Flamingo Campground

• Reservations for Flamingo during the busy season (December-April) are highly recommended. Reservations can be made with Everglades Guest Services at https://flamingoeverglades.com/camping/ or by calling 1-855-708-2207. During the summer/fall slower season (June-November) reservations are not needed.
• By following the main park road from the Homestead entrance towards Flamingo to the southwest, the 40-minute drive will end at the Flamingo front-country camping area operated by Guest Service’s Flamingo Adventures, a National Park Service authorized concession. At the beginning of the Flamingo campground and looking west, there is a white registration office located in the median between the incoming and outgoing paved campground lanes. From here, the campground is separated into two loops with road access encircling the campsites of each. Following a right turn to the northwest after the registration office, you are taken to T-Loop which is available for RV and tent camping with multiple pull-through style campsites. Trash receptacles are in the center median as you enter this loop following the one-way road to the right. Many sites in this area have electricity and water. Two shower and restroom facilities are in the loop area. The first one has a water source and a sanitary pump-out station for RVs. Some sites have shade trees. A campground host is located at site number 16. If following the road straight to the west from the registration office, A-Loop will be entered which is a tent camping only area. The one-way loop will take you past turn outs for vehicles and campsites. Some sites have shade trees. Two facilities provide showers and restrooms, the first one has a water source and sanitary pump-out station. Most of the campsites in these two loops have picnic table and fire ring access. Additional sites can be found by following the outbound lane from the registration office. By taking an immediate right turn to the southeast, the ECO Tent area will be on the right between the road and Florida Bay connected by a series of slightly elevated walkways. These tan enclosed canvas-like structures are often available in a furnished condition with each having electricity and a fan. Some Eco Tents are wheelchair accessible. Restrooms and water are available at a facility close to the Eco Tents walkway access. Continuing past the Eco Tents towards the east and located on the right is a low-lying grassy area with some fire rings and picnic tables. This is the walk-in tent camping and group site area located between the road and Florida Bay. This area does not have shade available. The restroom and water source facility is located just past the area where the road ends in a loop to take you back towards the registration office and main park road. Parking is available at all loop individual campsites whereas the Eco Tent and walk-in area have small parking lots along the road.

Long Pine Key Campground

• There are two drive-in campgrounds accessible from the Homestead entrance of the park: Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground. Both accommodate tents and RV's with a limited number of group sites. Reservations can be made with Everglades Guest Services by calling 1-855-708-2207. There are no front country campsites anywhere else in Everglades National Park.
• Turning off the main park road to the Long Pine Key day use and camping area, is the pine rockland habitat. Pine rocklands are characterized by tall slash pine trees, with peeling brown bark and high green needles. The ground between the spaced out pine trees is a low lying shrubby mixture of saw palmettos, dense grasses numerous wooded shrubs. Craggy, chalky white limestone characterizes the ground, and can make walking off path difficult. If there has been a fire recently, there can be charred remains of burnt trees and crunch ash on the pineland floor Follow the slowly winding Pinelands road to a forked split to either the campground or a day use area. A slight left will take you to the campground. A white building with a green metallic roof welcomes campers to the Long Pine Key Campground. Behind this entrance station is a small patch of grass containing several garbage receptacles and tall information boards including a map of the campground and interpretive information about fire’s role in the habitat. A red payphone stands next to the information boards. The campground road follows a one-way counter clockwise loop, approximately a mile in length, that is in the shape of an oval. Slash pine trees are the dominant plant species, but a wide variety of small shrubs such as beauty berry and sumac add purple or red to the green foliage. As you follow the road around in a slow arc moving south west, the loop is bisected by alphabetized roads ascending from ‘A’ to ‘K’. Each lettered road has anywhere between 5-7 camping areas. Camping areas include a paved slab for vehicle parking, a mowed lawn area, a circular black metal fire ring with a grill attachment, and a 6 or 8 foot gray picnic table. On alternating lettered roads, the restrooms sit in white buildings with green roofs and have two separate entrances on either side. White cement shower buildings have tall green roofs which are covered by solar panels for water heating. Through the vegetation to the north, there is a large blue human made lake, which surrounds an island with dozens of tall slash pines sitting atop the rocky outcrop. At the loop halfway point lies a small parking area and a paved, lighted walking path leading to an amphitheater. The amphitheater hugs the lakeside shoreline and contains twelve rows of benched seating, bisected by a center aisle. A large white wooden backdrop faces the benches as well as a presentation podium for a speaker. The road begins to circle around the loop and now heads to the northeast. The lettered roads begin to move up from ‘K’ to ‘A’ and there are spaced out camp areas on either side. To the south the Pine Rockland habitat extends for over a mile, with the tall slash pines looming over the campground. Following the road, to its completion the entrance station is approached from the opposite side and you can exit the campground area back to the Long Pine Key Road.

3-in-1 Trail

This trail runs true to its name since you traverse through three distinct ecosystems in one trail. The three ecosystems are Pine Rockland, Hardwood Hammock and Sawgrass Prairie. It is not wheelchair accessible and it is less than 0.8 miles (1200meters)

• This trail begins across from a parking area at the side of the road. Near the start of the trail there are four signs. One sign is a large rectangular shape with brown boarder titled Three in One Hiking Trail. The trail reads: Next to the larger sign are three smaller signs indicating what is not allowed on the trail. First sign is a square no smoking sign with a brown background. The second sign is a no pets sign with a brown background. The third sign is a no food sign with a brown background. The trail is exposed limestone.

Alligator Creek Campsite

Located on marl prairie, along a canal section of Alligator Creek, about 100 feet from Garfield Bight. Campers at this remote and rarely-visited site will likely be gloriously alone, except for the crocodilians who often sun themselves at the landing. Mosquitoes can be abundant all year round.

• Dark sandy ground site with strewn wrack line vegetative debris. This site does not have toilets available. Located on marl prairie with scattered bushes along a canal section of Alligator Creek, about 100 feet from northeastern Garfield Bight. Accessible by boat from the West Lake Canoe Trail and, on a limited tidal and windy basis, from Florida Bay.

Anhinga Trail

The famous Anhinga Trail is a self-guiding pavement and boardwalk trail winding through and over sawgrass marsh and freshwater slough. A paved path leads you along the water and to a looping boardwalk, providing views into the prairie and the clear waters of the slough. You may see alligators, fish, turtles, anhingas, and many other birds, especially during the winter, when the generally lower waters of the dry season concentrate aquatic wildlife in the slough. This is one th

• The Anhinga Trail begins at the Royal Palm Visitor Center. This wheelchair accessible trail is 0.8 miles (1200 meters) round trip. Allow approximately 30 minutes to an hour for your walk. As you approach the Anhinga Trail, the interpretive trailhead sign on your left informs you of the trail length and identifies the area as a popular nesting spot for anhingas. A sign on your right informs hikers to respect wildlife and give them at least 15 feet of space when encountered. The beginning of the trail is an accessible paved trail that leads straight along the water. At various distances on the paved trail, strangler fig provides shade for a bench and, further down, a shelter covers benches on the right side of the trail. The paved trail continues straight, dead-ending where two boardwalks begin. Continue straight for a short boardwalk that ends at a popular spot for alligators to rest. After, follow the other boardwalk to travel over the freshwater slough, the deepest part of the freshwater wetlands of the Everglades. The water is often clear enough to see the vegetation growing on the bottom. A shelter along the trail provides shade for two benches as well as an interpretive sign indicating that this habitat is the slough and is home to wildlife such as alligators, turtles, fish, and even North American river otters. As you continue along the boardwalk, an offshoot to the right will lead you to a secluded vista over the slough. Continuing straight along the boardwalk leads you along the sawgrass prairie where there interpretive signs with information about the history of Royal Palm on the right of the path and benches on the left. At the end of the boardwalk, turning right will lead you back down the pavement towards the beginning of the trail.

Bayshore Loop Trail

The trail is 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip. Meander along the shore of Florida Bay, watching for remnants of an outpost fishing village. Observe the effects of hurricanes Katrina and Wilma on the landscape. Begin at the Coastal Prairie Trailhead at the back of Loop "C" in the Flamingo Campground. Veer left at the trail junction to the bay. Not wheelchair accessible. Bicycles not allowed.

• The beginning of the Bayshore Loop Trail is approximately 400 yards to the west of the Coastal Prairie Trail trailhead and turns south through grassy tall vegetation or west through open low growing succulent lime green vegetation. The soil can either be very hard and crusty or muddy and very slippery. When it’s slippery your feet will sink into the mud and then stick to your shoes.

Bear Lake Trail

Bear Lake Trail is 1.6 miles one way. Journey through a dense hardwood hammock mixed with mangroves. The trail follows the old Homestead Canal, built in 1922, and is an excellent area for woodland birds. There are more than 50 different tree species. Bike, drive, or walk to the end of Bear Lake Road to begin this trail.

• When standing at the beginning of the Bear Lake Trail you will be looking west at a gate and beyond the gate is an overgrown non-maintained walking trail that parallels the Bear Lake Canoe Trail. There is a small boat ramp connected to an old wooden dock at the beginning of this very dark brown colored canoe trail. The canoe trail is choked with fallen trees and debris from Hurricane Irma in 2017. When looking west at the narrow Bear Lake hiking trail you will be surrounded by red and black mangrove on your right and numerous tall tropical hardwood trees on your left.

Bobcat Boardwalk Trail

A short accessible .2 miles trail that winds through a willowhead. The boardwalk allows visitors to view the wildlife all around them. Open year round.

• The Bobcat Boardwalk connects the east and west portions of the tram road loop, beginning a couple hundred feet south from the east corner of the Visitor Center and the west corner of the Parking lot. The terrain is paved on the Tram Road and the connecting boardwalk is a wooden, ADA accessible trail. The trail wanders through a sawgrass slough and tropical hardwood forests. Small warblers flitter through the trees, and tiny mosquitofish forage in the water below. Along the trail a nice shelter provides a shaded location to listen for birds and the sound of the wind in the trees. There are signs posted along the .2 mi trail describing sights along the way.

Borrow Pit Trail

Trail that borders the borrow pit at the Shark Valley Tower. Limestone was gathered or 'borrowed' to build local construction before the park. This is a great place to see alligators and other wildlife, open year round

• Access the Borrow Pit trail beginning from the southernmost point of the tram road. Follow the paved pathway a short distance south towards the observation tower. The trailhead is marked by a wayside exhibit describing the formation of these Borrow Pits and history of Shark Valley. The sign gives a brief description of the trail, including a small map of the hike. The area is punctuated by manmade lakes, known as borrow pits, that were excavated to extract limestone for the nearby roads and tower. The trail is a natural dirt and limestone path. There are sections with exposed roots and other parts can be submerged during high water. Expect to be engulfed in a jungle-like hardwood hammock ecosystem alongside the borrow pits. Two small bridges connect the trail over these borrow pits, passing over habitats of fish, turtles, and alligators.

Broad River Campsite

A ground campsite located on the south bank of the Broad River near WW marker #25. This site can get muddy after a heavy rain and mosquitoes can be prolific due to the dense mangroves nearby. Facilities are located on a small clearing of high ground surrounded by tall trees. This wide river eventually flows into Rodger’s River. It is reported that Joe Wiggins had a floating store on Broad River early in the century.

• A heavily vegetated mangrove island with a blue outhouse alongside of a raised 10’ x 12’ wooden platform with a ramp leading up from the brown brackish water.

Camp Lonesome

This ground campsite is located on an old Calusa Indian mound and shaded by tropical hardwood trees. The Seminole Indians had a hunting camp here when the Park was established in 1947. At least one Seminole claimed to have grown up at his family’s home at Camp Lonesome. This site is one of the few which extends inland into the sawgrass prairie. Paddlers may want to explore the Wood River (unmarked) just south of the site.

• Two wooden picnic benches on the flat earth amongst pine trees and mangroves.

Christian Point Hiking Trail

Christian Point is 1.8 miles one way. Wander a rustic path through a wide diversity of habitats. The trail begins in dense mangroves and buttonwoods full of bromeliads, or airplants. Next, investigate the unusual, salt–loving vegetation of open coastal prairie. Dead buttonwood snags interrupt these expanses that were shaped by hurricanes. Finally, you'll end–up along the shore of Snake Bight.

• Begins a few feet to the east off a paved area for vehicles to pull off and park along the east bound lane of the main park road. This is located 36.6 miles from the main park entrance. At the trailhead, there is a sign on the right with distances, a trail map and further information. Overhead is initially clear of vegetation, with the sides of the trail containing dense vegetation of varying heights. Standing water is often encountered within the first 20 feet of the overall bare ground trail though some trail planking elevates above the water surface.

Clubhouse Beach

This campsite is a sand/marl beach, backed by mangroves and coastal prairie. Mosquitoes and sandflies may be a problem year round, especially if wind is out of the north.

• This campsite is a sand and marl beach, backed by mangroves and coastal prairie. This site does not have toilets available. Located between Slagle and House Ditches on the southern coast west of the Flamingo marina, and is reachable by hiking the Coastal Prairie Trail, or by boat via Florida Bay. Low tides may expose mud flats.

Coastal Prairie Trail

This trial is 7.5 miles one way. Step back in time as you walk this old road once used by cotton pickers and fishermen. Open prairies of succulent coastal plants dotted with shady buttonwoods surround you as you journey towards the shore of Florida Bay. Begin at the rear of Loop "C" in the campground. A backcountry permit is required for camping.

• The bare ground trailhead is located approximately 10 feet west of the paved access road, and 60 feet from the closest paved parking spaces to the northeast and southeast. At the trailhead, there is a sign on the right with distances, trail map inclusive of the Bayshore Loop Trail, and further information. Trees form a canopy overhead and are draped with Spanish moss. Around twenty feet down the trail are two metal pole gates to prevent motorized vehicle access and a small depression between them which often has water in it. Two persons can walk side by side along the beginning of the trail.

Coot Bay Pond

This small pond opens up to Coot Bay, and is great for paddling and wildlife viewing.

• This trailhead is located 34 miles from the main park entrance within a 120-foot clearing along a paved vehicle pullout along the west bound lane of the main park road. At the trailhead, facing north, there is a sign on the right, 50 feet from the pavement, between two picnic tables indicating distances, availability of paddling and portaging, a trail a map showing intersections of the Wilderness Waterway, Buttonwood Canal, Bear Lake Hiking and Canoe Trails and the Mud Lake Canal plus additional information. A total of three concrete picnic tables are in the clearing, with water access available at the clearing’s left side behind a picnic table and another just to the left of the trail sign. Mangrove and similar tall vegetation borders the clearing with a clear overhead above the pond’s dark tannin waters.

Crooked Creek Chickee

Double Chickee Campsite. At marker #126, look for the “No Wake” sign – this marks the entrance to the passage where the chickee is located. Listen for dolphins at night. Curious sea turtles may surface from time to time. The chickee is sheltered from all but the strongest breezes. Mosquitoes may visit in the early morning and evening hours.

• Two 10’ x 12’ wooden platforms connected by a wooden ramp which also supports a blue outhouse. Raised above the brown brackish water, ladders are attached to each platform to give better access to the water. A heavily vegetated mangrove area is located nearby.

Darwin's Place

This flat clearing was a homestead built from shell and cement by Arthur Darwin, who lived there from 1945 to 1971. He was the last private resident on Park lands. Artifacts from the site can still be seen and are protected. Tie your vessel securely. The island is also known as Opossum Key named because of the great number of opossums killed on the island. Before this, it was known as Chevelier Place, named after Jean Chevelier, a plume hunter who lived here. There is no dock

• An earthen surface slopes gently towards brown brackish water surrounded by heavy vegetation. A picnic bench, blue outhouse and a sign designating “Darwin’s Place” adorn the campsite.

East Cape Campsite

This campsite is an open shelly sand beach stretching for several miles along the Gulf of Mexico. Expect expansive sea views as well as magnificent sunsets and sunrises. Ruins of a dock used by an old concession tour may be found here. In the 1830s, Fort Poinsett was located here. Its mission was to thwart suspected arms trading between Indians and Spanish fisherman. Mosquitoes and sandflies may be a problem year round.

• This campsite is an open shelly sand beach of varying width stretching for several miles along the light blue-tan waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This site does not have a toilet. Accessible by boat via Florida Bay of the Gulf and located on the south shore of Cape Sable.

East Clubhouse Beach

This campsite is a sand/marl beach, backed by mangroves and buttonwoods. Mosquitoes and sandflies may be a problem year round, especially if wind is out of the north. The site affords a lovely view of northern Florida Bay. Many trekkers use this site as a final stopover in order to get an early return to Flamingo the next day.

• This campsite is a sand and marl beach, backed by mangroves and buttonwoods. This site does not have toilets available. Fronting the site is northern Florida Bay. Accessible by boat. Low tide exposes mud flats. It is located west of the Flamingo marina and east of Slagle Ditch on the southern coast. It can be reached by boat from Florida Bay.

Eco Pond

Located on the road to the Flamingo Campground, Eco Pond has a ½ mile loop trail. Wading birds, shorebirds and occasional crocodiles can often be seen at this location.

• Located approximately 37.6 miles from the main park entrance and 0.90 miles from the Flamingo Visitor Center near the end of the main park road. From Flamingo Campground the distance is approximately 770 feet. It is marked with a brown sign “Eco Pond” on the main park road. There is a pull over spot for vehicles. Eco Pond is a ½ mile loop trail round trip. This trail is an elevated path with mown grass and encircles a freshwater pond.

Everglades Homestead Entrance Station

About 500 meters after you've passed the Ernest Coe Visitor Center along the Main Park Road, you will encounter the Homestead Entrance Gate. Fees apply to enter Everglades National Park.

• The Homestead Entrance station is located 1.1-mile from when highway 9336 converges into the park. Along the drive entering the park you’ll notice tall Florida Slash Pine trees towering on both sides of the road. As you continue down the main road you’ll see a structure with a gable roof. On the east side there is a flag pole with an American flag. There are two entrance stations, one on the left and the other on the right. The entrances are divided with a concrete barrier. In the middle of the barrier there is a rectangular sign that reads US Fee Area with a bird within a circle. The entrance on the right has a barrier arm that is covered in yellow and black alternating markings. There is a number pad in front of the barrier arm. There are three concrete base structures holding the framing for the roof overhead. In front of the concrete bases are red octagon stop signs. Each entrance station has a light which indicates whether the station is open. The entrance station booths are grey with green roofs. The windows are taller than they are wide and are rectangular in shape. One window is covered by a mosquito screen. There are various signs for reminders, closures and warnings. There is a round camera. There is a bulletin board more park information. Past the entrance station there is a diamond shaped yellow sign indicating pedestrian crossing. On the road there is a white dashed area indicating pedestrian crossing.

Everglades National Park

Everglades Paddling Trail

A new waterway along the west side of the park – the Everglades Paddling Trail – was approved in the 2015 General Management Plan. This 120-mile route provides additional wilderness and backcountry opportunities and includes several segments totaling about 30 miles that have boating use restrictions to enhance visitor enjoyment in the busy winter-spring seasons. You will need a wilderness camping permit (available at the Flamingo and Gulf Coast Visitor Centers) if you plan to

• The Everglades Paddling Trail is approximately 120-miles long from Everglades City to the Flamingo marina in Everglades National Park. Wilderness permits are required for any overnight stay. The trail winds through a series of coastal waterways lined with mangroves and other Everglades vegetation.

Everglades Wilderness Waterway

The wilderness of Everglades National Park is very different from other places you may have boated, paddled, or camped. It can be confusing and difficult to navigate as the mazes of mangrove–lined creeks and bays all begin to look the same. With proper planning, you can avoid the frustration and hours wasted from getting lost. The 99-mile Wilderness Waterway attracts interest because it connects Flamingo and Ev-erglades City. Most paddlers allow at least eight days to complet

• The Wilderness Waterway is 99-miles long from Everglades City to the Flamingo marina in Everglades National Park. Wilderness permits are required for any overnight stay. The trail winds through a series of coastal waterways lined with mangroves and other Everglades vegetation.

Flamingo Fish Cleaning Station

The Flamingo Fish Cleaning Station is located adjacent to public boat ramps and the marina store, and is available 24-hours a day, year-round.

• Located adjacent to the public boat ramp for Whitewater Bay (Buttonwood Canal) and to the left of the Flamingo Marina Store which is just off the main park road. Follow the brown signs for the “Boat Ramps.” From the Flamingo Marina Store the distance is approximately 970 feet via the sidewalk path. From the Whitewater Bay (Buttonwood Canal) Launch Ramp the distance is approximately 40 feet. The Fish cleaning Station is a pink covered pavilion and is available 24-hours a day, year-round. The cleaning station itself is a screened-in area that includes water, sprayers and a grinder. On site there are two restrooms with running water and flushable toilets. There is also an area with several picnic tables and trash receptacles. There are large parking lots with spaces to accommodate for many size vehicles and trailers. The area is wheelchair accessible

Flamingo Marina

The Flamingo Marina, open year-round, can accommodate boats with electric and water hookups. Marina is currently open with access to power, 30A water pedestals, pump out, showers (available for $3), fuel, and fully stocked marina store (beer, water, sunscreen, bug spray, to-go food etc.) The channel will accept a four-foot maximum draft at HIGH-TIDE. At SLACK TIDE (0 tide) the channel is approximately two feet deep.

• Located to the right of the Flamingo Marina Store which is just off the main park road. Follow the brown signs for “Boat Ramps.” The approximate distance from the Marina Store is 140 feet. The distance from the Flamingo Visitor Center is approximately 280 feet via sidewalk. The Flamingo Marina is open year-round. There are electric and water hookups on the 9 docks around the marina. The marina is currently open with access to power, 30A water pedestals, pump out, showers (available for $3), fuel, and fully stocked marina store (beer, water, sunscreen, bug spray, to-go food etc.) The Marina Store is open 7 days per week. There are picnic tables nearby and the area is wheelchair accessible. The channel will accept a four-foot maximum draft at HIGH-TIDE. At SLACK TIDE (0 tide) the channel is approximately two feet deep. Visit flamingoeverglades.com for more information. There are large parking lots with spaces to accommodate for many size vehicles and trailers.

Florida Bay

• Florida Bay is marked by long banks of brown mud, green seagrass, shallow blue white basins, and mangrove covered keys. With overall clean to murky blue waters, depths vary but average about three feet. Manatees, sea turtles and dolphins are fairly common sights as well as pelicans and other migratory birds. This body of water encompasses 800-plus square miles directly south of Everglades National Park’s Flamingo developed area and north of Islamorada island.

Gulf Coast Canoe/Kayak Launch

Non-motorized boat launch available 24 hours a day, every day. No fee charged for boat launch.

• There is currently no canoe/kayak launch or visitor center at the Gulf Coast location. A new one is under construction.

Gumbo Limbo Trail

The Gumbo-Limbo trail is a self-guided, paved trail meandering through a shaded, jungle-like hardwood hammock. In the hammock, hardwood trees such as oaks and gumbo limbos form a dense canopy overhead. Look for majestic royal palms, ferns, and air plants such as bromeliads. You may hear or see birds such as warblers, barred owls, or catbirds. Look closely and you may spot a liguus tree snail, the jewel of the hardwood hammock, on the bark of the trees. As the trail passes a p

• The Gumbo Limbo Trail is a loop trail beginning at the Royal Palm Visitor Center. It is wheelchair accessible and is 0.4 miles (600 meters) round trip. Allow approximately 15 minutes for your walk. You can start on either side but beginning on the entrance closest to the building starts you at the trailhead marker. An interpretive sign on your left describes how the now dense hammock was leveled from the impact of 1992’s Hurricane Andrew. Continue on the paved path which meanders through the hammock. A dense canopy overhead shades much of the trail and provides refuge for wildlife like songbirds, owls, and liguus tree snails, a colorful tropical species. The trail finishes near the parking lot at Royal Palm. Follow the sidewalk back to the Visitor Center.

Guy Bradley Trail

Mingle with a variety of birds and butterflies as you amble along the shore of Florida Bay. Old pier pilings are a reminder that Flamingo was once a small fishing village. The trail was named for Audubon warden Guy Bradley, who was killed in 1905 while trying to protect a bird rookery in Florida Bay. This trail is a scenic short-cut from the Visitor Center to the Flamingo Campground day-use area and is 1 mile (1.6 km) one way. Wheelchair accessible and bicycles are allowed.

• The accessible and paved coastal Guy Bradley Trail begins at the southwestern corner of the western Guy Bradley Visitor Center parking lot and 37.6 miles from the main park entrance. Two persons can easily walk side-by-side along the route which has vegetation of varying heights on either side, overall clear overhead, and a simple brown trail sign on the right at trail’s start.

HM-69 Integrated Fire Control

The Daniel Beard Research Center, where National Park scientists are based today, was originally called Integrated Fire Control and built as the headquarters of the Nike missile base. It housed soldiers and officers, included a mess hall and recreational facilities, and had offices for all “up range” purposes. The Battery Commander would work from this building, and if the decision was made to fire the missiles, the launch buttons would have been pressed here

HM-69 Missile Assembly Building

Maintenance was critical to keep missiles and warheads ready. This battery was in “hot status” rotation with the other three batteries of the 2nd Battalion in south Florida, with one always ready to aim their missiles at a moment’s notice. When a dignitary was in town, such as the US President, all four Batteries were on hot status. Soldiers had to constantly test and maintain equipment.

• Approaching the rectangular missile assembly building there is a flat gray concrete paved pad. A large 20 foot high earthen berm surrounds the structure. The building is lightly colored with brown entry doors, as well as a large bay door for vehicles. A slightly weathered painting of a Nike missile is painted on top of a light green background. The missile body is painted in white with the words 'US ARMY' painted on top. The missile engine is painted orange with a finned body and below the cylindrical missile body. giving color and contrast to the building.

HM-69 Missile Barn C

Section Barn C, one of the three barns that held the missiles and protected them when they were not deployed to be tested or fired. The large paved area between the road and the barn had three launch pads with rails between so two soldiers could roll out the five ton missiles to their positions. At Nike bases elsewhere in the country, the missiles would be housed below the launch pads and elevators brought the missiles up; here the water table is too close to the surface to h

• The road continues 200 feet and there is a large, semi-circular earthen berm surrounding a tall, square cement barn with a metal roof. A large open paved area contains informational waysides. Two large sliding doors open to reveal a restored Nike Missile. The 41 foot long 6 foot wingspan missile is painted white on the top half cylinder, while the rounded engine compartments are painted green. The Missile reads 'US ARMY' in black lettering. The missile sits on top of a green wheeled carriage. that is approximately 25 feet in length. Moving clockwise around the barn, old gray and brown radio and radar controls show their age with 1960's era switches and buttons.

HM-69 Mosquito Painting

The sub-tropical wilderness surrounding the base made wildlife a daily part of the conditions soldiers lived with. Just like today, the area had snakes, alligators, and insects to deal with. The blotches on the pavement here are old paint, once a painting of a mosquito. Soldiers claimed it was life sized at about a foot long by a foot wide (30 cm on each side). Heat and humidity, heavy rains, and the threat of hurricanes made maintaining and readying equipment more difficult.

• 300 feet form the Assembly building is a small 2 foot by 2 foot section of road covered with yellow paint. An orange cone indicates the painting on the ground. Two round ovals and an elongated line bear a faint resemblance to a mosquito body shape.

HM-69 Security Down Range

The down-range section of the base, an extremely high security area. Even authorized soldiers known to military police guarding the site would be held at gunpoint if they were found in a part of the site they were not expected in. This sign is a replica of one originally placed outside the fence you just came through, and it is an example of the kind of security expected here. The original sign is on display inside Missile Barn C, stop #6 on this tour.

HM-69 Sentry Dog Kennels

Each Nike base had an average of four sentry dogs, each with a military police officer as their handler. The dogs were trained to only listen to their one handler, and to attack all other people. There are stories of soldiers running for cover if a dog got loose, until their handler got them back under control. These dogs and their armed handlers patrolled the fence line every night, no matter the weather.

• continue down the paved road flanked on either side by grasses. The landscape is flat and the elevated bunkers and buildings stand out along the flat vista of grasses. From the entrance continue down the road 450 feet south/southeast. about 20-30 feet off the road to the east is a rectangular concrete building with a chain link fence adjacent to it. Tall grass has grown in the fenced in area.

Halfway Creek Paddling Trail

The Halfway Creek and Loop Trails are accessible from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City or from the Big Cypress Welcome Center on Sea Grape Drive off of US 41. The Creek is 7.3 miles long from the Big Cypress Welcome Center to the Gulf Coast Visitor Center. The upper loop is an additional 3.7 miles. From the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, the Halfway Creek-Left Hand Turner-Turner River loop is 11 miles. Allow 4-8 hours for these trails.

• This paddling trail consists of an open canal surrounded by trees at the northern terminus, followed by a series of winding waterways surrounded by mangrove trees. In some places, the mangroves completely grow over the trail, creating a mangrove tunnel. There are multiple possible routes on this trail. At the southern end, all of the routes open up into either wider rivers or canals, still surrounded by mangrove trees. *Note: some parts of this trail are currently impassable.

Hells Bay Canoe Trail

Hell’s Bay is 3.0 miles to Lard Can Campsite, 3.5 miles to Pearl Bay Chickee, and 5.5 miles to Hells Bay Chickee. “Hell to get into and Hell to get out of,” or so the old timers claimed. This sheltered route weaves through mangrove creeks and ponds to a series of small bays beyond Lard Can. The trail is marked with more than 160 poles.

• A road sign marks the start of the Hell’s Bay Canoe Trail 33 miles from the park entrance and 9 miles from Flamingo Visitor Center. Parking is in a 120 foot paved pullout opposite the sign on the northwest side of the road. A sign provides information about the trail. A gap in the mangroves leads to a platform for launching boats. The platform may be underwater when water levels are high.

Hells Bay Chickee

This campsite is so named because the bay was “hell to get to and hell to get out of!” This applies whether approaching from the Main Park Road via the twisty Hells Bay Canoe Trail, or from Whitewater Bay via the unmarked East River route. The chickee sits in the middle of the bay in front of a mangrove island. Alligators may be in the area. Do not allow food scraps to fall into the water near any chickee.

• A double chickee campsite with two roofed square platforms, open on all sides, and connected by a small walkway centered with a vault toilet. The chickee sits in the middle of the bay in front of a mangrove island. Accessible by boat at all tides via the East River from Whitewater Bay. Accessible via paddle craft via Hell’s Bay Canoe Trail. The site is located at the end of Hell’s Bay Trail near marker #178.

Highland Beach Campsite

A beach campsite located between Highland Point and the beaches north of the mouth of Rodger’s River. There are many large coconut palms growing along this narrow beach and it is a good location for bird watching. Make sure your camp is set up above the high tide line and secure food from racoons. The Rewis family lived at this site for about 27 years and spent most of it on the beach. Australian Pines, exotics to the area, can still be seen today.

• A lightly colored sand beach gently slopes into the water with islands in the distance.

Historic Nike Missile Site

The historic Nike Missile Site is one of the best preserved relics of the Cold War in Florida, active from the years 1966-1979. Visitors may visit the site most days between early December and late March.

• The Nike Missile Site begins at the end of “research road” past a chain link gate. The gate has a historic replica of a sign that reads “Authorized Personnel Only” The Nike Missile Site is surrounded primarily by sawgrass prairie, tree islands and the occasional patch of Florida Slash Pine. Once inside the premise there is a road that loops around and passes four different structures. Down the road about 300 feet on the left is the Missile Assembly building which still has its original (color?) paint with a mural of a Nike Missile painted by the soldiers that served at the site. The building is rectangular in shape and not showy other than the mural. There is a garage-style door that is opened using a hoist, but that door remains closed most the time. As you continue down the road, about another 200 feet, you make a left and there is a large barn style structure that resembles an airplane hangar. The barn is surrounded by a purpose built berm around three sides that are covered in grass. The barn has large sliding doors made of steel that are on rollers. In front of the barn is a large concrete pad that has markings. Once open the barn has cold war era artifacts that were in use during that time period. Front and center is a 41 foot white Nike Missile with green boosters. The missile has a sharp tip with flared winglets along the side.

Hog Key Campsite

• White sand beach surrounded by mangrove islands and brackish water.

Jewell Key Campsite

This beach site is located on a small key in the Ten Thousand Islands. The camping area is located on a sandy spit on the back side of the island, near the outhouse. Camping on the Gulf side is not possible.

• A heavily vegetated mangrove island with white beaches and a blue outhouse amongst brackish waters.

Joe River Chickee

This double chickee campsite is located on an alternate route from the Wilderness Waterway on the east bank of the mouth of Joe River. The chickee sits in a small but beautiful cove. At night, listen for dolphins who puff their way past your home to fish in the creek behind the chickee. Tall trees block all but southwesterly breezes, so be prepared for tiny winged visitors.

• A double chickee campsite with two roofed square platforms, open on all sides, and connected by a small walkway centered with a vault toilet. This site is located on an alternate route from the Wilderness Waterway on the northeast bank at the mouth of the blue-green waters of Joe River. The chickee sits in a small cove with mangrove backdrops. Accessible at all tides by boat, from the Wilderness Waterway by traveling southwest from marker #2 through Oyster Bay.

Lard Can Campsite

This ground campsite is located on a small patch of slightly elevated ground. It is shaded by buttonwoods and surrounded by mangroves. Soil compaction at the site makes it very muddy after a rainstorm. The thick vegetation and shade can lead to high mosquito levels, especially in summer.

• The soil covered campsite has a vault toilet. Located on a small patch of slightly elevated ground. It is shaded by buttonwoods and surrounded by mangroves. Soil covers the site which is accessed by a small planked dock and boardwalk above the tannin rich water at the northern end of the Hell’s Bay Trail. White numbered PVC poles mark the route.

Long Pine Key Trail

Connecting trails through the Pinelands run 7 miles (11 km) west from the Long Pine Key campground to Pine Glades Lake along the main park road. It is advisable to look at trail map to understand the network of trails.

• The Long Pine Key Trail begins on the side of the road past a brown park gate. There is a brown rectangular sign on the side of the road that reads “Long Pine Key Nature Trail” with a white arrow pointing to the trail. Loose rocks, exposed limestone and patchy grass make up the substrate for the trail. Large pine trees tower overhead and small shrubs and trees are immediately on either side of the trail. A rectangular wayside sign stands on the side of the trail. The trail is primarily exposed limestone rock and patches of grasses.

Lopez River Campsite

Closest campsite on the Wilderness Waterway to Everglades City, located between marker #126 and #127 on the southern bank of the Lopez River. This campsite is easily located by spotting the cement cistern which marks the old Lopez homestead built at the turn of the century.

• On a heavily vegetated mangrove island a patch of earth slopes out of the brown brackish waters before it flattens out and continues further into the woods. A blue outhouse sits on the edge of the woods next to the slope.

Lostman's Five Campsite

A ground campsite located on a clearing of higher ground with a few palm trees that provide shade. This site was once an inholding. Soil compaction at this site can cause flooding during rainy weather. The dock is larger than most and can accommodate several vessels. This is a popular site for fishing groups with powerboats.

• A boardwalk raised above dark brackish water leads into the woods on a heavily vegetated mangrove island. A blue outhouse and sign designating “Lostman’s Five” adorn the boardwalk.

Mahogany Hammock

This self-guiding boardwalk trail meanders through a dense, jungle-like hardwood "hammock." Lush vegetation includes gumbo-limbo trees, air plants, and the largest living mahogany tree (Swietenia mahogani) in the United States. The trail is 0.5 miles (800 meters) roundtrip and is wheelchair accessible.

• The Mahogany Hammock trail begins at the end of a paved parking lot. The parking area is paved and surrounded by tall trees and palms. A rectangular wayside sign that briefs visitors is located at the trailhead. The wayside sign has a black band at the top that reads Everglades National Park. The sign has a barred owl pictured in a tree. The sign is Titled “Mahogany Hammock Trail” and has text that reads “This boardwalk bridges the sawgrass river and enters a lush tree island – a tropical hammock. Hidden from historic logging activities, old-growth mahogany trees have grown to record size on the hammock’s higher, drier ground. The boardwalk’s back section rises through the hammock from dense undergrowth up toward the tree canopy, where owls and air plants thrive. The trail terrain is a boardwalk that runs through a sawgrass prairie which gives views of distant tree islands. The trail leads to a dense tree island known as a hammock with tall trees that create a canopy overhead as you travel the boardwalk trail.

Middle Cape Campsite

This beach campsite, popular with fishermen, is a long, shelly sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico. There is little shade, and it is exposed to wind in all directions. Campers will find spectacular sunrises and sunsets and unparalleled views of the Gulf or Mexico. Raccoons are in the area; store food and water appropriately.

• The campsites are on a long, shelly sand beach adjacent to the light blue-tan waters of the Gulf of America backdropped by mostly low-lying grassy vegetation and bushes. This site does not have a toilet. Accessible by boat via Florida Bay and the Gulf of America and located on the southwestern shore of Cape Sable.

Mormon Key

Beach campsite. There is good fishing in the area located near the mouth of the Huston and Chatham Rivers. Make sure your camp is set up above the high tide line. Make sure vessels are tied, beached, or anchored securely.

• Lightly colored sand beach on the edge of a heavily vegetated mangrove island.

Mrazek Pond

Most of the year only a few ducks and wading birds, but for a few days during some winters, large numbers of wading birds, including Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks, move in to feast. Mrazek Pond is located approximately 3 miles north of the Flamingo Visitor Center.

• Facing to the southeast from the east end of the paved vehicle pullout along the east bound lane of the main park road lies Mrazek Pond. This is approximately 33.6 miles from the main park entrance. The area is bordered by a variety of living and dead mangroves, this body of dark tannin, occasionally muddy water is popular with wading birds and seasonal flocks of pelicans. The waters edge is 40 feet from the pavement with a 70-foot wide grassy shoreline clearing with an overhead clear of vegetation.

Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center

• Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
• The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is the visitor center closest to Homestead for Everglades National Park. It is open 365 days a year and offers educational displays, orientation films, and informational brochures. Park Rangers are available to help plan your trip. There is a giftshop that sells souvenirs and snacks. In the summer time it is open 9AM - 5PM and in the winter it is open 8AM - 5PM.

Gulf Coast Visitor Center

• Gulf Coast Visitor Center
• The Gulf Coast Visitor Center and canoe/kayak launch are currently closed due to construction. Gulf Coast Rangers can be found in the Everglades Adventures Visitor Center located at 611 Collier Ave, Everglades City, FL 34139. Hours: 9:00am - 4:00pm daily. For more information about ranger-guided programs, alternate kayak launch sites, and other questions, call 786-758-0635.

Guy Bradley Visitor Center (at Flamingo)

• Guy Bradley Visitor Center (at Flamingo)
• The Guy Bradley Visitor Center is open year-round and features educational displays, informational brochures, a bookstore and more. Campground facilities, a public boat ramp, marina store, a fish cleaning station, and hiking and canoeing trails are located near the visitor center.

Shark Valley Visitor Center

• Shark Valley Visitor Center
• Shark Valley Visitor Center provides the gateway to a panoramic 15-mile loop trail and observation tower. Open year-round, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the visitor center also hosts exhibits, park film, and association bookstore, alongside the Shark Valley Tram Tour concessionaire. The GPS address for the visitor center is; 36000 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33194.

• Ten Thousand Islands Boat Tour
• Experience the natural beauty of Everglades National Park's Ten Thousand Islands with a boat tour on Chokoloskee Bay. 

• Fishing in the Everglades
• One third of Everglades National Park is covered by water, creating excellent boating and fishing opportunities! Snapper, sea trout, redfish, bass, and bluegill are plentiful. Saltwater fishing includes Florida Bay, the Ten Thousand Islands, and elsewhere in the park's coastal zone.

• Shark Valley Tram Tour
• Exploring the Shark Valley area by tram is a great way to see and learn about the wildlife and hisotry of Everglades National Park. Guided two-hour tram tours are offered along a fifteen-mile loop trail into the "River of Grass". The open air trams allow for abundant wildlife viewing opportunitys, and stop at the Shark valley Observation tower for a bird's eye view of the sweeping Everglades ecosystem.  Tours depart from the Shark Valley Visitor Center located along U.S. H

• Biking at Shark Valley
• Explore the everglades by biking the 15-mile (24 km) Shark Valley Tram Road. Along the way you can experience the wide array of wildlife, diverse freshwater ecosystems, and get a unique view of the Everglades!

• Birding at Flamingo
• Flamingo offers ample birding opportunities along its many trail areas as well as around the visitor center and marina. The mix of mangrove and coastal prairie habitats host a bounty of wading birds, shorebirds and waterbirds throughout the year. Additionally, there is always the chance of seeing tropical marine life close to shore, including crocodiles and manatees.

• Birding Snake Bight Trail
• Snake Bight Trail can be walked any time of year, but is easiest to walk in the winter when mosquitoes are not abundant. This trail offers the opportunity to see birds restricted to coastal habitats, including Reddish Egret. Other species of shorebirds such as Greater Yellowlegs, Black-necked Stilt, Black-bellied Plover and various other sandpipers can also be found. Shorebirds are most easily observed during high tide when water forces birds off mudflats farther out on Flori

• Birding Along the Anhinga Trail
• The Anhinga Trail is a popular place to start your exploration at Everglades National Park, providing a ready sample of wetland wildlife including alligators, turtles, fish, plants, and birds, all along a short, three-quarter mile paved and boardwalk trail.

• Flamingo Boat Tours
• Flamingo is the launching point for water excursions into Everglades National Park. Whitewater Bay and Florida Bay offer abundant wildlife and a chance to visit the parts of the Everglades only accessible by boat.

• Become an Everglades Jr Ranger
• Join Diego the dolphin, Peter the panther and Aleesha the alligator in exploring three South Florida parks (Big Cypress National Preserve, and Biscayne and Everglades National Park). Pick up a booklet at any park visitor center and complete the required activities to earn a badge. Complete the entire book and earn three badges plus an exclusive South Florida junior ranger patch!

• Walk the Anhinga Trail
• The famous Anhinga Trail is a self-guided pavement and boardwalk trail winding through and over sawgrass marsh and freshwater slough. A paved path leads you along the water and to a looping boardwalk, providing views into the prairie and the clear waters of the slough. You may see alligators, fish, turtles, anhingas, and many other birds, especially during the winter, when the generally lower waters of the dry season concentrate aquatic wildlife in the slough.

Main Park Road Self Guided Tour

The Main Park Road is a great way to see many of the park's features. Whether you have a couple of hours or a couple of days, the stops along the road highlight the habitats and biodiversity for which the park is famous. The 38 mile (61 km) road begins at the Ernest Coe Visitor Center in Homestead and dead-ends at Flamingo. Because of this, please be mindful of your time constraints and consider visiting some of the spots on your way back out of the park.