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The Florida Everglades National Park

Naples Florida is the western gateway to the Florida Everglades, a unique ecosystem featuring many plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. Covering most of the southern tip of Florida, The Everglades National Park is the most well-known region of the area, however, The Everglades is home to several other parks and preserves as well as a few small towns such as Everglades City and Chokoloskee Island.

Wild life watching, photography and other nature-related activities are the most popular things to do in The Everglades.

About Everglades National Park:

Everglades National Park is open 365 days a year. The park is located on the southern tip of Florida, and Gulf Coast entrance south of the intersection of Tamiami Trail / US 41 and Route 29. This entrance is open 24 hours.

Places to Eat:

Cuisine in The Everglades is fresh, casual and laid back. Sample Everglades fare - fried alligator tail, Seminole Indian fry bread, stone or blue crab, and frog legs. Click here for a few notable restaurants in the Everglades Area.

Things to do:

Kayaking/Canoeing
Several paddling opportunities through freshwater marsh, mangrove swamp, and the open waters of Florida Bay. The Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park's Gulf Coast entrance in Everglades City are prime launch spots for canoe and kayak paddlers. The Paradise Coast Blueway is Collier County's official paddling trail and contains a network of paddling routes utilizing GPS waypoints . Paddlers may see a variety of wildlife, including alligators, wading birds, dolphins, and manatees. Several companies offer canoe and kayak trips range from a few hours to several days. Try Everglades Area Tours or within The Everglades National Park.

Airboat Tours
Experience nature up close & personal from an exhilarating perspective aboard an Airboat Tour. Feel the wind in your hair as you enjoy panoramic views of the rivers and marshland deep in The Everglades.

Camping
There are a number of ground sites, beach sites, and elevated camping platforms (chickees) available in various locations in the park. Most sites are accessible by canoe, kayak, or motorboat, though a few may be reached by hikers. A backcountry permit is required for all wilderness campsites and issued the day before or day of your trip. Please click on link above for more details on backcountry camping.

Boating
Visitors can explore Florida Bay, Whitewater Bay, and the Ten Thousand Islands area by boat, kayak, or canoe. Each area has its own unique characteristics and habitats to explore. Boating in the waters of the Everglades is a task for the skilled.

Fishing
One third of Everglades National Park is covered by water, creating excellent boating and fishing opportunities. Snapper, sea trout, redfish, bass, and bluegill are plentiful. Saltwater fishing includes Florida Bay, Ten Thousand Islands, and elsewhere in the park's coastal zone. Freshwater and saltwater fishing require separate Florida fishing licenses. Be aware of local fishing information.

Hiking
In many areas of the The Everglades National Park, the park, trails allow you to explore the diversity of habitats within south Florida. A wide array of land trails offer visitors opportunities for leisurely walks, extended hikes and bicycle treks.

For the Kids
National Park Junior Ranger Programs connect young people to their National Parks through many hands-on, guided and self-guided activities. Designed to engage children and families in the National Park experience, Junior Ranger Programs cultivate future generations of park stewards and explorers.

Things to know:

Please familiarize yourself with the trails before hiking, biking, or paddling. You should know how long the trail is and the approximate time it takes to do a certain trail.
Do not hike, bike, or paddle without someone knowing where you will be going.
Bring water (especially in the summer), insect repellent (summer and if you will be in or around heavy vegetation), sunscreen, and proper clothing for the activity you will be doing.
When walking the trails, please keep small children close at hand and under supervision, remember, you are in a wilderness area, and animals move about freely.
Please do not bring pets on the trails. Not only do you put your pet's life in danger, you put yours in danger as well.
Do not feed any wildlife that you encounter, this includes the birds (crows and grackles). Feeding wildlife of any kind will eventually make the animal aggressive and is illegal.
No rollerblades, rollerskates, scooters, or skateboards allowed on any of the trails within the park.
If traveling with your pet, please be aware that pets are not allowed on most trails in the park. For the health and safety of your pet it would be better to leave them at home or board them at an appropriate facility while you visit the park. It is not recommended that pets be left in a parked car due to the tendency for extreme weather.
Also please remember that collecting plants and animals in Everglades National Park is prohibited. This includes such things as orchids, airplants, seahorses, starfish, conch, tropical fish, coral, sponges, and driftwood (except for fuel). One quart of non-occupied sea shells may be collected per person.