Throughout greater than 1.5 million acres throughout South Florida sprawls Everglades National Park, a wonderland of marshland, sawgrass and mangroves.

Such an unlimited place can intimidate first-timers, and it’s laborious to know the place to start. As you intend, keep in mind that how you discover the Everglades makes all the distinction. You may hike, airboat, canoe, kayak and even journey by tram right here, with every expertise presenting guests with a distinct impression.

Which is yours? From strolling on a boardwalk above gator-filled waters to embarking on a backcountry tenting journey, listed below are the best things to do in Everglades National Park.

1. Really feel the distinct vibes of all 4 of the park’s entrances 

There are 4 entrances in complete to the park, and every supplies entry to distinct terrains. To make the most of an Everglades journey, it’s best to attempt to go to all of them. Roughly 40 miles west of Miami, the Shark Valley Customer Middle is dwelling to the well-known 15-mile paved Tram Rd, a haven for bike rides, walks and (sure) tram rides; you’ll normally discover alligators lounging by the aspect of the highway. The Gulf Coast Customer Middle in Everglades Metropolis is a hub for boating excursions, offering the excellent seaside jumping-off level for exploring the Ten Thousand Islands, a wildlife refuge for hundreds of water birds.

Homestead is dwelling to two customer facilities. Royal Palm Customer Middle supplies entry to a quantity of shorter mountaineering trails (all underneath a mile), starting from strolls underneath cover timber to walks on boardwalks over the marshland. The Flamingo Customer Middle is roughly 40 miles south of Royal Palm – it’s a gateway to the mangrove-draped Florida Bay, canoe trails and the 275-pitch Flamingo Campground.

2. Camp on a chickee 

What’s a chickee, you ask? In Everglades-speak, it’s a picket platform positioned above the water the place you’ll be able to arrange a tent; it’s like having your personal little island. Most chickee websites are discovered close to the Flamingo Customer Middle.

You’ll want just a few things in addition to your tenting gear, notably a backcountry tenting allow (out there from any park customer middle), bug repellant for the inevitable mosquitos and a canoe (as you’ll be able to solely attain the platforms through water). Canoes and kayaks will be rented from a number of spots round the park. Off the Hell’s Bay Path are a handful of chickee websites inside a 5-mile canoe jaunt, together with Lard Can and Pearl Bay Chickee.

3. Zip by water lily-covered water on an airboat

If the Everglades had been to have an official car, it could be the airboat (alongside the Tamiami Path, you’ll be able to’t miss all the “AIRBOAT TOURS” indicators). These flat-bottomed boats with big propeller followers on the again are designed to safely navigate the grass- and lily-heavy waters. 

Whereas there are oodles of airboat operators past the nationwide park’s confines, there are solely three that function inside the park: Gator Park, Everglades Safari Park and Coopertown Airboats. Whichever you select, simply be sure that to hold your fingers inside whenever you coast by the inevitable gator (or 10).

4. Study the Everglades’ Indigenous roots at the Miccosukee’s museum

People have inhabited the Everglades for upward of 15,000 years. Lengthy earlier than European colonization started in the 19th century, tribes like the Seminole and Miccosukee comprised the bulk of the inhabitants. 

Right now, you’ll be able to be taught all about Miccosukee tradition, historical past and legacy at the Miccosukee Indian Village, lower than a half-mile from the park’s Shark Valley entrance. The village features a museum with beadwork and pictures, in addition to common alligator demonstrations, which reveal the significance of the gators to the tribe. These are strictly moral shows, that means there aren’t any wrestling components to the present.

Detour: The Museum of the Everglades additionally has reveals protecting greater than 2000 years of the Everglades’ historical past. Cruising by Everglades Metropolis, you’ll be able to’t miss it – it’s a restored pink constructing that’s on the National Register of Historic Locations.

5. Zigzag by 9 Mile Pond’s mangrove islands through canoe or kayak

The last word Everglades water tour – and an easy-to-tackle one, too – awaits at 9 Mile Pond. Roughly 12 miles northwest of the Flamingo Customer Middle, you’ll discover the roadside trailhead for this water course. Regardless of its title, it’s really simply 5.2 miles of paddle, throughout which you’ll swish by tree islands, curved mangrove tunnels and tranquil open waters. You don’t have to fear about getting misplaced, thanks to periodic white PVC pipe indicators with useful arrows that simply out of the water.

Planning tip: If you happen to want to hire a canoe or kayak, head to the Flamingo Customer Middle, the place the staff will offer you a key to unlock a canoe or kayak that can be ready for you at the pond.

6. Tour the Ten Thousand Islands through boat

Since Everglades National Park consists primarily of swamps, lakes and marshes, you’ll want a ship to get round. For a real open-water expertise, head to the Gulf Coast Customer Middle to catch a 90-minute, ranger-narrated boat tour by Florida Bay aboard a big catamaran. Alongside the method, you’ll see island after island made of mangroves, sawgrass and different lush flora. You’ll need to guide the tour forward of time through the park’s official companion, Everglades National Park Adventures.

Planning tip: If you would like an upper-body exercise, four-hour, ranger-led kayak and canoe excursions of Florida Bay are additionally on provide at the Gulf Coast Customer Middle.

7. See what number of alligators you’ll be able to spot alongside the Anhinga Path

Fewer than 50ft from the Royal Palm Customer Middle is the park’s hottest mountaineering route. Whereas the Anhinga Path is brief – simply an 0.8-mile round-trip – it delivers most Everglades pizzazz. As you comply with the path alongside picket boardwalks hovering above lily and sawgrass marsh and asphalt, you’ll have a strong shot at seeing gators, turtles and the path’s namesake, the anhinga – a big water hen with a tail that resembles a turkey.

Detour: For a bonus brief hike, the 0.4-mile Gumbo Limbo Path is true by the Royal Palm Customer Middle, too.

8. Spot pelicans and storks on a pondside birdwatching journey

Amongst the seemingly infinite quantity of waterways and ponds inside the park’s confines, two spots reign supreme for birdwatching. Throughout the avenue from the Flamingo Campground and accessible through half-mile paved path that surrounds it, Eco Pond brims with geese frolicking about and a spread of wading birds – storks, herons, and egrets – taking a dip or hovering above. 

Mrazek Pond is one other bird-lover’s paradise, notably throughout the winter months when hordes of wooden storks feast in the shallow waters. Ask a information at the Flamingo Customer Middle – simply three miles south – what’s in season and what to count on.

Hold planning your journey to Everglades National Park:

Determine the best time to go to
Stand up shut with nature on these hikes
Take a highway journey to the park on these drives by Florida
Know these things earlier than you go