Welcome to Everglades vs Yosemite.
Which one Should you Visit? Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a novice looking for an amazing adventure, you have come to the right place.
From the depths of the Everglades to the majestic heights of Yosemite Canyon. We will take you through a journey of unparalleled beauty. You will get to experience nature in it’s purest form and explore amazing wildlife, as well as both historical and modern attractions. So buckle up and let’s go!
Overview – Which one Should you Visit?
The Everglades National Park and Yosemite National Park are iconic destinations for tourists from around the world. While there are some similarities between the two parks, there are also some notable differences.
Geographically, Yosemite National Park is in the Pacific Time Zone and covers an area of 747,956 acres or 1,169 square miles. While Everglades National Park is in the Eastern Time Zone and covers an area of 1,507,850 acres or 2,356 square miles. Yosemite National Park is the 7th largest national park in the lower 48 United States, while Everglades National Park is the third largest.
Yosemite and Everglades are renowned for their natural beauty, but the two parks offer different experiences. Yosemite Valley, where most visitors spend their time, is a classic glacier-carved valley with granite cliffs and waterfalls. In contrast, the Everglades is a network of wetlands, marshes and estuaries. It is the only place in the world where both alligators and saltwater crocodiles can be found.
In terms of visitation, 3,287,595 people visited Yosemite National Park in 2021, while Everglades experienced 942,130 visitors that same year. The entrance fees to both parks are also different – $35 (2022 – could be changing) per private vehicle per week for Yosemite, and $30 (2022 – could be changing) per private vehicle per week for Everglades.
While Yosemite and Everglades share similar qualities and offer unique experiences, there are also some distinct differences. Tourists who are looking for a classic national park experience with granite cliffs, forests and waterfalls should visit Yosemite. While those seeking unusual wetlands, swamps, and estuaries should choose Everglades.
Overview: Bryce Canyon vs Yosemite Canyon
| Comparison | Everglades | Yosemite |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone | Pacific Time Zone |
| Area | 1,507,850 acres or 2,356 square miles | 747,956 acres or 1,169 square miles |
| Rank among 48 states | 3rd largest | 7th largest |
| Natural Beauty | Wetlands, swamps, estuaries, alligators and saltwater crocodiles | Glacier-carved valley, granite cliffs, waterfalls |
| Visitation | 942,130 visitors in 2021 | 3,287,595 visitors in 2021 |
| Entrance Fees | ~ $30 (2021) per private vehicle per week | ~$35 (2021) per private vehicle per week |
Trails Comparison Everglades vs Yosemite
The Everglades National Park and Yosemite National Park are both popular tourist destinations offering a range of trails for hikers of all levels and interests. Despite their numerous differences, both parks offer a variety of trails that draw in visitors from all over the world.
Everglades National Park
The Everglades National Park in Florida has a number of trails, most of which are canoe routes rather than traditional hiking trails. There are a few day hiking trails, mostly along the park road between Royal Palm and Flamingo. However, these trails can become inaccessible outside the dry season from December to April due to large numbers of mosquitoes.
The difficulty of the trails is only a general guide. It is recommended that visitors bring a good Everglades Trail Map. Popular trails in the park include the Anhinga Trail, the Mahogany Hammock Trail, the Pa-hay-okee Overlook Trail and the Pine Lands Trail.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is located in California, and offers a variety of hikes ranging from short, easy walks to more challenging trails. There are routes located along the Glacier Point Road, the Tioga Road, and within Yosemite Valley, and it is important to note that the difficulty of each trail is relative to the hiker’s physical condition and does not include the full trail distance. Popular trails in the park include Lembert Dome, Mist Trail, Taft Point and Tenaya Lake.
Comparison
The main difference between Everglades National Park and Yosemite National Park is the type of trails available. Everglades National Park offers more canoe routes than traditional hiking trails. On the other hand, Yosemite National Park offers various trails for hikers of all levels and interests. The difficulty of each trail also varies. The Everglades National Park trails are a general guide, while the Yosemite National Park trails are relative to the physical condition of the hiker.
Trails Summary Comparison
Both Everglades National Park and Yosemite National Park offer spectacular scenery and a variety of trails for visitors to explore. Everglades National Park is best known for its canoeing routes, while Yosemite National Park offers a variety of hiking trails for people of all abilities. Whichever park you choose, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience.
| Comparison | Everglades | Yosemite |
| Trail Type | Canoe routes, few day-hiking trails | Variety of hiking trails |
| Difficulty | General guide | Relative to hiker’s physical condition |
| Popular Trails | Anhinga Trail, Mahogany Hammock trail, Pa-hay-okee Overlook trail, Pine Lands trail | Lembert Dome, Mist Trail, Taft Point, Tenaya Lake |
| Trail Accessibility | Can become inaccessible due to mosquitoes outside of the dry season | N/A |
| Trail Map | Recommended to bring a good Everglades Trail Map | N/A |
Location
Both Parks offer visitors breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife and a variety of outdoor activities. Although both parks are in the United States, they are located in different regions of the country and have unique characteristics.
Yosemite National Park is situated in east-central California in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The area is renowned for its incredible natural beauty, and the nearby cities of Oakhurst and Mariposa act as gateway towns to the park. The nearest major city is Fresno. By contrast, Everglades National Park is located at the southern tip of Florida and preserves a relatively small portion of the original Everglades ecosystem.
Homestead and Florida City cities are situated close to the most visited portion of the park.
When it comes to accessibility, Yosemite and Everglades have different advantages. Yosemite is located close to major cities, making it relatively easy to reach. On the other hand, Everglades is situated in a more remote area, but there are several airports in the vicinity for travelers looking to fly in.
Conclusion
| Comparison | Everglades | Yosemite |
| Location | Southern tip of Florida | East-central California in the Sierra Nevada mountain range |
| Nearby Cities | Homestead, Florida City | Oakhurst, Mariposa, Fresno |
| Accessibility | Situated in a more remote area with nearby airports | Close to major cities, easy to reach |
Camping
When it comes to camping in national parks, Yosemite and Everglades are two very different experiences. Both parks offer camping, but their reservations policies, locations, and amenities vary greatly.
Yosemite is one of the most popular national parks for camping, and as such it is quite difficult to get a campsite during peak season. They use a unique reservations policy that unlocks campsites one month at a time several months in advance, with sites going on sale at 10 am ET on the 15th of each month. Most campsites are located in the valley, providing running water, flush toilets, and solar-heated showers.
In contrast, Everglades National Park has two developed campgrounds close to the park entrance. Flamingo Campground is located at the end of the Main Park Road, 39.1 miles from the entrance. It offers 274 campsites which cost ~$35-$45 (2022 – can change in the future) per night. It is open all year, and has running water, flush toilets, solar-heated showers, grills and picnic tables, and a dump station.
Long Pine Key Campground is located on a side road off the Main Park Road 5 miles from the entrance. It has 108 campsites which cost ~$35-$40 (2022 – can change in the future) per night. Open November-April, with running water, flush toilets, barbecues and picnic tables, and a dump station.
Summary
While Yosemite and Everglades National Park differ in their camping options and policies, they offer a unique outdoor experience. Yosemite is great for those looking for more of an adventure, while Everglades is great for those wanting a more relaxed experience.
| Comparison | Everglades | Yosemite |
| Reservations policy | Flamingo Campground and Long Pine Key Campground open during specific months, with sites going for ~$30-$45 per night | Difficult to get a campsite during peak season, reservations policy opens campsites one month at a time five months in advance, with sites going for ~$10-$26 per night |
| Camping amenities | Running water, flush toilets, solar-heated showers, grills and picnic tables, and a dump station | Running water, flush toilets, and solar-heated showers |
Accommodation – Yosemite vs Everglades
In Yosemite National Park, there are a variety of lodging options, including lodges, cabins, tent cabins, and “inholdings”, or private land within the park. Most of the lodging is high-priced but reservations should be made far in advance. The park has a wide variety of camping options, ranging from primitive to developed campgrounds.
In contrast, Everglades National Park has no lodges or cabins inside the park boundaries and the old Flamingo Lodge, which was located at the end of the Main Park Road, has been closed due to hurricane damage. A new facility is currently under construction. However, visitors wishing to stay in the park should check for updates and reservations. Camping in the Everglades is generally done in the surrounding areas, with the closest cities being Homestead and Florida City.
Though the camping options differ, Yosemite and Everglades National Parks both offer stunning natural beauty and a variety of activities for visitors. In Yosemite, visitors can enjoy the majestic waterfalls, lush meadows and towering sequoia trees.
In Everglades, visitors can spot alligators, wild birds, and a variety of other wildlife, as well as take boat tours and explore the park’s famous mangrove forests.
To sum up, both Yosemite and Everglades National Parks offer unique and unforgettable camping experiences. While the camping options differ, each park is filled with a variety of activities and sights to explore, making them both excellent destinations for a vacation.
Conclusion – Accommodation Everglades vs Yosemite
| Comparison | Everglades | Yosemite Canyon |
| Lodging options | No lodges or cabins inside the park, the Flamingo Lodge closed due to hurricane damage | Lodges, cabins, tent cabins, and “inholdings” |
| Camping options | Camping is generally done in the surrounding areas, closest cities Homestead and Florida City | Primitive to developed campgrounds |
| Natural Beauty and Activities | Spot alligators, wild birds, and a variety of other wildlife, boat tours, mangrove forests | Majestic waterfalls, lush meadows, and towering sequoia trees |
History
Yosemite National Park was created in 1890 when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant, giving the State of California control of Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove. In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt signed a bill to return the valley and grove to national park status, making it the third national park in the United States.
Famed conservationist John Muir played a major role in the creation of Yosemite, and his influence helped convince President Roosevelt to return the valley and grove to the national park. In 2013, Yosemite was the third most visited national park in the United States, behind the Grand Canyon and Great Smoky Mountains.
Established in 1947, Everglades National Park was the first national park created specifically to protect an endangered ecosystem. It is the third largest national park in the lower 48 states, after Death Valley and Yellowstone.
The Everglades Park is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. It is also the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and was declared an International Biosphere Reserve in 1979.
Yosemite Park was established in the late 19th century, while Everglades Park was established in the mid-20th century. However, Yosemite was created to preserve iconic geographical features. On the other hand, Everglades was created to protect a highly endangered ecosystem.
Both parks are now administered by the National Park Service. Yosemite is a popular destination for visitors and has a wealth of recreational activities, while Everglades is more focused on conservation. Yosemite is also more accessible, with more roads.
Summary – Everglades vs Yosemite
In conclusion, Yosemite and Everglades National Parks are two of the most popular destinations in the United States and offer visitors a wealth of experiences. Although they are situated in different regions of the country, both parks offer stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife.
Both Parks are two of the most iconic protected areas in the United States. Yosemite was created to preserve iconic geographic features, while Everglades was established to protect a highly endangered ecosystem.
Yosemite is located close to major cities, while Everglades is situated in a more remote area, but both parks provide visitors with an abundance of activities and opportunities to explore. Detailed directions and maps for both parks can be found at Getting to Yosemite and Getting to Everglades.
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