Things to do nearEverglades

The Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, covering more than 1.5 million acres across the southern tip of Florida. Designated a national park in 1947 and later recognized as both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, it occupies a place unlike anywhere else on earth. For thousands of years, the Calusa and Miccosukee peoples lived within this landscape, developing a deep knowledge of its waterways, wildlife, and seasonal rhythms that continue to shape cultural traditions in the region today.

Visitors to the Everglades encounter a mosaic of distinct ecosystems within a single park. Sawgrass prairies stretch to the horizon, broken by tree islands called hammocks that rise just slightly above the waterline. Cypress domes hold still, tannin-dark water beneath arching canopies. Along the coast, mangrove forests give way to Florida Bay, where shallow flats support sea turtles and abundant birdlife. Alligators are a constant presence throughout, while the more elusive American crocodile appears near the saltwater edges of the park.

Wildlife watching and paddling are the defining activities here. The park maintains a network of marked canoe trails, including the multi-day Wilderness Waterway that threads 99 miles through backcountry mangroves. Ranger-led walks and tram tours at Shark Valley offer guided introductions to the ecosystem, while the observation tower there provides a panoramic view across the heart of the park.

The Everglades is a place that asks patience of its visitors and returns that patience generously. Its quiet, unhurried beauty and ecological significance make it one of the most compelling natural destinations in North America.