Biking in Everglades National Park
The relatively flat, 38-mile paved Main Park Road is great for biking, not just because there are no hills, but because you are often shaded by a multitude of hardwood hammocks (treelike islands or dense stands of hardwood trees that grow only a few inches above land) and a dwarf cypress forest (stunted and thinly distributed cypress trees, which grow in poor soil on drier land).Shark Valley, however, is the best biking trail by far. If the park isn’t flooded from excess rain (which it often is, especially in spring), this is South Florida’s most scenic bicycle trail. You’ll share the flat, paved road only with other bikers, trams, and a menagerie of wildlife. (Don’t be surprised to see a gator lounging in the sun or a deer munching on some grass. Otters, turtles, alligators, and snakes are common companions in the area.) There are no shortcuts, so if you become tired or are unable to complete the 15-mile trip, turn around and return on the same road. Allow 2 to 3 hours to bike the entire loop.
Those who love to mountain-bike and who prefer solitude might check out the Southern Glades Trail, a 14-mile unpaved trail lined with native trees and teeming with wildlife, such as deer, alligators, and the occasional snake. The trail runs along the C-111 canal, off S.R. 9336 and Southwest 217th Street.
Bike rentals are available from Shark Valley Tram Tours, at the park’s Shark Valley entrance (tel. 305/221-8455; $25/day.) Rentals can be picked up anytime between 8:30am and 3pm but must be returned by 4pm.
Bird Watching in Everglades National Park
More than 400 species of birds make their home in the Everglades. Tropical birds from the Caribbean and temperate species from North America can be found, along with exotics that have flown in from more distant regions. The park is a critical stopover habitat for birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway, such as the Yellow-throated Warbler. It’s also ground zero for the impacts of rising seas. Accelerating the pace of Everglades restoration is key to giving managers flexibility to cope with extreme weather patterns and climate change, as healthier ecosystems are more resilient.
Eco and Mrazek ponds, located near Flamingo, are two of the best places for birding, especially in early morning or late afternoon in the dry winter months. Pick up a free birding checklist from one of the visitor centers and inquire about what’s been spotted in recent days. For a guided birding tour, contact Everglades Area Tours (tel. 239/695-3633), which does an excellent birding/photography tour, or Everglades Boat Tours (tel. 239/695-3633), which offers a National Park and Grand Heritage Birding Tour, a comprehensive, 7-hour naturalist-led tour with multiple forms of transportation—powerboats, kayaks, and even a beach walk, so you don’t miss any of the spectacular feathered (among others) species who call the park home. The tour is a steep $299.95 per adult and $159.95 per child 11 and under and limited to six per tour.
Canoeing in Everglades National Park
Canoers in the Everglades can coexist with the gators and birds in an almost mystical way: the creatures behave as if you’re part of the ecosystem, something that won’t happen on an airboat. Everglades National Park’s longest “trails” are designed for boat and canoe travel, and many are marked as clearly as walking trails. The Noble Hammock Canoe Trail, a 2-mile loop, takes 1 to 2 hours and is recommended for beginners. The Hell’s Bay Canoe Trail, a 3- to 6-mile course for hardier paddlers, takes 2 to 6 hours, depending on how far you choose to go. Fans of this trail like to say, “It’s hell to get in and hell to get out.” Park rangers can recommend other trails that suit your abilities, time limitations, and interests.
A ranger-guided boat tour is your best bet if you’re not a seasoned paddler, and oftentimes they are either free or very inexpensive. As always, a ranger will help you understand your surroundings and what you’re seeing. They don’t take reservations, but for more information on the various boat tours, go to www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/rangerprogram.htm or call tel. 239/695-3311. An outfit that does take reservations, and has very good guides, is Everglades Adventures Kayak & Eco Tours (tel. 239/977-8904). They are also a good source for canoe rentals (for $49 to $85 daily, based on boat size with free delivery to the Everglades National Park). Kayaks and tandem kayaks are also available. Rental facilities are open daily from November to mid-April from 8am to 9pm. You can also take a canoe tour from the Parks Docks on Chokoloskee Causeway on S.R. 29, 1/2 mile south of the traffic circle at the MSD ranger station in Everglades City. More info at NPS address above.
During ideal weather conditions (stay away during bug season!), you can paddle right out to the Gulf and camp on the beach. However, Gulf waters at beach sites can be extremely rough, and people in small watercraft such as a canoe should exercise caution.
Fishing in Everglades National Park
About a third of Everglades National Park is open water. Freshwater fishing is popular in brackish Nine-Mile Pond (25 miles from the main entrance) and other spots along the Main Park Road, but because of the high mercury levels found in the Everglades, freshwater fishers are warned not to eat their catch. Here, you’ll see alligators, birds, crocs, and even an endangered Snail Kite. Before casting, check in at a visitor center, as many of the park’s lakes are preserved for observation only. Fishing licenses are required.Saltwater anglers will find snapper and sea trout plentiful. Capt. George LeClair leads expertly guided, affordable fishing trips through the backcountry with Adventures in Backwater Fishing (tel. 239/774-6765). Fly-fishing and spin casting, among other things, are part of the trip. Six-hour trips will set you back around $385. A full list of charters and guides can be found at nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/permittedtours.htm.
Motorboating in Everglades National Park
In recent years, environmentalists have been taking stock of the damage inflicted by motorboats (especially airboats) on this delicate ecosystem. If you choose to motor, remember that most of the areas near land are “no wake” zones and that, for the protection of nesting birds, landing is prohibited on most of the little mangrove islands. Motorboating is allowed in certain areas, such as Florida Bay, the backcountry toward Everglades City, and the Ten Thousand Islands area. In all the freshwater lakes, however, motorboats are prohibited if they’re above 5 horsepower. There’s a long list of restrictions and restricted areas, so get a copy of the park’s boating rules from Park Headquarters before setting out. You don’t want to get a ticket, or more importantly, inflict damage unwittingly.The Everglades’ only marina—accommodating about 50 boats with electric and water hookups—is Flamingo Marina, 1 Flamingo Lodge Hwy., Everglades City (tel/ 239/695-1095). The well-marked channel to the Flamingo is accessible to boats with a maximum 4-foot draft and is open from 7am to 7pm November 1 to April 30 and 8am to 6pm from May 1 to October 31. An activities booth is open daily from 8am to 4pm. Reservations can be made through the marina store. Skiffs with 40-horsepower motors are available for rent for $60-$195 for half day or $260 to $295 for a full day. Note: Visitors require a valid boating education certificate.
If you don’t plan on renting a boat, know that both Florida Bay and backcountry motoroboating tours are offered Thursday to Monday at the Flamingo Marina. Florida Bay tours cruise nearby estuaries and sandbars, while six-passenger backcountry boats visit smaller sloughs. Passengers can expect to see birds and a variety of other animals (I once saw a raccoon and some wild pigs). Both cost $48 for adults, $24 for children 5 to 12. Tours depart throughout the day; reservations are recommended. The Florida Bay tour is given November through April only. If you’re on the Gulf Coast side of things, the naturalist-guided Gulf Coast two-hour boat tour of the Ten Thousand Islands departs from 929 Dupont St. in Everglades City. Tour prices are the same as the tours at the Flamingo Marina.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
