Everglades: River of Grass

You can explore Everglades National Park on foot, on bicycle or by boat. This can either be done alone (be sure to take along a good map and lots of water) or by guided tour.

Once at the Royal Palm Visitor Center, there are several tour options. The Anhinga Amble is a 50-minute guided stroll along a raised boardwalk. Signs point out the various flora of the park, and alligators, turtles and wading birds are often spotted. Free.

Another free, guided tour is the Mahogany Hammock Walk, a one-hour program that highlights the history of the park’s pristine Mahogany stand.

For the more adventurous, a guided bike tour through hammocks, glades and pinelands can be done for $20 ($15 for those who bring their own bike). Bikes, helmets and water are provided; the length of the tour is about 2 ½ hours. The so-called “Slough Slog,” is a $20, 2 ½ hour tour through the swamp. Wear appropriate footwear and expect to get wet. Walking stick provided.

For campers, there is the Long Pine Key Campground, located seven miles from the main entrance, just off the main road. It has 108 drive up sites for tents and RVs. The park offers rest rooms, water, and a sewer dump station with fresh water fill, but no showers or hookups.

The Flamingo Visitor Center area of the park – located at the end of the main road – is a popular spot for canoeing. Canoe rentals are available, but the area was heavily damaged due to Hurricane Wilma and some services are on hold. Check with rangers, look on the internet or call for updated information.

The Shark Valley Visitor Center – off U.S. Highway 41, north of Miami and headed towards the Gulf Coast city of Naples – hosts guided tram tours run by an outside concession service. Cost is $14 for adults and $8.50 for children. Call 305-221-8455 for more information.

All visitors should bring water and snacks with them on all trips, as concession stands are scarce. Sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent are also advised. Average temperature in winter is 77 degrees, while in the summer the temperatures often stay at 90 degrees, with 90 percent humidity. The rainy season is June through October.