What is The Best Way to Explore Everglades National Park?

When you think of the Everglades, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Mosquitoes, alligators, and hot, humid weather?

Of course, this is enough here (depending on the time of year), but there is much more to the Everglades than heat and wildlife…

The Everglades are just a huge wildlife park.

The national park covers an area of 1.

5 million acres.

Only Highway 9336 from

leads to the reserve.

In the “hot” season, it is quite difficult to get to the park, and you will hardly be able to have a good rest when there are a lot of tourists nearby.

Moreover, the fabulous nature of the Everglades is still worth a close look.

The park has different zones, from

swamps to oak groves on the islands and prairies.

Many animals live here; there are more than 300 species of birds alone.

In this article, we will talk about how to best explore the Everglades and what places you should definitely look into.

What Is The Best Way to Explore Everglades National Park?

By walking, by bicycle, and by kanoe, these are the best ways to explore Everglades National Park.

It is difficult for an unprepared person to overcome even a small distance every day, so it will not work to see all the interesting places.

Beginners should start with

This is one of the simplest routes that runs through picturesque places.

The road stretches for only 0.

8 miles, but at the same time, an unforgettable experience is guaranteed.

During the dry season, alligators can be spotted on the trail, so be careful.

If you have at least minimal physical preparation, a bike is perfect for looking at the beauty of the Everglades.

To get started, choose the 15-mile Shark Valley Trail as your route.

There are practically no climbs on it, so even a beginner will reach the finish line.

The route passes through a

ecosystem with many small ponds, grassy islands, and rare groves with low trees.

It will take about three hours to overcome the road, so it is mandatory to take sunglasses, sunscreen, 1.

5–2 liters of water, and a light snack with you.

You can also rent a bike at the very beginning of the trail for $9 per hour.

Nothing compares to the beauty of a boat trip through the Everglades.

The reserve has an extensive internal network of canals and mangroves.

With experience and sufficient training, a tourist can even enter the waters of the bay.

It will take several days to see everything; a couple of hours is not enough for this.

There are several places to rent a kayak or canoe, but the Flamingo Visitor Center is the most popular.

Price tags here vary depending on the season and type of vessel.

On average, it is $16 for two hours.

How Much Time Do You Need to Visit Everglades National Park?

You will need a whole day.

Ideally, arrive here at 8 o’clock in the morning.

Then you will have enough time to visit both parts of the park and avoid the crowds.

The drive from the Ernest F.

Coe Visitor Center to the Flamingo Visitor Center takes about an hour (one way).

The Visitor Center is a great place to start your tour of Everglades Park.

Along the way, you can look at several short routes and viewing platforms.

The fare is $30 per vehicle.

Everglades National Park is open all the time.

It’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The Everglades are even open on public holidays.

Is One Day Enough for the Everglades?

Yes, if you arrive early in the morning.

Which month is better to visit the park depends on personal preferences.

Winter is considered the best time to visit the Everglades.

During this period, a comfortable temperature is maintained and there are practically no mosquitoes, but most of the vegetation turns yellow.

In the summer, the situation is reversed.

The air gets very hot, and the humidity is high.

But the swamps look more picturesque.

The only time of the year to refrain from visiting the national park is autumn, as the hurricane season runs from September to November.

On the territory of the park, there are no hotels or hotel complexes in the usual sense of the word.

Many tourists set up tents in specially designated places, which can be seen on the map of the reserve.

Others prefer to spend the night in stilt houses; there are 17 in total.

They are located throughout the park.

Such a house has a dry floor, a roof over your head, and a toilet; for most tourists, such amenities are quite enough.

The only “minus” is that you can only get to such an “overnight stay” by water.

Do You Need a Car for Everglades National Park?

Not necessarily.

You will see much more by walking or cycling: there are routes (trails) that are well equipped: Shark Valley Loop Road, Bobcat Boardwalk, Otter Cave, Anhinga, and Gumbo-Limbo.

Each takes 20 minutes to an hour.

Also in the information centers, it is possible to rent a boat, kayak, or canoe.

A faster way to travel through the swamps is by airboat safari.

They are paid separately.

Another type of entertainment is water excursions on boats and river buses.

They leave from the piers in the centers of Flamingo, Shark Valley, and the Gulf Coast.

My Piece of Advice Before You Visit the National Park

• Don’t forget sunscreen and insect repellent.

  There is very little shade here, so it is very important to have sunscreen.

  If you visit the Everglades between December and March, mosquitoes are usually not a problem.

• If you decide to drive the car, then stock up on fuel.

  The Flamingo Visitor Center has a gas station, but it went out of service

  after Hurricane Irma

  .

  Make sure your car has enough gas before entering this part of the park.

• Along the trail, there are trees with acid green foliage and black and yellow bark.

  Don’t touch them, as they are poisonous.

• But in general, you have to be careful with alligators.

  Modern descendants of dinosaurs are quite dexterous and nimble.

  Park officials recommend staying at least 4 meters away from alligators.