Best Things To Do In The Everglades National Park Florida

A world away from Miami’s nightlife and beaches, the nearby Everglades cover millions of acres of remote swampland and marshes that form one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems.

With its silent wetlands, remote islands and deserted beaches, it’s no surprise that every day in Florida’s Everglades National Park brings a new adventure. Known as the River of Grass and designated a Unesco World Heritage site, this extraordinary landscape stretches from Lake Okeechobee near Miami right to Florida’s southern tip. Make every vacation second count by sampling kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, sailing and hiking in North America’s largest subtropical wilderness.

1. Kayak around the Ten Thousand Islands

Natural Feature

Mangrove (Avicennia sp) islands, Ten Thousand Islands, Everglades National Park, Florida

Get away from it all by paddling a kayak around the postcard-perfect mangrove islands scattered off the Gulf Coast. With nothing for miles except endless blue sky, stained-glass green foliage and silky-smooth water, this is the best way to see one of Florida’s most unspoilt areas. Watch for diving dolphins, chattering birds and snuffling manatees, then explore secret bays and slivers of deserted beach perfect for picnicking.

2. Enjoy bird and wildlife watching from Shark Valley

Natural Feature

Despite its name, you won’t spot any sharks in this idyllic valley, but astonishing wildlife sightings of other kinds are pretty much guaranteed. Hike, cycle or take the tram across the unique wetlands that are home to 40 species of mammals, hundreds of birds and countless alligators, the largest creatures living in the Everglades. Visit in the morning for the best chance of seeing wildlife in the watery wonderland below.

4. Drive down Tamiami Trail and Loop Road

Hiking Trail, Natural Feature

Florida, Miami, Everglades National Park, Tamiami Trail US route 41 highway, canal, levee dike, water conservation area 3A, Francis S. Taylor Wildlife

Get closer to the incredible Everglades ecosystem on one of the world’s most spectacular drives. The Tamiami Trail is the southernmost 275mi (443km) of Highway 41 between the Gulf Coast and Miami, weaving through the heart of the Everglades marshes. Take a short detour on the curving 15mi (24km) loop road across Shark Valley at the northern entrance to the national park to glimpse alligators, turtles, herons and other exotic birds.

5. Hike the Gumbo Limbo Trail

Hiking Trail

Walkers of all abilities can tackle the Gumbo Limbo Trail, a half-mile round trip from the Royal Palm Visitor Center near Homestead. The paved trail coils through the hardwood hammock, a coastal forest dense with tropical vegetation, scurrying wildlife and the distinctive gumbo limbo tree. Known for its red, peeling bark, it is often nicknamed the tourist tree because of its resemblance to painful sunburnt skin.

6. See the Shark River Slough from Pa-Hay-Okee Lookout Tower

Architectural Landmark

Pa-Hay-Okee Lookout Tower and trail of the Everglades National Park. Boardwalks in the swamp. Florida, USA.

Take a break on the Tamiami Trail to climb the winding 65ft (20m) observation tower, built in 1965 and the highest accessible point in the Everglades National Park. From the top, catch your breath gazing over unbeatable panoramic views across the distinctive sawgrass prairies. These flood during the rainy season, and are therefore known as the river of grass – or Pa-Hay-Okee in the Mikasuki language.

7. Go snorkeling in Marco Island

Natural Feature

As seen here from the top of a high-rise resort hotel, wide sandy beaches and warm turquoise and azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico draw vacationers to Marco Island, a tropical barrier island near the Everglades in southwest Florida, USA. This playground

Expect blinding blue water and bone-white sand on Marco Island, the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands just north of the Gulf Coast entrance to Everglades National Park. The warm Gulf waters and gentle conditions make it a snorkeling paradise, whether you’re a seasoned pro or want to try the activity out for the first time. Either way, Marco Island’s silent underwater world of rainbow-colored fish, sea turtles and manatees will leave you spellbound.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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