Everglades National Park
We are planning a trip to the Everglades NP between Christmas and New Years. I was looking for advice on where to stay. Also, if anyone had advice of particular areas of the park to spend more time/...
Forum Discussion
Two separate areas. West Everglades, stay at Collier Seminole. (Happen to be camping there tonight on our way to the Keys.) Boat rides to the Ten thousand islands,etc. near by. Stay there either before or after Flamingo.
Head east from Collier Seminole across the glades on the Tamiami Trail (41) and stop at Shark Valley to ride the tram and climb the tower to see the vastness of the glades. Continue on in the direction of Miami but turn south on 997 to Homestead.
Near there is park headquarters and the main visitor center. Continue on road 9336 and you'll come to the Royal Palm visitor center and Anhinga Trail, well worth a stop to walk it and see all the gators. Don't avoid it because of the vultures.
Anhinga Trail did have vulture problems when we were last there. The Rangers post signs explaining that they are attracted by the rubber parts such as window frames on your vehicle, not by your sandwiches. Tarps were available to protect your RV or car.
Beyond there is Long Pine Key CG, but no hookups yet. Electric hookups are in the master plan for the future because the park management wants to eliminate generator noise which disturbs the serenity.
I'd make reservations for and keep driving all the way down to Flamingo. Keep in mind that you may be glad you spent the money to have air conditioning when you are in a tropical environment. Flamingo CG has reservable electric hookups, plus many sites held for walk-ins, too. I love Flamingo where crocs and gators co-exist, very rare. Take the boat rides, both into the back waters and out into Florida Bay. Go to the ranger talks, walk the ponds, look at the amazing bird life. It's a unique place.
Head east from Collier Seminole across the glades on the Tamiami Trail (41) and stop at Shark Valley to ride the tram and climb the tower to see the vastness of the glades. Continue on in the direction of Miami but turn south on 997 to Homestead.
Near there is park headquarters and the main visitor center. Continue on road 9336 and you'll come to the Royal Palm visitor center and Anhinga Trail, well worth a stop to walk it and see all the gators. Don't avoid it because of the vultures.
Anhinga Trail did have vulture problems when we were last there. The Rangers post signs explaining that they are attracted by the rubber parts such as window frames on your vehicle, not by your sandwiches. Tarps were available to protect your RV or car.
Beyond there is Long Pine Key CG, but no hookups yet. Electric hookups are in the master plan for the future because the park management wants to eliminate generator noise which disturbs the serenity.
I'd make reservations for and keep driving all the way down to Flamingo. Keep in mind that you may be glad you spent the money to have air conditioning when you are in a tropical environment. Flamingo CG has reservable electric hookups, plus many sites held for walk-ins, too. I love Flamingo where crocs and gators co-exist, very rare. Take the boat rides, both into the back waters and out into Florida Bay. Go to the ranger talks, walk the ponds, look at the amazing bird life. It's a unique place.
