Everglades National Park

Overview

Everglades National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage wetland — 1.5 million acres of sawgrass marshes, mangrove forests, and cypress swamps teeming with alligators, manatees, Florida panthers, and hundreds of bird species.

Highlights

• Airboat Tours: Thrilling rides across the shallow sawgrass marshes.
• Anhinga Trail: An easy boardwalk trail where alligators are virtually guaranteed.
• Shark Valley: A 15-mile cycling loop through pristine wetland habitat.

History

Established as a national park in 1947, it's the largest tropical wilderness in the US and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, and Ramsar Wetland.

Visitor Tips

• Dry Season: December–April offers the best wildlife viewing (animals concentrate near water).
• Mosquito Warning: Summer months are extremely buggy — bring repellent.
• Duration: Half day.