Are you ready to explore two of America’s most unique national parks? Everglades National Park and Wind Cave National Park are both exceptional in their own ways, offering visitors a chance to experience diverse landscapes and a variety of wildlife.
Everglades National Park is a vast swampy wilderness in southern Florida, home to alligators, panthers, and a variety of bird species. It is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles coexist.
Wind Cave National Park, on the other hand, is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota and boasts a series of intricate underground caves, with unique formations and diverse ecosystems. It is also home to bison, pronghorns, and elk, making it a popular destination for wildlife viewing.
Whether you’re a nature lover or a thrill-seeker, these two parks have something for everyone. So, buckle up and prepare for a journey through some of America’s most stunning landscapes.
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Everglades National Park and Wind Cave National Park are two unique parks that offer different hiking experiences. The Everglades is a vast and diverse wetland, while Wind Cave is a dry, subterranean maze of passages. Both parks offer a range of hiking trails suitable for different skill levels, but each park has its own set of challenges.
In Everglades National Park, there are many easy trails, including the Anhinga Trail, which is a 0.8-mile boardwalk that offers views of alligators, birds, and other wildlife. The hardest trail in the park is the Nine-Mile Pond Canoe Trail, which is a strenuous, 9-mile hike. This trail is the best way to see the park’s backcountry and requires a permit and experience in wilderness camping.
Wind Cave National Park offers a number of easy trails, including the Rankin Ridge Trail, which is a 0.5-mile hike to a scenic overlook, and the Wind Cave Canyon Trail, which is a 1.5-mile loop that takes visitors through a forest of ponderosa pines. The park’s hardest trail is the Cold Basin Trail, which is a 7.5-mile hike through the park’s backcountry. This trail takes visitors to a remote area of the park and offers unique views of the surrounding landscape.
Both parks are great for hiking, and the trails at Everglades and Wind Cave offer a chance to experience the beauty and diversity of each park. Whether you’re looking for an easy hike or a challenging backcountry experience, there’s something for everyone at these two national parks.
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 Wind Cave National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Everglades National Park and Wind Cave National Park are two unique national parks, each with its own unique set of wildlife. Everglades National Park is a vast wetland located in southern Florida and is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and a variety of bird species such as the roseate spoonbill and wood stork. Visitors can also see a variety of reptiles and amphibians, including the American crocodile and the green sea turtle.
Wind Cave National Park, located in southwestern South Dakota, is home to a completely different set of wildlife. Visitors can see bison, pronghorns, and coyotes roaming the park’s grasslands. Additionally, visitors may encounter species such as the black-tailed prairie dog and the mountain lion. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including the golden eagle and the greater prairie chicken.
Both parks offer a variety of habitats for wildlife, including grasslands, wetlands, and forests. However, the Everglades is a much larger park and spans over 1.5 million acres, while Wind Cave is only 28,295 acres. Regardless of size, both parks offer a unique opportunity to see a variety of wildlife in their natural habitats. Whether you’re interested in reptiles, birds, or mammals, you’re sure to see something that will impress you at either Everglades National Park or Wind Cave National Park.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and Wind Cave National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | Wind Cave 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 | Wind Cave 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 | Weasels |
| Feral Hog | House Mouse |
| Northern Short-Tailed Shrew | Mountain Lion |
| Least Shrew | Mink |
| Mule Deer | |
| Wolf | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| Badger | |
| Ermine | |
| Fringed Myotis |
Fish
| Everglades National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Fathead Minnow |
| Golden Shiner | Long Nose Dace |
| Yellow Bullhead | Black Bullhead |
| Channel Catfish | Creek Chub |
| Black Crappie | |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish |
Reptiles
| Everglades National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Bull Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Racer | |
| Western Rattlesnake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Milksnake |
Amphibians
| Everglades National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouses Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Insects
| Everglades National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfer | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Everglades National Park, located in southern Florida, is known for its vast wetlands and diverse wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and a variety of bird species. The park’s most famous landscape is the River of Grass, a slow-moving river that covers over 1.5 million acres of sawgrass prairies, mangrove forests, and pine rocklands. Visitors can explore the park by boat, kayak, or on foot via several hiking trails.
Wind Cave National Park, located in southwestern South Dakota, is known for its unique cave system and rolling prairies. The park’s most famous landscape is the Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. Visitors can take tours to explore the cave’s intricate passages and unique formations, including boxwork, a rare and delicate formation made of thin calcite fins. Above ground, visitors can hike or drive through the park’s rolling prairies to see bison, elk, and pronghorns.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Everglades National Park and Wind Cave National Park are two of America’s most beloved parks, each offering unique outdoor experiences and attractions. In Everglades, visitors love to explore the park’s vast wetlands through canoeing, kayaking, and airboat tours. Guided tours offer close-up encounters with alligators and a variety of bird species, and fishing is also a popular activity in the park’s waterways.
Wind Cave, on the other hand, is a true natural wonder, with its signature caves and array of wildlife. The park is home to bison, pronghorns, and elk, and visitors can take guided cave tours to see the unique rock formations and underground passageways. Above ground, the park’s hiking trails offer breathtaking views of the surrounding prairies and rolling hills. Wildlife watching and horseback riding are also popular activities in the park.
Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation or a chance to reconnect with nature, both Everglades and Wind Cave have something to offer. So why not spend a few days exploring both of these amazing parks and see which one is your favorite!
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Everglades National Park and Wind Cave National Park are two of the most popular parks in the United States, each offering its own unique set of natural wonders. The primary difference between these two parks is the seasonal weather patterns, which also affects the best time of year to visit.
Everglades National Park in Florida is a tropical paradise, with warm, humid summers and mild, dry winters. The summer months of June through September are the peak tourist season, with temperatures averaging around 90°F. The best time to visit the Everglades is from November to April, when temperatures are more comfortable and there is less chance of rain. The park is also home to a rich array of wildlife, including alligators, manatees and a variety of bird species, which can be best seen during the dry winter months.
Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota is located in the Great Plains and has a much different climate. The park experiences hot summers with average temperatures in the 80s, and cold, snowy winters with average temperatures below freezing. The best time to visit Wind Cave National Park is from June to August, when the weather is mild and the caves are open for tours. Winter is a popular time for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, but the caves are closed during this time.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Everglades National Park and Wind Cave National Park are two of America’s most well-known protected areas. Both parks offer unique experiences for visitors, but when it comes to traveling with children, one park stands out as being more family-friendly.
When it comes to the Everglades, the park’s vast size and abundance of wildlife make it a popular destination for families. Visitors can take an airboat tour to see alligators and other exotic animals up close, hike along the park’s many trails, or fish in its waterways. With a variety of activities and attractions, the Everglades is a great destination for families looking for an exciting adventure.
Wind Cave National Park is a bit different. The park is centered around a single attraction: the Wind Cave itself. Visitors can take tours to explore the cave’s intricate networks of tunnels and dramatic formations. While the cave is impressive, the park itself is not as well-rounded as the Everglades. With fewer activities and attractions, Wind Cave may not be the best choice for families looking for a more comprehensive outdoor experience.
In conclusion, the Everglades National Park is the better choice for families looking for a fun, educational, and exciting outdoor experience. With its vast size, abundance of wildlife, and diversity of activities, the Everglades offers something for everyone in the family.