The United States is home to more than 400 national parks, each unique and deserving of recognition. But what happens when two parks with completely different landscapes and ecosystems are pitted against each other? In this article, we’ll be comparing two of the country’s most celebrated parks: Everglades National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park.
The Everglades, located in Florida, is a vast wetland that is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including alligators, panthers, and manatees. Meanwhile, Indiana Dunes, located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, boasts miles of sand dunes and beaches, as well as diverse plant life and an abundance of birds.
As we delve into the details of each park, it will become clear that these two parks are vastly different but equally awe-inspiring. Whether you’re a nature lover, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply looking for a new adventure, this article is for you. So, grab your sunscreen and bug spray and let’s get started!
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Everglades National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park, while vastly different in geography, both offer a variety of hiking experiences for nature enthusiasts.
At Everglades National Park, visitors can hike through the sawgrass marshes and mangrove forests. The Anhinga Trail is one of the easiest hikes in the park and offers the chance to see alligators, snakes and a variety of bird species. The Gumbo Limbo Trail is a bit more strenuous, but still considered an easy hike and offers views of the park’s unique vegetation. On the other hand, the hardest hike in the park is the backcountry wilderness trail, which requires a permit and is a physically demanding 9.5 mile trek through the heart of the Everglades.
At Indiana Dunes National Park, visitors can hike through sand dunes, wetlands, and forests. The Pinhook Bog Trail is one of the easiest hikes and a great place to see wildflowers and look for birds. For a more challenging hike, visitors can climb up the 120′ high dunes on the Dunes Succession Trail. The park’s hardest hike is the Cowles Bog Trail, a 5-mile trek through diverse habitats, including wetlands and prairies.
Overall, both Everglades and Indiana Dunes National Parks offer a range of hiking experiences, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. Whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or an adventurous hike, these parks have 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 Indiana Dunes National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowles Bog Trail | 6920.162 | 64.9224 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Little Calumet River Trail Loop | 6276.426 | 50.9016 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| West Beach Loop with Scallop Dunes and Long Lake Trail | 5471.756 | 78.9432 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Dune Succession and West Beach Walk | 4345.218 | 43.8912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| West Beach Loop | 1770.274 | 28.956 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Miller Woods Trail | 6115.492 | 40.8432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dune Ridge Trail | 1448.406 | 26.8224 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Tolleston Dunes | 5149.888 | 52.7304 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beach Trail to Waverly Beach | 1609.34 | 5.7912 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Indiana’s Lake Michigan Shoreline Scenic Drive | 35083.612 | 84.7344 | Moderate | point to point | 3.5 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Everglades National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a unique experience for visitors and are known for their diverse wildlife. In Everglades, visitors have the chance to see a wide variety of animals, including alligators, manatees, and panthers. The park is also home to many bird species, including the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, and great egret. In addition, Everglades is known for its diverse plant life, including the sawgrass, mangroves, and cypress trees.
On the other hand, Indiana Dunes is known for its diverse bird populations, including the piping plover, sandhill crane, and monarch butterfly. The park is also home to many mammals, such as the white-tailed deer, fox, and coyote. In addition, visitors can find many species of reptiles, such as the painted turtle and eastern garter snake. The park is also home to many species of wildflowers, including the purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, and butterfly weed.
In conclusion, both Everglades National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience diverse wildlife in different parts of the United States. Whether you are interested in observing alligators in the Everglades or watching birds in Indiana Dunes, both parks are sure to provide a memorable experience for all visitors.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | Indiana Dunes 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 | Indiana Dunes 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 | Silver-Haired Bat |
| House Rat | Hoary Bat |
| Spotted Skunk | Red Fox |
| Fox Squirrel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | House Mouse |
| Feral Hog | Mink |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Gray Fox |
| Least Shrew | North American River Otter |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | |
| White-Tailed Deer | |
| Virginia Opossum | |
| Eastern Red Bat | |
| White-Footed Mouse | |
| Norway Rat | |
| Eastern Cottontail |
Fish
| Everglades National Park | Indiana Dunes National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Largemouth Bass |
| Bluegill | Green Sunfish |
| Golden Shiner | Bluegill |
| Yellow Bullhead | Fathead Minnow |
| Channel Catfish | Golden Shiner |
| Black Crappie | European Carp |
| Mosquitofish | Yellow Bullhead |
| Brown Bullhead | Graceful Catfish |
| Goldfish | Black Crappie |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Everglades National Park | Indiana Dunes National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Everglades National Park is a unique wilderness located in southern Florida. It is famous for its vast sawgrass marshes and mangrove swamps, home to a diverse range of wildlife, including alligators, panthers, and hundreds of species of birds. Visitors can explore the park by boat, kayaking through the mangroves, or hiking the Anhinga Trail to see alligators and wading birds up close.
On the other hand, Indiana Dunes National Park is located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. It boasts 15,000 acres of sand dunes, forests, wetlands, and prairies. The park is famous for its diverse ecosystems and scenic beaches, such as West Beach and Kemil Beach. Visitors can hike the trails to reach the highest dunes, offering panoramic views of the lake and surrounding landscape. In addition to its natural beauty, the park offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and birdwatching.
Both parks offer unique and breathtaking landscapes, from the marshes and swamps of Everglades to the dunes and beaches of Indiana Dunes. Whether you’re a nature lover, a birdwatcher, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, both parks provide unforgettable experiences.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Everglades National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. While they are both located in different parts of the country, they share some of the most popular activities that visitors enjoy.
Indiana Dunes National Park offers a range of activities for visitors, including hiking, beachcombing, fishing, and boating. The park’s 15,000-acre sand dune ecosystem is a unique and fascinating environment, and there are plenty of trails and beaches to explore. Visitors can also enjoy fishing in the nearby lakes and rivers, or take a boat out on Lake Michigan.
Everglades National Park, on the other hand, is known for its vast wetlands and diverse wildlife. Visitors to this park can go on airboat tours, kayaking excursions, and wildlife-watching trips. This park is home to a variety of species, including alligators, manatees, and a wide range of bird species. Visitors can also explore the park’s numerous hiking trails and boardwalks, which offer stunning views of the wetlands.
Overall, both Everglades National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park offer a range of activities for visitors of all interests. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day on the beach, or an adventure-filled trip through the wetlands, you’re sure to find something to do at either of these parks.
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Everglades National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park are two distinct parks with different climates and weather patterns. Everglades is located in southern Florida and is known for its subtropical climate with high humidity and temperatures that average around 80°F (27°C) year-round. The best time to visit is from November to May when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is low. During the summer months of June to October, the park can experience heavy rainfall and increased mosquito activity.
Indiana Dunes, on the other hand, is located in the northern state of Indiana and experiences a more traditional four-season climate. Summer temperatures there average in the 70s-80s°F (20s-30s°C), while winters can be quite cold with temperatures in the 20s-30s°F (-5°C to 4°C). Spring and fall offer mild temperatures and beautiful foliage. The park is a popular destination for beach-goers in the summer, but also offers opportunities for hiking, bird-watching and winter sports like cross-country skiing in the colder months.
In conclusion, the weather in each park greatly affects the best time to visit. Everglades is best enjoyed in the winter months, while Indiana Dunes has a wider range of activities available year-round. Regardless of the season, both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes that are worth exploring.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park
Everglades National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park are two popular family destinations. The Everglades is known for its swampy wetlands, wildlife, and outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking. In contrast, Indiana Dunes is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and is famous for its sandy beaches, dunes, and forests.
In terms of family-friendliness, Indiana Dunes is a better choice for families with children. The park has several beaches that are perfect for swimming and playing in the sand, and the park also offers educational programs and ranger-led activities that are designed to be fun and educational for children. Additionally, there are several picnic areas, playgrounds, and picnic shelters that are perfect for families.
The Everglades, on the other hand, is a bit more rugged and less developed, making it less suitable for families with young children. While the park is still a popular destination for families, it is more appropriate for older children and teenagers who are interested in nature and the great outdoors. The park offers guided tours, canoe trips, and hiking trails, but these activities may be too strenuous for younger children.
Overall, both parks are great for families, but Indiana Dunes is the better choice for families with young children. The park offers a variety of activities and amenities that are perfect for families, and the location on the shores of Lake Michigan is also ideal.