We entered the park through the Homestead, FL entrance and started at the visitor center (as always). We got our Jr Ranger books and talked to the Ranger about good trails to do along the main road as well as near where we were staying in Flamingo.
The Anhinga trail is the most popular trail, for good reason. It is a very pleasant 1/2 mile elevated boardwalk with *tons* of wildlife to see. We saw several alligators, turtles, anhinga, and herons. The water was so clear we could see all the way to the bottom. We saw anhinga and soft shell turtles swimming through. We saw several varieties of fish as well. It was incredibly satisfying as far as hikes go.
Along the main road are several other short trails and overlooks as well. We stopped at the Pa-Hay-Okee boardwalk which gives you a view of the huge grass field making up a big part of Everglades. All along the park road you can see this grass field and then randomly a white bird head sticking up, almost blending in.
We finished the day in Flamingo, checking in to our campsite and visiting the visitor station and marina to get our bearings. Unfortunately a hurricane severely damaged the official Flamingo Visitor Center, so there is quite a bit of construction (which has been delayed due to Covid). The marina is still intact and the visitor center is in a small portable building. Right next to the marina, is an osprey nest. We watched the osprey for a bit and got some pictures. We also spotted a crocodile!
On day 2, we booked a boat ride into Florida Bay. We visited 2 of the keys and learned about the different animals and plants in the Everglades. It was really beautiful to be out on the water (and away from the mosquitos).
On day 3 we drove to a couple of the hikes and overlooks we had skipped over on our way in on day 1. We hiked Mahogany Hammock, and Pinelands. We saw several tree snails in hibernation, and heard several owls calling to each other (but couldn’t spot them). Both of the hikes were easy 1/2 mile hikes.
Everglades has a huge diversity of plants and animals. Cypress domes, mangrove shores, sandbars, fresh water grasslands and salt water bays.
After our hikes in Mahogany Hammock, I had Andrew drop me and Ben off at the visitor center to walk the Guy Bradley trail back to the campground. It was about 3/4 mile total. Along our walk we saw another osprey nest with another nesting couple, and a couple hawks.
On our way in the campground we spotted the fellow camper with the telescopes outside so we stopped to chat for a bit. He invited us to come skywatch with him! We let the kids stay up late and went over to his site. Unfortunately it was pretty cloudy so we didn’t get to see a whole lot, but we all got a chance to see a couple star clusters and Jupiter. He showed us the pictures he had taken the night before, including the Horsehead nebula! He was so patient with the kids and nerded out with all of us and gave us a fun astronomy lesson.
The next day we went to the marina for a bit and watched for manatees, of which there were a lot. They are so fun to see and watch swim around. We saw their mud bubbles floating up as they dug around in the grass on the bottom.
Despite the mosquitos I think Everglades might be my favorite National Park so far. It is just so different from anything else we’ve visited and it is so beautiful.
On our final morning we drove to Biscayne NP. We had a kayak tour booked. Unfortunately it was lightning and thundering so our tour was canceled. We still got to explore the visitor center and get the Biscayne Jr Ranger badges and watch the park film. Hopefully we’ll make it back here so we can properly see the park.
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