Everglades National Park Warnings Or Dangers Tips by KimberlyAnn Top 5 Page for this destination

Watch out for these!

If you are hiking off-trail beware of the sawgrass as it has sharp barbs that can easily slash bare skin and thin clothing. Watch your footing as mucky soil, sharp-edged rocks, and holes can cause accidents. Also watch out for poisonous snakes such as diamondback and pygmy rattlesnakes, water moccasins, and coral snakes, as well as poisonous plants such as poison ivy, poisonwood, and manchineel. Ask a ranger or staff member at the visitor center what these poisonous plants look like. Remember that the animals in the park are wild. Many alligators have lost their fear of humans, but this does not mean they are tame. Stay at least 15 feet away from them as they can easily out run you. While hiking if you see a comfortable looking log to take a break on I would recommend examining it carefully before sitting down. You may find that it is inhabited by thousands of small ants that will resent your bottom on their home. Swimming is not advised in the park because of the alligators and snakes that live in ponds and the sharks and barracuda reside in the saltwater areas.