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The Florida Everglades

The Florida Everglades
An airboat captain and signage at the Everglades Holiday Park in the everglades outside of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Fort Lauderdale, Florida – March 23, 2024. File photo: Todamo, ShutterStock.com, licensed.

The Florida Everglades is one of the most unique and expansive ecosystems in the United States, covering over 1.5 million acres of wetlands, marshes, and forests. Known as the “River of Grass,” the Everglades is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Wetland of International Importance, and a protected area home to a vast array of wildlife, including alligators, panthers, manatees, and hundreds of bird species. While it is recognized as an ecological treasure, the Everglades is also a premier destination for adventure, exploration, and entertainment, attracting millions of visitors each year.

Spanning South Florida, from Lake Okeechobee down to the Florida Keys, the Everglades offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, from thrilling airboat rides to tranquil kayaking and fishing. Visitors can immerse themselves in the natural beauty of this unique environment while enjoying a wide variety of activities that showcase the wild and untamed landscape of the Florida Everglades.

Popular Activities and Adventures in the Everglades

1. Airboat Tours: One of the most popular ways to explore the Everglades is through an airboat tour, a high-speed adventure that allows visitors to glide across the shallow waters and grasslands. Airboats, with their large propellers, are designed to navigate through marshes and swamps that are inaccessible by traditional boats.

  • Thrilling Rides: Airboat rides are often fast-paced and exciting, with expert guides steering visitors through narrow waterways while pointing out wildlife, unique plant life, and scenic views.
  • Wildlife Spotting: Airboat tours are an excellent way to see some of the Everglades’ most iconic wildlife, including alligators, turtles, and various bird species. Guides are skilled at spotting animals in their natural habitat and often stop the boat to allow passengers to take pictures and observe the wildlife up close.
  • Eco-Tours: Many operators offer eco-focused airboat tours, where guides share information about the Everglades’ fragile ecosystem, its role in Florida’s water supply, and ongoing conservation efforts to protect this vital region.

Popular airboat tour providers include Everglades Holiday Park, Gator Park, and Wild Florida Airboats & Gator Park, each offering tours that range from short, thrilling rides to extended, educational eco-tours.

2. Hiking and Nature Trails: For those looking to explore the Everglades on foot, there are numerous hiking and nature trails that offer a more intimate view of the region’s flora and fauna. The trails range from easy, short boardwalks to longer, more challenging routes that take hikers deeper into the wilderness.

  • Anhinga Trail: Located in Everglades National Park, this popular trail is a short, accessible boardwalk that winds through a freshwater marsh. Visitors can easily spot alligators, turtles, herons, and anhingas (a type of bird known for its diving skills) along the trail.
  • Gumbo Limbo Trail: Also located in Everglades National Park, this shaded, half-mile trail takes hikers through a tropical hardwood forest, offering a glimpse of the Everglades’ diverse plant life.
  • Shark Valley Loop: For a longer adventure, the Shark Valley Loop offers a 15-mile paved trail that can be explored by foot, bicycle, or tram. The trail leads to an observation tower that provides panoramic views of the Everglades’ vast landscape. It’s a great spot for wildlife viewing, especially during the winter dry season when animals are more active.

3. Kayaking and Canoeing: Kayaking and canoeing in the Everglades provide a peaceful and immersive way to experience the natural beauty of the wetlands. Paddling through mangroves, marshes, and slow-moving rivers, visitors can explore areas that are often inaccessible by larger boats, allowing for up-close encounters with wildlife.

  • Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail: Located in Everglades National Park, this trail is a favorite for canoeing and kayaking, winding through mangroves, sawgrass marshes, and small ponds. It’s a great spot to see wading birds, alligators, and even otters in their natural habitat.
  • Everglades Wilderness Waterway: For more experienced paddlers, the Everglades Wilderness Waterway offers a challenging, 99-mile route that stretches from Everglades City to Flamingo. This multi-day adventure takes kayakers and canoers deep into the heart of the Everglades, with campsites along the way for overnight stays.
  • Mangrove Tunnels: Kayaking through the mangrove tunnels is a magical experience, as the thick canopy overhead creates a shaded, tunnel-like pathway through the water. These quiet areas are ideal for spotting manatees, fish, and smaller reptiles while paddling at a leisurely pace.

4. Wildlife Viewing and Birdwatching: The Everglades is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers, offering opportunities to see a wide variety of animals in their natural habitat. The wetlands support a diverse range of species, many of which are unique to the region.

  • Alligator and Crocodile Spotting: Alligators are the stars of the Everglades, and visitors can often see them sunbathing on riverbanks or gliding through the water. The Everglades is also one of the few places in the world where both alligators and crocodiles coexist.
  • Birdwatching: The Everglades is home to over 350 bird species, making it a prime location for birdwatching. Visitors can spot wading birds like herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, and wood storks, as well as raptors like ospreys and bald eagles.
  • Manatees and Dolphins: In the brackish waters near the coastlines, visitors may encounter gentle manatees or playful bottlenose dolphins. The slow-moving manatees are often seen in the waterways and coastal areas during the cooler months.

5. Fishing in the Everglades: The Everglades is a popular destination for fishing, offering both freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities. Anglers can try their hand at catching largemouth bass, tarpon, snook, redfish, and a variety of other species in the unique environment of the Everglades.

  • Freshwater Fishing: The inland rivers, lakes, and canals of the Everglades are excellent spots for freshwater fishing. Largemouth bass are a favorite catch in these waters, along with bluegill, crappie, and catfish.
  • Saltwater Fishing: Along the coastal areas and in the mangrove estuaries, saltwater fishing is a popular activity. Species such as snook, tarpon, redfish, and sea trout can be found in these areas. Visitors can book guided fishing trips that provide all the necessary equipment and knowledge of the best spots.

6. Swamp Buggy Tours: For a truly unique Everglades experience, visitors can hop aboard a swamp buggy—a large, elevated vehicle designed to navigate the rugged terrain of the wetlands. These tours provide an off-road adventure through the deeper parts of the Everglades, giving guests a chance to explore areas inaccessible by foot or boat.

  • Wildlife Viewing: Swamp buggy tours often provide a great vantage point for spotting wildlife, including alligators, deer, wild boars, and an array of birds. The elevated position allows for clear views across the marshlands and through the dense forests.
  • Cultural Insights: Many swamp buggy tours are led by local guides who share their knowledge of the Everglades’ history, culture, and ecology. Some tours include stops at traditional Native American sites, where visitors can learn about the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes who have lived in the Everglades for centuries.

Everglades National Park and Visitor Centers

1. Everglades National Park: Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and one of the best places to explore the Everglades ecosystem. The park covers over 1.5 million acres and offers a wide range of activities, including guided ranger programs, self-guided hikes, and educational exhibits at the visitor centers.

  • Visitor Centers: The park has several visitor centers, including the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center near Homestead and the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City. These centers offer educational displays, maps, and information on the park’s wildlife and ecology, as well as recommendations for exploring the park’s trails and waterways.
  • Flamingo: The Flamingo area of the park is a popular spot for camping, birdwatching, and boating. Visitors can rent canoes and kayaks or take guided boat tours to explore the mangroves and coastal areas.

2. Big Cypress National Preserve: Adjacent to Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve is another popular destination for outdoor recreation. The preserve features a mix of swamps, marshes, and forests, and is home to diverse wildlife, including the endangered Florida panther.

  • Hiking and Scenic Drives: Visitors to Big Cypress can explore the park’s numerous hiking trails or take a scenic drive along the Loop Road to see wildlife and experience the untouched beauty of the area.
  • Off-Roading: Big Cypress is known for its off-roading opportunities, allowing visitors to explore the backcountry via ATV or swamp buggy.

Vicinity of Everglades Holiday Park

Additional Details

  • Best Time to Visit: The dry season (November to April) is considered the best time to visit the Everglades. During this time, temperatures are cooler, wildlife is more active, and water levels are lower, making it easier to spot animals.
  • Park Fees: Entry fees are required for access to Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. There are options for day passes, annual passes, and group rates.
  • Guided Tours: Many guided tours are available, including airboat rides, wildlife safaris, fishing charters, and eco-tours. These tours offer a great way to explore the Everglades with knowledgeable guides.

For more information visit: https://www.nps.gov/ever/