The Everglades and the Virgin Islands National Parks are two of the most unique and captivating national parks in the United States. Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and endless opportunities for adventure. But which park is the better choice for your next vacation? Whether you’re a fan of the tropical paradise in the Virgin Islands or the mysterious swamp of the Everglades, this article will provide a side-by-side comparison of the two parks to help you decide.
Discover the beauty of the Everglades, home to a vast network of waterways and wetlands that are home to an incredible array of wildlife, including Florida panthers, alligators, and manatees. Explore the park’s mangrove forests and sawgrass prairies, and discover the secrets of this mysterious ecosystem.
Or, immerse yourself in the tropical splendor of the Virgin Islands, where crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and lush vegetation offer a true escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Snorkel or dive in the park’s vibrant coral reefs, hike through lush jungle, or simply relax on the beach with a good book.
So, whether you’re looking for a thrilling adventure or a peaceful escape, this article will help you decide which park is the best fit for your next vacation.
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Everglades National Park and Virgin Islands National Park both offer scenic hiking trails for visitors to explore.
In Everglades, the Anhinga Trail is one of the easiest hikes and offers a chance to see a variety of wildlife including alligators, herons, and ibis. The Gumbo Limbo Trail is a bit more challenging, but provides views of the park’s rare tropical hardwood trees. For those looking for a more strenuous hike, the Mahogany Hammock Trail takes visitors through a dense jungle-like forest and past several small lakes.
Virgin Islands National Park has a variety of trails with varying levels of difficulty. One of the easiest hikes is the Cinnamon Bay Trail, which takes visitors through a lush forest to a serene beach. More challenging hikes include the Reef Bay Trail, which provides stunning views of the Caribbean Sea, and the Ram’s Head Trail, which takes visitors to the top of a hill for panoramic views of the island. For the most experienced hikers, the Annaberg Plantation Trail is a strenuous hike that takes visitors through the ruins of a former sugar plantation.
Both parks offer unique and diverse hiking experiences for visitors. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely hike or a challenging trek, Everglades and Virgin Islands 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 Virgin Islands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Canyon Trail | 804.67 | 16.764 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Caprock Coulee Loop | 6115.492 | 159.7152 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Painted Canyon Nature Trail | 1770.274 | 78.9432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Petrified Forest Trail | 16415.268 | 253.8984 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Maah Daah Hey Trail | 229009.082 | 4614.9768 | Hard | point to point | 4.5 |
| Lower Paddock Creek Trail | 11587.248 | 127.7112 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Buck Hill Trail | 643.736 | 16.764 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ridgeline Nature Trail | 1126.538 | 33.8328 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Coal Vein Trail | 965.604 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Buckhorn Trail | 19633.948 | 324.9168 | Hard | loop | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Everglades National Park and Virgin Islands National Park are both unique ecosystems that offer a diverse range of wildlife to explore. The Everglades is a vast wetland located in southern Florida, while the Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean, and are known for their lush tropical forests.
In the Everglades, visitors can expect to see a wide variety of wildlife including the American alligator, which is the park’s most famous resident. Other animals commonly seen in the park include the Manatee, West Indian Rhinoceros, and the Green Sea Turtle. Additionally, over 350 species of birds can be found in the Everglades, including the Wood Stork and the Anhinga.
The Virgin Islands National Park is known for its diverse array of wildlife, with a focus on tropical birds such as the Bananaquit and the Carib Grackle. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles, including the Green Sea Turtle, the Rock Iguanas, and the American Crocodile. Visitors can also explore the lush tropical forests of the park, which are home to a diverse array of plants and flowers, including the Wild Banana Orchid and the Yellow Trumpet Vine.
Both Everglades and Virgin Islands National Parks are important habitats for wildlife, and offer visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty and diversity of nature in unique and exciting ways. Whether you’re a bird-watcher or a nature lover, these parks are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and Virgin Islands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | Virgin Islands 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 | 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 | Swainson’s Thrush |
Mammals
| Everglades National Park | Virgin Islands 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 | Porcupine |
| 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 | Mountain Lion |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Mink |
| Least Shrew | Mule Deer |
| Gray Wolf | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| Badger | |
| Snowshoe Hare | |
| North American River Otter | |
| Masked Shrew |
Fish
| Everglades National Park | Virgin Islands National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Longnose Sucker |
| Bluegill | Green Sunfish |
| Golden Shiner | Bluegill |
| Yellow Bullhead | Flathead Minnow |
| Channel Catfish | Golden Shiner |
| Black Crappie | Carp/European Carp |
| Mosquitofish | Northern Pike |
| Brown Bullhead | Burbot |
| Goldfish | Longnose Dace |
| Channel Catfish | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub |
Reptiles
| Everglades National Park | Virgin Islands National Park |
|---|---|
| Bullsnake | |
| Racer | |
| Rattlesnake | |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
Amphibians
| Everglades National Park | Virgin Islands National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Everglades National Park is a vast wetland in Florida, known for its diverse ecosystem, which includes mangroves, sawgrass marshes, pine rocklands, and coastal lowlands. The park is home to a number of endangered species, including the American crocodile, the West Indian manatee, and the Florida panther. The park’s most famous landscape is the “River of Grass,” a slow-moving river that flows from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay. Visitors can explore the Everglades by boat, kayak, or on foot, and can enjoy stunning views of the park’s wildlife and scenic beauty.
Virgin Islands National Park is located on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The park features pristine white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and lush tropical forests. The park is known for its iconic landscapes, including the famous Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, and Maho Bay. Visitors can hike through the park’s lush tropical forests, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, and relax on the park’s stunning beaches. The park is also home to a number of historic sites, including the Annaberg Sugar Plantation, which provides a glimpse into the island’s colonial past.
Both Everglades National Park and Virgin Islands National Park offer visitors a chance to experience unique and beautiful landscapes that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation, or an adventure-filled exploration of a unique ecosystem, these parks are a must-visit for any nature lover.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Everglades National Park and Virgin Islands National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique experiences for visitors and are popular for different reasons.
Everglades National Park is known for its vast wetlands and diverse wildlife. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, fishing, kayaking and wildlife watching. The park has a number of trails that offer scenic views of the wetlands and wildlife. In addition, visitors can take airboat tours to get a closer look at the alligators and other wildlife that call the park home.
Virgin Islands National Park is located on the island of St. John, and is famous for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters. Visitors can enjoy activities such as swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and sailing. The park is also home to a number of trails that offer scenic views of the island, as well as several historic sites and ruins. Visitors can also take boat tours to explore the nearby islands and bays.
Both parks offer unique experiences for visitors, and the choice between the two will largely depend on personal preference. Whether you are looking for a nature escape or a beach vacation, both Everglades National Park and Virgin Islands National Park have something to offer.
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Everglades National Park in Florida and Virgin Islands National Park in the U.S. Virgin Islands are distinct destinations with different climates and weather patterns. The best time to visit Everglades National Park is from December to April, which is the dry season. During this time, temperatures are mild and there is less rainfall. The wet season runs from May to November, with high rainfall and frequent thunderstorms. Visitors should be prepared for hot and humid conditions, as well as the possibility of mosquitoes and other insects.
On the other hand, Virgin Islands National Park is best visited from December to April, which is the dry season. Although temperatures are warm year-round, the dry season offers the best conditions for outdoor activities such as hiking and snorkeling. The wet season runs from May to November, with high rainfall and frequent thunderstorms. Visitors should be prepared for warm and humid conditions, as well as the possibility of strong winds and rough seas.
Overall, both Everglades National Park and Virgin Islands National Park offer unique and beautiful experiences, but the best time to visit depends on the weather. Those looking for milder temperatures and less rainfall should plan their trip during the dry season, while those seeking outdoor adventures in warm weather should be prepared for the wet season.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and Virgin Islands National Park
Everglades National Park and Virgin Islands National Park are two beautiful parks that offer a variety of activities for families to enjoy. Both parks offer excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. However, each park offers a different experience for families and has its own unique features that make them ideal for different types of travelers.
For families traveling with young children, Virgin Islands National Park is a better option. The park’s beaches are pristine and offer a safe and shallow place for children to swim. The park also offers snorkeling and kayaking opportunities, which are perfect for families with older children. In addition, the park is much smaller than the Everglades, making it easier to explore and navigate.
On the other hand, Everglades National Park is better suited for families with older children and teenagers who are interested in more challenging outdoor activities. The park offers a wide range of activities including fishing, hiking, paddling, and wildlife viewing. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and numerous bird species, making it an excellent place for families who enjoy wildlife watching. However, the park is much larger and more remote than the Virgin Islands, making it more difficult to explore and navigate.
In conclusion, both Everglades National Park and Virgin Islands National Park are excellent choices for families looking for outdoor adventure. However, for families traveling with young children, Virgin Islands National Park is a better choice. The park’s smaller size, pristine beaches, and shallow waters make it a perfect place for families to explore and enjoy the outdoors.