Hi,

We want to do a short (1 to 2 hours) paddle in the part of the Everglades accessible from the Homestead/Floriday entrance. Does the national park run such a trip? I couldn't find any info on this, although guidebooks seem to hint at such a thing. I even called the park service and got frustrated with their phone menu and couldn't get to any human to answer my question.

Has anyone done this? And do we need to reserve in advance? How and where?

We're planning to do a day trip from Miami to this area -- paddle, walk/hike, see some wildlife and paddle.

Thanks for any info you have!

Looks like you can do this from the Flamingo area of the park. You get to Flamingo from the Homestead entrance to the park.
http://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm

"The Flamingo area boat tour explores the Whitewater Bay backcountry north of Florida Bay. The marina at Flamingo is open. Limited services are available including marina shop, rentals (canoe, kayak, skiff, bicycle) and fuel."

Did you try the direct # for Flamingo? 239-695-3101

Thanks for the # of the Flamingo marina! Those guys picked up the phone right away and were quite helpful, although they're not part of the national park service.

Some info they told me: They run a boat tour of 40 so people to see the "backcountry" of the everglades: 1 1/2 hours for $26.50 per adult.

You can also rent a canoe ($16.95) or a kayak ($22.50) for 2 hours and paddle yourself. To paddle in the swamp, go to the 9 Mile trail and take out the boat yourself from a locker (they'll give you a key). You don't have to do all 9 miles. They said it's safe as long as you keep your hands inside the boat.

They also gave me the Flamingo visitor center # (NPS) 239-695-2945, and again I couldn't get a hold of anyone! The kind of service you get w/ tax payer money.

Not exactly what you're looking for, but this outfit http://www.kayakfloridakeys.com/ offers a one-day eco-tour incorporating paddling and hiking. However, it leaves from Key Largo and ends at Flamingo.

Amazingly, the Flamingo Visitor Center called me back after I left a message in their voicemail! The ranger-led canoe tour is offered daily starting mid-Decemeber. It's 2 to 4 hours long and free! They usually go to the 9 Mile Pond trail or Florida Bay.

Too bad we will be missing it.

A shame the ranger-led tour won't work out for you. If you do rent a kayak or take the boat tour, I'd love to read your trip report!

321go, we were able to take the ranger-led canoe tour. See my trip report in another thread. It was fantastic!

I'm so glad it worked out for you!

We have done it several times in the past with a guide. I highly recommend to get a guide to take you around. Unfortunatelly this was some years back and I lost track of him.
I recall those experiences and beautiful and nature was unbelivable, the silence was imposing.
Most of the time we used to go West on Tamiani Trail , US 41 from Miami and he knew where to stop and where to get into the Thousand Islands. Good luck.