Everglades

Everglades National Park covers an area of 1.5 million acres and is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. The park differs tremendously depending upon which season you visit it. The dry season runs from December to April. Lower temperatures and humidity drastically reduces the number of biting insects and the falling water level results in easier wildlife watching opportunities as creatures gather around the water holes. This period is also a great time to view birds as the park becomes the winter migration destination of many North American species. The wet season runs from May to December and during this time the park undergoes a great change. The weather is hot and humid and rising water levels results in wildlife being dispersed further around the park and biting insect numbers increase. The wet season is a much less popular time to visit the park and as a consequence there are fewer ranger tours and some facilities may not be operational. The Everglades National Park comprises many different and varied habitats and is home to animals and plants found nowhere else on the planet. Over 40 species of mammal can be found here including the rare and endangered Florida panther and West Indian manatee.

Over 50 species of reptile live with the park, such as the American Alligator, American Crocodile and Loggerhead Turtle. The park is also home to over 1000 different species of plants, including species from both the tropical Caribbean and temperate North America. Good wildlife viewing opportunities include Anhinga Trail, Eco Pond and the two-hour narrated Shark Valley Tram Tour. The park has four visitor centers: Flamingo Visitor Center, Ernest Coe Visitor Center, Gulf Coast Visitor Center and Shark Valley Visitor Center, and two drive-in campgrounds for tents and RVs or Flamingo Campground and Long Pine Key Campground, as well as numerous backcountry sites, though visitors should be advised that a backcountry permit is required for these.