Your Guide to Everglades National Park by Michael Joseph Oswald

Author:Michael Joseph Oswald [Oswald, Michael Joseph]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: National, Park, Islands, Miami, Florida, Valley, Shark, Flamingo, Anhinga, Ten, Thousand, Everglades, Slog, Slough, Wilderness, Alligators, Waterway
ISBN: 9781621280088
Publisher: Stone Road Press
Published: 2012-04-10T00:00:00+00:00

Vacation Planner (EVER)

Heron © Leslie Velarde/NPS

Everglades National Park has three main regions: Main Entrance to Flamingo, Shark Valley, and Gulf Coast. It’s conceivable that you could visit all three in a single day, but to do so would require an awful lot of driving (300+ miles beginning and ending in Miami). It’s better to take your time, enjoy the sites, and enjoy a region one day at a time. Feel free to treat each day as an individual trip, since none of the regions are connected by roadways. Lodging and dining facilities are not available inside the park. Dining, grocery stores, lodging, festivals, and attractions outside the park are listed in the What’s Nearby section.

Day 1: A trip to the Everglades should begin at Ernest Coe Visitor Center. Quickly introduce yourself to the park by browsing exhibits and watching a short film. Don’t forget to check the schedule of ranger-led activities. You may even want to make advance reservations (305.242.7700) for a Slough Slog, which is exceptional. If not, don’t worry, as all the ranger programs are enjoyable. Note the time and location of any programs that interest you, and head into the park. Immediately stop at Royal Palm to hike Anhinga Trail. It’s the best hiking trail. Take your time searching for wildlife before returning to your car and Main Park Road. If you plan on camping at Long Pine Key now is the time to secure a site. You don’t have to set up camp right away, but at least register and leave something of little value in your site. If you packed a cooler and are planning an extended hike/bike/paddle, you may want to set up camp right away since there’s a good chance you won’t return until evening. Continue southwest on the park road. Pa-hay-okee is worth a stop, especially if you don’t plan on visiting Shark Valley (Day 2). Next is Mahogany Hammock. If you like trees, pull over and have a look. Return to your car and drive to Flamingo. This stretch of road (and Flamingo) is home to some of the park’s best hiking, biking, and paddling. You won’t have time to do them all, but West Lake Trail is recommended for hiking, Hell’s Bay Trail for paddling, and Snake Bight/Rowdy Bend Trail for biking. You’ll also find a nice campground at Flamingo.

Day 2: If you spent the night in Flamingo, wake up early to watch for wildlife. Eco and Mrazek Ponds are good locations to watch for birds. If you camped at Long Pine Key you’ve got another opportunity to catch one of the rangers’ Glades Glimpses, Anhinga Ambles, or Slough Slogs. You have plenty of time to spare, because today you’re just heading to Shark Valley. While driving, decide whether you want to take bicycles (available for rent at Shark Valley) or the Tram Tour along 15-mile Shark Valley Loop Road to an observation deck. The Tram Tour takes 2 hours. Biking at a casual pace requires a similar amount of time.

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