Can you Walk Through the Everglades?

Can you Walk Through the Everglades?

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You know from my previous articles that the Everglades is one of the most famous conservation areas in the United States.

Until you drive through the Everglades or explore it with an airboat or kayak, it’s pretty hard to grasp the scope of Everglades National Park.

It covers an area of over 800 square miles; the park, like most of Florida, is completely flat, making it even harder to understand its size.

For me, at first, it seemed impossible to decide: where to start an exciting journey in Everglades?

I started my journey in Everglades City, then proceeded to Homestead (near Miami) and on to Key Largo.

It all depends, in general, on what part of America you will be in immediately before the start of this adventure…

Can You Walk Through the Everglades?

Yes.

Here are some traits through the Everglades what you can make:

Shark Valley Loop Road is 15 miles long. The trail is the road to the observation tower, which has a panoramic view of all the surroundings.
Bobcat Boardwalk is 0.4 miles (30 minutes) long. Walk on wooden boardwalks with railings through fields of sword grass.
Otter Cave Trail is 0.5 miles (20 minutes) long.

The start of the trail is located on the west side of the road to Shark Valley Tower and leads up to the cliffs.

There is a wide selection of hikes of varying lengths to choose from, from short loops less than a mile long to connecting trails spanning tens of miles.

No matter which section of the Everglades you visit, there will always be a trail nearby that has a lot to offer.

One of the most popular is the Ankhing Trail, where wild animals gather in the winter.

Flat, open terrain creates favorable conditions for photography. At the “crocodile hole”, which is a pond dug by alligators during the dry season to find water, they usually congregate. Walking along the trail, you can meet raccoons, deer, and various birds.

Many people go on boat tours of the Everglades.

This is an amazing way to see swamps and waterways.

In general, I was surprised that pine trees suddenly grew in the subtropical nature of Florida.

They are certainly not as powerful as those in California parks. And we didn’t notice the usual mountains that are characteristic of pine forests, so we didn’t have to puff while climbing to the next height.

Can you Walk Through the Everglades?
Can you Walk Through the Everglades?

My Experience of the Pa-Hay-Okee Trail

We walked the Pa-Hay-Okee Trail.

We immediately saw this grassy sea from far away.

Indeed, the place looks like an ordinary sea, but underfoot is not earth but water.

Pahajoki Trail Parking is 13 miles from the Visitor Center.

The strange-sounding word “Pahayoki” is translated from the language of the local Indians as “sea of grass,” which can actually be seen walking along the bridges over the swamp.

And the grass itself is not ordinary at all! It’s sword grass—very sharp!

In the middle of the trail, there is a gazebo where you can hide in the shade and sit.

We watched the birds there, which constantly rushed over the grassy sea. Cypress trees grow around the path.

Along the trail grow trees with acid-green foliage and black and yellow bark. Do not touch them, as they are poisonous.

We walked along the main trail, and we saw a monster floating along the stream. And there was a heron nearby! And the alligator paid it zero attention—it floated off to do its business.

The heron was not afraid either; as she stood on its thin legs, it continued to think about something of its own.

We arrived in the Everglades in late spring, so unfortunately we didn’t see the birds come and nest.

While we were walking along the decks, we saw small birds and lizards inflating their goiters on the branches of trees.

It is a pity that we did not meet turtles among large water lilies. There are still a lot of fish swimming there, and, judging by the information, even raccoons have been found, but again, we were not lucky with them.

 

Can you Walk Through the Everglades?
Can you Walk Through the Everglades?
Can you Walk Through the Everglades?
Can you Walk Through the Everglades?

And then we got to the islands where the alligators were. And there we saw some of them who were just sleeping peacefully.

We were quite insolent and approached them very close to take a picture, and they did not even wake up.

How Long Does it Take to Go Through the Everglades?

It will take you 1.3 hours to go through the Everglades.

The entrance is located on US-41 between Miami and Naples, near the Big Cypress Nature Reserve.

Boating takes pride of place among all kinds of recreation in this reserve.

After all, Florida Bay is half a million acres, which is the entire territory of the park.

Can you Walk Through the Everglades?
Can you Walk Through the Everglades

In a word, those who want to be in the middle of this water surface, go fishing, or try out unusual canoes and kayaks should carefully prepare for a trip to the Everglades and find out in advance whether such opportunities are available.

The waters in the area of the reserve are often shallow, and resources in terms of fishing may not be enough. In the end, remember that this place was primarily created to preserve nature.

Can You Stand in the Everglades?

Yes, but there is currently no furnished housing on the territory of Everglades National Park.

Therefore, in case you want to watch sunrises and sunsets, it will be better to spend the night as close to the Everglades as possible.

I recommend choosing one of the hotels in the cities of Homestead or Florida City while exploring this park. They are conveniently located just a few miles from Everglades National Park.

You can also spend the night in Miami or Everglades City.

We spent the night for only $60 at the wonderful Garden Inn. And immediately after a hearty breakfast, which starts at 6 a.m., we went to see the park.

You can also camp in the Everglades and take a walk along the various hiking trails.

Can you Walk Through the Everglades?
Can you Walk Through the Everglades?

Everglades National Park has only two campsites that can be reached by car: Long Pine Key Campground (October 1 to April 30; $20 per night) and all-year-round Flamingo Campground ($20 to $30 per night; available online; space reservations required).

There are also quite a few campsites in the wilderness, which are mainly relevant to those visitors to the park who came here with their own boat.


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ABOUT ME

I’m Jeff – I’m like a human GPS, but instead of giving you directions, I give you the inside scoop on how to have the time of your life on your next holiday.

As a born & raised Floridian, I know my home state like the back of my hand.

From the excitement of Orlando’s theme parks to the natural beauty of the Everglades, I’ve explored it all.

About Us Jeff from TravelMagma

But Florida is just the beginning of my adventures.

I’ve traveled across the US, from the red rocks of Sedona to the lively streets of New York City.

Overseas, I’ve marveled at the Eiffel Tower in Paris and tasted gelato in the piazzas of Rome.

My most unforgettable trip was a safari in Kenya.

Seeing elephants, lions and zebras in their natural habitat was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I even wrote a Book!

So come along for the ride and let me help curate your next epic getaway!

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