“Imagine two vastly different national parks, both with unique landscapes and wildlife. One is a subtropical paradise teeming with alligators and exotic birds, while the other is a frozen tundra home to grizzly bears and caribou. Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park couldn’t be more dissimilar, yet both offer breathtaking natural beauty and a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
In this article, we’ll take you on a journey to compare and contrast these two national treasures. You’ll learn about the diverse flora and fauna, the history, and the cultural significance of both parks. You may be surprised to discover the many similarities and differences between these two parks and what they have to offer.
Whether you’re a seasoned national park enthusiast or a first-time visitor, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to explore the wonders of Everglades and Kobuk Valley. So grab your hiking boots and let’s get started!”
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park are two distinct parks that offer different outdoor experiences to visitors. The Everglades is a vast, swampy wilderness in southern Florida and is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. On the other hand, Kobuk Valley is located in northern Alaska and is home to the world’s largest sand dunes, surrounded by the Kobuk River and the Brooks Range Mountains.
When it comes to hiking trails, the Everglades offers a variety of trails ranging from easy boardwalks to strenuous backcountry treks. One of the easiest trails is the Anhinga Trail, a half-mile boardwalk that takes visitors through mangrove swamps and sawgrass prairies. Another great option is the Gumbo Limbo Trail, a 0.3-mile loop that winds through a tropical hardwood hammock. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Nine-Mile Pond Trail is a 10.5-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a pine rockland ecosystem and provides views of alligators and wading birds.
Kobuk Valley National Park also offers a range of hiking trails, but with a focus on sand dunes. The park’s main trails are the Little Kobuk Sand Dunes and the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes. The Little Kobuk Sand Dunes is a 3.5-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors through a forest and up to the sand dunes, which are only 30 to 40 feet tall. The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, on the other hand, is a strenuous 7.5-mile round-trip hike that takes visitors up to the tallest sand dunes in the park, which can reach up to 400 feet. The hike to the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes is not for the faint of heart, but the views from the top are truly breathtaking.
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 Kobuk Valley National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Everglades National Park is located in southern Florida and is known for its diverse wildlife including alligators, manatees, and various species of wading birds such as egrets, herons and ibises. The park also boasts a unique ecosystem, with a mix of sawgrass marshes, mangrove swamps and pine rocklands providing habitat for a diverse range of fauna and flora.
Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and is known for its caribou migration, grizzly bears and the iconic Alaskan Gray Wolf. The park is home to the world’s largest sand dunes, which are surrounded by pristine wilderness and provide an ideal habitat for numerous species of birds, including the common raven and the horned lark.
While both parks offer unique and diverse wildlife experiences, the animals and plants you’ll see at each are vastly different. In Everglades National Park, visitors will have the chance to see American White Pelicans, Wood Storks, Double-crested Cormorants, and various species of fish and reptiles. In Kobuk Valley National Park, visitors will have the opportunity to spot the elusive Northern Spotted Owl, the Common Redpoll, and the Harlequin Duck.
In conclusion, both Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park offer visitors a chance to experience some of the country’s most unique and diverse wildlife. Whether you’re looking to see alligators and wading birds in Florida or caribou and Alaskan wolves in Alaska, these two parks are sure to offer an unforgettable experience.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | Kobuk Valley 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 | Northern Flicker |
| Northern Flicker | Merlin |
| Merlin | Savannah Sparrow |
| Barn Swallow | American Kestrel |
| Savannah Sparrow | Bald Eagle |
| Great Blue Heron | Northern Pintail |
| Hermit Thrush | American Wigeon |
| American Kestrel | Green-Winged Teal |
| Bald Eagle | American Pipit |
| Song Sparrow | Swainson’s Thrush |
| European Starling | White-Crowned Sparrow |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Shoveler |
| American Wigeon | Golden Eagle |
| Green-Winged Teal | Rough-Legged Hawk |
Mammals
| Everglades National Park | Kobuk Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Bobcat | American Beaver |
| Striped Skunk | Muskrat |
| Raccoon | Black Bear |
| Red Fox | Porcupine |
| House Mouse | Red Fox |
| Mink | Mink |
| Gray Fox | Wolf |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| White-Tailed Deer | Snowshoe Hare |
| Eastern Cottontail | River Otter |
| House Rat | Common Shrew |
| Spotted Skunk | Red Squirrel |
| Fox Squirrel | Montane Shrew |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Lynx |
| Feral Hog | Wolverine |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | American Marten |
| Least Shrew | Grizzly Bear |
| Moose | |
| Least Weasel | |
| Pygmy Shrew | |
| Northern Bog Lemming |
Fish
| Everglades National Park | Kobuk Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Longnose Sucker |
| Bluegill | Lake Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Northern Pike |
| Yellow Bullhead | Burbot |
| Channel Catfish | Coho Salmon |
| Black Crappie | King Salmon |
| Mosquitofish | Slimy Sculpin |
| Brown Bullhead | Alaskan Stickleback |
| Goldfish | Pink Salmon |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Everglades National Park | Kobuk Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park are two of the most famous national parks in the United States. Both parks offer visitors breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders that are truly awe-inspiring.
Everglades National Park is located in Florida and is known for its vast wetlands and diverse wildlife. The park is home to a variety of species, including alligators, manatees, and hundreds of species of birds. Visitors can explore the park by boat or hiking trail, and can also witness the beauty of the Everglades during the famous “River of Grass” boat tour.
Kobuk Valley National Park, located in Alaska, is famous for its sand dunes. The park is home to the largest sand dunes in the country, and visitors can explore the dunes on foot, by horseback, or by air. The park is also home to the famous “Kobuk River,” which is one of the few rivers in the world that flows north. The river is surrounded by breathtaking views of the Brooks Range mountain range, and visitors can witness the beauty of the river and the mountains on a scenic float trip.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty of nature in its purest form. Whether you are looking for a peaceful escape in the wilderness or an adventure in a rugged landscape, Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park are both must-see destinations.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park differ greatly in the types of popular activities they offer visitors. Everglades is located in southern Florida and is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. The park’s main draw is its diverse ecosystems, including mangrove forests, sawgrass prairies, and hardwood hammocks. Visitors can go on airboat tours to see the wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and various species of birds. They can also hike or paddle through the park’s backcountry to see its unique landscapes up close.
On the other hand, Kobuk Valley National Park is located in Alaska and is known for its sand dunes and the Alaskan caribou migration. The park is a popular destination for backcountry camping and hiking. Visitors can also go on scenic flights to see the park from above, or go on guided tours to learn about the area’s geology and natural history. The park’s sand dunes, which reach up to 400 feet tall, are a unique feature that draws visitors from around the world.
Both parks offer visitors a chance to experience the beauty of nature in different ways. Whether you’re looking for a swampy adventure in the Everglades or a scenic hike in the Arctic, there is something for everyone at these two parks.
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park have different climates, affecting the optimal time to visit each park. Everglades is located in southern Florida and experiences a subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and warm, mild winters. The best time to visit is from November to April, when temperatures are more comfortable and the risk of hurricanes is lower. During the summer months, temperatures can reach over 90°F and the area experiences heavy rainfall and high humidity, making outdoor activities difficult.
Kobuk Valley National Park, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and has an arctic tundra climate, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. The best time to visit is during the summer months, from June to August, when temperatures are milder and the park’s scenic beauty is at its peak, with wildflowers blooming and wildlife abundant. Winter in Kobuk Valley is harsh, with temperatures dropping below -40°F and the park being covered in snow and ice, making it difficult to access and limiting outdoor activities.
In conclusion, both Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park offer unique and stunning natural beauty, but when to visit depends on the weather conditions. For those looking for a warmer, more temperate climate, Everglades is the best choice, while for those looking for a more rugged, wild experience, Kobuk Valley is the place to go.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park
Everglades National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park are two unique national parks that offer different experiences for families. The Everglades, located in southern Florida, is a vast wetland area home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including alligators, manatees, and a variety of bird species. The park offers a variety of activities for families, including nature walks, boat tours, and ranger-led programs.
On the other hand, Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska is a remote wilderness area located in the heart of the Arctic. This park is known for its sand dunes, which are some of the largest in the world, as well as the caribou that migrate through the valley each year. Although the park offers incredible scenic beauty, it is not as family-friendly as the Everglades. There are no developed facilities in the park, and visitors must be self-sufficient and equipped for backcountry camping.
In conclusion, if you’re traveling with children, the Everglades National Park is the better option. With its diverse array of activities and facilities, families can enjoy a safe and educational experience while exploring the unique ecosystems of the park. On the other hand, Kobuk Valley National Park may be more suitable for older children and families who are experienced in backcountry camping and outdoor adventure.