Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most iconic national parks in the United States. They both offer breathtaking scenery, diverse wildlife and a chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But which one is right for you? In this article, we will compare these two parks and help you decide which one is the perfect destination for your next adventure.
First, let’s take a look at the Everglades. This park is a unique and vast wetland that spans over 1.5 million acres in Florida. It is home to alligators, panthers, and many species of birds, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. The Everglades also offers opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and hiking, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Next, let’s explore the Great Smoky Mountains. This park is located in Tennessee and North Carolina and is the most visited national park in the United States. It boasts over 800 miles of hiking trails, stunning waterfalls, and breathtaking views from its many overlooks. The Great Smoky Mountains is also home to black bears, elk, and other wildlife, making it a great destination for those interested in wildlife observation.
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. The hiking trails at both parks offer stunning scenery and a chance to explore the natural beauty of these areas.
In Everglades National Park, the Anhinga Trail is one of the most popular hikes, offering easy access to a boardwalk that winds through the park’s ecosystem. The Gumbo Limbo Trail is another popular hike, offering a leisurely stroll through the park’s subtropical forest. For a more strenuous hike, the Pine Woods Trail leads visitors through a dense forest of pine trees, while the Nine-Mile Pond Trail offers a challenging hike through the park’s backcountry.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its challenging hikes, including the Alum Cave Trail and the Chimney Tops Trail. The Alum Cave Trail takes hikers to the top of Mount LeConte, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The Chimney Tops Trail is a steep hike that leads to the summit of the Chimney Tops, offering panoramic views of the park. For a more leisurely hike, the Laurel Falls Trail is a popular choice, offering a 2.6-mile hike to a beautiful waterfall.
Both parks offer a variety of hiking options, from easy boardwalk hikes to challenging backcountry trails. Regardless of the hike, visitors to Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are sure to be inspired by the natural beauty and diversity of these iconic national parks.
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 Smoky Mountains National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte | 17219.938 | 916.8384 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Chimney Tops Trail | 5793.624 | 392.8872 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rainbow Falls Trail | 8851.37 | 503.8344 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Grotto Falls Trail | 4184.284 | 162.7632 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Laurel Falls Trail | 3862.416 | 120.7008 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Abrams Falls Trail | 7885.766 | 191.7192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail | 1931.208 | 100.8888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail | 13840.324 | 603.8088 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ramsey Cascades Trail | 13035.654 | 677.8752 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Peregrine Peak via Alum Cave Bluffs Trail | 6759.228 | 322.7832 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most popular protected areas in the United States, attracting millions of visitors each year. Both parks offer unique experiences and diverse wildlife to visitors.
Everglades National Park is located in Florida and is known for its rich wetlands, which are home to a variety of wildlife, including alligators, snakes, and wading birds like herons and egrets. In addition, visitors can see manatees, panthers, and even a variety of migratory birds. Everglades is also famous for its plant life, including mangroves, sawgrass, and orchids.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located between Tennessee and North Carolina, is well known for its diverse ecosystems. In addition to its scenic beauty, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and turkeys. Visitors can also see a variety of birds, including the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon. The park is also known for its rich plant life, including wildflowers, rhododendrons, and hemlocks.
In conclusion, both Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park offer unique wildlife experiences. Whether you’re interested in wetlands, birds, or plants, both parks have something to offer.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | Great Smoky Mountains 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 Smoky Mountains 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 | Red Fox |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Feral Hog | House Mouse |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Panther (Mountain Lion) |
| Least Shrew | Mink |
| Gray Fox | |
| Gray Wolf | |
| Snowshoe Hare | |
| River Otter | |
| Masked Shrew | |
| Water Shrew | |
| Red Squirrel |
Fish
| Everglades National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Bluegill | Brook Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Brown Trout |
| Yellow Bullhead | Largemouth Bass |
| Channel Catfish | Green Sunfish |
| Black Crappie | Bluegill |
| Mosquitofish | Common Carp |
| Brown Bullhead | Longnose Dace |
| Goldfish | Yellow Bullhead |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Everglades National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Insects
| Everglades National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered Skipper | |
| Common Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most popular parks in the United States. They both offer a unique and diverse landscape that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Everglades National Park is known for its vast wetlands, which are home to a wide variety of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and an array of bird species. The park’s “River of Grass” is a famous landscape that offers visitors a chance to observe the natural beauty of the Everglades.
On the other hand, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its stunning mountain ranges and breathtaking views. The park is home to a number of famous overlooks, including Clingmans Dome, which provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The park also boasts several beautiful waterfalls, including the 80-foot high Laurel Falls, and the 90-foot high Grotto Falls.
Both parks offer a unique and awe-inspiring landscape that should not be missed. Whether you are a nature lover or just looking for a peaceful escape from the city, these parks are a must-visit.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. They both offer a wide range of activities, from outdoor recreation to wildlife viewing, that attract millions of visitors every year.
In Everglades National Park, visitors can explore the vast wetlands by boat or airboat, learn about the unique ecosystem through ranger-led programs, and observe a variety of wildlife, like alligators, manatees, and over 300 species of birds. Kayaking, fishing and camping are also popular activities in the park.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in the Appalachian Mountains and offers scenic drives, wildlife viewing, and fishing opportunities in the park’s many streams and rivers. The park is also home to a number of historic structures, including log cabins and grist mills, which visitors can tour. In addition, visitors can enjoy horseback riding, picnicking and attend ranger-led programs.
Both parks offer unique experiences and a variety of outdoor activities, making them great destinations for families, adventure seekers, and nature lovers. Whether it’s exploring the wetlands of the Everglades or admiring the stunning views of the Smoky Mountains, visitors are sure to have a memorable experience in these amazing parks.
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most visited and beautiful parks in the United States, each with its own unique weather patterns. The Everglades is a subtropical wetland located in southern Florida and is characterized by hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. The best time to visit the park is from December to April, when temperatures are cooler and there is less rain. Conversely, the Great Smoky Mountains are located in North Carolina and Tennessee and have a temperate climate, with warm summers and cold winters. The peak season for visiting the Smoky Mountains is from June to August, when temperatures are mild and there are many outdoor activities available such as hiking and campfires.
Both parks offer stunning natural beauty and a wealth of outdoor activities, but the timing of your visit will largely depend on the weather conditions. In the Everglades, visitors can expect high temperatures and heavy rainfall during the summer months, which can be uncomfortable for some and make outdoor activities more challenging. On the other hand, the Smoky Mountains can be quite cold during the winter months, with snow and ice making some areas of the park inaccessible. Whether you prefer hot and humid conditions or cool and crisp weather, both Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park have something to offer visitors year-round.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Everglades National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique experiences and outdoor activities, but they differ in terms of family-friendliness.
The Everglades, located in Florida, is a vast and diverse ecosystem that is home to a variety of wildlife and vegetation. The park has several trails and boardwalks, including the popular Anhinga Trail and the Gumbo Limbo Trail, which are great for families with children. However, the park does not have many amenities and can be difficult to navigate for families with young children.
On the other hand, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in Tennessee and North Carolina, is a more traditional national park with a wide range of activities and amenities for families. The park has over 800 miles of trails, including several that are easy and suitable for families with children, such as the Porters Creek Trail. The park also has several campgrounds, picnic areas, and visitor centers with educational exhibits, making it a great destination for families.
In conclusion, if you are traveling with children, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a better choice due to its wide range of amenities and activities, while the Everglades National Park is a better choice for families who want a more natural, outdoor experience and are willing to navigate a more challenging environment.