It may not be known to everyone, but Everglades National Park remains one of the most threatened national parks in the country. The accumulation of South Florida has intensified by diverting water from levees and canals. And this creates a problem as the watery habitats in the park are shrinking because not enough water is reaching the Everglades.
Visitors are encouraged to write to Congress and tell them to save the Everglades, especially those who are witnessing the changes in manufacturing. White ibis flights used to congregate in numbers as high as 90. Today, visitors can see flocks of 10. Yet this subtropical desert, full of mangroves and grasslands, remains one of the most incredible parks to visit.
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Unlike other parks, Everglades National Park was created to preserve a part of the ecosystem as wildlife habitat. With such a unique mix of tropical and temperate plants and animals, the Everglades contains more than 700 species of plants and 300 species of birds. It is also home to endangered species such as the manatee, the alligator, and the Florida panther.
Designated a World Heritage site as well as an international biosphere, Everglades is on a constant crusade to protect the area. Environmentalists urge the purchase of privately owned wetlands to increase the water Everglades shares with its neighboring areas.
The park is at the southern tip of the Everglades and remains in danger. Fifty percent of South Florida’s original wetland areas no longer exist. Entire populations of animals are at risk of disappearing and exotic pest plants are suffocating native plants and disrupting habitats. These are still the warnings of a national park in danger of collapse.
When to visit
The Everglades basically have two seasons to choose from: dry and wet. From mid-December to mid-April, the weather is dry and it is the most popular time to visit. The humid climate and mosquitoes generally keep tourists away during the wet season, the rest of the year.
Get there
For those outside of Florida, fly to Miami (get rates) or Naples. From South Miami, take US-1 Florida Turnpike to Florida City, then head west on Fla. 9336 (Palm Dr.). The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is about 50 miles from Miami.
If you are coming from West Miami, you can take US 41 to the Shark Valley Visitor Center.
From Naples, head east on US 41 to Fla. 29, then south to Everglade City.
Fees / Permits
Visitors are charged an entrance fee of $ 10 per car per week. Those who walk or bike to the park will have to pay $ 5.
Main attractions
Tropical trees are a must-see in this swamp and the mahogany hammock is the habitat to see them all. The Everglades are home to hardwood trees that are lined in a teardrop shape. Sitting on slightly elevated patches of land, they thrive through the action of floodwaters that rise and fall throughout the year. Check out the Mahogany Hammock Trail to see the world’s largest living mahogany tree in the US.
A great way to see the park is through Shark Valley Tram Tours. Guided two-hour tours run along a 15-mile loop down to the grass river offering an exciting opportunity to view wildlife and learn about the freshwater ecosystem. Reservations are recommended during the dry season and can be made by calling 305-221-8455.
Boat tours are also available on the Gulf Coast (call 239-695-2591) and in the Flamingo area (call 239-695-3101). The Ten Thousand Islands Voyage explores the mangrove islands in the Gulf of Mexico. Tourists will see bottlenose dolphins, manatees, ospreys, pelicans, and more.
Shark River is also a fun place where visitors will certainly see alligators and birds. Will you see sharks? No. But, it is still a wonderful place to see turtles, hawks and harriers.
accommodation
Two camps are located within the park and are available for a 30-day limit. Flamingo and Long Pine Key are open year-round, but keep in mind that November through May campgrounds are limited to 10 days. The rate is $ 14 per night. Reservations are available from mid-December to April, otherwise, sites are sorted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Rural camp is available for $ 10 per night, $ 2 per person. A permit is required and must be obtained in person.
Outside of the park, there are many hotels, motels, and inns located within Florida City and Homestead. Days Inn and Comfort Inn offer the cheapest rooms, while Knights Inn and Coral Roc Motel offer guest kitchens. (Get rates)
Areas of interest outside the park
Nearby Biscayne National Park offers an underwater world of coral reefs and rare fish. It is a wonderful destination for families and offers countless activities such as boating, snorkeling, diving, and camping.
By dispensing fresh water to the Everglades, Big Cypress National Preserve contains swamps, mangroves and grasslands popular for visitors. 729,000 acres are home to the endangered Florida panther and black bears. This area is connected to the Everglades and offers scenic drives, fishing, camping, hiking, and canoeing.
If you have time for another national park, almost 70 miles west of Key West is Dry Tortugas National Park. Seven islands make up this park, full of coral reefs and sand. Birds and marine life attract tourists seeking interaction with wildlife.
Contact information
400001 State Rd. 9446, Homestead, FL 33034
Phone: 305-242-7700.
