Everglades National Park
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Everglades National Park
The Everglades are located in the southern most part of Florida
Everglades National Park is truly a unique place to experience that outdoor vacation you’ve always wanted to take. Just canoeing alone allows you to view wildlife up close, go camping in areas otherwise unattainable, catch fish off the sides of your boat, and experience a place unlike any other in the world! For those not quite so adventurous, there are boat tours, ranger-guided tours, and tram rides that still allow you to see all of the natural wonders of this water intensive park, so you won’t miss out in the outdoor adventure. Grab your water-proof boots and come for a unique family vacation. Check below for great Everglades National Park information.
Uniqueness
Everglades National Park is the third largest park in the United States, outside Alaska. Spanning the southern tip of the Florida peninsula and most of Florida Bay, it is the only subtropical preserve in North America. It contains both temperate and tropical plant communities, including saw grass prairies, mangrove and cypress swamps, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks, as well as marine and estuarine environments. The park is known for its rich bird life, particularly large wading birds, such as the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, great blue heron and a variety of egrets making it a bird watching paradise.
Check out our national park pictures from the Everglades! Its abundant wildlife includes rare and endangered species, such as the American crocodile, Florida panther, and West Indian manatee. It is also the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side. There are no other Everglades in the world. It’s a great place for your next family adventure vacation. It has been designated a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance.
There’s even something for the history buff in the family! Recent surveys in the Everglades and within the Big Cypress Swamp indicate the presence of at least several hundred archeological sites within the interior of South Florida. Some show how the different areas were used as trading paths, canoe routes, small encampments, while others like the earthwork complexes and the pottery found, indicate that influences from all over Florida affected life in the Everglades. Here, human history spans over 2000 years–from nomadic Calusa to modern settler.
One third of Everglades National Park is covered by water, creating excellent boating and fishing opportunities. Snapper, sea trout, redfish, bass, and bluegill are plentiful. Saltwater fishing includes Florida Bay, Ten Thousand Islands, and elsewhere in the park’s coastal zone. Freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing require separate Florida fishing licenses. Fishing from the shore is very limited. However, park waters provide thousands of acres of shallow water flats, channels, and mangrove keys in which to fish. Before leaving shore, think safety! Be aware of local boating information. All waters from, and including, Nine Mile Pond northward along the Main Park Road are considered fresh water.
One of the best ways to experience the Everglades is to get out into it for an extended visit. With 156 miles (251 km) of canoeing and hiking trails and 47 designated wilderness campsites, opportunities for solitude and adventure are abundant. The Wilderness Waterway attracts canoeing interest since this 99-mile (159 km) route connects Flamingo and Everglades City. The entire trip takes about 7 hours with an outboard motor. Most canoeists allow at least eight days for completing the trip. This route is recommended for experienced canoeists only, providing an excellent wilderness adventure. Numbered markers guide you through mangrove forests, through Whitewater Bay, and around countless islands. Canoeing and hiking trails, boat tours and tram tours are excellent for viewing wildlife, including alligators and for bird watching a multitude of tropical and temperate birds. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded, seven of which are rare or endangered, like the Cape Sable seaside sparrow. Discover the Ten Thousand Islands of the Gulf Coast, where the land meets the sea. Look for dolphins, ospreys and wading birds. One and a half hour tours are offered for this adventure. Many of the boat tours from Flamingo are accessible.
Camping, whether in the backcountry or at established campgrounds, also offers visitors the opportunity for exploring what the park offers firsthand. Other activities include, boating, biking, kayaking, and photography. Ranger-led activities, offered throughout the park, just add to your adventure. Some activities charge a fee, but there are several free activities as well.
The Royal Palm Area provides the visitor with the opportunity to see several South Florida habitats within close proximity to each other. Join ranger-led walks and talks to learn more about the natural and human history of this portion of the park, first protected as Royal Palm State Park in 1916. Choose from the Anhinga Amble or Glades Glimpse to add to your family vacation fun.
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