US - National Parks
Exploring Everglades National Park
In The Wild Heart of Florida
Located in the wild heart of the southern tip of Florida, Everglades National Park is a sprawling, subtropical wilderness unlike any other in the United States. Covering more than 1.5 million acres, this vast landscape of slow-moving water, sawgrass marshes, and tangled mangroves offers an unparalleled glimpse into one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. With over a million visitors each year, the park attracts nature lovers, birdwatchers, and adventure seekers eager to experience its untamed beauty.
A River of Grass
Often called the “River of Grass,” the Everglades is not a swamp but a massive, shallow sheet of freshwater that flows slowly from Lake Okeechobee toward Florida Bay. This slow-moving water sustains an incredible array of life, from ancient cypress trees to colorful orchids that cling to branches above the waterline. The park was officially designated as a national park in 1947, thanks to conservationists who recognized the need to protect this fragile and irreplaceable ecosystem. Unlike many national parks that were preserved for their towering mountains or dramatic canyons, Everglades National Park was the first created primarily to protect biodiversity.
Wildlife in the Everglades
The Everglades is home to some of the most fascinating wildlife in North America. It’s one of the few places where you can find both alligators and crocodiles living side by side, a rare occurrence anywhere in the world. The American alligator, often seen basking along the banks, thrives in the freshwater marshes, while the endangered American crocodile prefers the brackish waters near the coast. The park is also a bird-watcher’s paradise, with over 360 species recorded, including the striking roseate spoonbill, the elusive snail kite, and the majestic great blue heron. Manatees glide through the warm coastal waters, and panthers—though rarely seen—still roam the more remote parts of the park.
Exploring the Everglades
For visitors, the Everglades offers a range of activities that bring them face-to-face with its wild beauty. One of the most popular ways to explore is by boat, whether it’s paddling through mangrove tunnels in a kayak or taking a guided airboat tour across the sawgrass prairies. Hiking trails, like the Anhinga Trail, provide easy access to some of the best wildlife viewing spots, where visitors often see alligators sunning themselves just feet away from the boardwalk. Those looking for a deeper adventure can take the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway, a multi-day canoe and kayak route through remote backwaters filled with wading birds and the occasional dolphin sighting.
The Everglades is a place of both beauty and mystery
Where every bend in the river reveals something new. Whether you’re watching the sunset over Flamingo Bay or standing in the silence of a cypress dome, it’s easy to understand why this park remains one of the most treasured natural wonders in the country.