Everglades National Park

The central feature of the park is the slow, shallow flow called the "river of grass" that moves southward from the Kissimmee Basin toward Florida Bay. This sheet flow sculpts peat soils and drives seasonal flood pulses that determine plant zonation and the timing of wildlife movements. Understanding hydrology is essential for safe and responsible travel, because dry trails can be inundated in the wet season.

Major conduits such as Shark River Slough and Taylor Slough function as ecological arteries that concentrate flow and sediment transport into estuaries. These linear depressions are focal corridors for paddling and for observing tidal mixing where freshwater meets the sea. Slough dynamics control nutrient gradients and the distribution of marsh versus mangrove cover.

The coastal margin includes the intricate maze of the Ten Thousand Islands and the broad shallows of Florida Bay, where carbonate flats and patch reefs occur. These islands and flats mediate wave energy, sediment deposition, and provide staging areas for marine life and birds. Navigation in this zone requires local knowledge and careful attention to tides and shallow charting.

Hiking opportunities concentrate on elevated hammocks, short boardwalks, and specific trailheads such as at Long Pine Key and the coastal areas near Flamingo. Trails are generally short and interpretive; long-distance through-hikes are rare because of the flat, wet terrain and the dominance of boat access. Good boots and an understanding of wet-season inundation are essential for inland walks.

Paddling—by canoe or kayak—offers the most direct experience of the park's gradients, from freshwater sloughs into mangrove tunnels and out onto open bays like Florida Bay. Day trips and multi-night paddles into the Ten Thousand Islands require experience with tidal planning, shallow-water navigation, and shallow draft vessels. Paddling reveals geomorphology and tidal hydraulics that are invisible from roads.

Low-traffic service roads such as those on the western edge of the park near Everglades City and parts of Big Cypress National Preserve provide gravel and paved options for cycling, though true mountain-biking terrain is limited. Biking is most productive on designated roads where riders can cover ground while observing landscape transitions from pinelands to marsh. Expect heat, mosquitoes, and limited shade; carry adequate water and sun protection.

Backcountry camping is permitted at designated sites in zones such as the coastal islands and select inland ponds, and access often requires boat travel or long paddles through sloughs. Camps require careful planning for fresh water, wildlife encounters, and leave-no-trace sanitation to avoid contaminating peat and lagoon systems. Permits and route plans reduce ecological disturbance and improve safety in remote areas.

Coastal margins are dominated by red, black, and white mangroves—red mangrove Rhizophora mangle, black mangrove Avicennia germinans, white mangrove Laguncularia racemosa—which trap sediment, sequester carbon, and form the first line of defense against storm surge. Mangrove root systems create complex intertidal habitat for juvenile fish and invertebrates, and they buffer the interior from saltwater intrusion. Mangrove health is tightly linked to freshwater delivery and sea-level trends.

Interior sawgrass marshes consist largely of Cladium jamaicense and form thick peat deposits that retain freshwater and support seasonal drying that many species depend on. These marshes are fuel for fire, which interacts with hydrology to maintain open landscapes and to prevent woody encroachment. Peat accretion and decomposition rates respond sensitively to changes in inundation regime.

The park supports iconic megafauna such as the American alligator Alligator mississippiensis and the American crocodile Crocodylus acutus, as well as other taxa like the West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus and wading birds including the roseate spoonbill Platalea ajaja and wood stork Mycteria americana. Predator-prey dynamics and nesting success are closely tied to water levels and the timing of the dry season. Observers should respect distance buffers and follow ethical wildlife viewing to avoid disturbance.

Primary access points include visitor centers and trailheads near Homestead, Everglades City, and the coastal station at Flamingo, which provide maps, current conditions, and safety briefings. Visitor centers offer critical context on hydrology, fragile habitats, and permitted routes for paddling and hiking. Checking in at a visitor center improves situational awareness for changing conditions.

Designated camping areas exist for both shore-based and island sites; reservations or permits are required for many backcountry locations to regulate use and protect sensitive habitats. Campers must follow strict food storage, waste disposal, and fire rules to prevent impacts on peat soils and wildlife. Advance planning for potable water and shelter is essential because resupply options are limited.

Safety in Everglades National Park centers on navigation, heat and storm preparedness, and wildlife interactions; tidal charts, a reliable compass or GPS, and knowledge of local winds are indispensable for paddlers. Regulations restrict motorized access in certain zones, require permits for overnight trips, and impose seasonal closures to protect nesting birds and fragile soils. Compliance with regulations preserves the park's geomorphology and ecological functions while keeping visitors safe.