![]() ![]() From here you can do day trips or a full 2 week excursion. You can launch your canoe and kayak at either the Flamingo or Gulf Coast Visitor Centers. There are many paddling opportunities at Everglades National Park. Take the 15 mile loop from the visitor center and whatever you do, don’t skip the Shark Valley Observation Tower for unparalleled views of the park. Although this area doesn’t have much to do, you’ll be blown away by the sheer number of alligators and the natural beauty of the Everglades. If you’re wanting to spot more alligators then you can count then head to Shark Valley. The Coastal Prairie Trail – Distance: 17 miles – Rating: Easy – Elevation Gain: 16 ft 5 mile easy raised boardwalk that crosses over a sawgrass slough and is accessible from the Shark Valley Visitor Center.įor those feeling a little more adventurous check out this trail accessible from the Flamingo Visitor Center. This 15 mile paved loop has an abundance of wildlife and can be either walked or cycled.īobcat Boardwalk – A. Park Loop Trail – Known as the centerpiece of the Shark Valley, this trail is accessible from the Shark Valley Visitor Center. Snake Bight Trail – This unpaved 1.6 mile easy trail is prime terrain for wildlife spotting and is accessible from the Flamingo Visitor Center. This trail is accessible from the Flamingo Visitor Center. 5 mile easy trail features a boardwalk that suspends you over a beautiful mangrove swamp. This is one of the most popular trails in the park. 8 mile easy loop trail is accessible from Ernest F. This trail is accessible from the Ernest F. 4 mile easy trail that passes through the shade palm and gumbo limbo hammock. There are several short and easy grails that you can hike from the visitors centers including: Much of the Everglades is underwater and a lot of the backcountry is inaccessible. Things to Do at Everglades National Park Hiking It’s equipped with a snack bar, boat rentals and even has boat tours available. This visitor center is more developed than it first appears. At the edge of the water you may be able to spot dolphins, manatee and wild flamingos. You’ll find the Flamingo Visitor Center sitting at the very edge of the park at Florida Bay. There are several walking trails from this visitor center, as well as the nearby Royal Palm Nature Center. The area is surrounded by dense forest and wet prairies making it a great spot for spotting wildlife. This is the largest and most comprehensive visitor center at Everglades National Park and is located about 50 miles south of Miami. You can walk or bike the 15 mile loop road directly from the visitor center. It’s about 73 miles from Naples and 40 miles from Miami and is by far the park’s most popular access point. Located on the northern edge of the “River Of Grass,” a vast freshwater prairie, you’ll find the Shark Valley Visitor Center. You are not very likely to see alligators on this side of the park. Boat rides from the visitor center will allow you to spot wading birds, dolphins and if you’re lucky West Indian manatee. This is also the access point for Ten Thousand Islands, a network of mangrove islands. Located in Everglade City, the southernmost city of Florida’s west coast, this visitor center is a temporary structure after the original was destroyed by a hurricane. Park Entrances and Visitor CentersĮverglades National Park has 3 main entrances and 4 visitor centers. Your options in terms of air travel are Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples and Key West. None of the airports listed are longer than a 4 hour drive. This is an incredibly expansive National Park and there are 7 airports that are within close proximity. Visiting Florida during this time can be risky, and peak hurricane months are August through October. Hurricane season begins in June and ends in November. Keep in mind that the Atlantic hurricane season is something to consider when planning a trip to Everglades National Park. This time of year is ideal and mild, but you’ll have to contend with more visitors during the dry season. ![]() The dry season in the Everglades typically runs from November through March. The summer months in southern Florida tend to be incredibly hot and humid making even short excursions exhausting. Visiting the park between April and October during the wet season is risky. There are typically two main seasons in the Everglades: wet and dry. ![]()
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