"Everglades National Park by Kimberlyann" Top 5 Page for this destination Everglades National Park by KimberlyAnn

Everglades National Park Travel Guide: 373 reviews and 931 photos

Alligator, Sometimes Called Gators by the Locals

Everglades National Park, although a large park of 1,506,539 acres, only encompasses one-fifth of the Florida Everglades. This national park is the most famous wetland preserve in the United States, being the only subtropical preserve in North America, a flooded grassland that is home to many tropical and subtropical trees and plants, more than 300 bird species, 150 fish species, and 60 federally listed threatened or endangered species including the Florida panther and the American crocodile. Much of the park is a region of mangrove waterways and sawgrass marsh dotted with hammocks and salt prairies. The Everglades has three international designations: International Biosphere Reserve, World Heritage Site, and Wetland of International Significance. But this park is in trouble. The numbers of wading birds nesting in colonies have declined 93% since the 1930s. The rains still fall in south Florida today, but the extensive canal and levee systems have shut off the life-giving rainwater before it can reach the national park and the remainder of the Everglades “River of Grass.” Sometimes the water control structures are shut preventing the much-needed water from reaching the park, and at other times they are opened and floodwaters enter the Everglades damaging nests and/or eggs of birds. Along with this pollutants from agriculture and other human activities are damaging the ecosystem. The Everglades Coalition, an alliance of more that 42 local, state, and national organizations such as World Wildlife Fund, is working on solutions for the problem. The National Park Service and the State of Florida have agreed to be partners in enforcing existing water quality regulations and will continue to address water quality problems. The park service is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other water management jurisdictions to help save the Everglades. Hopefully with the hard work of many interested organizations and individuals a solution can be found to save this wonderful land for future generations.

Pros and Cons

Pros:This is a wonderful area for bird watching, observing alligators, fishing, hiking, biking, or boating.
Cons:The Park is very hot in the summers, and at times mosquitoes and other insects can be bothersome.
In a nutshell:Although the ecology of this park is threatened by human development, and the numbers of wildlife have declined, there are still plenty of wildlife to enjoy, and trails to explore.

Last visit to Everglades National Park: Feb 2000
Intro Updated Mar 30, 2004
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Reviews (27)

Tour Boat Out of the Flamingo Area of the Park - Everglades National Park

Activities to Do In the Park Favorites (3)

Your visit to the Everglades will be one based on outdoor activities. If you enjoy biking you will find the best biking... more travel advice

Two Herons and a Gator - Everglades National Park

When to Visit Everglades Favorites (3)

Everglades has two seasons: dry (mid-December through mid-April) and wet (the rest of the year). The park schedules most... more travel advice

Anhinga Drying Its Wings - Everglades National Park

For Information and to Plan Tours Favorites (3)

The Everglades area Chamber of Commerce is located in Everglades City. You may request information from the chamber by... more travel advice

Cardinal Air Pine Plant - Everglades National Park

Backcountry Camping, Biking and Boating Sports & Outdoors (1)

Everglades is a park that offers hiking, biking, canoeing, and fishing. You may rent bicycles at Shark Valley and... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Big Cypress Part 2
Things to Do (11)
See All Guy Bradley Trail
Hotels (3)
See All A Place to Set Up Camp
Restaurants (2)
See All Eat Outside By the Bay

Comments (23)

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850prc Jun 3, 2009 at 9:39 AM

GREAT look at natural Florida, one of our state's precious commodities. Those are really becoming rare in south Florida. Up north, we have more such areas, but they too continue to disappear. Great page, Kimberly.
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deecat May 4, 2009 at 4:27 PM

Just terrific! So thorough and helpful; yet, very interesting. We visited Shark Valley while staying in Naples during the month of January. Loved it. The trail descriptions were fantastic.
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JudyinPA May 15, 2007 at 11:43 AM

Enjoy birdwatching and hope it is still a home for the birds once the fires are stopped. I'm sure we will get there during the cold months here.
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grandmaR Apr 18, 2007 at 8:46 PM

Flamingo Lodge is still closed because of H. Wilma - according to their website
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roamer61 May 2, 2006 at 9:34 AM

Great page on the Everglades. I was in both Shark Valley for the tram ride and explored around Flamingo. Park is of course great for birdwatching.
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kyoub Jan 2, 2006 at 3:18 AM

Excellent page. What a fun place to visit. I would love to see all the birdlife. Loved the Osprey Hotel.
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IrishFem Oct 24, 2005 at 9:07 AM

Loved all your tips and pictures. The night walk sounds great. Would love to visit someday.
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matcrazy1 Apr 27, 2005 at 10:18 AM

Wow! Just one word: FANTASTIC! A must see for me now and forever! Thnaks a lot for this excellent page!
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Bonobo2005 May 27, 2004 at 12:29 PM

your tips about this great NP are brilliant and I'm happy to have your pics here for less than $7000!!! The nightwalk sounds very exciting! To observe those mating spiders must have been very interesting too!!
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Jim_Eliason May 8, 2004 at 3:39 PM

fantastic tips!