On the other hand, the most challenging hike is the Bright Angel Trail, which drops 4,380 feet down to the bottom of the canyon and requires several days to complete.
In conclusion, both Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors of all abilities, from easy boardwalks to multi-day treks.
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 Grand Canyon National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bright Angel Trail to Bright Angel Campground and River Trail | 28485.318 | 1525.8288 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge | 4988.954 | 358.7496 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Three-Mile Resthouse via Bright Angel Trail | 8690.436 | 635.8128 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| South Kaibab, Phantom Ranch, and Bright Angel Trail Loop | 26875.978 | 1400.8608 | Hard | point to point | 5 |
| South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point | 2896.812 | 210.9216 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Grand Canyon Rim Trail | 8690.436 | 106.9848 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rim-to-Rim: North Kaibab to Grand Canyon Village | 34761.744 | 1614.8304 | Hard | point to point | 5 |
| Shoshone Point Trail | 3379.614 | 45.72 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
| Plateau Point Trail via Bright Angel Trail | 19633.948 | 961.9488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point | 8690.436 | 602.8944 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park
Everglades National Park in Florida and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona offer visitors unique and diverse wildlife experiences. In Everglades, visitors can observe alligators, manatees, and a variety of bird species such as roseate spoonbills and wood storks. The park is also home to over 36 threatened or endangered species, including the Florida panther. The park’s diverse habitats, including mangrove forests, sawgrass marshes, and pine rocklands, provide a home for a wide range of species.
In contrast, Grand Canyon National Park is home to a different set of wildlife, including big horn sheep, elk, and the threatened California condor. The park’s unique geology creates a variety of habitats, from the cool high-elevation forests to the hot, dry desert. This diversity supports a variety of plant life, including cacti, wildflowers, and Ponderosa pine trees. Additionally, the park’s location near the Colorado River provides a habitat for a variety of fish and amphibians.
Both Everglades and Grand Canyon National Parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a wide range of wildlife in their natural habitats. Whether you are interested in observing alligators in the Florida Everglades or big horn sheep in the Grand Canyon, these parks provide unique and exciting wildlife viewing opportunities.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | Grand Canyon 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
| Everglades National Park | Grand Canyon National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Bobcat | American Beaver |
| Striped Skunk | Muskrat |
| Raccoon | Big Brown Bat |
| Red Fox | Bobcat |
| House Mouse | Striped Skunk |
| Mink | Little Brown Bat |
| Gray Fox | Deer Mouse |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Raccoon |
| White-Tailed Deer | Black Bear |
| Eastern Cottontail | Porcupine |
| House Rat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Spotted Skunk | Hoary Bat |
| Fox Squirrel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | House Mouse |
| Feral Hog | Mountain Lion |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Mule Deer |
| Least Shrew | Gray Fox |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| Badger | |
| California Myotis | |
| North American River Otter | |
| Fringed Myotis | |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
Fish
| Everglades National Park | Grand Canyon National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Bluegill | Brook Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Brown Trout |
| Yellow Bullhead | Largemouth Bass |
| Channel Catfish | Green Sunfish |
| Black Crappie | Bluegill |
| Mosquitofish | Fathead Minnow |
| Brown Bullhead | Golden Shiner |
| Goldfish | European Carp |
| Speckled Dace | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Everglades National Park | Grand Canyon National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Western Skink | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Everglades National Park | Grand Canyon National Park |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Canyon Treefrog | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Everglades National Park | Grand Canyon National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| Common Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Commom Wood Nymph |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park
Everglades National Park, located in southern Florida, is famous for its vast swamp-like landscape and diverse wildlife. The park is home to alligators, panthers, and over 350 species of birds that can be seen in their natural habitats. Visitors can take an airboat tour to get a better view of the wetlands and may even spot a few alligators sunbathing on the banks.
Grand Canyon National Park, located in Arizona, is renowned for its massive, colorful chasm that has been carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. The Canyon provides stunning views from the rim and visitors can hike down to the river for a different perspective. Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Desert View are some of the most popular overlooks that offer breathtaking views of the Canyon. The park is also home to several natural wonders including the Bright Angel Trail, Havasu Falls, and the Grand Canyon Village.
Both Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park provide unique natural wonders and experiences that are not to be missed. Whether you’re interested in exploring wetlands or canyons, these parks are sure to leave you in awe of the beauty of the natural world.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park
Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park are two of the most popular natural attractions in the US. Both offer unique outdoor experiences, but there are some key differences in the activities visitors can enjoy. In Everglades National Park, visitors can take a scenic boat tour through the mangrove forests and see wildlife such as alligators, manatees, and flocks of wading birds. Canoeing and kayaking are also popular activities, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with the park’s waterways. In contrast, Grand Canyon National Park offers breathtaking views from its scenic overlooks along the South and North Rims. Another popular activity is mule rides, which offer a unique way to experience the canyon’s beauty and geology. Hiking is also popular in the Grand Canyon, but visitors should be prepared for steep and challenging trails. Overall, both Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park offer unique outdoor experiences and are must-visit destinations for nature lovers.
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park
Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. The seasonal weather in each park affects the best time to visit.
The Everglades is a subtropical region that experiences hot and humid summers and mild winters. The best time to visit is December to May, when temperatures are cooler and the chance of rain is lower. During the summer months, the weather is hot and humid, and there is a higher chance of thunderstorms.
In contrast, the Grand Canyon is located in the desert and experiences extreme temperature fluctuations. Summer temperatures can reach over 100°F and winter temperatures can drop below freezing. The best time to visit the Grand Canyon is from March to May, and from September to November, when temperatures are more moderate. The peak tourist season is from June to August, when temperatures are the hottest and crowds are largest.
In conclusion, the seasonal weather in each park should be taken into consideration when planning a visit. The Everglades is best visited in the cooler months, while the Grand Canyon is best visited in the spring and fall.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park
Everglades National Park and Grand Canyon National Park are two of the most popular natural wonders in the United States. When it comes to visiting with children, both parks offer unique experiences and challenges.
The Everglades is an expansive wetland that is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and a variety of bird species. While the park offers boat tours, hiking trails, and educational programs, it can be difficult for young children to navigate the swampy terrain and encounter wild animals.
On the other hand, the Grand Canyon offers breathtaking views of the canyon, a variety of hiking trails, and opportunities for horseback riding and mule tours. The park also has a number of family-friendly activities, including ranger-led programs and a Junior Ranger program for children. The Grand Canyon is more accessible for young children and offers a more structured and educational experience.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with children, the Grand Canyon is a more family-friendly option. It offers a variety of activities for children and is more accessible than the Everglades. That being said, both parks offer unique and unforgettable experiences for families, and it’s up to personal preferences and interests to determine which park is the best fit.