The Florida Everglades: America’s Only Subtropical Wilderness
If you’re looking for truly unspoiled subtropical wilderness without having to travel outside of the continental United States, we’ve got one not far away in South Florida. The Florida Everglades is certainly more than dangerous mosquitoes, alligators, and snakes, and it’s more than just a huge swampy area. It is a giant and fragile ecosystem that contains many forms of wildlife in their natural habitat.
Beginning in 1848 there was talk of draining the Everglades, and some of the canals that were built in South Florida helped promote the land boom in the first half of the 20th century. But Mother Nature in the form of floods and hurricanes proved to be too much. After environmental impact studies of a major airport found that the South Florida ecosystem would be destroyed, restoration of the Everglades was emphasized in the 1970s.
As of now, about 50% of the original Everglades have been converted to urban and agricultural areas. UNESCO has designated this area as wetlands of global importance; only two others in the world have a similar designation. Obviously, a lot of damage has already been done that has brought the entire area to the brink of collapse, and since 2000 the US Congress has been in history.
There is so much to do for the family in the Everglades, and if you are in South Florida, you must visit Everglades National Park. This is where you’ll find unique and abundant wildlife that you’ll only find in a swampy habitat like this. After visiting the Ernest Coe Visitor Center, which offers orientation films and exhibits to help you get your bearings, you’ll want to be sure to consider the following activities:
1. Airboat rides. This won’t be the most peaceful way to tour the Everglades, but it’s a lot of fun.
2. Canoeing in the Glades. The park has many water trails for canoeing or kayaking. Going out on the water will allow you to see much more of the park’s wildlife, and these modes of transportation will be the least intrusive way to do so.
3. Shark Valley Observation Tower. From hearing if the weather is clear you can see for miles. It’s about seven miles from the Shark Valley Visitor Center, and you can get there on foot, by bike, or by trolley.
4. Gumbo Limbo Trail. This half-mile hike is a paved path through a forest of mostly limbo gumbo trees.
5. Mahogany hammock. A very interesting half mile boardwalk through one of the unique ecosystems of the Glades.
6. Anhinga trail. This is a paved trail of just under a mile hike; this will take you through a sawgrass swamp.
7. Camping. If you like to camp, there are a variety of camping options.
When in South Florida try to enjoy this amazing natural area. You won’t find anything like it anywhere in the United States.
