A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Everglades National Park vs. Hood River for Food, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Everglades National Park or Hood River?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Everglades National Park and Hood River can help you decide which place is right for you.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a pristine, adventure-filled, and unique national park. Everglades National Park is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking. See Everglades National Park travel costs.

Hood River

Hood River is a scenic, charming, and agricultural town. With stunning beauty, Hood River attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and skiing. See Hood River travel costs.

Everglades National Park and Hood River: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular for shopping
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights


Is there more to do in Everglades National Park or Hood River?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hood River. Although Everglades National Park and Hood River are both popular with visitors, Hood River has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Everglades National Park is popular for its unique habitats and wildlife such as the friendly manatees. Hood River is popular for its waterfalls, wineries, and impressive mountains. It is also home to Multnomah Falls.

How is Everglades National Park different from Hood River?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hood River and Everglades National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Everglades National Park or Hood River Better for Skiing?

Everglades National Park
Hood River

Hood River is very good for skiing. However, Everglades National Park is not a skiing destination.

Head to Hood River for some great skiing and other winter activities. During the winter months, Hood River makes a nice base for nearby skiing. Timberline and Cooper Spur and both less than an hour away and offer great skiing opportunities.

Everglades National Park is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Everglades National Park or Hood River?

Everglades National Park
Hood River

You'll find a number of decent museums and attractions in both Hood River and Everglades National Park.

While most people don't head to Everglades National Park specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's worth checking out the Museum of the Everglades, but most visitors prefer to spend their time outdoors exploring the habitats.

Hood River offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of interesting museums in town such as the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automoblie Museum, the History Museum, and 301 Gallery.

Is the Food Better in Everglades National Park or Hood River? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Everglades National Park
Hood River

Hood River is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Hood River has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to the downtown or waterfront areas for the best selection of restaurants. Most restaurants pride themselves on using local ingredients and supporting local farms. Dishes use fresh and healthy ingredients that make simple but high quality meals.

Everglades National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a few casual eateries near the park. The options include taquerias and grills. You'll also find some farm fresh fruit stands on the side of the road and it's definitely worth stopping to pick up a snack.

Is Everglades National Park or Hood River Better for Nightlife?

Everglades National Park
Hood River

Hood River is very good for its evening party scene. However, Everglades National Park is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Hood River has a few options to choose from. There are breweries, wineries, and local bars in the area that offer a laid back place where you can enjoy the local atmosphere.

People don't go to Everglades National Park for the nightlife. There are a couple of grills outside of the park, but the nightlife scene is very limited.


Is Everglades National Park or Hood River Better for Hiking?

Everglades National Park
Hood River

You'll find great hiking in both Everglades National Park and Hood River.

Many visitors go to Everglades National Park for the hiking trails. The trails take you through a variety of habitats and range in length from short nature walks to longer, in depth hikes. Do be aware that the insects can be brutal. Mosquitos and biting flies are both common.

Hood River is a popular spot for hiking. There's a diversity of landscapes in the area that include waterfalls, agriculture, vineyards, and high-reaching mountain peaks. The best way to experience these is through the many hiking trails. Drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway and stop off at the trails that lead to the waterfalls, or head south of town to explore the vineyards on foot, and to the north where you'll find mountain peaks.

Is the Shopping Better in Everglades National Park or Hood River?

Everglades National Park
Hood River

Hood River is very good for its shopping areas. However, Everglades National Park is not known for shopping.

Hood River has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Local shops sell local produce, artisan crafts, and wine. There are boutiques and independent vendors that are fun to visit and many visitors enjoy spending an afternoon shopping.

Everglades National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a park store, but otherwise the shopping is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Hood River More Beautiful?

Everglades National Park
Hood River

Hood River is a great town for its scenery and beauty. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Hood River attracts visitors from all around. There's a beautiful natural environment with wonderful hikes and local farms and wineries.

Everglades National Park is a gorgeous place to visit. The natural beauty is impressive and it's easy to see why this is a highlight for many visitors to southern Florida.


Is Everglades National Park or Hood River Better for Families?

Everglades National Park
Hood River

Hood River is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Hood River. The area is filled with outdoor adventures that the whole family can enjoy. There's swimming, tubing, hiking, and even windsurfing. Make sure you check out the Waterfront Park and Powerdale Substation.

Everglades National Park is a family-friendly place to visit. An airboat ride is a highlight for many kids. There's also hiking, kayaking, and even Junior Ranger programs. Do be on the lookout for mosquitoes, which can be relentless in the park.

Is Everglades National Park or Hood River Better for Couples?

Everglades National Park
Hood River

Hood River is a great town for couples. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for romance.

Hood River is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will enjoy the scenic natural setting and charming hotels and bed and breakfasts in the area. There are romantic hikes, local wineries, and many great restaurants that you can try.

Everglades National Park is a nice destination for couples. Hiking and enjoying a bit of nature makes for a nice romantic getaway. Go kayaking or take an airboat ride and then enjoy some time exploring the natural setting.

Is Everglades National Park or Hood River Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Everglades National Park
Hood River

For backpackers, both Everglades National Park and Hood River are great places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Everglades National Park. There are two drive-in campgrounds (Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground) that you can reach from the Homestead entrance to the park.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Hood River. There are a couple of hostels and some nice campgrounds in the area as well as many great hikes and a laid back atmosphere that backpackers appreciate.


Is Everglades National Park or Hood River Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Everglades National Park
Hood River

Hood River is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hood River. There are buses in the area but you really need your own transportation to see the region efficiently.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Everglades National Park. There is no real public transportation to the park so an organized tour is your best option if you don't have a vehicle.

Is Everglades National Park or Hood River a more walkable city?

Everglades National Park
Hood River

Everglades National Park and Hood River are decent when it comes to walkability.

Everglades National Park is generally not a very walkable national park. While there are hiking trails, to really explore the park you'll want to have a car or take an organized tour.

Hood River is generally not very walkable. While there are parts of the town that are walkable, if you don't have a car you'll miss out on the surrounding natural landscapes and most of the hiking opportunities.

For even more information, also check out Is Everglades National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Hood River Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hood River or Everglades National Park?

How long in Everglades National Park or Hood River?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Everglades National Park and Hood River. In our opinion, Hood River has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Hood River than Everglades National Park. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Hood River than Everglades National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hood River, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Hood River than Everglades National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hood River that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hood River than Everglades National Park if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Hood River.


  • How many days in Everglades National Park or Hood River? Ideal Length of Stay
    Everglades National Park 2-3 
    Hood River 2-3

One day in Everglades National Park or Hood River?

With around the wild national park of Everglades National Park, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With nightlife and food around the quaint town of Hood River, there's plenty to do. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


A weekend in Everglades National Park or Hood River?

With around the destination of Everglades National Park, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this national park.

With food and shopping around the quaint destination of Hood River, there's plenty to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Everglades National Park or Hood River?

Everglades National Park, a popular national park, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find shopping and skiing around the quaint town of Hood River. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Everglades National Park or Hood River?

Everglades National Park is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Hood River is a great place to explore. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Hood River or Everglades National Park?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Everglades National Park Prices
    USA Prices
    Hood River Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Everglades National Park $169
    Hood River $174

The average daily cost (per person) in Everglades National Park is $169, while the average daily cost in Hood River is $174. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Everglades National Park and Hood River in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Everglades National Park $80
    Hood River $78
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Everglades National Park $160
    Hood River $156
Compare Hotels in Everglades National Park and Hood River

Looking for a hotel in Everglades National Park or Hood River? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Everglades National Park


Hotels in Hood River


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Hood River Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Everglades National Park $56
    Hood River $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Everglades National Park or Hood River?

Prices for flights to both Hood River and Everglades National Park change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Everglades National Park $54
    Hood River $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Everglades National Park $28
    Hood River $18

Tours and Activities in Everglades National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Everglades National Park.

  • Flamingo Everglades Boat Tours: $52

Tours and Activities in Hood River

For Hood River, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Columbia Gorge Kayak Tour: $100
  • Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $179

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Everglades National Park $7.86
    Hood River $19


When comparing the travel costs between Everglades National Park and Hood River, we can see that Hood River is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Everglades National Park Expensive? and Is Hood River Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park or Hood River?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Hood River in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Everglades National Park and Hood River. Most visitors come to Everglades National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Hood River because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Everglades National Park is generally a little warmer than Hood River. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 82°F (28°C), and Hood River fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hood River this time of the year. In Everglades National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. Everglades National Park usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hood River during summer. Everglades National Park gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Hood River receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

Everglades National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Everglades National Park usually receives more rain than Hood River. Everglades National Park gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Everglades National Park 82°F (28°C) 
    Hood River 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Hood River in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Everglades National Park as well as Hood River. The autumn months attract visitors to Everglades National Park because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Hood River this time of year.

Everglades National Park is much warmer than Hood River in the autumn. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 78°F (26°C) in October, and Hood River fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Everglades National Park this time of the year. In the autumn, Everglades National Park often gets more sunshine than Hood River. Everglades National Park gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hood River receives 155 hours of full sun.

Everglades National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in October than Hood River. Everglades National Park gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Everglades National Park.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Everglades National Park 78°F (26°C) 
    Hood River 55°F (13°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Hood River in the Winter?

Both Hood River and Everglades National Park are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Everglades National Park this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hood River for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hood River. In the winter, Everglades National Park is much warmer than Hood River. Typically, the winter temperatures in Everglades National Park in January average around 67°F (19°C), and Hood River averages at about 40°F (4°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Hood River during winter. Everglades National Park gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Hood River receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hood River. In January, Everglades National Park usually receives less rain than Hood River. Everglades National Park gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Everglades National Park 67°F (19°C) 
    Hood River 40°F (4°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Hood River in the Spring?

Both Hood River and Everglades National Park during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Everglades National Park for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Hood River in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Everglades National Park is generally much warmer than Hood River. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 74°F (24°C), and Hood River fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In Hood River, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Everglades National Park. In the spring, Everglades National Park often gets more sunshine than Hood River. Everglades National Park gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hood River receives 231 hours of full sun.

Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in April than Hood River. Everglades National Park gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Everglades National Park is the hurricane season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Everglades National Park 74°F (24°C) 
    Hood River 51°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for Hood River and Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park Hood River
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 67°F (19°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 40°F (4°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm)
Feb 68°F (20°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Mar 71°F (22°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 47°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Apr 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
May 78°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (162 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2 inches (51 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 9.4 inches (238 mm) 64°F (18°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.7 inches (18 mm)
Aug 83°F (28°C) 7.5 inches (191 mm) 69°F (20°C) 1 inches (25 mm)
Sep 82°F (28°C) 7.6 inches (194 mm) 63°F (17°C) 1.7 inches (44 mm)
Oct 78°F (26°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 55°F (13°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Nov 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 46°F (8°C) 5.4 inches (136 mm)
Dec 69°F (21°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 40°F (5°C) 6.1 inches (156 mm)