“Picture this: two national parks, both unique in their own way, yet offering breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife and endless outdoor activities. Everglades National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two of the most sought-after destinations for nature lovers, adventure seekers and photographers alike. But which one is the ultimate destination for your next outdoor excursion?
In this article, we will take you on a journey to compare and contrast these two national parks, highlighting their similarities and differences. From swamps to lakes, from alligators to wolves, we’ll show you what each park has to offer and help you decide which one is the best fit for your next adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a wildlife enthusiast or a water sports junkie, this comparison will leave you well-informed and ready to plan your next national park adventure.”
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Everglades National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a variety of hiking trails with different levels of difficulty, making them ideal for both casual hikers and experienced backpackers.
The Everglades National Park has a number of easy trails that are perfect for families and beginners. One of the most popular trails is the Anhinga Trail, which is a half-mile boardwalk that takes you through a mangrove forest and offers views of alligators, wading birds, and other wildlife. The Gumbo Limbo Trail is another easy trail that is just a quarter of a mile long and takes you through a tropical hardwood hammock.
In contrast, Voyageurs National Park is known for its challenging hikes. The Kabetogama Peninsula Trail, for example, is a 10-mile trek through the park’s wilderness that takes you through a dense forest and along the shores of Kabetogama Lake. The Rainbow Trail is another challenging hike that takes you to the top of a hill and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Both Everglades National Park and Voyageurs National Park offer a variety of hiking trails that are suitable for different skill levels. Whether you’re looking for an easy stroll through the wilderness or a challenging backpacking adventure, these two 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 Voyageurs National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Everglades National Park, located in Florida, is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including over 300 species of birds, 40 species of reptiles, and 50 species of mammals. Some of the most commonly seen animals include the American alligator, the West Indian manatee, and the Bottlenose dolphin. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the Wood Stork, the Anhinga, and the Reddish Egret. Additionally, the park is home to a number of unique plant species, including the Mangrove tree, the Sawgrass, and the Royal Palm.
In contrast, Voyageurs National Park, located in Minnesota, is known for its diverse array of wildlife and its abundance of water-based wildlife. Some of the most commonly seen animals include the Common Loon, the American White Pelican, and the Bald Eagle. The park is also home to a variety of fish species, including Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Northern Pike. Additionally, the park is home to a number of unique plant species, including the Tamarack, the Bunchberry, and the Labrador Tea.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a diverse array of wildlife in their natural habitats. However, the type of wildlife you’ll see will depend on where you visit. If you’re interested in seeing water-based wildlife, Voyageurs is the park for you, while if you’re interested in seeing a wider variety of wildlife, Everglades is the park for you.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and Voyageurs National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | Voyageurs 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 | Voyageurs 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 | 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 |
| Common Gray Fox | |
| Plains Wolf | |
| American Badger | |
| Ermine | |
| Snowshoe Hare | |
| River Otter | |
| Masked Shrew |
Fish
| Everglades National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Largemouth Bass |
| Bluegill | Longnose Sucker |
| Golden Shiner | Green Sunfish |
| Yellow Bullhead | Bluegill |
| Channel Catfish | Fathead Minnow |
| Black Crappie | Golden Shiner |
| Mosquitofish | Lake Trout |
| Brown Bullhead | Northern Pike |
| Goldfish | Ellpout |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Everglades National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Everglades National Park is located in southern Florida and is famous for its vast wetlands, home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including alligators, manatees, and over 350 species of birds. The park’s most famous landscape is the River of Grass, a slow-moving river that flows through the park, providing a unique ecosystem for the wildlife that lives there.
Voyageurs National Park, located in northern Minnesota, is known for its interconnected network of lakes and waterways that covers over 218,000 acres of wilderness. Visitors can explore the stunning beauty of the park by boat, kayak, or canoe, taking in the magnificent views of the surrounding forests and mountains. One of the most famous landscapes in the park is Kabetogama Peninsula, a large peninsula that juts into Kabetogama Lake, providing stunning views of the surrounding water and forest.
Both parks offer incredible opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life or an adventurous outdoor experience, Everglades National Park and Voyageurs National Park are both must-visit destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Everglades National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two unique and beautiful destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Both parks offer a variety of activities for visitors, but have different focuses. Everglades is known for its swampy environment and wildlife viewing opportunities, while Voyageurs is more focused on boating, fishing, and canoeing.
In Everglades, visitors can take a ranger-led tour, go birdwatching, and explore the park by boat or kayak. The Anhinga Trail is a popular spot for wildlife viewing, where visitors can see alligators, otters, and numerous bird species. The park also offers camping opportunities, allowing visitors to spend a night under the stars in the swamp.
Voyageurs National Park is a water-based park located in northern Minnesota. Its focus on boating, fishing, and canoeing makes it a popular destination for outdoor activities like camping, fishing, and boating. Visitors can rent houseboats and explore the park’s many interconnected waterways, or join a guided tour of the park’s lakes and waterways. The park also offers backcountry camping experiences, where visitors can explore remote wilderness areas.
Whether you’re looking to explore the wilderness by boat or witness the diverse wildlife of the Everglades, both parks offer unique opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re an experienced camper, angler, or just looking to escape the city, both parks provide unforgettable experiences and stunning natural beauty.
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Everglades National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer unique experiences and different types of weather throughout the year.
Located in Florida, Everglades National Park experiences a subtropical climate with hot and humid summers, and mild winters. Summer temperatures can reach up to 90°F, making it the peak tourist season. This is also the rainy season and visitors should expect heavy showers and thunderstorms. On the other hand, winter is the dry season with temperatures ranging from 60°F to 70°F. This is the best time to visit if you are looking for a more comfortable weather.
Voyageurs National Park, located in Minnesota, has a much cooler climate compared to Everglades National Park. Summer temperatures range from 70°F to 80°F while winter temperatures can drop to below freezing. In winter, the park is blanketed with snow and ice, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Summer is the best time to visit if you want to enjoy the park’s many lakes and waterways, as well as its beautiful forests.
When deciding when to visit either park, it is important to consider the weather and what you hope to experience during your trip. If you are looking for a warm and humid escape, Everglades National Park is the perfect destination. On the other hand, if you are looking for a winter wonderland, Voyageurs National Park is the place for you.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Everglades National Park in Florida and Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota are two of the most popular parks in the United States, but they are vastly different. For families traveling with children, Everglades National Park offers a unique and exciting experience. With its swampy landscape and abundant wildlife, the park is a great place to learn about the ecosystem and the animals that call it home. Visitors can take boat tours or join a ranger-led hike to see alligators, manatees, and a variety of bird species.
Voyageurs National Park, on the other hand, is better suited for families who prefer water-based activities. With its vast network of lakes and waterways, the park is ideal for boating, fishing, and kayaking. The park also has several hiking trails, but the focus here is on the water. For families with younger children, the park offers ranger-led canoe trips, which are a great way to explore the park and learn about its history and wildlife.
In conclusion, both Everglades National Park and Voyageurs National Park are great destinations for families, but they cater to different interests. If you’re looking for a unique experience in a swampy landscape with abundant wildlife, Everglades National Park is the way to go. But if you’re more interested in water-based activities and exploring the waterways, then Voyageurs National Park is the better choice.