Discover the unique beauty of two of America’s most breathtaking natural wonders: Everglades National Park and White Sands National Park. Both parks offer visitors a chance to escape into pristine wilderness and marvel at the power and majesty of nature. However, these two parks couldn’t be more different from each other.
Everglades National Park is a lush, tropical paradise teeming with life. From alligators sunning themselves on banks to manatees lazily swimming through the water, the Everglades is a true celebration of biodiversity. Meanwhile, White Sands National Park is a desolate, otherworldly landscape of rolling sand dunes that seem to stretch on forever. It’s a place where you can feel like you’re on another planet and marvel at the power of wind and water.
So, which park is right for you? If you’re looking for a tropical adventure filled with wildlife, the Everglades is the place to be. But if you’re after a truly unique and otherworldly experience, White Sands is the one. In the following article, we’ll delve deeper into the two parks and help you decide which one is the perfect destination for your next adventure.
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and White Sands National Park
Everglades National Park and White Sands National Park are two very different parks, but both offer great hiking opportunities.
In Everglades National Park, the trails range from easy boardwalk hikes to challenging backcountry treks. The Anhinga Trail is a popular and easy hike that takes visitors through a sawgrass marsh and offers a chance to see alligators, herons, and other wetland wildlife. For a more challenging hike, try the Gumbo Limbo Trail, a 2.5-mile hike through a hardwood hammock that includes steep inclines and uneven terrain.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, offers a unique hiking experience as the trails wind through stunning white sand dunes. The Interdune Boardwalk is an easy, accessible hike that takes visitors through a beautiful landscape of sand dunes and yucca plants. For a more strenuous hike, try the Alkali Flat Trail, a 5-mile hike that takes visitors to the top of the tallest dune in the park and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Both parks offer a variety of hiking experiences, from easy and accessible hikes to challenging backcountry treks. Whether you prefer exploring wetlands or sand dunes, these parks have something to offer for all types of hikers.
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 White Sands 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 | 6 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and White Sands National Park
Everglades National Park and White Sands National Park are two vastly different parks located in the United States. The Everglades is a subtropical wilderness located in Florida and is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including alligators, panthers, manatees, and a large number of bird species. The park is also a designated World Heritage site and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. Visitors to the park can see a variety of plant species, including mangroves, cypress trees, and sawgrass.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is a unique desert environment that is home to a variety of desert-adapted species. The park is known for its white sand dunes, which are made of gypsum crystals. Visitors to the park can see a variety of wildlife, including jackrabbits, kangaroo rats, and roadrunners. The park is also home to a number of plant species, including creosote bushes, ocotillo cacti, and yuccas.
In conclusion, while both parks offer unique wildlife experiences, the Everglades is known for its rich subtropical ecosystem, while White Sands is known for its unique desert environment. Regardless of which park you choose to visit, you are sure to see a variety of wildlife and plants that are unique to each location.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | White Sands 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 | White Sands 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 | White Sands 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 | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Wood Frog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and White Sands National Park
Everglades National Park is a unique and diverse wetland located in southern Florida, famous for its vast sawgrass marshes, mangrove forests, and diverse wildlife. The park is home to the largest mangrove ecosystem in the western hemisphere, providing habitat for a variety of wildlife, including the American alligator, Florida panther and West Indian manatee. A visit to the park can include exploring the Anhinga Trail, where visitors can observe alligators and other wildlife from an elevated boardwalk, or taking an airboat tour through the marshes to experience the park’s beauty from a different perspective.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is famous for its large, white sand dunes that stretch for miles. The dunes are made up of gypsum crystals, which are rare in the desert. The park offers several scenic drives and hiking trails, including the Dunes Drive, where visitors can see the dunes from the comfort of their car, and the Alkali Flat Trail, which takes visitors on a scenic walk through the dunes and surrounding desert landscape. A visit to the park also offers opportunities for stargazing, as the park is located far from city lights and offers some of the darkest skies in the country.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and White Sands National Park
Everglades National Park and White Sands National Park are two of the most unique and popular parks in the United States. While both parks offer a variety of outdoor activities, there are some key differences between the two.
At Everglades National Park, visitors can enjoy a variety of water-based activities like kayaking, canoeing, and boat tours. One of the most popular activities is wildlife viewing, with the park being home to a diverse range of species including alligators, manatees, and a variety of bird species. Hiking is also popular, but the majority of trails lead to boardwalks and observation towers, offering views of the park’s wetlands.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is known for its unique landscape of white sand dunes. Visitors can enjoy sand sledding, hiking, and picnicking in the dunes. The park also offers ranger-led walks and stargazing programs, providing opportunities for education and a chance to learn about the park’s unique ecosystem.
In conclusion, while both Everglades National Park and White Sands National Park offer a variety of outdoor activities, they each have their own unique charm and appeal. Whether you’re looking for a water-based adventure or a unique desert experience, these parks are sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and White Sands National Park
Everglades National Park and White Sands National Park are two unique and distinct National Parks located in the United States. The weather in each park is different, and this affects the best time of year to visit.
Everglades National Park is located in Florida and its climate is subtropical and humid. The park experiences hot and humid summers with temperatures averaging 90°F, and cool and dry winters with temperatures averaging 70°F. The park experiences its rainy season from May to October, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in June, July, and August. The best time to visit Everglades National Park is from December to April when the weather is dry, cool, and comfortable.
White Sands National Park is located in New Mexico and its climate is desert. The park experiences hot and dry summers with temperatures averaging 90°F, and cool and dry winters with temperatures averaging 50°F. The park experiences its rainy season from July to September, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in August. The best time to visit White Sands National Park is from September to May when the weather is cool and comfortable, and the park is not as crowded.
In conclusion, the seasonal weather at Everglades National Park and White Sands National Park is different and affects when is the best time of year to visit each park. Visitors should consider the climate when planning a visit to either park to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and White Sands National Park
Everglades National Park and White Sands National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. While both parks offer breathtaking natural beauty and unique experiences, they are quite different in terms of family-friendliness.
Everglades National Park, located in Florida, is a vast and diverse ecosystem with an abundance of wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. While it is a great place to explore with kids, it may not be the most ideal destination for families with young children. There are limited amenities and restrooms, and many of the trails can be challenging for little ones. Additionally, mosquitoes and other pests can be a problem in the summer months.
On the other hand, White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is a family-friendly destination with a variety of easy, accessible trails and plenty of amenities. The park’s signature attraction is its vast, white sand dunes, which are perfect for kids to climb and play on. There are also picnic areas, restrooms, and a visitors center with educational exhibits. Additionally, the park is located in a remote area, which means that there is little light pollution, making it a great place for stargazing.
In conclusion, if you are looking to visit a national park with your kids, White Sands National Park may be a better choice than Everglades National Park. With its accessible trails, family-friendly amenities, and remote location, White Sands is a great destination for families with young children.