Top 10 Things to do in the Everglades, Florida

By Mwanner – Wikimedia

Top 10 Things to do in the Everglades, Florida

The Everglades National Park is the third largest park in the lower 48 states and covers at least 2,400 square miles.

Such vast land and beauty speak of one thing…adventure! There is a lot that you or a group of you can do while at the Everglades.

Some of the activities you can engage in at this park include hiking, canoeing, kayaking, biking, fresh and saltwater fishing, and camping in the wilderness.

It’s worth noting that these activities are what you can do within the boundaries of the Everglades.

There is so much more that you can do like visiting nearby museums and Zoos at the Everglades.

I have put together the top 10 things to do in the Everglades when you visit.  

1. Go wildlife spotting

By Lori Oberhofer, National Park Service – Wikimedia

Nothing in the 48 states beats the wildlife in the Everglades. This is the reason why it is top of the list.

It is estimated that there are about 200,000 alligators, several Florida panthers, crocodiles, manatees, snakes, different fish species and other amphibians too.

Do not forget to bring your binoculars to watch the wading birds. There are herons, wood storks, and spoonbills that call the Everglades home.

You will also catch the belted kingfishers, the impressive raptors like the osprey and bald eagles.

One distinct animal that you will not miss while here are the alligators.

2. Enjoy boat tours across the Everglades

The Everglades is set on a marshy land in South Florida. That means that one other way of exploring the national park is by a boat.

This is one of the best means to get around the Everglades and gives you the best chance to explore the wildlife.

A tour of this wetland includes a knowledgeable ranger or captain that will share insightful information during the tour.

For a more quiet and relaxed tour of the everglades, you could choose to use a canoe or a kayak.

These are available for rent and are perfect when cruising through watching the birds and other wildlife.

3. Take a tour of the Everglades in an airboat

By Avramka – Wikimedia

If you thought a boat over the Everglades waters was it, then you need to try the airboat.

These are not your normal boats; they are flat-bottomed and have giant propellers that make it glide over the sawgrass.

They are noisy and for this reason, there are protective headsets provided.

Through them, you get to hear your guide share interesting tales and history of the park together with its inhabitants.

If you are up for an adrenalin rush, this is it for you. The airboats can make 180 spins and sudden stops.

These boats get close to the alligators, crocodiles or the birds. A ride on one of this will forever be etched in your memory.

4. Slog through the swamp

Photo courtesy of National Park Service Florida – Wikimedia

The other thing to do while at the everglades is slogging. There are several places in this park that one can slog with a park ranger.

Slogging is another popular activity at the Everglades. While at the park, you will wear long pants and walk through the swamp.

You will enjoy this activity more during the summer when the water levels are high.

One thing to watch out for are the mosquitoes so make sure you carry a bug spray with you.  

For this activity, you will hike to Shark valley and a reservation is required.

5. Sign up for an Educational ranger tour

Is there a better way to learn and experience the Everglades other than being a park ranger?

Well, you are lucky because the Everglades National Park offers you that opportunity.

You can go on a ranger-led exploration of the park while having an interactive session.

The educational tour of the Everglades, which the young ones can find interesting, happens at Shark Valley, Flamingo, and Royal Palm.

You can then choose a guided trek or canoe trails. While on this educational tour, you will learn a lot about this sub-tropical Wilderness in America.

There are campground talks offered by the Park rangers who visit to deliver a program.

Daytime activities include walks and wildlife talks, bike rides and canoe trips along the Everglades.

6. Kayak to the ten thousand islands

By Lori Oberhofer, National Park Service- Wikimedia

While at the Everglades, one must-do-activity is visiting the Ten Thousand Islands area.

This is one of the most popular places to visit in the Everglades National Park.

The ten thousand islands are made up of beautiful mangroves and are set in a remote location.

It therefore still its natural beauty intact since it’s the least explored area in the park.

As you paddle through this island, look out for bottlenose dolphins and manatees as well as alligators and crocodiles.

To access this area, you will need a kayak, which you can hire if you did not bring yours, or take a guided boat tour.   

7. Hiking and bicycling in the Everglades

Going to the Everglades does not mean spending all your time on or in water.

There are things to do on drylands such as hiking and riding bikes along marked trails.

Tamiami trail is one of the hiking trails in the park, it is about 40 miles and goes around the Big Cypress National Preserve.

Remember to bring plenty of water with you and wear comfortable clothing that’s suitable for any weather since it changes rapidly.

Also, remember your bug spray since mosquitoes and other biting insects may ruin the experience for you.

8. Visit an alligator farm

Photo courtesy of Everglades Alligator farm website

Are you interested in petting an alligator? If your answer is yes, this next activity will get you close to the natives of this park.

There is an alligator farm at the park that is home to more than 2,000 alligators.

During your tour of the park, you will get to watch the alligator feeding programme.

You can also get to hold a baby alligator as well as feed them at the breeding pond.

This alligator farm is one of the oldest in South Florida. Other than feeding and learning about the alligators, there are alligator and snake shows.  

9. Take some time and visit the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation

A Calusa chickee at the Florida Museum of Natural History By Moni3 – Wikimedia

The other exciting thing to do in the Everglades National Park is going on a cultural tour.

This tour of the Seminole Indian reservation will introduce you to their indigenous culture.

There is also the Ah-tah-thi-ki museum which is home to more than 30,000 historic artefacts.

You will also get to see a real village where they make baskets and beads. This tribe has been in the Everglades for centuries.   

10. Go fishing for either freshwater or the saltwater fish 

One other activity that is popular at the Everglades is saltwater fishing.

The best fishing destination in this park is the ten thousand islands.

This is a great opportunity for you to refresh your saltwater fishing or learn them.

Some of the fish you may be lucky to catch include Snapper, sea trout, redfish, bass, and bluegill.

Just ensure that you get the right fishing licence since saltwater fishing and freshwater fishing require separate licences.