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Glide through a River of Grass in the Everglades

Published by Megan Pasche, Writer

Country: United States

The Experience

There is an eerie calm about the Everglades; there are no motorized boats allowed, and the animals that live there slip in and out of the water with hardly a splash. Look out into the swampy, grass filled water, and you will find several pairs of unblinking eyes gazing back at you. Gators. Mosquitoes buzz around your head, and it can be brutally hot depending on what time of year you visit; but this is nature at its best. Hundreds of species of birds and animals live in the Everglades, including alligators, manatees, panthers and pythons. About forty of the species that live in the Everglades are currently threatened or protected making this a very fragile ecosystem. Walking trails take you high up into the trees, and quiet, quick moving boats bring you eye to eye with some very scary looking creatures. The Everglades are much more than just the "river of grass" most people tend to picture; they are also made up of beautiful forests and grassy fields. The Everglades are Florida's only subtropical climate.

The Everglades cover approximately 1, 510, 000 acres, and are located in the southern tip of Florida. Covering such a vast area, the Everglades have many different entrances and areas such as Shark Valley, Homestead, Gulf Coast, and Chekika, and which one you go to will be dependant on which activity you are hoping to do. Hiking, tram rides, kayaking, camping and boat trips are just some of the activities available throughout the Everglades. Only low powered motorboats are allowed in the Everglades National Park, therefore jet skis, airboats, and other motorized personal watercrafts are not permitted. Swimming is not recommended in any area of the Everglades, for fairly obvious reasons. Keep in mind, it is extremely easy to get lost or stuck while boating by yourself in the Everglades, the waterways all look remarkably similar, the water is very shallow in some parts, and the rivers can go forever. If you are not an experienced boater, but really want to see the Everglades from the water, it is best to take a boat ride with an experienced driver or tour guide.

The Everglades National Park is unique in America's national park history because it was the first park designated not for its historic or scenic values, but for the wide variety of life that thrives there. A hard working group of volunteers saw to it that this area was recognized for the marvel of nature that it was, and is, fighting hard for many years to protect it. The Park was made official in 1934, and it was dedicated by President Truman in 1947. Throughout the years, the boundaries of the Everglades National Park have been expanded exponentially, as it started off as only 460, 000 acres.

The Everglades are a place that is beautiful in a very calm, quiet and vulnerable way. What is wonderful about being there, is that in a park of that size you can be as alone as you want to be. The Everglades are impossible not to be amazed by as you look out into the natural habitat that so many species call home; this is a unique glimpse into an extremely rare part of America.

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When to Go to Everglades

The dry season in the Everglades lasts from about December to April. With less water available during this time all the animals tend to gather at main water sources, providing a great viewing opportunity for tourists. Due to this prime viewing, these months are also the busiest time of year for tourists. During the dry season, the various visitor centres are usually open from dusk until dawn, with some being open 24 hours. If you are going to go during the wet season, make sure you check the centres hours of operation before you go, as these can change at this time. During the wet season, you should note that some activities might also not be available and that you may also face a barrage of mosquitoes. Be sure to arm yourself with some good insect repellent.

The Everglades National Park is open 365 days a year. If you plan on driving there, the entry fee is $10 per private vehicle, good for seven consecutive days. If you are walking or cycling in, the cost is $5, which is also good for seven consecutive days.

Odds n' Ends

Fewer than 100 Florida panthers currently exist in the wild, making it very hard to spot them, but also making it very important for people to practice responsible tourism. If you see one, make notes and report it to a park ranger. Manatees, American Crocodiles, and four different species of turtle are also some of the other animals that are currently on the endangered species list. The Everglades are the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles co-exist naturally, so you can enjoy trying to identify which one is which as you float through the waters. Pythons don't naturally exist in the Everglades, but because they were bought as pets and then released into the wild by their owners, they are now an established species. However, when these pythons are found in the Everglades, they are captured and released elsewhere, as they are a major threat to the already endangered American crocodiles and alligators.

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When a diver visits a dive spot for the first time, the energy leading up to the descent into new and uncharted territory is electrical. Your imagination runs wild with all the possible creatures you might encounter, and you cross your fingers in hope of catching a glimpse of something surprising and unusual. When you dive Davis Reef, Florida Keys you can forget all your lucky charms, as the sheer quantity of marine life is staggering. They say that the Lower Keys are for partying and the Upper Keys are for diving. The discerning diver, intent on a first-class experience, ...81 miles away.

Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!

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Everglades National Park, Miami City Tour and Biscayne Bay by Boat
You will also see how to wrestle a large alligator at the exciting Wildlife Show. Feeling brave? You can even hold a baby gator in ...
Starting from $78.99 per person.

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Books and DVDs

Everglades National Park DVD National Geographic
It is a World Heritage site, an International Biosphere Reserve, the most famous wetland on earth, and a cultural icon—featured in everything from Spiderman comics, to the classic movie African Queen.
Everglades Assault (Mass Market Paperback)
Nature's Symphony from the Everglades Compilation
Florida Travel Guide - LonelyPlanet.com
Get languid as you snorkel the coral reefs, get upbeat at the theme parks or slow it right down with the swampy blues of the Everglades.

Elsewhere on the Web

Everglades - MSN.ca
Some 15 threatened and protected species live within the Everglades, including the American crocodile, Florida panther and West Indian manatee.
National Park Services Everglades - NPS.gov
Everglades National Park, largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, boasts rare and endangered species.
Plants and Animals of the Everglades - EvergladesPlan.org
The Everglades is home to a vast array of plants and animals that have adapted to a wet, subtropical environment.
Everglades National Park - UNESCO.org
This site at the southern tip of Florida has been called 'a river of grass flowing imperceptibly from the hinterland into the sea'.

Media References

In Everglades, Lunchtime With an Extra Guest - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
IT was hardly a typical picnic lunch. For one thing, we were not on land, but bobbing around in 10 individual kayaks — a healthy-size group of boating beginners, ranging in age from 11 to 60.
The Everglades Moment - NationalGeographic.com (magazine)
The park is expanding, the future seems bright, and mosquito season is over. It's the perfect time for a weeklong float.
Slipping Slowly Into South Florida’s Grassy Water - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
IF you heed just one bit of advice on a trip to the Everglades, let it be this: Slow down. The stunning beauty of the place can be elusive unless you're willing to move as gently and languidly as the River of Grass itself.
Everglades National Park: Splash in a Swamp - NationalGeographic.com (magazine)
If there is one certainty in the Everglades, it's that you're bound to be surprised.
Everglades Video - NationalGeographic.com (movie)
Everybody agrees the Everglades must be restored. But they all differ on how it should be done.

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