Discover two of the most enigmatic and awe-inspiring natural wonders of the United States – Everglades National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. These two parks are both unique in their own way and offer visitors a chance to experience the untamed beauty of nature. Whether you’re a nature lover, birdwatcher, or just looking for an adventure, these two parks have something to offer everyone.
Everglades National Park is a vast and mysterious swamp, home to a diverse array of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and panthers. Its vast sawgrass marshes and cypress swamps are unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. It’s a place where the line between land and water is constantly shifting, and where the sun rises and sets in a symphony of colors.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is a rugged and remote wilderness, surrounded by towering peaks and glaciers. It’s a place where the salmon run thick in the streams, and where grizzly bears roam the tundra in search of food. Here, visitors can paddle down the glistening waters of the lake, or hike through the rugged terrain to see breathtaking vistas.
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Everglades National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offer unique hiking experiences for nature enthusiasts. While both parks are known for their diverse wildlife, the hiking trails in each park are vastly different.
In Everglades National Park, there are several easy hikes, such as the Anhinga Trail, which takes you through a sawgrass marsh and provides opportunities for bird watching. The Gumbo Limbo Trail is another easy hike that takes you through a tropical hardwood hammock and provides a chance to see the Gumbo Limbo tree and various species of lizards.
On the other hand, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offers more challenging hikes, such as the Pioneer Ridge Trail which offers stunning views of the park’s glaciers, lakes, and valleys. The challenging Portage Pass Trail offers panoramic views of the park’s stunning landscapes, including glaciers and the Chigmit Mountains.
Both parks have trails that offer stunning views, with Everglades National Park offering easy hikes and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offering more challenging hikes. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just starting out, both parks provide opportunities for exploring the great outdoors and experiencing the beauty of nature.
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 Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
| 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 | 4.7 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Everglades National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are both unique and diverse parks. Wildlife viewing is a popular activity in both parks, with a variety of animals, birds, and plants to be seen. In the Everglades, visitors can expect to see alligators, manatees, panthers, and a large variety of exotic birds, such as the roseate spoonbill and the wood stork. Additionally, the park is home to over 50 species of reptiles, including the endangered green sea turtle. On the other hand, Lake Clark is known for its large populations of brown bears and moose, as well as other mammals such as caribou and wolves. Visitors may also spot a variety of birds, including the bald eagle and the common loon, as well as a diverse array of plant life, including wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. Both parks offer unique opportunities to view wildlife in their natural habitats, making them ideal destinations for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Northern Pintail |
| Northern Pintail | American Wigeon |
| American Wigeon | Green-Winged Teal |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Everglades National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| Bobcat | American Beaver |
| Striped Skunk | Muskrat |
| Raccoon | Little Brown Bat |
| Red Fox | Black Bear |
| House Mouse | Porcupine |
| Mink | Red Fox |
| Gray Fox | Mink |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Gray Wolf |
| White-Tailed Deer | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Eastern Cottontail | Snowshoe Hare |
| House Rat | Northern River Otter |
| Spotted Skunk | Masked Shrew |
| Fox Squirrel | Water Shrew |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Red Squirrel |
| Feral Hog | Montane Shrew |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Lynx |
| Least Shrew | Wolverine |
| American Marten | |
| Brown Bear | |
| Meadow Vole | |
| Moose | |
| Least Weasel | |
| Pygmy Shrew | |
| Meadow Jumping Mouse |
Fish
| Everglades National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Steelhead |
| Bluegill | Longnose Sucker |
| Golden Shiner | Lake Trout |
| Yellow Bullhead | Northern Pike |
| Channel Catfish | Burbot |
| Black Crappie | Silver Salmon |
| Mosquitofish | King Salmon |
| Brown Bullhead | Slimy Sculpin |
| Goldfish | Threespine Stickleback |
| Sockeye Salmon | |
| Pink Salmon | |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Everglades National Park | Lake Clark National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Everglades National Park, located in Florida, is the largest subtropical wilderness in the US. It is famous for its diverse landscapes ranging from sawgrass prairies to mangrove forests. Visitors can take an airboat tour to see the unique flora and fauna as well as the American Alligator. Another popular activity is visiting the Shark Valley, which is a 15-mile loop trail where visitors can see a variety of wildlife including the Florida panther and the Wood Stork.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, located in Alaska, is known for its stunning glaciers, rugged coastlines, and diverse ecosystems. The park is home to several active glaciers, including the Tanalian Glacier, which is one of the largest glaciers in the park. Visitors can take a scenic flight over the glaciers or hike to their edges for a close-up view. Another popular location is the Chinitna Bay, where visitors can observe bears fishing for salmon. The park also offers opportunities to kayak, raft and fish in its pristine waters.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Everglades National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are both unique, offering visitors a range of activities to enjoy. In Everglades National Park, visitors can explore the 1.5 million acres of wetlands and forests by kayaking, canoeing, or taking an airboat tour. The park is home to over 300 species of birds and a variety of wildlife including alligators, panthers, and manatees. Visitors can take a ranger-led tour, or hike the many trails to see the park’s diverse flora and fauna.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its fishing and bear viewing opportunities. Visitors can fly-in to the park and go fishing for salmon, rainbow trout, and arctic char in the park’s many rivers and lakes. Bear viewing is also a popular activity, with visitors having the opportunity to see brown bears in their natural habitat. The park is also popular for its scenic beauty, with visitors able to see glaciers, volcanoes, and stunning views of the surrounding wilderness.
In conclusion, both Everglades National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offer a range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Whether it’s kayaking, fishing, bear viewing, or simply taking in the stunning scenery, there is something for everyone at these parks.
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Everglades National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. The weather at these parks is different, and this affects the best time to visit each park.
The Everglades National Park is located in southern Florida, and its climate is characterized by hot and humid summers and mild winters. The park is best visited from December to April, when the weather is dry and cool, and the mosquitoes are less prevalent. During this time, visitors can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, wildlife viewing, and kayaking without being too hot or bothered by insects.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is located in Alaska and has a much more severe climate compared to the Everglades. The park experiences long, cold winters and short, mild summers. The best time to visit Lake Clark is during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is warmer and the park’s many glaciers and rivers are accessible for kayaking and fishing. Winter is not recommended as the park is inaccessible and the weather can be extremely harsh.
In conclusion, the weather conditions at Everglades National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve are different, and this affects the best time to visit each park. The Everglades is best visited during the winter months when the weather is cool and dry, while Lake Clark is best visited during the summer months when the weather is warmer and more accessible.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Everglades and Lake Clark National Parks are both great destinations for families, but with different focuses. The Everglades, located in southern Florida, is known for its unique ecosystem and wildlife, including alligators and wading birds. It has a variety of activities for families, including boat tours, hiking trails, and ranger-led programs. The park also offers a Junior Ranger Program, which teaches children about the park’s resources and how to protect them.
On the other hand, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, located in Alaska, is a wilderness destination that is perfect for families who love to explore. The park offers a variety of activities, including fishing, kayaking, and bear viewing. The park also offers ranger-led programs, where families can learn about the park’s resources and the wildlife that lives there. The park’s remote location and wilderness setting make it a unique and exciting adventure for families.
In conclusion, both parks offer unique experiences and opportunities for families, but if you’re traveling with children and looking for a more hands-on educational experience, the Everglades may be the better choice. However, if you’re looking for a wilderness adventure, Lake Clark is the perfect destination.