Everglades National Park

Introduction

Everglades Gatorade

© zmey

The Everglades encompasses an area of marshland taking up most of the south of Florida. It is a popular tourist destination and the park plays a unique part in local folklore, with legends of moon shiners, smugglers and alligators. The Everglades National Park takes up much of the region. It protects the southern 20% of the original Everglades. In the United States, it is the largest subtropical wilderness, the largest wilderness of any kind east of the Mississippi River, and is visited on average by one million people each year. It is the third-largest national park in the lower 48 states after Death Valley and Yellowstone. It has been declared an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance, one of only three locations in the world to appear on all three lists.

Cities

• Everglades City - near the Gulf Coast Visitor Center at the western side of the park
• Florida City - Near the eastern entrance and Ernest Coe Visitor Center. It is advisable not to stay in Florida City as it is one of the most dangerous cities in the USA.
• Homestead - adjacent to Florida City, also a good base

Geography

Everglades National Park covers 6,110 km2, throughout Dade, Monroe, and Collier counties in Florida. The Everglades are a subtropical wetland, and because of that most of the land is very flat and not high above sea-level. The elevation typically ranges from 0 to 2.4 metres above sea level, but a Calusa-built shell mound on the Gulf Coast rises 6.1 metres above sea level. So it's flat but don't let that fool you into thinking there is no variety. A couple of inches of height brings a marked difference in flora and fauna. The highest ground is populated by Dade County Slash Pine forest, with underbrush that includes saw palmetto. Both plants encourage fire which keeps the hardwoods out. A little lower "altitude" brings cypress heads, and lower than that swampland (a river of grass). In the swampland, small hills (a couple of inches higher than water level) are covered with tropical hardwoods with dense foliage below. As you get to the south and southwest part of the 'glades, the tides bring in salt loving plants like mangroves and their kin. There is a lot to see but it takes paying attention to it—and it is well worth the time. Things that may seem small at first may be really big and bring fond memories.

The area is home to rare and endangered species, such as the American crocodile, Florida panther, and West Indian manatee. Several species of Snakes live there. Most are nonvenomous like the black racer, banded water snake, and the corn snake and several more harmless species. Only 4 are venomous and dangerous which are the coral snake, cottonmouth/water moccasin, Pygmy rattlesnake, and eastern diamondback rattlesnake. Over 1,000 species of plants live here.

Collecting plants and animals in Everglades National Park is prohibited. This includes such things as orchids, airplants, seahorses, starfish, conch, tropical fish, coral, sponges, and driftwood (except for fuel). One quart of non-occupied sea shells may be collected per person.

Weather

The Everglades, like the rest of (southern) Florida has a warm and humid subtropical climate. The warmest season lasts from May to October when temperatures frequently hit more than 30 °C while nights are balmy and mostly around or above 20 °C. Temperatures and humidity combined can feel oppressive though and it's not the best time for a visit as this is also the season when most of the rain falls and hurricanes may strike Florida as well. From November onwards things start to improve and the dry season lasts into May. Although temperatures drop and it might not always be beach weather, this is a good time for visiting the park.

Sights and Activities

Shark Valley - offering tram tours and bicycles for rent to cover the tarmac route into the park. The shark valley trail is 15 miles long, ending in a viewpoint of the Everglades National Park. Along the way you can see various wildlife including alligators. The trail is possible to walk but offers little shade. The tram tour costs $24 a person. Bike hire costs $9 per hour.
Eco Pond. Eco Pond used to be one of the best areas for viewing birds and other wildlife. However, the 2005 hurricane season transformed Eco Pond from a freshwater environment to a saltwater environment as well as significantly damaging the area. Thus, there is much less wildlife left. However, it is still possible to see some wildlife there as well as all the other trails found in the park. Wood Storks are often seen at Eco Pond (as of February 2007) and it is possible to see Southern Bald Eagles in the southern areas of the park.
Royal Palm/Anhinga Trail. The best area for easily viewing wildlife, especially in the dry season. The 'glades are a vast, shallow, slow moving river of grass that extends from Lake Okeechobee in the North to Florida Bay and East to West almost the width of the state. During the dry season (winter through May depending on the year) it dries up except for the deeper places. From the main trail the Anhinga are two very productive wildlife areas as they stay wet all year long. If you bring children and childlike adults, please instruct them to walk quietly and keep their voices down so they don't scare the more timid animals. You will probably see alligators, great blue herons, anhingas, double-crested cormorants, garfish, bass, talapia (and other fishes), various turtles (hard and softshell), snowy egrets, tri-color herons, greenback herons- and you might see one or more of the following: deer, stilts, great white herons, bitterns, limpkins, purple gallinules, avocets, roseate spoonbills, ibis, woodstork, snail kites (Everglades kites), sandhill cranes (along the dry bed before you get to the Anhinga Trail), and many other species - and if you are very lucky, a Florida Panther. Take your time, bring your binoculars and camera, and enjoy the wildlife and natural beauty. It is also fascinating to come during the night when the alligators feed. Ranger guided tours of the trail are available frequently and can be very interesting as they are usually very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna and can help spot more wildlife than you would yourself.
Flamingo boat tours - going into the park but also more into open waters if possible.
10,000 islands boat tours - from Gulf Coast Visitor Center.
Airboat Tours - Private companies run airboat tours just outside the Everglades National Park. They cost $20 - $40 for a 30 minute boat ride.
Florida Bay. Approximately 85% of Florida Bay is inside of Everglades National Park. Access to boats and tours is available at Flamingo, inside of the park. There are over 200 islands referred to as "keys". It is a salt water body, at the south end of the Everglades, where fresh water meets salt water. The "floating logs" that you likely will see are more likely American Crocodiles or possibly American Alligators. They swim Florida Bay and to the islands.
Fishing for tarpon, bonefish, redfish, snook, snapper, and sea trout. Separate Florida licenses are necessary for freshwater and saltwater. There are very few areas where fishing from shore is possible. If you want to fish, consider hiring a local guide. There are plenty of great Florida guides that will meet you in the Everglades for a day of amazing saltwater fishing, whether you want use a fly, conventional tackle, or bait. The back country is word renowned for snook and baby tarpon.

The park has four visitor centers:

Ernest Coe Visitor Center, Homestead, ☏ +1 305-242-7700. Nov-Apr: 8AM-5PM; May-Oct: 9AM-5PM. Open year round, this center offers educational displays, orientation films, informational brochures and a series of walking trails a short drive away. A bookstore with film, postcards, and insect repellent. Restrooms.
Flamingo Visitor Center, Flamingo, ☏ +1 239-695-2945. Generally open from 8:30AM-5PM from mid-November to mid-April, Summer hours are intermittent and subject to change. Educational displays, informational brochures, backcountry permits and restrooms. Public boat ramps are also nearby. Several hiking and canoeing trails begin nearby. There is a campground that is open (call +1 305 501-2852 for information), but in 2018, other lodging is not available due to damage sustained by Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma in 2005.
Shark Valley Visitor Center, Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) (25 miles west of the Florida Turnpike exit for S.W. 8th Street), ☏ +1 305-221-8776. Daily 8:45AM–5:15PM in winter, 9:15AM–5:15PM in summer. Hours subject to change. In the heart of the "River of Grass", with educational displays, informational brochures, and guided tram tours. Bicycles may be rented at the center. Books, postcards, film, insect repellent, and other items are available for sale. Vending machines dispense snacks and soft drinks. Restrooms.
Gulf Coast Visitor Center, Everglades City, ☏ +1 239-695-3311. Daily, 8AM-4:30PM in winter; 9AM-4:30PM in summer. The gateway for exploring the Ten Thousand Islands, a maze of mangrove islands and waterways that extends to Flamingo and Florida Bay. Offers educational displays, orientation films, informational brochures, boat tours and canoe rentals. Backcountry permits available. Restaurants, stores, lodging and campgrounds are nearby. Restrooms.

Opening Hours

Everglades National park is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Ernest Coe Visitor Center is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm. between mid-April and mid-December. The hours of operation between mid-December through mid-April are 8:00am to 5:00pm. The main entrance (Homestead/Florida City), is open 24 hours a day. Shark Valley entrance off of Tamiami Trail/US 41, is open daily from 8:30am to 6:00pm.
Gulf Coast entrance south of the intersection of Tamiami Trail/US 41 and Route 29, is open 24 hours.

Cost

Entrance fees: Vehicles $10 for 7 days. Pedestrian/bicyclist $5 for 7 days. Everglades National Park Annual Pass $25 is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. It admits the purchaser and any accompanying persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the purchaser and accompanying immediate family (spouse, children, parents) when entry is by other means (bicycle, foot, and boat).

There are several passes for groups traveling together in a private vehicle or individuals on foot or on bike. These passes provide free entry at national parks and national wildlife refuges, and also cover standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. These passes are valid at all national parks including Everglades National Park:

The $80 Annual Pass (valid for twelve months from date of issue) can be purchased by anyone. Military personnel can obtain a free annual pass in person at a federal recreation site by showing a Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID.
U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over can obtain a Senior Pass (valid for the life of the holder) in person at a federal recreation site for $80, or through the mail for $90; applicants must provide documentation of citizenship and age. This pass also provides a fifty percent discount on some park amenities. Seniors can also obtain a $20 annual pass.
U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities can obtain an Access Pass (valid for the life of the holder) in person at a federal recreation site at no charge, or through the mail for $10; applicants must provide documentation of citizenship and permanent disability. This pass also provides a fifty percent discount on some park amenities.
Individuals who have volunteered 250 or more hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program can receive a free Volunteer Pass.
4th graders can receive an Annual 4th Grade Pass that allows free entry for the duration of the 4th grade school year (September-August) to the bearer and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle. Registration at the Every Kid in a Park website is required.

In 2019 the National Park Service will offer five days on which entry is free for all national parks: January 21 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), April 20 (1st Day of NPS Week), August 25 (National Park Service Anniversary), September 28 (National Public Lands Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day weekend).

Activity fees: Camping fees at park campgrounds: $14 per night. Backcountry camping fees (permit required): $10 per permit plus $2 per person per night. Maximum 14 days.

Getting There

By Plane

The closest airport to the Everglades is Miami International Airport. It is a hub for American Airlines, which has service within the United States and to the Caribbean, South America, and Europe. N

aples offers some flights as well.

By Car

Several routes run into and across the Everglades. Interstate-75 runs east-west from Fort Lauderdale to the western coast around Naples, but this is not the best route to take, unless you are in hurry. It also runs a bit too much to the north to actually enjoy the natural surroundings. A much better alternative is route 90 that crosses the Everglades much more to the south. To add, it also crosses the Big Cypress National Preserve and the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. The road starts just west of Miami.

Getting Around

By Car

Driving through the park can be an exciting experience. Try and go on a week day during work hours so it isn't busy, and keep an eye out for crocodiles sunning themselves on the tarmac! Also be aware that when you stop-off at one of the designated rest-areas, and take a walk on the wooden boardwalks over the marshes, you will get swarmed by mosquitos.

By Boat

From the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, there are trips by boat into the 10,000 islands area. From Flamingo, there are trips almost every hour that last about 1 hour and 45 minutes and travel up the Everglades to a lake and back. The traditional airboat tours are not available inside the park itself, but are on offer on the road between Miami and Naples. One of the oldest and best is at Coopertown.

Eat

Everglades City has a few great seafood restaurants that serve local fare, including fried alligator.

The Seafood Depot, 102 Collier Ave. Everglades City, in a train depot established in 1928. It has wonderful outside dining overlooking the mangroves and water of the backcountry. The food is plentiful and very affordable.

Drink

At visitor centers and Flamingo there are usually some shops to buy drinks.

Key West Sunset Ale from the Florida Brewing Company.
Landshark Lager from Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville brand of food and drink.

Sleep

There is a wide range of accommodation options in towns and cities at the edges of the park, including Everglades City, Naples, Florida City and Homestead.

Camping

Two drive-in campgrounds are in the park. Both campgrounds can accommodate tents and RVs. A limited number of group sites are also available. Leave-no-trace camping principles apply.

Fees: Nightly fees are $16 per site at either campground (2006). If you have a Golden Age card (U.S. Citizen 62 or over) or a Golden Access Card (permanently disabled), camping is half price. This does not apply to group sites, which are $30 per night. Owing to limited usage and difficult conditions, camping is typically free of charge during the wet season.
Long Pine Key Campground. 6 miles from the Ernest Coe Visitor Center. Sites are available in the Long Pine Key Campground on a first-come, first-serve basis only. Reservations are not accepted. edit
Flamingo Campground. Near the Flamingo Visitor Center on the shores of Florida Bay. Reservations are accepted at the Flamingo Campground, and are strongly recommended. Reservations can either be made online or by calling +1-800-365-CAMP. edit

Backcountry

Visitors can select between a variety of ground sites, beach sites and elevated camping platforms (sometimes called chickees). Most sites are accessible by canoe, kayak or motorboat, though a few may be reached by hikers. None of the park's 47 backcountry sites are accessible by car. Backcountry trips here require more planning than most. Refer to the park'sWilderness Trip Planner.

A backcountry permit is required for all wilderness campsites. Permits are only issued the day before or the day of the start of your camping trip. Permits are not issued over the telephone. Wilderness permits are written from the Ernest Coe Visitor Center only for two land sites in the Long Pine Key area: Ernest Coe and Ingraham Highway. For all other campsites, permits may be obtained at the Flamingo and Gulf Coast Visitor Centers. Winter wilderness users whose trips originate from the Florida Keys can obtain permits by phone by calling +1 239-695-2945 for the following locations only: North Nest Key, Little Rabbit Key, Carl Ross Key, and the Cape Sable Beaches. Permit fees: $10 per permit plus $2 per person per night.

Safety

The American Alligator can be a very dangerous predator but it rarely attacks humans. Avoid interacting with alligators during mating season, and you will be fine. It is extremely common in the Everglades and it is estimated that more than 1 million alligators reside in Florida alone- that is more than all other populations of crocodillian species combined- so caution should always be taken. Take those numbers and measure them against the number of people who swim in Florida's rivers each year and you will find that the chance of attack is very low. In contrast, if people swam in northern Australia's rivers as much as they do in Florida's they would have hundreds or thousands of crocodile related fatalities every year. The alligator grows to 14.5 feet, although seeing individuals over 13 feet is extremely rare for this species.
American Crocodiles exist in some parts of the Everglades and can grow considerably larger than their alligator relatives. They are, however, very rare and can only be found in considerable numbers in a few isolated pockets along the southern coast. There have been no official documented attacks on humans in Florida by this species, mainly due to its poor distribution (there are estimated to be between 500 and 1000 crocodiles in Florida). They have been known to grow up to 20 feet in length in Costa Rica, but crocodiles of 15 feet are considered large in Florida. This species, like Crocodylus Porosus, can be found out to sea and does occasionally swim between islands in the Caribbean and in Florida.
Mosquitos - What the species of mosquitoes at the Everglades lack in size, they make up for in quantity. The mosquitoes are abundant during summer months, descriptions include being dense enough to suffocate cattle and camping lanterns. They can make a visit to Flamingo unbearable if one is not prepared. There are restrictions on use of insecticides. Mosquito level information is available at +1 305-242-7700 (8:30AM-4PM), during summer months.
Raccoons The Everglades has a species of masked raccoons that grow to be the size of small bears. The mask is very appropriate, as they will quietly burglarize your camp site if given the opportunity.
Reptiles - The Everglades are home to an extensive variety of reptiles (alligators, snakes and such), being the cold blooded animals that they are, they are always looking for opportunities to warm up in the Florida sun during the colder months and the heat from the road pavement at night. When driving through the park to Flamingo at the tip of the Everglades, you may encounter large alligators and snakes basking in the sun in the middle of the road or soaking up the heat from the road at night. Alligators will likely move on, others may not. Avoid touching or hitting any, it will not be a good experience.

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