Nestled amongst the bustling cities and sprawling suburbs, two vastly different landscapes offer a chance to escape into the great outdoors. On one hand, there’s the swampy wilderness of Everglades National Park in Florida, teeming with life from alligators to manatees. On the other, there’s the remote and rugged Great Basin National Park in Nevada, home to ancient bristlecone pines, dark skies, and the only glacier in the state.
But which park is the better destination for adventure seekers, nature lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts? That’s what we aim to find out in this comparison of Everglades National Park and Great Basin National Park. From hiking and fishing to wildlife viewing and camping, we’ll break down the offerings of each park and help you decide which one is right for your next outdoor adventure.
So, pack your bags, grab your hiking boots, and get ready to explore two of America’s most diverse and awe-inspiring national parks. Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a first-time visitor, you’re sure to be entranced by the natural beauty and unique experiences on offer.
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and Great Basin National Park
Everglades National Park and Great Basin National Park are two of the most popular parks in the United States, each offering its own unique hiking experiences.
In Everglades National Park, the easiest hike is the Anhinga Trail, a 0.8-mile boardwalk that takes you through the park’s sawgrass marsh and mangroves. For a more challenging hike, try the Gumbo Limbo Trail, a 3.5-mile hike through dense tropical forest that offers views of the park’s abundant wildlife.
At Great Basin National Park, the easiest hike is the Bristlecone Pine Trail, a 1.5-mile trail that takes you through the ancient forest of bristlecone pines. For a more challenging hike, try the Wheeler Peak Trail, a 13.0-mile hike to the summit of the park’s tallest mountain.
Both parks offer a range of hiking experiences, from easy walks through stunning landscapes to challenging hikes that reward you with panoramic views. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, these two parks are sure to offer something 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 Great Basin National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeler Peak Trail via Stella Lake Trail | 13196.588 | 885.7488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Bristlecone Pine Glacier Trail | 7242.03 | 322.7832 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Alpine Lakes Trail | 4345.218 | 142.9512 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Lehman Cave | 643.736 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Bristlecone and Alpine Lakes Loop | 8529.502 | 308.7624 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive | 37497.622 | 1175.9184 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Baker Lake Trail | 16737.136 | 813.816 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Teresa Lake | 2414.01 | 92.964 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Baker Lake-Johnson Lake Loop | 20760.486 | 1330.7568 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Lexington Arch Trail | 4667.086 | 340.7664 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and Great Basin National Park
Everglades National Park and Great Basin National Park are two unique parks that provide different experiences to nature lovers. Everglades National Park, located in Florida, is a subtropical region that is home to numerous species of animals and birds, including the American Alligator, Manatee, Wood Stork, and the Anhinga. The park is also known for its diverse plant life, including the famous Mangrove Trees, and its stunning Cypress forests.
Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, is a desert landscape that offers a different type of wildlife experience. The park is home to a variety of animal species such as the pronghorn antelope, mountain lion, and the elusive bat species. Bird lovers will enjoy seeing the Common Raven and the Black-Billed Magpie among others. The park is also home to a vast array of plant species including the Bristlecone Pine, which is known to be one of the oldest living tree species in the world.
Overall, both National Parks offer unique wildlife experiences, but it’s up to the individual to decide which type of experience they prefer. Whether it’s the subtropical atmosphere of the Everglades or the desert landscape of Great Basin, both parks provide a chance to witness the beauty and diversity of nature.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and Great Basin National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | Great Basin 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 | Great Basin 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 | 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 | Lion |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Mink |
| Least Shrew | Mule Deer |
| Gray Fox | |
| Gray Wolf | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| Badger | |
| Ermine | |
| Californis Myotis |
Fish
| Everglades National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Bluegill | Brook Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Brown Trout |
| Yellow Bullhead | Mottled Sculpin |
| Channel Catfish | Speckled Dace |
| Black Crappie | Cutthroat Trout |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish |
Amphibians
| Everglades National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Reptiles
| Everglades National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Everglades National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and Great Basin National Park
Everglades National Park and Great Basin National Park are two of the most stunning protected areas in the United States. Both are known for their unique landscapes and natural wonders that attract visitors from around the world.
Everglades National Park is primarily a wetland area and home to a diverse array of wildlife, including alligators, panthers, and migratory birds. The park’s most famous landscape is the River of Grass, a shallow, slow-moving river that flows through the park. Visitors can also explore the park’s mangrove forests and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, and hiking.
Great Basin National Park, on the other hand, is located in Nevada and is known for its mountainous landscapes and unique geological features. The park’s most famous landmark is the 13,063-foot tall Wheeler Peak, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also explore the park’s ancient Bristlecone Pine forests and the Lehman Caves, a series of underground caverns.
Whether you’re interested in exploring the wet and wild Everglades or the rugged and majestic Great Basin, both parks offer a wealth of opportunities for outdoor adventure and appreciation of nature’s beauty.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and Great Basin National Park
Everglades National Park and Great Basin National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but they offer different experiences. In Everglades National Park, visitors love exploring the vast wetlands and observing the diverse wildlife. Popular activities include canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and airboat tours. The park’s Anhinga Trail is a must-visit for birdwatchers, as it offers a chance to see a wide variety of birds, including the namesake anhinga, up close.
On the other hand, Great Basin National Park is a haven for those seeking solitude and rugged beauty. The park is home to the oldest living organism on earth, the bristlecone pine, and offers scenic drives, stargazing, and cave exploring. The park’s most popular hike, the Wheeler Peak Trail, leads to the tallest peak in Nevada, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. For those seeking a more strenuous adventure, the park’s backcountry offers opportunities for backpacking and rock climbing.
Both parks offer unique experiences, from the lush wetlands of Everglades to the rugged peaks of Great Basin. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape or an action-packed adventure, these parks have something to offer for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and Great Basin National Park
Everglades National Park and Great Basin National Park are two very different US National Parks located in different parts of the country. The weather in each park is one of the biggest factors that affects when is the best time to visit.
Everglades National Park is located in southern Florida and is known for its subtropical climate. The park has two main seasons: the dry season, which runs from November to April, and the wet season, which runs from May to October. During the dry season, temperatures are warm and there is very little rain, making it a great time to visit for outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching and fishing. However, during the wet season, temperatures are still warm but there is much more rain, which can make outdoor activities more challenging.
Great Basin National Park, on the other hand, is located in eastern Nevada and is known for its high-desert climate. The park has four seasons, with temperatures ranging from hot in the summer to very cold in the winter. The best time to visit the park is during the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and there is less snow on the ground, making it easier to access the park’s many hiking trails. In the summer, temperatures can reach 90°F, making it too hot for most outdoor activities, but in winter, snow and ice can make it difficult to access the park.
In conclusion, the weather in each park plays a big role in determining the best time to visit. If you’re looking for warm weather and little rain, Everglades National Park is best visited during the dry season, while if you’re looking for mild temperatures and easy access to hiking trails, Great Basin National Park is best visited during the spring or fall.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and Great Basin National Park
Everglades National Park and Great Basin National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both are known for their natural beauty and provide visitors with opportunities to explore different ecosystems. However, when it comes to family-friendliness, they have some differences.
Everglades National Park is a wetland area that is home to a variety of wildlife and plants, including alligators and manatees. It is a great place for families who are interested in nature, as there are many opportunities to see wildlife and learn about the ecosystem. However, because the park is home to many dangerous animals, it may not be the best place for young children who are easily frightened.
Great Basin National Park, on the other hand, is located in the high desert and is home to ancient Bristlecone Pine trees and the Lehman Caves. It is a great place for families, as there are many easy hikes and scenic drives that are suitable for children of all ages. The park also offers ranger-led programs, campfire talks, and stargazing events that are perfect for families looking to learn about the park’s ecosystem and history.
In conclusion, both Everglades National Park and Great Basin National Park are great places to visit with your family, but they offer different experiences. If you’re traveling with young children, Great Basin National Park is the better choice, as it offers many family-friendly activities and is less intimidating than Everglades National Park.