“Nature enthusiasts, get ready for the ultimate showdown between two of America’s most iconic parks! Everglades National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are two of the most unique and breathtaking destinations in the country. Get ready to experience the contrast of the subtropical wetlands of the Everglades and the desert landscape of Joshua Tree. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into what makes each park special, what to see and do, and which one is the best fit for your next adventure.
So, pack your bags, grab your sunscreen, and get ready to explore two of the most diverse ecosystems in the country. Whether you’re a hiker, bird-watcher, or just looking for a serene escape, we’ve got you covered. With miles of trails, breathtaking vistas, and an abundance of wildlife, both Everglades and Joshua Tree are a must-see for any nature lover.
But which park is right for you? Read on to find out!
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Everglades National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both offer unique hiking experiences, but the trails in each park vary greatly.
In Everglades National Park, the trails are primarily flat and offer visitors the chance to explore the vast wetlands and see a variety of wildlife, such as alligators, wading birds, and manatees. An easy hike in the Everglades is the Anhinga Trail, which is a 0.8-mile boardwalk trail that takes visitors through a sawgrass marsh. On the other hand, a more challenging hike is the Gumbo Limbo Trail, which is a 3.5-mile hike that takes visitors through a coastal forest and offers views of the Gulf of Mexico.
At Joshua Tree National Park, the trails are more strenuous, with rocky terrain and steep inclines. Easy hikes include the Cholla Cactus Garden, which is a 0.3-mile loop that takes visitors through a field of cacti, and the Barker Dam, which is a 1.3-mile loop that takes visitors past a historic dam and through a Joshua tree forest. For more experienced hikers, the challenging trails include the Ryan Mountain Trail, which is a 3-mile hike to the top of Ryan Mountain, and the Lost Horse Mine Trail, which is a 4.6-mile hike that takes visitors to an abandoned mine site.
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 Joshua Tree National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Mountain Trail | 4828.02 | 325.8312 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Barker Dam Nature Trail | 2896.812 | 19.812 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Hidden Valley Nature Trail | 1609.34 | 34.7472 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Lost Palms Oasis | 11587.248 | 312.7248 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Arch Rock Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 7.9248 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail | 4506.152 | 188.976 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Lost Horse Mine Loop Trail | 11104.446 | 277.9776 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Skull Rock Nature Trail | 2735.878 | 48.768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail | 321.868 | 1.8288 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Willow Hole Trail | 10943.512 | 74.9808 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Everglades National Park is located in Florida and is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. This park is known for its diverse wildlife and is home to many species of birds, reptiles, and mammals. Some of the most commonly seen birds in the Everglades include the Wood Stork, Anhinga, and the Great Egret. The park is also home to several species of reptiles such as the American Alligator, Green Sea Turtle, and the American Crocodile. In terms of mammals, visitors to the Everglades may see the Manatee, White-tailed Deer, and the Bobcat.
On the other hand, Joshua Tree National Park is located in California and is known for its unique and diverse landscape. The park is home to a variety of wildlife including many species of birds, reptiles, and mammals. Some of the most commonly seen birds in Joshua Tree include the Roadrunner, Gambel’s Quail, and the Phainopepla. The park is also home to several species of reptiles such as the Desert Tortoise, the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, and the Gila Monster. In terms of mammals, visitors to Joshua Tree may see the Bighorn Sheep, the Black-tailed Jackrabbit, and the Coyote.
Both Everglades National Park and Joshua Tree National Park offer visitors the opportunity to see a diverse array of wildlife in their natural habitats. Whether you are interested in birds, reptiles, or mammals, both parks offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities that are sure to be a highlight of your visit.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and Joshua Tree National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | Joshua Tree 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 | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Bobcat | Big Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Bobcat |
| Raccoon | Deer Mouse |
| Red Fox | Black Bear |
| House Mouse | Hoary Bat |
| Mink | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Gray Fox | House Mouse |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Cougar |
| White-Tailed Deer | Mule Deer |
| Eastern Cottontail | Gray Fox |
| House Rat | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Spotted Skunk | American Badger |
| Fox Squirrel | Californian Myotis |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Snowhsoe Hare |
| Feral Hog | Fringed Myotis |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Least Shrew | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Pallid Bat | |
| Ringtail | |
| Desert Cottontail | |
| Virginia Opossum | |
| Black-Tailed Jackrabbit | |
| Brush Deermouse | |
| Western Spotted Skunk |
Fish
| Everglades National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Goldfish |
| Bluegill | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| Yellow Bullhead | |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish |
Reptiles
| Everglades National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake |
Insects
| Everglades National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Amphibians
| Everglades National Park | Joshua Tree National Park |
|---|---|
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Everglades National Park is a unique and diverse wetland ecosystem located in southern Florida, USA. The park is home to many famous landscapes, including the River of Grass, a slow-moving river of sawgrass and wetlands that is home to many species of wildlife including alligators and manatees. Another famous landscape in the park is the Nine-Mile Pond, a shallow, freshwater pond that is surrounded by sawgrass and is a popular destination for birdwatching.
Joshua Tree National Park, located in southern California, USA, is famous for its desert landscape and unique rock formations. The park is home to the Joshua Tree, a species of yucca that is unique to the Mojave Desert, and is the main attraction of the park. Another famous landscape in the park is the Wonderland of Rocks, a large area of massive granite boulders that have been shaped by wind and water over millions of years. Visitors can explore the area on foot and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape. Additionally, the park is home to many other natural wonders, such as the Cholla Cactus Garden and Keys View, a scenic overlook that offers panoramic views of the Coachella Valley and the surrounding mountain ranges.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Everglades National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are two of the most cherished national parks in the United States. Both are renowned for their unique landscapes, diverse wildlife, and exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities.
In Everglades National Park, visitors can explore the vast wetlands and mangrove forests by boat or kayak, taking in the abundant bird life, alligators, and other wildlife along the way. Wildlife viewing is a favorite activity in the park, with opportunities to spot everything from endangered species like the West Indian Manatee to the colorful Roseate Spoonbill.
In contrast, Joshua Tree National Park is a desert wonderland, with towering rock formations and a collection of Joshua Trees that are unique to the Mojave Desert. Visitors to the park can enjoy rock climbing, stargazing, and camping among the boulders and Joshua Trees. The park is also home to a number of scenic drives, including the Park Boulevard, which offers panoramic views of the desert landscape and opportunities to spot bighorn sheep and other desert wildlife.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape into nature or an adrenaline-fueled adventure, both Everglades National Park and Joshua Tree National Park have something to offer. With their unique landscapes, rich history, and abundance of recreational opportunities, these two parks are must-visit destinations for anyone who loves the great outdoors.
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Everglades National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are two of the most distinctive national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique ecosystems and breathtaking landscapes, but the seasonal weather patterns in each park can greatly impact visitor experiences.
Everglades National Park is located in southern Florida and has a subtropical climate with hot and humid summers, and warm and dry winters. The best time to visit the Everglades is during the dry season, from November to April, when temperatures are mild and mosquito populations are low. During the wet season, from May to October, heavy rainfall can make it difficult to access certain areas of the park and can also increase the risk of flooding.
In contrast, Joshua Tree National Park is located in the Mojave Desert of southern California and experiences extreme temperatures with hot and dry summers and cool and mild winters. The best time to visit Joshua Tree is from October to May, when temperatures are more comfortable and the desert wildflowers are in bloom. During the summer months, temperatures can reach over 100°F and can make it difficult for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities.
Both parks offer unique experiences that are greatly influenced by the weather patterns. The Everglades is best visited during the dry season when the temperatures are mild and the mosquito populations are low, while Joshua Tree is best enjoyed from October to May when the temperatures are more comfortable and the desert wildflowers are in bloom.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and Joshua Tree National Park
Everglades National Park and Joshua Tree National Park are two well-known national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique and beautiful natural landscapes, but when it comes to family-friendliness, there are some differences to consider.
Everglades National Park is a best known for its swampy environment, home to alligators and a large variety of birds. While the Everglades may not be the most exciting place for children, it does offer many opportunities for families to enjoy nature and learn about the ecosystem. Guided boat tours, ranger-led programs and an extensive network of trails are available.
On the other hand, Joshua Tree National Park is known for its unique rock formations and desert environment. This park is much more kid-friendly, with plenty of easy to moderate hikes, ranger-led programs and picnic areas. The park also offers many opportunities for rock climbing and stargazing, both of which can be exciting for children.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with children, Joshua Tree National Park is probably the better choice. The park offers more opportunities for outdoor activities and is more kid-friendly overall. However, both parks are great places to visit and offer unique experiences that the whole family can enjoy.