Discover two of America’s most incredible natural wonders, where ancient trees tower above and alligators swim below. Everglades National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are both unique and awe-inspiring, offering visitors a chance to escape into the wilderness and experience the beauty of nature. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing outdoor getaway or an adventurous outdoor adventure, these two parks have something to offer for everyone.
Take a stroll through Everglades National Park, where you’ll find yourself surrounded by a landscape of sawgrass marshes, mangrove swamps, and slow-moving rivers. This park is home to some of the world’s most exotic and endangered species, including the American alligator, manatee, and Florida panther. Take a guided tour or rent a canoe and explore the park’s breathtaking waterways.
On the other hand, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are a sanctuary for some of the world’s largest trees, including the General Sherman Tree, the largest living organism on the planet. The parks feature towering peaks, deep canyons, and crystal-clear rivers, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to explore the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Hike through the backcountry, bike along scenic roads, or simply relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the great outdoors.
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Everglades National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore and experience the natural beauty of the parks. In Everglades National Park, the Anhinga Trail is one of the most popular trails and is considered an easy hike, with a boardwalk that takes visitors through a marshy area with plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities. On the other hand, the Gumbo Limbo Trail is a bit more challenging, offering a 2-mile hike through a dense forest and over rocky terrain.
In Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, the Congress Trail is a great option for those looking for an easy hike. It’s a 2-mile loop that takes visitors through a forest of giant sequoia trees, some of which are over 2,000 years old. For those seeking a more strenuous hike, the High Sierra Trail offers a 40-mile journey through the backcountry of the park and over mountain passes, taking several days to complete.
Both parks offer a range of hiking experiences, from easy walks through forests to multi-day backcountry adventures. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a leisurely stroll, both Everglades National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks 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 Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moro Rock Trail | 643.736 | 56.9976 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Tokopah Falls via Tokopah Valley Trail | 6437.36 | 194.7672 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Heather Lake, Emerald Lake, and Pear Lake Trail via Watchtower and Pear Lake Trails | 18990.212 | 887.8824 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| General Sherman Tree Trail | 1287.472 | 46.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Marble Falls Trail | 11909.116 | 495.9096 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Congress Trail | 5149.888 | 151.7904 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Alta Peak Trail | 23979.166 | 1238.7072 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mineral King to Eagle Lake Trail | 10460.71 | 674.8272 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Big Trees Trail | 2092.142 | 36.8808 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Giant Forest Loop Trail | 11265.38 | 390.7536 | Easy | loop | 5 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Everglades National Park in Florida and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks in California offer unique wildlife experiences. In the Everglades, visitors can expect to see a variety of reptiles and mammals such as the American Alligator, West Indian Manatee, and the endangered Green Sea Turtle. Birdwatchers can observe species like the Wood Stork and Roseate Spoonbill, while fishing enthusiasts may catch Snook and Tarpon. The park is also home to a diverse array of plant life, including the iconic Sawgrass and Mangrove forests.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks boast a diverse range of wildlife, including the famous giant sequoia trees, black bears, and mule deer. Visitors may also spot mountain lions, coyotes, and the endangered Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep. Birdwatchers can observe species like the Steller’s Jay and the White-headed Woodpecker, while the parks’ diverse habitats support a wide variety of plant life including wildflowers, ferns, and shrubs. These parks offer a unique combination of towering mountain peaks and lush valleys, providing visitors with a chance to see a range of wildlife and plant life in a single visit.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| 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 | Green-Winged Teal |
| Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Everglades National Park | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| 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 | Porcupine |
| House Rat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Spotted Skunk | Hoary Bat |
| Fox Squirrel | Red Fox |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Feral Hog | House Mouse |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Mountain Lion |
| Least Shrew | Mink |
| Mule Deer | |
| Gray Fox | |
| Wolf | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| Badger | |
| Ermine |
Fish
| Everglades National Park | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Bluegill | Brook Trout Charr Salter |
| Golden Shiner | Brown Trout |
| Yellow Bullhead | Green Sunfish |
| Channel Catfish | Golden Shiner |
| Black Crappie | European Carp |
| Mosquitofish | Black Bullhead |
| Brown Bullhead | Brown Bullhead |
| Goldfish | Goldfish |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Reptiles
| Everglades National Park | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Southwestern Black-Headed Snake | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Amphibians
| Everglades National Park | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Everglades National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are two of the most famous national parks in the United States, and each has its own unique landscapes and natural wonders to offer visitors.
At Everglades National Park, visitors can see the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, with over 1.5 million acres of wetlands, mangrove forests, and sawgrass prairies. One of the most famous landscapes in the park is the Anhinga Trail, which is a boardwalk that takes visitors through the heart of the park’s wetlands and offers stunning views of alligators, wading birds, and other wildlife.
At Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, visitors can explore the towering sequoia trees, which are some of the largest trees in the world and can reach over 300 feet tall. One of the most famous landscapes in the park is the General Sherman Tree, a giant sequoia that is the largest tree on Earth by volume. Visitors can also explore the rugged peaks and valleys of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and is home to many other natural wonders such as waterfalls and overlooks.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Everglades National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy, but there are some differences between the two.
At Everglades National Park, visitors can enjoy airboat tours, wildlife viewing, and fishing. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and a variety of bird species. Visitors can explore the park by hiking on its many trails, including the Anhinga Trail and the Gumbo Limbo Trail.
At Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, and scenic drives. The parks are home to some of the largest trees in the world, including the General Sherman Tree, which is the largest tree on Earth by volume. Visitors can also explore the parks by taking a drive along the Generals Highway, which offers stunning views of the parks’ natural beauty.
In conclusion, both Everglades National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Whether you’re interested in wildlife viewing, hiking, or scenic drives, there’s something for everyone at these two parks.
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Everglades and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are two unique, yet popular national parks in the US. The seasonal weather in each park greatly affects the type of activities and experiences visitors can have.
The Everglades, located in Florida, has a hot and humid subtropical climate, with temperatures ranging from the high 80s to low 90s in the summer and the high 60s to low 70s in the winter. The park is known for its heavy rainfall, with the wettest months being June through September. This weather makes the summer months the best time to visit for those interested in wildlife viewing and airboat tours, as the high water levels attract a variety of wildlife to the park.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon, located in California, have a more varied climate, with hot and dry summers and cold, snowy winters. The park is known for its towering sequoia trees, and the best time to visit for those interested in seeing these trees is from May to September. Winter is the best time for skiing and snowshoeing, as well as for visiting the parks’ famous crystal caves. The spring and fall months offer a milder climate and are ideal for hiking and camping.
In conclusion, both Everglades and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks offer unique and beautiful experiences, but the best time to visit each park depends on the type of activities and experiences you are looking for.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Everglades National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are two of the most popular national parks in the US. Both parks offer unique experiences for families traveling with children, but there are some key differences to consider when deciding which one to visit.
Everglades National Park, located in Florida, is a vast wetland that is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and many species of birds. Visitors can take airboat tours, hike, and enjoy scenic drives. This park is ideal for families who enjoy exploring nature and observing wildlife in their natural habitats.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, located in California, feature towering trees and awe-inspiring vistas. Visitors can hike through the giant sequoia forests, explore underground caves, and enjoy scenic drives. This park is ideal for families who enjoy hiking and exploring the great outdoors.
When it comes to family-friendliness, both parks have their pros and cons. Everglades National Park is more accessible, with a wider range of activities and more opportunities to observe wildlife. However, it can be hot and humid, which may not be ideal for younger children. On the other hand, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks offer a more rugged and challenging environment, with fewer amenities and a more limited range of activities.
Ultimately, the best park for families will depend on their individual preferences and interests. If your family is interested in exploring nature, observing wildlife, and participating in outdoor activities, Everglades National Park may be the better choice. If your family is interested in hiking and exploring the great outdoors, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks may be the better choice.