The best Everglades National Park Hiking Trails for hikers

The Everglades National Park has over 350 miles of hiking trails, ranging from short and easy to long and difficult, so you’re sure to find the perfect one to hike with friends or family on your next trip. So where should you go? Here are the top six Everglades National Park hiking trails that everyone should see at least once. You’ll want to wear sturdy shoes, bring plenty of water and stay safe when hiking these trails, so make sure you do so safely at all times.

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Shark Valley Loop Trail

The Shark Valley Loop Trail – An Everglades Hiking Ultimate Guide

Florida’s Everglades National Park is one of the most stunningly beautiful places in the United States, and its Shark Valley Loop Trail is one of its most stunningly beautiful trails. Spanning over six miles, this well-marked trail takes you through varying ecosystems as it winds around an estuary, offering you incredible views at every corner. However, with so much to see on the Shark Valley Loop Trail, it can be hard to keep track of everything you’re seeing along the way – this guide will tell you everything you need to know to maximize your enjoyment of this gorgeous place!

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Introduction

Everglades National Park is one of the most diverse and unique ecosystems in the world. It’s a home for both wildlife and humans, who coexist peacefully. The park offers many activities to enjoy with family or friends, from fishing, boating, and canoeing to hiking on one of the best everglades hikes in the area. The Shark Valley Loop Trail is an easy hike that provides a close-up look at many different habitats within the park.

Location and How to Get There

Hike the largest and oldest subtropical wilderness in the United States. The Shark Valley Loop is a 27 mile trail that takes you through the best everglades trails Florida has to offer. This ultimate guide will help you find your way to the trailhead, hiking tips for your trip, and how to explore more of these trails once you’re done with this one!

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What to Bring

If you’re looking for the best Hiking in Everglades National Park, you’ve come to the right place. One of the best is the Shark Valley loop trail. It’s a moderate hike that will take about 4 hours to complete. You’ll have to bring some essentials with you like plenty of water, snacks and sunscreen because there’s no shade on this trail. The best time to go is in the winter when it can be a lot cooler out in the middle of nowhere so pack accordingly.

The Trail

This hike is one of the best everglades hikes, with many scenic views and opportunities for wildlife viewing. It’s also not too difficult, making it a great option for families. The loop trail starts at the visitor center and moves through tropical hardwood hammocks before descending into a subtropical swamp where it passes cypress trees that have created their own little world in a wetland environment.

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Wildlife Viewing

This trail is one of the best everglades trails for wildlife viewing. You’ll see alligators, and a variety of birds, plants and animals. The best part is that you have to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife because they are not as active during this time of day as they are in other parts of the park.

Tips for a Successful Hike

One of the best everglades trails is the Shark Valley Loop Trail, which is a seven-mile loop that takes you through pinelands, wetlands, and prairies. You’ll get to see birds, alligators, and all sorts of cool animals along the way. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks because it’s hot out there! Pack a hat, sunscreen, insect repellant, and good walking shoes. Wear layers for when it gets cooler in the afternoon. And always let someone know where you’re going before you set off on your hike so they can look for you if something goes wrong!

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Conclusion

This concludes our everglades hiking ultimate guide. I hope this has been helpful and that you have found a little inspiration to explore the Shark Valley Loop Trail, or other trails in the everglades. If you have any questions about this or other trails in the area, feel free to leave a comment below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Anhinga Trail

The Anhinga Trail offers an easy half-mile loop and is a great place to start if you’re visiting with young children or aren’t a particularly avid hiker. The trail takes you along the freshwater marsh, through lush vegetation, and ends at a picnic area with plenty of benches. In addition to boardwalks that help keep you dry as you walk along Florida Bay, there are observation platforms on both sides of Marsh Island to help you get even closer to birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Depending on when your visit falls, it’s also possible to spot alligators peeking out from behind bushes or bask in the sight of numerous turtles swimming in Florida Bay.

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Gumbo Limbo Nature Trail

This is a popular trail in Everglades National Park that offers wonderful views of evergreen forests and beautiful red mangroves. The terrain of the Gumbo Limbo Nature Trail is not too difficult, with a small incline at times. Overall, it is an easy trail with little elevation change and will take approximately one hour to complete. Along your walk, you can also spot alligators and wading birds. If you’re lucky, you may even spot some Eastern Indigo Snakes! Dogs are allowed on Gumbo Limbo Nature Trail on a leash. No food or drink is permitted on park trails. Make sure to bring plenty of water with you!

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River of Grass Trail

South Florida is home to an incredible, diverse collection of flora and fauna. As part of a project sponsored by Audubon Florida, several organizations developed The River of Grass Trail to provide a unique look at South Florida’s ecology. At 42 miles long and located in Everglades National Park, The River of Grass Trail crosses through 4 different ecosystems that are unique to South Florida. As you travel from west to east along The River of Grass Trail, you will see different water views including brackish estuaries, mangrove forests, and sawgrass prairies. There are no services provided along The River of Grass Trail, so be sure to pack enough food and water for your trip if you plan on spending more than a day exploring it!

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Pineland Trail

The Pineland Trail is a 13.4-mile loop that circumnavigates Long Pine Key, an island of sawgrass in Alligator Bayou, south of mainland Florida. Three primitive campsites with no facilities are available; two are on Long Pine Key and one is on Dog Island. The trail winds through the dense coastal hammock and pine Rockland forest that harbors a variety of plants and animals, including gopher tortoises, indigo snakes, raccoons, white-tailed deer, and snowy egrets. There are several observation platforms along the route where you can rest or get a different perspective of Alligator Bayou.

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Chokoloskee Island Loop Trail

This moderately difficult trail is a great way to get out and see some wildlife, but it also gives you a great view of the undeveloped wilderness. It’s relatively flat, so it’s very easy for anyone to do, but there are some steep drop-offs and narrow boardwalks that might make hiking off-limits for those with mobility issues. This is about as good as it gets for scenery in South Florida, though; you should easily be able to spot both alligators and alligator nests along your hike.

Leave your comment on which one is your favorite among all of the everglades national park hiking trails. Take only photos and leave only footprints, enjoy hiking!