Everglades National Park
Walking & Hiking
Everglades is the third-largest national park in the contiguous United States, after Death Valley and Yellowstone. Of course, Everglades does have more water and waterways. For this reason, the longest "trails" in the park are designed for boat and canoe travel. See pages 29—33 for details on canoe trails. There are also numerous short, self-guiding trails for walking that introduce visitors to the unique flora and fauna of southern Florida. Trail-heads are well marked. Most hikes begin just off the main road.
All of the nature trails are open year-round for hiking, conditions permitting. To avoid the worst of the mosquitoes, stay on designated trails away from the grass and walk during midday. Evening and early morning hours, when there is little breeze, are when the little critters seem most voracious. Wear insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts, long pants and a head cover. It may be necessary to follow these precautions even in the winter.
POPULAR EVERGLADES WALKS
Shark Valley Visitor Center
At 15 miles, Shark Valley Loop Road: Used for tram rides, bicycling, walking and wildlife viewing. An observation tower provides a panoramic view. In wet weather, roads may be temporarily under water. Check at a visitor center. -
Bobcat Boardwalk: 0.4-mile, 30-minutes, this boardwalk trail starts immediately south of the visitor center, crosses an open sawgrass prairie, and enters deep into a bayhead dominated by coco plum and red bay. -
Otter Cave Trail: 0.2-miles, this trail starts half a mile from the visitor center and leads through a hardwood hammock. Butterflies and birds are often seen.
From Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
At four miles, Anhinga Trail: 0.8-mile, 50-minute round-trip, this trail winds through Taylor Slough where you may see alligators, turtles, marsh rabbits, anhingas, herons and egrets. -
At four miles, Gumbo-Limbo Trail: Less than a 0.5-mile, 30-minute round-trip, this trail meanders through a shaded and jungle-like hammock of royal palms, gumbo-limbo trees, lush ferns and orchids. -
At six miles, Long Pine Key: This network of more than 43 miles of connecting trails ranges through unusually diverse pinelands that are home to approximately 200 types of plants (30 of which are found no-where else), white-tailed deer, opossums and raccoons.
At seven miles, Pineland Trail: Less than a 0.5-mile, 30-minute round-trip, the trail loops through pinelands and a variety of small, flowering plants. The densely pitted limestone bedrock that under-lies all of southern Florida can be clearly seen from this trail. -
At 13 miles, Pahayokee Overlook Trail: Less than a 0.2-mile, 15- to 30-minute round-trip, this boardwalk trail ends with an observation tower that gives visitors a sweeping view of the "river of grass." Red-shouldered hawks, red-winged blackbirds, vultures, deer and even an occasional alligator may be seen. -
At 20 miles, Mahogany Hammock Trail: Less than a 0.5-mile, 30-minute round-trip, this trail winds through a dense, junglelike hardwood hammock where the largest living mahogany tree in the United States grows. Bright and colorful liguus tree snails live in the hammock as do golden orb weaver spiders. -
At 31 miles, West Lake Trail: Less than a 0.4-mile, 30-minute round-trip, the trail wanders through a forest of red, white, black and buttonwood mangroves beside a brackish lake. (Man-groves act as hur-ricane barriers, protecting inland areas from storms.) This mangrove forest is a birthplace for sea life such as shrimp, spiny lobsters, stone crabs, snapper and mullet. -
Flamingo Visitor Center
Christian Point Trail: 3.6 miles, two- to-three hours round-trip.
Snake Bight Trail: 3.2 miles, two-to-three hours round-trip. This mangrove lined trail is excellent for bird watching. Be prepared for mosquitoes.
Rowdy Bend Trail: 5.2 miles, three- to-four hours round-trip.
Coastal Prairie Trail: 15 miles, one- to two-day trip.
Trails begin near Fla-mingo and lead into coastal prairies found in the park's southwestern section. Salt- tolerant plants such as cactus and yucca grow in the prairies, as well as hardwood hammocks.
Everglades In Depth
News from the Parks
High Mountain Meadows at Rainier Melt Away
October 6, 2008 - 4:07pm
Nothing lures visitors to Paradise like the transitory displays of wildflowers that populate Mount Rainier’s high mountain meadows. But summer sojourns could fade into memory and panoramic vistas vanish as alpine asters, rosy pussytoes and purple lupines are crowded out by trees.
October 6, 2008 - 4:07pm
Nothing lures visitors to Paradise like the transitory displays of wildflowers that populate Mount Rainier’s high mountain meadows. But summer sojourns could fade into memory and panoramic vistas vanish as alpine asters, rosy pussytoes and purple lupines are crowded out by trees.
Yellowstone Justifies Tag as World's Most Famous National Park
October 6, 2008 - 4:04pm
About four million people visit Yellowstone, the world's oldest and most famous national park, every year. It's a measure of the pulling power of this corner of northwest Wyoming - home to more than half of the world's geysers, famed for its rainbow-hued hot springs and populated by an array of wildlife that includes buffalo, elk, moose, wolves, bears and coyotes.
October 6, 2008 - 4:04pm
About four million people visit Yellowstone, the world's oldest and most famous national park, every year. It's a measure of the pulling power of this corner of northwest Wyoming - home to more than half of the world's geysers, famed for its rainbow-hued hot springs and populated by an array of wildlife that includes buffalo, elk, moose, wolves, bears and coyotes.
The Best National Parks You’re Not Visiting #2: Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
October 6, 2008 - 4:02pm
You’re not the first person to say, “Thaddeus who?” This tiny national park site in Philadelphia, PA (in fact, it’s the smallest park in the system) brings attention to the achievements of this brilliant engineer whose work had much to do with the Continental Army’s success over the British at key points in the American Revolution. Despite having a national memorial created in his honor, however, Kosciuszko’s story remains obscure: Only about 4,600 people visit this site each year.
October 6, 2008 - 4:02pm
You’re not the first person to say, “Thaddeus who?” This tiny national park site in Philadelphia, PA (in fact, it’s the smallest park in the system) brings attention to the achievements of this brilliant engineer whose work had much to do with the Continental Army’s success over the British at key points in the American Revolution. Despite having a national memorial created in his honor, however, Kosciuszko’s story remains obscure: Only about 4,600 people visit this site each year.
Park budget Is Continued
October 6, 2008 - 3:59pm
As of Tuesday, both the U.S. House and Senate had passed a continuing resolution to fund most federal government agencies from Oct. 1, the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year, through March 5. A continuing resolution allows government agencies to operate at the same levels as in the previous year. For the resolution to be effective, it must be signed by the president.
October 6, 2008 - 3:59pm
As of Tuesday, both the U.S. House and Senate had passed a continuing resolution to fund most federal government agencies from Oct. 1, the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year, through March 5. A continuing resolution allows government agencies to operate at the same levels as in the previous year. For the resolution to be effective, it must be signed by the president.
Be Green and Stand Out this Halloween
October 3, 2008 - 8:43pm
It’s the time of year when ghouls, goblins, ghosts and good witches show up in public. And as people of all ages embrace their inner child and alter egos, it becomes increasingly difficult to stand out in the crowd. Instead of fighting the masses at your local costume store, save a little dough and create a custom costume that reuses fabrics and items from around your house. Our teammate Leyla inspired us with her homemade strawberry costume. Made from pillowcases, buttons and colored stockings, it’s a shining example of how to be unique and green—whether your kids are trick or treating or you’re heading to a Halloween ball. Take a closer look at Leyla’s technique, and get inspired to think outside of the storefront and see the costume potential all around you. Leyla’s costume consists of two, red heavyweight pillow shams that she folded—like the first step of a paper airplane nose—into tapered berry-like edges. She used safety pins to secure these edges (so you don’t have to be a wiz on the sewing machine for this). She secured the tops of the pillows together in the same way, leaving an opening in the middle for her head. For a final touch on the berry look, she sewed white seed beads to the cases. You can use green felt and pipe cleaners with a hot glue gun to make a strawberry leaf crown. Leyla suggests wearing a green beret as an alternative, if you can find one. With all of the main components in place, the wearer can use their judgment about green or red apparel and stockings. You can find other great costume ideas here: http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm. Learn how you can transform into a bunch of grapes using purple or green leotards and balloons; a bag of jellybeans costume using colored balloons and a clear garbage bag; and a bat costume using black umbrella and tights. Have a Green Halloween!
October 3, 2008 - 8:43pm
It’s the time of year when ghouls, goblins, ghosts and good witches show up in public. And as people of all ages embrace their inner child and alter egos, it becomes increasingly difficult to stand out in the crowd. Instead of fighting the masses at your local costume store, save a little dough and create a custom costume that reuses fabrics and items from around your house. Our teammate Leyla inspired us with her homemade strawberry costume. Made from pillowcases, buttons and colored stockings, it’s a shining example of how to be unique and green—whether your kids are trick or treating or you’re heading to a Halloween ball. Take a closer look at Leyla’s technique, and get inspired to think outside of the storefront and see the costume potential all around you. Leyla’s costume consists of two, red heavyweight pillow shams that she folded—like the first step of a paper airplane nose—into tapered berry-like edges. She used safety pins to secure these edges (so you don’t have to be a wiz on the sewing machine for this). She secured the tops of the pillows together in the same way, leaving an opening in the middle for her head. For a final touch on the berry look, she sewed white seed beads to the cases. You can use green felt and pipe cleaners with a hot glue gun to make a strawberry leaf crown. Leyla suggests wearing a green beret as an alternative, if you can find one. With all of the main components in place, the wearer can use their judgment about green or red apparel and stockings. You can find other great costume ideas here: http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm. Learn how you can transform into a bunch of grapes using purple or green leotards and balloons; a bag of jellybeans costume using colored balloons and a clear garbage bag; and a bat costume using black umbrella and tights. Have a Green Halloween!
