Norah
The Everglades are seriously one of the coolest, most interesting places I have ever seen. This completely unique ecosystem seriously blew me away, and I am so thankful for my time there. I have been to almost 40 U.S. national parks, and the Everglades are easily in my top 10. Attached are my top ten recommendations for things to do (in no particular order) on your first trip to the Everglades. These Everglades adventures are sure to lead to an amazing trip.
Interested in seeing more of Florida? Check out my full Florida national parks road trip itinerary!
Bike Shark Valley.
This is one of the most popular activities in the park, and one I highly recommend. There are multiple different ways to get around the trail, but I really do recommend biking. You will see so many fun animals, and the observation tower at the end of the trail is spectacular. More information about the tram tours, bike rentals, and navigating the Shark Valley area can be found here.
See the manatees at Flamingo.
This is an absolutely epic experience you can have at the Everglades. At the Flamingo boat dock, it is very common to see manatees. Just follow the crowds, and you will likely see them! We stayed and watched them for almost an hour and a half. They are absolutely amazing animals, and it was so fun to see them.
Hike the Anhinga Trail.
The Anhinga trail is a short boardwalk loop trail that gets you up close and personal with some seriously cool animals. We saw alligators, tons of birds, and even some cool fish. This is a park classic, and one you simply must do!
Go on a canoe trail.
Canoeing the mangroves was easily one of my top five national park experiences (and that is saying something-I have been to 37 parks!). I LOVED the Nine Mile Pond canoe trail, and had an amazing time paddling the trail. There is really something so special about getting so far out with a trail so epic, and this was one of the best, most immersive experiences ever!
Explore the hammocks.
Hammocks are clumps of trees that spring up in the Everglades and can provide shade and shelter for all sorts of animals.Because of their resources, they are very popular for animals, and you are sure to see some neat things there. I saw a bunch, but my personal favorite was the Mahogany Hammock Trail-I highly recommend!
Attend a ranger program.
There are a bunch of different programs available at the amphitheaters around the park, and they happen at all times of the day. I highly recommend a ranger program because they really are such a cool (and free!) way to experience the park. The rangers are excellent storytellers, and oftentimes have years and years of experience working in their respective parks.
Explore the Nike Missile Site.
The Nike Missile site is a really unique part of the Everglades, and one that occasionally gets skipped in a full itinerary. My advice: Don’t skip this neat historical feature! During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the U.S. set up four different missile sites in Southern Florida, and they were very top secret at the time. After the crisis, the threat was gone and each of the four sites was largely forgotten by history. It was only after a retired solider set out to explore each of the sites that it was revealed the site in the Everglades was by far the most well preserved. The park turned it into a very neat historical exhibit that allows for a very authentic and intimate look into a tumultuous time in history. Plus, the site is VERY close to the Anhinga trail, so you do not have to drive too far out of your way to see it.
Take a boat tour.
I have not personally done an airboat tour, and they are pretty controversial in the Southern Florida region. If you want the same experience, the national park has specific boat tours available for the coastal regions of the park, and can be a really cool experience.
Hike the Gumbo Limbo Trail.
This quick but beautiful trail is in the same parking lot as the Anhinga trail and is a really wonderful spot to see a different type of landscape. The trail was wiped out in the aftermath of a hurricane, but has been rebuilt and is now a beautiful sanctuary for wildlife and plants. It is flat, interesting, and informative. Is there anything better?
Camp at Flamingo or Long Pine Key.
If you like camping, this is a gorgeous, well stocked campsite to use as a home base for your adventures. There are beautiful pines in this area, and they serve as a beautiful backdrop for a majestic night sky. I cannot recommend this campground enough!
Most people know about the Everglades, but I feel like it is such an underrated travel destination. It is seriously amazing! I cannot recommend this area enough, and I hope this post gave you some inspiration for your next trip. Happy adventures!
Interested in more of the Everglades? Check out my vlog of the experience:
