Nestled within the vast expanse of the United States lies two national parks that are nothing short of extraordinary. Each park boasts its own unique set of natural wonders, from geysers to alligators, and both are destinations that are sure to leave a lasting impression on any traveler.
Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most popular destinations for nature lovers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Both parks offer a wealth of opportunities for adventure and exploration, but they also offer something truly special: a chance to connect with the great outdoors in a way that few other places can match.
So, which park is right for you? That’s what we’re here to find out! In this article, we’ll be comparing Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park, highlighting the best things to see and do in each park, and helping you determine which park is the best fit for your next adventure. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape from the city or an adrenaline-fueled adventure, these two parks have something for everyone. So, grab a pen and paper, and let’s get started!
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two well-known National Parks in the United States. Both parks have a diverse range of hiking trails, each offering a unique experience to visitors. When comparing the hiking trails at these parks, it is important to note that the landscapes and ecosystems are different, leading to varying levels of difficulty for hikers.
At Everglades National Park, visitors can take a leisurely hike along the Anhinga Trail, an easy, half-mile boardwalk that takes visitors through the heart of the mangrove swamp. For those looking for a challenge, the Gumbo Limbo Trail is a strenuous, five-mile hike that takes visitors through a dense hammock of tropical hardwoods, pine rocklands, and mangroves.
At Yellowstone National Park, the easiest hike is the Fairy Falls Trail, a 2.5-mile hike to a stunning waterfall. For a more strenuous hike, the Mount Washburn Trail is a 5.5-mile hike to the summit of Mount Washburn with breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The park also offers a range of backcountry hikes, including the challenging, multi-day Thorofare Trail that takes hikers deep into the wilderness.
In conclusion, both Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park offer a range of hiking trails for visitors of all skill levels. Whether visitors are looking for an easy, leisurely hike or a challenging, multi-day backcountry adventure, these 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 Yellowstone National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mystic Falls, Fairy Creek and Little Firehole Loop | 5632.69 | 184.7088 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Grand Prismatic Hot Spring | 2574.944 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop | 7242.03 | 73.7616 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Canyon Rim North Trail to Inspiration Point | 12713.786 | 349.9104 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail | 1609.34 | 17.9832 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Mammoth Hot Springs Area Trail | 5632.69 | 170.9928 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Artists Paintpots Trail | 1609.34 | 30.7848 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Avalanche Peak Trail | 7402.964 | 614.7816 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Old Faithful Geyser Loop Trail | 1126.538 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Upper Falls, Lower Falls and Crystal Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 140.8176 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most famous national parks in the United States. Both parks are home to a diverse range of wildlife, but there are some differences in the types of animals and plants that can be found at each park.
In Everglades National Park, visitors can expect to see a variety of birds, including wading birds like herons, egrets, and ibises, as well as woodpeckers, vultures, and ospreys. The park is also home to a number of reptiles, including alligators, snakes, and turtles. Visitors may also be lucky enough to spot a panther or a manatee.
Yellowstone National Park, on the other hand, is known for its large populations of mammals, including bison, elk, moose, and grizzly bears. The park is also home to wolves, coyotes, and mountain lions. In addition to these large mammals, visitors can also see a variety of birds, including eagles, hawks, and owls, as well as smaller mammals like marmots, beavers, and squirrels.
Both parks are also home to a diverse array of plant life, including coniferous forests, meadows, and wetlands. In Everglades National Park, visitors can see mangrove forests and sawgrass marshes, while in Yellowstone National Park, visitors can admire the towering peaks and alpine meadows.
In conclusion, both Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park offer a unique and diverse array of wildlife and plant life. Whether you’re interested in birds, mammals, reptiles, or plants, these parks are sure to offer an unforgettable experience.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | Yellowstone 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 | Yellowstone 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 |
| Mule Deer | |
| Wolf | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| Badger | |
| Short Tailed Weasel | |
| California Myotis |
Fish
| Everglades National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Bluegill | Brook Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Brown Trout |
| Yellow Bullhead | Longnose Sucker |
| Channel Catfish | Lake Trout |
| Black Crappie | Mottled Sculpin |
| Mosquitofish | Longnose Dace |
| Brown Bullhead | Speckled Dace |
| Goldfish | Arctic Grayling |
Amphibians
| Everglades National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Everglades National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Rubber Boa |
Insects
| Everglades National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourning Cloak | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered Skipper | |
| Common Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of America’s most iconic national parks. Both parks boast stunning landscapes and breathtaking natural wonders that attract millions of visitors each year.
Everglades National Park is a unique wetland ecosystem that is home to a variety of wildlife and plant species, including the American alligator and the Florida panther. Visitors can explore the park’s mangrove forests, sawgrass marshes, and cypress swamps on a variety of trails and boat tours. One of the park’s most famous landscapes is the Anhinga Trail, which offers stunning views of the park’s diverse wildlife and vegetation.
Yellowstone National Park, located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, is famous for its geothermal features, including the iconic Old Faithful geyser. The park is also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, and bison. Visitors to Yellowstone can take in the stunning views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, a 20-mile canyon that boasts two breathtaking waterfalls, and the Lamar Valley, a remote and scenic valley that is a popular spot for wildlife viewing.
Both Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park are must-see destinations for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking to explore unique ecosystems or breathtaking landscapes, both parks offer something for everyone.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a wide range of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy.
In Everglades National Park, visitors love to go on airboat tours, which are a unique way to explore the park’s vast wetlands and see its diverse wildlife, including alligators, birds and other reptiles. Hiking, fishing, and camping are also popular activities, allowing visitors to experience the park’s diverse ecosystems and breathtaking scenery.
Yellowstone National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its geothermal features, such as geysers and hot springs. Visitors can witness these wonders on a variety of guided tours and walks, including the popular boardwalk trails around the geyser basins. Wildlife viewing is another popular activity, with visitors often spotting bison, elk and bears.
Both parks offer a wealth of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy, from hiking and camping to wildlife viewing and geothermal feature touring. Whether you prefer exploring the subtropical wetlands of Everglades National Park or the geyser basins of Yellowstone National Park, both parks offer unforgettable experiences that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Everglades National Park in Florida and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming are two of the most iconic national parks in the United States. While they are vastly different in terms of geography and landscape, both are popular tourist destinations and offer unique experiences for visitors.
The seasonal weather at these parks is quite different, and this affects when it is best to visit. Everglades National Park is located in a subtropical climate, with hot and humid summers and mild winters. The best time to visit is from December to April, when temperatures are cooler and there is less rainfall. During the summer months, the high humidity and frequent thunderstorms can make it uncomfortable to be outside for extended periods of time.
In contrast, Yellowstone National Park is located in a subalpine climate, with cold winters and mild summers. The best time to visit is from June to September, when temperatures are warmer and there is less snow on the roads. Winter in Yellowstone can be harsh, with heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures, making it difficult to access many parts of the park.
In conclusion, each park has its own unique weather patterns, and both offer different experiences based on the time of year. Understanding the seasonal weather is key to planning a successful visit to either Everglades National Park or Yellowstone National Park.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of America’s most iconic national parks. When it comes to family-friendly activities, both parks have a lot to offer. However, there are some key differences between the two.
At Everglades National Park, visitors have plenty of opportunities to see wildlife and learn about the unique ecosystem. The park is home to alligators, panthers, and a variety of bird species. Visitors can take a narrated boat tour or go on a guided hike to see these animals up close. Many visitors also enjoy the park’s educational programs, which are geared towards families.
Yellowstone National Park, on the other hand, is better known for its geothermal features and stunning natural beauty. The park is home to geysers, hot springs, and colorful pools. Visitors can take a scenic drive around the park to see these features and take in the breathtaking views. Yellowstone also has a number of family-friendly activities, including ranger-led walks, nature programs, and campfire talks.
When it comes to choosing which park is better for families, it really depends on what you’re looking for. If your family is interested in wildlife and learning about the environment, Everglades National Park may be the better choice. If your family is more interested in geothermal features and natural beauty, Yellowstone National Park is the way to go. Both parks have plenty to offer families, so it really comes down to personal preference.