The Everglades National Park in south Florida is 2,500 acres of protected, extraordinarily diverse ecosystems. Unique plant and animal species inhabit the hardwood hammock, freshwater slough, cypress swamp and coastal lowlands within the park. The variety of tours are available at the Everglades National Park is almost as diverse as its wildlife.
Grab some sturdy shoes and insect repellent, and join a park ranger for an unusual off-trail hike and some hands-on experience. A slough is a low-lying, slow-moving body of water. Even in the dry season, the slough has water. This tour takes you into the Shark River Slough, also known as the "River of Grass," on the west side of the park. Be sure to call the park for tour availability.
For an educational tour into the heart of the Everglades, hop on a tram at the Shark Valley Visitor Center. This two-hour narrated tour along a 15-mile loop brings visitors into middle of the "River of Grass" and the natural habitats of alligators, birds and other wildlife. Four tours are available every day of the week, but reservations are recommended.
Visitors to Everglades National Park can enjoy a quiet 90-minute boat ride led and narrated by trained naturalists. The tours are available all year long and take guests on a tour of Ten Thousand Islands or exploring the Whitewater Bay backcountry.
An unexpected but historic site in the Everglades National Park is the HM69 Nike Missile Base. This preserved relic of the Cold War remains the same now as it was when it was closed in 1979. Ranger-guided tours are offered daily from December through April. Visitors will walk through the battery control area and the launch area. Come prepared. The tour covers about one half of a mile of walking with no restroom facilities on site.
