The United States is home to some of the world’s most diverse and breathtaking natural landscapes, and two of its most iconic national parks are the Everglades and Guadalupe Mountains. Both offer unique and unforgettable experiences, but which is the better destination for your next outdoor adventure?
The Everglades, located in southern Florida, is the largest subtropical wilderness in the country and is home to an incredible array of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and the elusive Florida panther. The park’s lush, swampy landscape is unlike any other in the world and provides a window into the region’s rich ecological history.
Guadalupe Mountains, on the other hand, is located in West Texas and boasts towering peaks, rugged canyons, and ancient sea fossils scattered throughout its rugged terrain. The park is a hiker’s paradise, offering challenging trails and jaw-dropping vistas, including the famous “Window” formation. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a nature lover, the Guadalupe Mountains will leave you in awe.
So, which park is right for you? Read on to find out!
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Everglades National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park are two popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Both parks offer a diverse range of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry excursions.
In Everglades, the Anhinga Trail is one of the easiest hikes, offering visitors a chance to see alligators, herons, and other wildlife as they stroll along a boardwalk through the park’s wetlands. For a more strenuous hike, the Gumbo Limbo Trail takes visitors through a tropical hardwood hammock and offers views of the park’s unique ecosystem.
At Guadalupe Mountains, the Pine Springs Trail is a great option for beginners, offering a short and easy walk to a scenic overlook. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Guadalupe Peak Trail is a strenuous 8.5-mile round trip hike to the highest point in Texas. The trail gains over 3,000 feet in elevation and offers panoramic views of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico.
Both parks offer a range of hiking opportunities, from easy walks to more strenuous backcountry excursions. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, both Everglades and Guadalupe Mountains have something to offer.
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 Guadalupe Mountains National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guadalupe Peak Texas Highpoint Trail | 13035.654 | 873.8616 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Devil’s Hall Trail | 5793.624 | 175.8696 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| McKittrick Canyon Trail | 32508.668 | 1330.7568 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Smith Spring Trail | 3862.416 | 117.9576 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Hunter Peak | 12552.852 | 809.8536 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| El Capitan Trail | 15449.664 | 514.8072 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Pratt Lodge via McKittrick Canyon Trail | 7724.832 | 103.9368 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Devil’s Hall Loop Trail | 5954.558 | 179.832 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Bush Mountain | 20116.75 | 1085.6976 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Pine Springs to McKittrick Canyon | 28485.318 | 1239.9264 | Moderate | point to point | 5 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Everglades National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Each park has its own unique wildlife that visitors can enjoy.
Everglades National Park is one of the largest and most diverse wetlands in the world. It is home to a wide variety of animals, including alligators, manatees, and panthers. Visitors can also see many different species of birds, including the roseate spoonbill and the great egret. In addition to wildlife, the park is also home to many different species of plants, including the sawgrass and mangrove trees.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Chihuahuan Desert and is home to a completely different set of wildlife. Visitors to the park can see animals such as the black-tailed deer, the elk, and the mountain lion. The park is also home to many different species of birds, including the golden eagle and the roadrunner. In addition to wildlife, visitors can also see many different species of cacti and other desert plants.
Both Everglades National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park offer unique experiences for visitors. Whether you’re interested in seeing alligators and manatees in the Everglades or elk and mountain lions in the Guadalupe Mountains, there is something for everyone at these two national parks.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | Guadalupe 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 | American Wigeon |
| American Wigeon | Green-Winged Teal |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Everglades National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Bobcat | Big Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Bobcat |
| Raccoon | Striped Skunk |
| Red Fox | Deer Mouse |
| House Mouse | Raccoon |
| Mink | Black Bear |
| Gray Fox | Porcupine |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| White-Tailed Deer | Hoary Bat |
| Eastern Cottontail | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Rat | Mountain Lion |
| Spotted Skunk | Mule Deer |
| Fox Squirrel | Common Gray Fox |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Gray Wolf |
| Feral Hog | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | American Badger |
| Least Shrew | California Myotis |
| Fringed Myotis | |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | |
| Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat | |
| Western Harvest Mouse | |
| Western Small-Footed Myotis | |
| Bighorn Sheep | |
| White-Tailed Deer |
Fish
| Everglades National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Bluegill | Green Sunfish |
| Golden Shiner | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish |
Reptiles
| Everglades National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Sonoran Gophersnake | |
| Eastern Racer | |
| Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Prairie Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Desert Kingsnake | |
| Texas Night Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Desert Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Big Bend Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Everglades National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Tiger Salamander | |
| American Bullfrog | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Everglades National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | |
| Painted Ladies | |
| Monarch | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Everglades National Park, located in southern Florida, is known for its vast marshlands and diverse ecosystems. The park spans over 1.5 million acres, making it the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. The park’s most famous landscape is the River of Grass, a slow-moving river that winds through the marshes and is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and hundreds of species of birds. Visitors can explore the park by boat or kayak, or by hiking the trails, including the Anhinga Trail, which is a popular spot for wildlife viewing.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, located in western Texas, is famous for its towering peaks and rugged terrain. The park is home to the highest peak in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, which rises to an elevation of 8,749 feet. The park also boasts several other notable landscapes, including the El Capitan peak and the beautiful McKittrick Canyon, which is famous for its autumn foliage. Visitors can hike the trails to the top of the peaks for breathtaking views, or explore the canyon for its waterfalls and unique geology. The park is also home to over 80 miles of trails, making it a popular destination for backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Everglades National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. However, they offer different experiences and activities.
At Everglades, visitors can enjoy boat tours, kayaking, and fishing. The park’s swamp-like environment and diverse wildlife, including alligators and manatees, make it a unique destination. In addition, bird watching is a popular activity in Everglades, as the park is home to over 350 species of birds.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, on the other hand, is known for its scenic drives, rock climbing, and stargazing. The park’s highest point, Guadalupe Peak, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding desert landscape. Camping and hiking are also popular activities in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, with the park’s trails showcasing the region’s diverse flora and fauna.
Both parks offer a range of activities for visitors, from outdoor recreation to wildlife viewing. Whether you prefer the wetlands of Everglades or the desert landscapes of Guadalupe Mountains, each park offers unique experiences and unforgettable memories.
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Everglades National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique and breathtaking views, but the seasonal weather can greatly affect a visitor’s experience. In Everglades National Park, the best time to visit is in the winter months (December-February) when temperatures are cooler and more comfortable. This time of year is also the dry season, with less rainfall and fewer mosquitoes. Summer in the Everglades is hot and humid, with frequent rain showers and high humidity levels.
In contrast, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in the high desert. The best time to visit is during the spring and fall months (April-May and September-October) when temperatures are moderate and there is less chance of rain. During the summer months (June-August), temperatures can reach over 100°F and the park is also prone to thunderstorms. Winter in Guadalupe Mountains National Park can be cold, with snow and ice on the trails. Visitors should be prepared for these conditions if they plan to visit during the winter months.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Everglades National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park are both very family-friendly options for outdoor enthusiasts. However, the two parks offer different experiences and have different features that cater to families.
Everglades National Park is a vast wetland that is home to many species of birds and animals, including alligators, panthers and manatees. This park offers many educational opportunities for children, including ranger-led tours, wildlife viewing and nature walks. Everglades is a great option for families who enjoy exploring nature and learning about wildlife. The park also has several campgrounds, picnic areas and a visitor center with interactive exhibits.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, on the other hand, is known for its towering peaks and scenic views. This park is a great option for families who enjoy hiking, as it offers several well-marked trails with varying difficulty levels. Guadalupe Mountains is also home to several species of wildlife, including deer, mountain lions and black bears. The park has a visitors center, picnic areas and campgrounds, making it a great option for families who enjoy spending time outdoors.
In conclusion, both Everglades National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park are great options for families. However, if you’re traveling with children and looking for a park that offers a variety of educational opportunities and wildlife viewing, Everglades National Park may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a park that offers scenic views and hiking opportunities, Guadalupe Mountains National Park may be the right choice for you.