Paddle Everglades National Park, Florida, USA
WHAT MAKES THIS AREA UNIQUE?
Have you ever paddled among dolphins, or had a pelican show you his favorite fishing spot? Over 20% of the plant life within Everglades National Park is an endangered or protected plant species, and the park is the last frontier for the endangered manatee, the black Florida panther and the American crocodile. You are guaranteed to meet species you've never encountered before as you explore this unique watery wilderness on the reigning tides of the Gulf of Mexico.
WHAT YOU’LL SEE: Freshwater sloughs, marl prairies, tropical hammocks, pineland, cypress, mangrove, coastal lowlands, marine and estuarine, bromeliads, orchids, mangrove, alligator, dolphin, manatee, innumerable waterfowl and marine species.
WATER FEATURES: Tidal swamp, tidal bay, sea paddling.
BEST TIME TO PADDLE: December-February
ROUTE OPTIONS:
Y Day Trip
Y Weekend Trip
Y 4 to 7 day trip
Y 7 to 14 day trip
Y Loop trip
Y Shuttle service nearby
POTENTIAL HAZARDS: No fresh water within the park; skilled map/compass navigation and understanding of weather and tides required; exposure to extreme weather; alligators; snakes; mosquitos.
PERMITS REQUIRED? Yes.
PETS ALLOWED? No.
EVERGLADES TRIP PLANNER
Permits are required for all overnight stays in the park, and may be obtained no earlier than the day before your trip begins. The camping sites you want might already be taken when you arrive at the park, however, you can still sketch out a tentative itinerary using the Wilderness Trip Planner.
https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/wilderness-trip-planner.htm
INFORMATION
Homestead Park Office: (305) 242-7700
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THIS AREA
Fishing, birding, many hiking trails.