One of the most popular ecotourism destinations in the United States is the Everglades National Park. The park protects a fragile ecosystem not common in this country. So, you will get to&hellip.
One of the most popular ecotourism destinations in the United States is the Everglades National Park. The park protects a fragile ecosystem not common in this country. So, you will get to see wonderful but different scenery here.
Everglades is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also, it is one of the three most important wetlands of international importance. There are a lot of things to do in Everglades like bird watching, boating, hiking, camping, kayaking, fishing, etc. Also, it is a vast area of wetlands, jungle, and islands. This is why you might get confused when planning a trip to the Everglades. Don’t worry, here we are with a Guide to Everglades National Park.
The Park is located in the state of Florida, US. That is to say, it is spread across three counties – Miami-Dade, Monroe & Collier. It is located in the very south of the Atlantic Coastal Plains. Accordingly, the nearest cities are Florida and Everglades. It’s not far from Miami, either.
Spreading over 2,357 square miles (6,106 sq.km), the Everglades is a huge wetland. The terrain is low and flat. Thereby, it barely ever rises above 8 feet above sea level. The climate here is hot and humid. Therefore, tropical weathers are common here. The park mostly consists of freshwater sloughs and marl prairies. There are varieties of ecosystems here. These are mainly Pinelands, Cypress and Mangroves, Coastal Lowland, and Marine Life.
Things to do in Everglades National Park
As a national park and wetland preserve, Everglades offers you tons of tourist activities! At a glance, these are:
Bicycling: Shark Valley, Snake Bight Trail, Long Pine Key Trail all offer exciting bike routes.
Bird Watching: Throughout the wetlands, it is a haven for millions of local and exotic migratory birds.
Wildlife Viewing: Everglades is famous for its alligators. But that’s not all! Besides those, the ‘glades have thousands of freshwater, brackish, and saltwater species waiting for you. Don’t forget your camera! It’s best if you ask the rangers about what to see where. Also, what is too dangerous. There are many observation towers and viewing decks available throughout the park.
Boating: Much of the park is connected by waterways only. So, speedboats, airboats, and dinghy are your best bet moving around here.
Camping: What’s a natural park without camping? Multiple dedicated sites offer drinking water, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, etc. facilities. They also have many tent and trailer sites for your choosing. The camping sites vary in nature from pine country to wetlands to beaches.
Kayaking and Canoeing: The abundance of waterways here offers the longest kayaking routes in the whole country. It may take you 7-10 days for The Wilderness Waterway alone to canoe through it. Just be careful of the gators!
Fishing: For both freshwater and saltwater fishermen, Everglades is a great location. Special boats and fishing equipment can be found in Flamingo.
Geocaching: A modern adventure in the Everglades. This is a treasure hunt, using GPS and online collaboration.
Hiking: Lots of trails and wooden pathways through the backcountry. Again, look out for the gators!
Ranger-led Programs: You can take one of the various tours guided by park rangers. This will give you a unique and in-depth experience. One with nature, these activities include hikes, canoe trips, slough slogs, bicycle trips, tram tours, and campfires.
Slough Slogging: Get your feet wet! What’s wrong with a bit of mud? Go off-trail hiking, half-walking, half-swimming. Don’t get eaten.
Dark Skies Sites: For a different experience, look up! The air is extremely clear here. So, there are certain sites here that are best for observing the night sky. Flamingo and the Ten Thousand Islands are the most popular areas for this activity. This is also true for many secluded southern and western spots. The clear view of the Milky Way is a wonder to behold in Flamingo National Park Everglades.
Apart from these, the Everglades National Park Florida has multiple tours and rides available. We will talk about those in a moment.
Best Places to See in Everglades National Park
The whole everglades park is worth watching. Accordingly, you can start anywhere and end anywhere, as you please. There are multiple entrances and exits to the park. These are via roadway or waterway.
However, there are certain spots in the park that you should visit in your National Park Everglades visit.
List of places to visit in Everglades: Shark Valley, Anhinga Trail, Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, Flamingo, Long Pine Key, Pa-hay-okee Trail, Mahogany Hammock, Ten Thousand Islands, Theater of the Sea, Everglades Alligator Farm.
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