amyc

Our first trip to the Everglades National Park begins next Wednesday. We'll have two days at the park before heading to Key West. Any tips/ideas on our time in the park? We'll be staying in the park at the Flamingo Lodge. We love to hike, bike and would like to do a boat tour. I know the park is huge...any suggestions on a two day trip?
As always - thanks for all of the input!
AMY

freespirit61

the north end of Everglades nat'l park called Shark Valley has a 15 mile loop that you can walk, rent bikes or take a tram. This part of the park is west of the Fl. Turnpike at exit SW. 8th St also called the Tamiami Trail. It is not as far south as the entrance to Flamingo Lodge..I biked it last week and saw about 30 alligator some of which you have to ride your bike around and so many beautiful birds. At the half way point there is a tower you can walk up and look out over the river of grass and what a view. This is the most awesome experience!! I live in Miami and bike the loop 3-4 times in the cooler months.I have also stayed in the Flamingo lodge. We rented a boat and went exploring which was cool until we realized every patch of island looked alike and we were lost!!! The guided tour would have been a better alternative. There are nice trails to check out but a word of caution-early in the morning along the shore there can be crocodiles-If you can go explore the bay-do so-it's beautiful. Enjoy.

Joanel

make sure you stop at the anhinga trail about 4 miles into the park on your way to flamingo lodge. great place to see alligators, birds, etc. It is about 4 miles after the visitor center.

at flamingo, echo lake has great birding as well.

Joanel

whoops hit send too soon. shark valley is also a great spot but it is about 80? miles from flamingo lodge. you really may not be over there on rt 41. depending on where you are coming from.

keysmom

You'll be entering the park from Florida City. Yo make a right turn at the traffic light and then drive for a while past farms. Stop by Robert is Here fruit stand on the way to park and have milkshakes. Key Lime Strawberry, anyone? There is no food concession between FC and Flamingo so be sure you have lunch and/or take a picnic. Stop at the main visitor's center (right before the park entrance) to pick up maps, get the lay of the land. You'll want to pick two or three stops between the entrance and Flamingo. One of them must be Anhinga Trail. Think about a sunset boat ride at Flamingo. There are two restaurants - pizza and nicer. There's also a pool but it is not heated.
Get up really early and walk over to Eco Pond to see the birds. You can rent canoes and paddle yourself on some of the lakes/waterways or go on a boat with a captain. We've had some fun fishing expeditions this way.
I was an Anhinga last week and it wasn't buggy but deeper in the Glades may be. Bring bug spray and long sleeves/pants. Have a wonderful time!

birder

We love the Everglades - here are some tips from our previous trips.

-- Make sure you go on an early morning bird walk with the ranger around Echo Pond. It lasts about an hour and you will see so many birds. It's really enriching.

-- Check the tides, and plan a bike trip down Snake Bite trail. You want to arrive at the end of the trail at low tide, because the trail ends at Florida Bay, and the birds will be ALL over feeding. When we went last time, we didn't go at low tide, but it was still wonderful, with lots of wildlife. Bring bugspray because the bugs are bad down the trail and not so great at the platform at the end of the trail either.

-- See what ranger programs are going to be held. We went on a "swamp tromp" in which a ranger led us into swamp - we mucked around and learned so much in addition to having great fun!

-- Anhinga Trail does give you the most upclose and reliable wildlife sightings.