Welcome to the great outdoors! If you’re an avid hiker or a nature lover, then you’ve likely heard of Everglades National Park and Zion National Park. Both parks boast breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife and a wealth of outdoor activities. But which one is right for you? In this article, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between these two national parks and help you decide which one to visit on your next adventure.
Everglades National Park, located in southern Florida, is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. It’s a unique ecosystem that’s home to alligators, panthers, and a variety of bird species. On the other hand, Zion National Park in southwestern Utah is known for its stunning sandstone cliffs, hiking trails, and scenic drives. With towering peaks, deep canyons, and lush forests, it’s a hiker’s paradise.
So, are you ready to escape to the wild and explore two of America’s most stunning national parks? Then buckle up, grab your hiking boots, and let’s get started!
Hiking Trails in Everglades National Park and Zion National Park
Everglades National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the US, attracting millions of visitors each year. Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and challenging hiking trails.
The hiking trails in Everglades National Park range from leisurely boardwalks to strenuous backcountry treks. One of the easiest hikes is the Anhinga Trail, which is a short, 0.8-mile boardwalk through a sawgrass marsh. On the other hand, the most challenging hike in the park is the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway, a multi-day backpacking trip through the heart of the Everglades.
In Zion National Park, the hiking trails range from easy, paved walks to strenuous, backcountry adventures. The Riverside Walk is a popular, 2.2-mile trail that follows the Virgin River and offers stunning views of the park’s towering cliffs. For those seeking a more challenging hike, the 16-mile Narrows trail is a must-do, with narrow canyons, towering cliffs, and rushing water.
Both Everglades National Park and Zion National Park offer a range of hiking trails that cater to different levels of skill and fitness. Whether you’re looking for an easy walk or a challenging backcountry adventure, both 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 Zion National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angels Landing Trail | 6598.294 | 492.8616 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| The Zion Narrows Riverside Walk | 2896.812 | 62.7888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Zion Canyon Overlook Trail | 1609.34 | 64.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| The Watchman Trail | 4988.954 | 196.9008 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| The Subway Trail | 11265.38 | 397.764 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Weeping Rock Trail | 482.802 | 23.7744 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Zion Narrows Trail to Imlay Temple and Big Spring | 13840.324 | 1268.8824 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Lower Emerald Pool Trail | 2092.142 | 34.7472 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Emerald Pools Trail | 4667.086 | 184.7088 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Hidden Canyon Trail | 4828.02 | 283.7688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Everglades National Park and Zion National Park
Everglades National Park is known for its diverse wildlife and is home to a number of species that are unique to the area, including the American alligator, West Indian manatee, and the wood stork. The park’s vast wetlands and mangrove forests provide a habitat for a wide range of birds, including the roseate spoonbill and the double-crested cormorant. In addition, the Everglades is home to several species of reptiles, including the Florida green sea turtle and the Atlantic salt marsh snake.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is known for its dramatic cliffs and canyons, but it also offers a rich array of wildlife. The park’s diverse habitats, including deserts, riparian areas, and high plateaus, support a variety of animals, including the desert bighorn sheep, the American black bear, and the California condor. Zion is also home to several species of reptiles, including the common chuckwalla and the Mojave Desert sidewinder. The park’s diverse habitats also support a wide range of bird species, including the peregrine falcon, the turkey vulture, and the common raven.
Both parks offer visitors the opportunity to see a range of wildlife in their natural habitats, but the types of animals and birds that can be seen at each park are distinct. Whether you’re interested in reptiles, birds, or mammals, both Everglades National Park and Zion National Park have something to offer.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Everglades National Park and Zion National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Everglades National Park | Zion 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 | Zion 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 | Mule Deer |
| Gray Fox | |
| Long-Legged Myotis | |
| Long-Eared Myotis | |
| American Badger | |
| Ermine | |
| California Myotis | |
| Fringed Myotis |
Fish
| Everglades National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Bluegill | Brook Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Brown Trout |
| Yellow Bullhead | Speckled Dace |
| Channel Catfish | Channel Catfish |
| Black Crappie | Goldfish |
| Mosquitofish | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Goldfish |
Reptiles
| Everglades National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard |
Amphibians
| Everglades National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Tiger Salamander | |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Beautiful Landscapes in Everglades National Park and Zion National Park
Everglades National Park, located in Florida, is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. It is famous for its diverse landscape, including sawgrass marshes, mangrove forests, and hardwood hammocks. Visitors can take an airboat tour to see the park’s rich wildlife, including alligators, wading birds, and manatees.
Zion National Park, located in Utah, is known for its stunning red rock cliffs and canyons. The park’s most famous feature is the Narrows, a narrow canyon with walls towering 1,000 feet above the Virgin River. Visitors can also hike to the top of Angels Landing for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Other popular hikes include the Emerald Pools trail, which leads to several waterfalls and pools, and the Canyon Overlook Trail, which offers views of the main canyon from above.
Both parks offer unique and breathtaking landscapes that draw visitors from all over the world. Whether you’re interested in exploring the subtropical wilderness of the Everglades or the towering red rock cliffs of Zion, these parks are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Things To-Do and Activities in Everglades National Park and Zion National Park
Everglades National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular parks in the United States, and offer a wealth of outdoor activities for visitors. While both parks are well-known for their stunning landscapes and scenic hikes, they also offer a range of other activities that are popular with visitors.
In Everglades National Park, visitors can take a guided airboat tour to get a unique perspective on the park’s diverse ecosystems, which include sawgrass prairies, mangrove forests, and cypress swamps. Birdwatching is also very popular in Everglades National Park, as the park is home to over 350 species of birds, including the iconic American white pelican.
Zion National Park is a hiker’s paradise, with over 140 miles of trails that traverse the park’s stunning sandstone cliffs, canyons, and plateaus. In addition to hiking, visitors can also enjoy scenic drives, rock climbing, and canyoneering in Zion National Park. One of the most popular activities in the park is the Narrows, a hike that takes visitors through a deep and narrow canyon with towering walls on either side.
Both Everglades National Park and Zion National Park offer visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty and majesty of the great outdoors. Whether you’re an experienced hiker, a nature lover, or just looking for a relaxing day in the park, both Everglades National Park and Zion National Park are sure to offer something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park and Zion National Park
Everglades National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most stunning and unique parks in the United States. Both parks offer stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and unique geologic formations, but the weather in each park is quite different.
The Everglades are subtropical and experience hot, humid summers and mild winters. The best time to visit the Everglades is from December to April, when temperatures are cooler and there is less rainfall. This makes it easier to explore the park and see the wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and wading birds.
Zion National Park, on the other hand, is located in the desert and experiences hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The best time to visit Zion is from April to September, when temperatures are milder and there is less chance of rain. During this time, visitors can enjoy the park’s many hiking trails, including the popular Angels Landing trail and the Narrows trail.
Both parks have unique weather patterns that affect when is the best time to visit. The Everglades are best visited during the winter months, while Zion is best visited during the summer months. Regardless of when you visit, it’s important to come prepared with the right gear and clothing to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Family Friendliness of Everglades National Park and Zion National Park
Everglades National Park and Zion National Park are two of the most popular national parks in the United States. However, when it comes to family-friendliness, the two parks have different strengths and weaknesses.
Everglades National Park is a vast wetland that covers much of southern Florida. It’s a great place to see alligators, manatees, and a variety of birds. The park offers a range of activities for families, including ranger-led walks and boat tours. The park also has picnic areas, restrooms, and a visitor center. However, the heat and mosquitoes can be a challenge for some visitors, especially during the summer months.
On the other hand, Zion National Park is located in southwestern Utah and is known for its towering red rock cliffs, canyons, and waterfalls. The park has several easy and short trails that are perfect for families with young children. The park also has picnic areas, restrooms, and a visitor center. However, the park can be crowded during peak season, and parking can be a challenge, especially at popular trailheads.
In conclusion, both Everglades National Park and Zion National Park are great places to visit with your family. However, if you’re traveling with young children, Zion National Park is probably the better option, due to its shorter and easier trails, as well as its stunning scenery.