Everglades National Park
I’ve been to Miami many times, but never had time to visit the Everglades.
This time I took the time to visit the entire park.
What is Everglades National Park
It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States that protects an unparalleled landscape.
It also provides important habitat for countless rare and endangered species, such as the manatee, American crocodile and the elusive Florida panther.
The Everglades is the only place in the world where you can see crocodiles and alligators in the same habitat.
Geographically, Everglades National Park stretches south and north, using Homestead as a landmark and entry point.
Therefore, I separated the park into north and south. This comes in handy if you take a day trip to the Everglades from Miami.
You’ll probably only want to explore one section (north or south).
The Everglades is a natural region of flooded grasslands in the southern portion of the state of Florida.
The system begins near Orlando with the Kissimmee River, which flows into the vast but shallow Lake Okeechobee.
The water flowing out of the lake forms a lazy river 97 km wide and more than 160 km long.
It continues flowing south across a limestone shelf to Florida Bay in the southern tip of the state.
The Everglades experience a wide variety of weather patterns, from frequent flooding in the rainy season to drought in the dry season.
Throughout the 20th century, the Everglades suffered significant habitat loss and environmental degradation.
First day.
In the southern part, there is the main entrance to Everglades Park near the Ernest F. Coe visitor center.
Where you can obtain missing information, check scheduled departures, use the bathroom, etc.
A few meters from the visitor center there is a guardhouse where you can present your park pass.
Follow the signs to the Royal Palm visitor center, which is just 6km from the entrance, where the main attraction is the anhinga trail.
South Visitor Center
Anhinga Trail
Nike Missile Site HM-69
Near the Royal Palm visitor center is the Nike Missile Site HM-69, built in 1964.
The center was once part of the United States’ air defense system during the Cold War, protecting the country against possible Soviet air attacks.
The site consists of a series of well-preserved military structures and installations, including missile launch pads, command buildings, storage bunkers, and personnel quarters.
On the way to the Flamingo visitor center there are several small trails such as pinelands and pay-hay-okee.
As it was already late, I went back to my hotel in Florida city.
Second day
As I was staying in Florida City, I left early to make the most of the day, as the Flamingo visitor center is 80 km away, 60 km from the park entrance.
I went on some trails like the little Guy Bradley trail that borders Florida Bay.
The Coastal Prairie Trail is an 18 KM walk (round trip) along an old “road” that was once used by cotton pickers and fishermen.
The trail starts past the Flamingo campground check-in station and heads to loop C.
At the entrance they will make many recommendations, but the important thing is to have water, food and equipment, as there is nothing along the route.
It is also important to pay attention to the weather, as the trail can be very muddy.
To appreciate the passage even more, I took the Backcountry Boat Tour that runs along the Buttonwood Canal through Coot Bay and Tarpon Creek to Whitewater Bay.
The tour features a guide who highlights the unique plant and animal life found in this part of the park, as well as the history of Flamingo Everglades National Park.
Coastal Prairie Trail
Backcountry Boat Tour
Third day.
As I was staying in Florida City, I left early to make the most of the day, as the Shark Valley visitor center is 70 km away.
Here you basically have Shark Valley Tram Tours, which is a 20 km ride on a “little train”.
It’s a relaxing walk through the park’s environment with a guide who explains the ecology and history of the Everglades.
They stop at every encounter with animals and important locations.
One of the highlights is halfway along the route, where you can hike to the highest accessible point in Everglades National Park, a platform at the Shark Valley Observation Tower.
Shark Valley Tram Tour
Airboat tour
One of the most traditional ways to explore the Everglades is on an airboat.
Hoverboats, also called fan-boats, are flat-bottomed vessels propelled by a propeller and powered by an aircraft or automobile engine.
They are mainly used for fishing, hunting and ecotourism, and are most popular in swampy areas.
This tour is not part of Everglades National Park. The tours take place in an area outside the park.
There are 3 companies close to the Shark Valley entrance, I went with Tigertail, as in addition to being the closest to the park entrance, there was space available on the next tour.
They have tours in various lengths.
Everglades city
It was already the end of the day and my time visiting the park was running out.
In addition to going to Naples, I decided to stay in Everglades city.
Everglades City, 50 km south of Naples, is a small community known for good fishing, starting point for Ten Thousand Islands tour, kayaking, airboat tours, swamp buggy tours and eco-tours.
It is also very close to Big Cypress National Preserve, among others.
The city is very charming with great restaurants and a good place to rest.
I took the opportunity to discover the local cuisine at Capitan Morgan and rest.
The other day I went to Chokoloskee Island, which is surrounded by Ten Thousand Islands and the Gulf of Mexico,
Known for fishing, bird watching and kayaking through the mangrove forests of the Everglades.
One of the attractions is Ted Smallwood’s General Store, one of the most exclusive museums in Florida.
The exhibit is a little strange with spittoons and fly swatters, wooden rocking chairs, canning machines, school supplies, wagon wheels and animal skins.
Everglades city
The other day I went to Chokoloskee Island, which is surrounded by Ten Thousand Islands and the Gulf of Mexico,
Known for fishing, bird watching and kayaking through the mangrove forests of the Everglades.
One of the attractions is Ted Smallwood’s General Store, one of the most exclusive museums in Florida.
The exhibit is a little strange with spittoons and fly swatters, wooden rocking chairs, canning machines, school supplies, wagon wheels and animal skins.
lha Chokoloskee
