Everglades National Park located in Florida is one of the United States’ largest national parks. Consequently, there are numerous Everglades attractions that draw visitors from around the globe every year. Hiking, fishing, biking, canoeing, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and a multitude of guided tours are among the various Everglades attractions.
Unlike other parks where visitors can hike along trails, the trails in the Everglades may come in various forms. Traditional hiking trails, such as the Bayshore Loop Trail and the Anhinga Trail, may be found in the park. In addition, there are some trails that are open to bicycles, such as the Rowdy Bend Trail and the Snake Bight Trail. There are even trails that are designed for canoes or kayaks, such as the West Lake Canoe Trail, the Noble Hammock Canoe Trail, and the Hells Bay Canoe Trail. On these trails, people paddle through mangroves, swamps, creeks, ponds, and lakes, while looking for water birds, crocodiles, alligators, vultures, snakes, and other wildlife.
One of the main Everglades attractions is the water. Nearly a third of the park is covered with water, making it a prime place to boat and fish. Visitors have been known to catch snapper, redfish, bluegill, and bass in the waters. Visitors must follow the State of Florida and the park regulations when fishing and boating. In addition, a fishing license must be purchased for both saltwater and freshwater fishing in the Everglades.
Some people may want to get a glimpse of the Everglades attractions with the guidance of a park ranger. There are ranger-guided tours that take people into the heart of the park. For example, rangers take small groups through the swamp on the Slough Slog tour. In addition, the Nike Missile Site is available for tours occasionally. Built inside the Everglades National Park following the Cuban Missile Crisis, the site closed in 1979. Reservations for tours should be made in advance and only occur at certain times of the year.
Additional Everglades attractions include a series of private tours that are run by individuals or companies not affiliated with the park. For example, there are airboat tours, water boat tours, and tram tours are available. Some tours focus on bird watching or wildlife viewing and provide information to people interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the ecology of the park. There are also fishing guides available for people who would like guidance in fishing the best areas of the park. These private tour and guide companies are have access to nearly all the areas of the park.
