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Nice, easy trail for an intro to the Everglades. The trail is paved and wooden boardwalks over water. Large ponds lead to lots of potential wildlife sightings. Recommend venturing off to the left boardwalk. It's a dead end so you have to double back but most people didn't go that way so had the entire end to sit, watch and listen to nature. There are facilities here and a small park store but it was closed (earlier than posted) during my visit. Plenty of parking and adjacent to a second, well maintained trail.
"One of the 10 Best Accessible Trails" by National Geographic What a difference since our first visit to the Everglades (July 2019)... it was mating season for these huge bright orange and yellow grasshoppers and they were everywhere on the Anhinga Trail pavement surface. I posted photos from our first trip... see how huge these critters are. Most of my content on my original review was about these giant grasshoppers. We returned and revisited during Thanksgiving 2022 and it was a better experience. Our daughter joined us and she led us on a short hike around the Gumbo Limbo Trail and then to the half-mile wooden boardwalk Anhinga Trail along a swampland. It was excellent for viewing birds, alligators, and other wildlife... we spotted a few cormorants and wading birds, fish, turtles, and a couple of alligators soaking up the sun... all at close range! So cool! Do take note that it is an open trail with very little shade. Even in November it was hot, just basically a very large open air... but along the trail there are some small shelters where you can find some relief from the sun, not much though. My daughter enjoyed this trail the most. Review #1763 updated
Everglades is essentially one very long main road sprinkled with hiking trails, view points, visitor centers, etc. The Anhinga Trail is one of the first trails you enter into right off the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. We were lucky enough to stumble onto a park ranger led tour of the Anhinga Trail, which was free(!), and would highly recommend coming during these tours to further enrich your experience. Here are more favorite things about Anhinga Trail: - The park claims that this is the best place for wildlife spotting and they are not wrong. At first I was kind of skeptical because the road was extremely well paved and it seemed a bit more commercialized; however, after seeing 5+ alligators, a family of anhingas, a huge turtle, etc. I realized this is the trail for wildlife. I honestly couldn't believe the variety of animals we saw on this trail such as an alligator just sleeping next to the sidewalk. I probably saw more animals here than on the Airboat tour which brought you to the middle of the Everglades. - The trail is very walkable so you don't have to worry about mud getting on your shoe, etc. - The views are absolutely stunning, as there are so many ecosystems in the Everglades all presented on this one trail. My favorite was definitely the low freshwater swamp with all the lily pads encircling around the trees. - I really appreciated the park ranger who led our tour as she was very knowledgeable about the wildlife and ecosystem and told us many cool facts about the area that enriched our experience. Overall, would highly recommend coming to the Anhinga Trail if at the Everglades. I've got to say that this is definitely my favorite trail/spot in the Everglades.
The Anhinga Trail is named for the anhinga, a water bird native to Florida although they are found all over the world in warm and shallow water. They are able to dive into the water to catch fish. They are sometimes called the snake bird because when they are swimming you only see their long thin necks above the water which looks like a snake. They can often be seen next to the water with their wing spread out, drying them after a dive. The trail is named for the anhinga's because they nest in the trees alongside it. The Anhinga Trail is a .8 mile round trip wheel chair accessible trail in Everglades National Park. 100,000 years ago this area was covered by a shallow sea. In the late 1800's the land was owned by Henry Flagler who built the railroad in Florida. It was called Paradise Key. With the help of environmental activists Ernest Coe and Marjory Stoneman Douglas the land became a state park in the early 1940s. On December 6th, 1947, the government set aside 1.5 million acres of protected land which was just a small fraction of its original size, and created Everglades National Park. The trail starts at the Royal Palm Visitor Center which is four miles from the main park entrance and Ernest Coe Visitor Center. It is one of the most popular parts of the park because it is the easiest and most accessible trails. The Anhinga Trail winds over Taylor Slough and the sawgrass prairie and it goes over the sawgrass marsh where you are most likely to see wildlife like birds, turtles, and alligators. This trail allows you to see the most wildlife in the Everglades and get the closest to it. The best time to spot wildlife is in the winter which is the dry season and is when the birds have migrated down from the north. This is also the time that the alligators and anhingas are breeding. The shrinking Taylor Slough forces them to concentrate together making them easier to see. If you only have a short amount of time to spend in Everglades National Park, this is where you want to go. You can explore the trail by yourself or sign up for a park ranger led tour. The Royal Palm Visitor Center is also the starting point for the .4 mile Gumbo Limbo Trail. It usually costs $30 for a car to enter the park but this year the National Park is offering five free days. The first one is January 20 on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It is the best one because it is when there is the most wildlife in the Everglades. So get out and see the real Florida, I'll see you there!
My family and I truly love visiting the Anhinga Trail at Everglades National Park. We have been visiting this trail for many years and have never once been disappointed. This trail is a wonderful walking trail for the young and old alike, there is a boardwalk that makes waking all around the trail very comfortable, where guest with special needs such as walkers, canes and wheelchairs can safely and comfortably participate in this beautiful experience. At the beginning of the trail, you will encounter a gift shop which has many unique items and books that make great memories of this most special National Park. There are bathrooms and a water bottle refilling station with filtered water, make sure you bring a water bottle with you because you will work up a good thirst! As you enter the trail you will notice all sorts of wild life, be on the lookout both in the water and on the air because you are in for a treat. In any given day, you will see Anhingas basking in the sun drying their wings, cyclids swimming happily in the water, huge turtles, gorgeous blooming water lilies, and of course the many alligators basking in the sun or casually swimming in the warm Florida water. The best time to visit the Anhinga Trail is from November through April, these are the cooler months in Florida. There is a lot of animal activity in these specific months due to the lack is rainfall, attracting many animals to this area, all this wildlife will then spread out throughout the park when the rainy season begins. Tip: cover you car with a tarp so that the vultures will not rip off your windshield wipers, tarps are provided free of charge.
When in the Everglades, Homestead entrance, I enjoy all the trails but I enjoy this trail the most. There is a path with no shaded areas. In the summer months the water levels are high and the wildlife are hiding from the heat among the sawgrass. The grasshoppers are everywhere and the alligators are swimming around. In the winter months, the wildlife are more visible and photo ready. In all seasons, you will encounter mosquitoes! Be prepared! This a great great park not to be missed. If you are a local, I urge to support our parks. Recommend Suggestions: eucalyptus oil or biodegradable repellent, hat, water to keep hydrated and sunscreen.
WARNING: There is a SERIOUS vulture problem at Anhinga Trail. They are EVERYWHERE and were destroying vehicles in the parking lot. Some cars had destroyed windshields and others were getting badly scratched up. We covered up our vehicle with a tarp provided by the park. However that was not good enough and the vultures scratched up the paint all over the vehicle despite the windshield being covered. While the trail is beautiful and has so much to see-be sure to bring a giant full body tarp for your vehicle. Find a way to protect your car from the vultures that will attack it while your walking the trails. Please watch your small children. There was a gator in the middle of the trail and someone was letting their small baby walk towards it. A tourist told the parents to grab their child. Gators are extremely fast and it's essential parents keep them out of harms way. This trail has a variety of birds and gators to see. It is a very pretty area that has so much wildlife. Be sure to be smart if your going to be around these gators. Overall very nice park but with a serious vulture problem.
Though I've been to Everglades National Park on several occasions, I've never explored Anhinga Trail. So, though it was at the start of the May mosquito season decided to explore it along with intrepid traveler and avid Yelper Jim D. and we were both amazed and delighted by what we saw. Anhinga Trail, sometimes also known by the name of Royal Palm, being a hangover from the 1940's when this area was a part of what was then Royal Palm State Park, it is a fresh water sawgrass marsh area of the Everglades. Hence you won't see any crocodiles, but you will see plenty of alligators, turtles, snakes (none of which appeared to me to be of a poisonous variety), egrets, heron and of course an abundance of anhinga. It's an easy walking area covering only around a half mile, but seeing gators and birds, I would call it the best of Everglades National Park; a must see. It also consists of the Royal Palm Vistor Center where ranger tours are available, usually with one a day on a year around basis starting at 10:30AM, a gift shop, snack machines and toilet facilities.
The drive to here from Broward was quite the commute but I have to say it was worth it. My friends and I came on a day with lovely weather. It was sunny with a nice breeze, so there were no pesky mosquitos bothering us. Anhinga trail is a neatly paved wooden path that takes you into the Everglades so you can observe the wildlife in it's natural habitat. Even though it was swamp, the water so CLEAR that you can see turtles and fish swimming around. Alligators were also right along the sidewalk for us to see. The walk was short but it was quite the treat for a Sunday stroll. Note that there is a $20 entrance fee per vehicle for entrance into the Everglades. Carpool so you can save money!
This was an excellent exprience of the Everglades. Take the afternoon and walk along the boarded paths above fresh water ponds. The park is excellently maintained and during January the weather is perfect. No mosquitoes!We came across so much wildlife, it didn't feel real. Cute factor - we saw many families with kids on an animal scavenger hunt. Excellent way to spend a January afternoon!
Now this is the 'real' Everglades! If you like seeing the gators, birds and wildlife close up here's the way to do it. The trail is short (less than a mile) and after biking the trail in Shark Valley it was an easy Sunday morning's walk (before it got too hot.) We liked the fact that there were no fences or enclosures to get in our way of a perfect picture. After a short explanation by the rangers we set off down the path and hadn't gone 20 feet when we found our first gator. It was sunning itself roadside and we got close enough to take some good pictures. Then we heard what sounded like a low rumble from the other side of the slough which got louder and more frequent until a 10' gator walked across the road right in front of us! Definitely a great way to see and hear the local wildlife and if you're ever near the Everglades National Park take the time to stop, you'll be glad you did!
If you visit the Everglades DO NOT MISS this trail. Best wildlife viewing in the Everglades. Loads of alligators, birds and fish. Grab a tarp to keep the vultures off your car, grab your camera, walk the trail and be amazed. I have been here five times and am always enthralled.
This is my favorite trail in Everglades NP. It has an elevated walkway above water and water lillies. Park rangers lead frequent walks here, too. I think the entire walk is about a mile, but is suitable for those with limited mobility. I am not usually here in December, so I was surprised that I only saw one alligator. I usually visit in March/April, when it's gator mating season and I probably see a hundred. In the one area of the board walk, the great blue heron walked leisurely hunting small fish with no fear of a gator. There were minnows and even a decent sized fish. There is ample parking at the trail head, restrooms and a gift shop. They furnish blue tarps to protect vehicles from vultures, which can be particularly bad at some times of the year. This is the most scenic, walkable trail in the park. read more
The best nature trail I have visited for a long time. Flat accessible trail/ all paved or wood boardwalk. Bird watching, gator watching, flora and fauna were extraordinary! Saw four gators, spoonbills, blue herons and much more. Fast trip over from Lauderdale or Miami. I went on a rainy day and it was excellent activity. read more
Our favorite trail in the Everglades! Starting right next to the Royal Palm Visitor Center, Anhinga trail is a quick, easy walk of less than a mile. There's all kinds of wildlife, and there were plenty of alligators and crocodiles to see. Everglades is the only place where you can see both alligators and crocodiles together - so definitely a cool trail where you'll most likely get this opportunity! Trail is wide open with no shade. It can get very hot and the sun beats down, so even though the trail is short, come prepared with sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water. Easily accessible and flat. Plenty of parking options. This is a must-do for anyone's visit to Everglades NP, whether you're here for multiple days or just a couple hours. read more
Nice, easy trail for an intro to the Everglades. The trail is paved and wooden boardwalks over water. Large ponds lead to lots of potential wildlife sightings. Recommend venturing off to the left boardwalk. It's a dead end so you have to double back but most people didn't go that way so had the entire end to sit, watch and listen to nature. There are facilities here and a small park store but it was closed (earlier than posted) during my visit. Plenty of parking and adjacent to a second, well maintained trail. read more
"One of the 10 Best Accessible Trails" by National Geographic What a difference since our first visit to the Everglades (July 2019)... it was mating season for these huge bright orange and yellow grasshoppers and they were everywhere on the Anhinga Trail pavement surface. I posted photos from our first trip... see how huge these critters are. Most of my content on my original review was about these giant grasshoppers. We returned and revisited during Thanksgiving 2022 and it was a better experience. Our daughter joined us and she led us on a short hike around the Gumbo Limbo Trail and then to the half-mile wooden boardwalk Anhinga Trail along a swampland. It was excellent for viewing birds, alligators, and other wildlife... we spotted a few cormorants and wading birds, fish, turtles, and a couple of alligators soaking up the sun... all at close range! So cool! Do take note that it is an open trail with very little shade. Even in November it was hot, just basically a very large open air... but along the trail there are some small shelters where you can find some relief from the sun, not much though. My daughter enjoyed this trail the most. Review #1763 updated read more
7 months ago
3 years ago
Everglades is essentially one very long main road sprinkled with hiking trails, view points, visitor centers, etc. The Anhinga Trail is one of the first trails you enter into right off the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. We were lucky enough to stumble onto a park ranger led tour of the Anhinga Trail, which was free(!), and would highly recommend coming during these tours to further enrich your experience. Here are more favorite things about Anhinga Trail: - The park claims that this is the best place for wildlife spotting and they are not wrong. At first I was kind of skeptical because the road was extremely well paved and it seemed a bit more commercialized; however, after seeing 5+ alligators, a family of anhingas, a huge turtle, etc. I realized this is the trail for wildlife. I honestly couldn't believe the variety of animals we saw on this trail such as an alligator just sleeping next to the sidewalk. I probably saw more animals here than on the Airboat tour which brought you to the middle of the Everglades. - The trail is very walkable so you don't have to worry about mud getting on your shoe, etc. - The views are absolutely stunning, as there are so many ecosystems in the Everglades all presented on this one trail. My favorite was definitely the low freshwater swamp with all the lily pads encircling around the trees. - I really appreciated the park ranger who led our tour as she was very knowledgeable about the wildlife and ecosystem and told us many cool facts about the area that enriched our experience. Overall, would highly recommend coming to the Anhinga Trail if at the Everglades. I've got to say that this is definitely my favorite trail/spot in the Everglades. read more
The Anhinga Trail is named for the anhinga, a water bird native to Florida although they are found all over the world in warm and shallow water. They are able to dive into the water to catch fish. They are sometimes called the snake bird because when they are swimming you only see their long thin necks above the water which looks like a snake. They can often be seen next to the water with their wing spread out, drying them after a dive. The trail is named for the anhinga's because they nest in the trees alongside it. The Anhinga Trail is a .8 mile round trip wheel chair accessible trail in Everglades National Park. 100,000 years ago this area was covered by a shallow sea. In the late 1800's the land was owned by Henry Flagler who built the railroad in Florida. It was called Paradise Key. With the help of environmental activists Ernest Coe and Marjory Stoneman Douglas the land became a state park in the early 1940s. On December 6th, 1947, the government set aside 1.5 million acres of protected land which was just a small fraction of its original size, and created Everglades National Park. The trail starts at the Royal Palm Visitor Center which is four miles from the main park entrance and Ernest Coe Visitor Center. It is one of the most popular parts of the park because it is the easiest and most accessible trails. The Anhinga Trail winds over Taylor Slough and the sawgrass prairie and it goes over the sawgrass marsh where you are most likely to see wildlife like birds, turtles, and alligators. This trail allows you to see the most wildlife in the Everglades and get the closest to it. The best time to spot wildlife is in the winter which is the dry season and is when the birds have migrated down from the north. This is also the time that the alligators and anhingas are breeding. The shrinking Taylor Slough forces them to concentrate together making them easier to see. If you only have a short amount of time to spend in Everglades National Park, this is where you want to go. You can explore the trail by yourself or sign up for a park ranger led tour. The Royal Palm Visitor Center is also the starting point for the .4 mile Gumbo Limbo Trail. It usually costs $30 for a car to enter the park but this year the National Park is offering five free days. The first one is January 20 on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It is the best one because it is when there is the most wildlife in the Everglades. So get out and see the real Florida, I'll see you there! read more
My family and I truly love visiting the Anhinga Trail at Everglades National Park. We have been visiting this trail for many years and have never once been disappointed. This trail is a wonderful walking trail for the young and old alike, there is a boardwalk that makes waking all around the trail very comfortable, where guest with special needs such as walkers, canes and wheelchairs can safely and comfortably participate in this beautiful experience. At the beginning of the trail, you will encounter a gift shop which has many unique items and books that make great memories of this most special National Park. There are bathrooms and a water bottle refilling station with filtered water, make sure you bring a water bottle with you because you will work up a good thirst! As you enter the trail you will notice all sorts of wild life, be on the lookout both in the water and on the air because you are in for a treat. In any given day, you will see Anhingas basking in the sun drying their wings, cyclids swimming happily in the water, huge turtles, gorgeous blooming water lilies, and of course the many alligators basking in the sun or casually swimming in the warm Florida water. The best time to visit the Anhinga Trail is from November through April, these are the cooler months in Florida. There is a lot of animal activity in these specific months due to the lack is rainfall, attracting many animals to this area, all this wildlife will then spread out throughout the park when the rainy season begins. Tip: cover you car with a tarp so that the vultures will not rip off your windshield wipers, tarps are provided free of charge. read more
When in the Everglades, Homestead entrance, I enjoy all the trails but I enjoy this trail the most. There is a path with no shaded areas. In the summer months the water levels are high and the wildlife are hiding from the heat among the sawgrass. The grasshoppers are everywhere and the alligators are swimming around. In the winter months, the wildlife are more visible and photo ready. In all seasons, you will encounter mosquitoes! Be prepared! This a great great park not to be missed. If you are a local, I urge to support our parks. Recommend Suggestions: eucalyptus oil or biodegradable repellent, hat, water to keep hydrated and sunscreen. read more
WARNING: There is a SERIOUS vulture problem at Anhinga Trail. They are EVERYWHERE and were destroying vehicles in the parking lot. Some cars had destroyed windshields and others were getting badly scratched up. We covered up our vehicle with a tarp provided by the park. However that was not good enough and the vultures scratched up the paint all over the vehicle despite the windshield being covered. While the trail is beautiful and has so much to see-be sure to bring a giant full body tarp for your vehicle. Find a way to protect your car from the vultures that will attack it while your walking the trails. Please watch your small children. There was a gator in the middle of the trail and someone was letting their small baby walk towards it. A tourist told the parents to grab their child. Gators are extremely fast and it's essential parents keep them out of harms way. This trail has a variety of birds and gators to see. It is a very pretty area that has so much wildlife. Be sure to be smart if your going to be around these gators. Overall very nice park but with a serious vulture problem. read more
Though I've been to Everglades National Park on several occasions, I've never explored Anhinga Trail. So, though it was at the start of the May mosquito season decided to explore it along with intrepid traveler and avid Yelper Jim D. and we were both amazed and delighted by what we saw. Anhinga Trail, sometimes also known by the name of Royal Palm, being a hangover from the 1940's when this area was a part of what was then Royal Palm State Park, it is a fresh water sawgrass marsh area of the Everglades. Hence you won't see any crocodiles, but you will see plenty of alligators, turtles, snakes (none of which appeared to me to be of a poisonous variety), egrets, heron and of course an abundance of anhinga. It's an easy walking area covering only around a half mile, but seeing gators and birds, I would call it the best of Everglades National Park; a must see. It also consists of the Royal Palm Vistor Center where ranger tours are available, usually with one a day on a year around basis starting at 10:30AM, a gift shop, snack machines and toilet facilities. read more
The drive to here from Broward was quite the commute but I have to say it was worth it. My friends and I came on a day with lovely weather. It was sunny with a nice breeze, so there were no pesky mosquitos bothering us. Anhinga trail is a neatly paved wooden path that takes you into the Everglades so you can observe the wildlife in it's natural habitat. Even though it was swamp, the water so CLEAR that you can see turtles and fish swimming around. Alligators were also right along the sidewalk for us to see. The walk was short but it was quite the treat for a Sunday stroll. Note that there is a $20 entrance fee per vehicle for entrance into the Everglades. Carpool so you can save money! read more
6 years ago
This was an excellent exprience of the Everglades. Take the afternoon and walk along the boarded paths above fresh water ponds. The park is excellently maintained and during January the weather is perfect. No mosquitoes!We came across so much wildlife, it didn't feel real. Cute factor - we saw many families with kids on an animal scavenger hunt. Excellent way to spend a January afternoon! read more
14 years ago
Now this is the 'real' Everglades! If you like seeing the gators, birds and wildlife close up here's the way to do it. The trail is short (less than a mile) and after biking the trail in Shark Valley it was an easy Sunday morning's walk (before it got too hot.) We liked the fact that there were no fences or enclosures to get in our way of a perfect picture. After a short explanation by the rangers we set off down the path and hadn't gone 20 feet when we found our first gator. It was sunning itself roadside and we got close enough to take some good pictures. Then we heard what sounded like a low rumble from the other side of the slough which got louder and more frequent until a 10' gator walked across the road right in front of us! Definitely a great way to see and hear the local wildlife and if you're ever near the Everglades National Park take the time to stop, you'll be glad you did! read more
If you visit the Everglades DO NOT MISS this trail. Best wildlife viewing in the Everglades. Loads of alligators, birds and fish. Grab a tarp to keep the vultures off your car, grab your camera, walk the trail and be amazed. I have been here five times and am always enthralled. read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
HERE there be dragons! Alligators, actually. Lots and lots and LOTS of gators! It's easy to see where the literary dragon myths originate from when observing these impressive prehistoric reptiles in their natural habitat. If you walk around the mile long paved path of Anhinga trail extending from the Royal Palm Visitor's Center during the day you will see sleeping gators in the slough sometimes within just a few feet of the paved pathway and sometimes even walking across it. You are also likely to see an entire DEN of gators (see photo), most of them between 8 and 12 feet in length! Last visit I counted nearly 50 sleeping gators alone resting in the den! Coming here at night is also magical and fun with the sounds of croaking frogs and the bellows of gators if you come during mating season. Shine a flashlight with a red filter (to protect their eyes) across the water and you will see dozens of glowing red gator eyes staring back at you! It is both creepy and cool! You will also see them silently and stealthily swimming in the waters as you walk over the wooden bridges. It's kinda surreal and humbling to see gator infested waters at night. There are night tours with a guide or you can walk the park on your own. We were fortunate to come here during a full moon and the silvery moonlight provided ample visibility along the trail and if you happen to come during a new moon you will likely see the best celestial view of the stars you are likely to see anywhere in South Florida. There are lots of other wildlife to see here including the Anhinga for which the trail is named, and pelicans, herons, vultures and various other species of birds and reptiles including lizards, turtles and (gasp) snakes. If you are lucky you might catch some nesting baby gators in the sloughs along the side of the road leading into the park if you come during the late winter/early spring months. And if you are REALLY lucky, and I mean *REALLY* lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the endangered Florida Panther. There are only about a hundred or so of them left in the Everglades so you have about as much chance of seeing one as encountering Bigfoot. There's also a turnoff road and sign for the Nike missile silos just a few miles away which is also kind of surreal. Admission into the park is only $10 which is good for up to 7 days or an annual pass is only $25 per year and well worth it since it helps to fund the preservation of the Everglades. Anhinga Trail is a beautiful and magical preserve inside of the Everglades National Park and is a definite must-see whether you are a tourist or a resident to experience and appreciate the unique beauty of the Florida Everglades. It's a walk in the park you will never forget. read more
4 years ago
4 miles beyond the Ernest Coe Entrance and Visitor Center (Ive seen a Florida Panther at this entrance!!) and Homestead Entrance to the Florida Everglades lies The Royal Palm Visitor Center. The Visitor Center has the usual restroom and snack vending machine facilities, as well as educational exhibits and a small gift shop. There are actually two trails originating from the visitor center, one through a hardwood hammock, and then Anhinga Trail. Anhinga Trail is named for one of the species of bird that nests nearby. It is a 1 mile loop winding it's way through sawgrass marsh and ponds of the Taylor Slough. (The word "slough" (pronounced "slew") is used to describe Everglades areas where there is slightly deeper water than in the surrounding marshes and where a slow current is present.) Anhinga Trail begins as an asphalt pathway, overlooking a tree (Pond Apple and others) and sawgrass lined pond. In this pond, you'll see alligators, egrets, herons, hawks, snakes, lizards, anoles, ibis, turtles, cormorants, anhingas, gallinules, pig frogs and many other animals. (See my photos!) Some of my favorite Everglades Plants, the Spider Lily and even the Ghost Orchid can also grow here. The barrier here is a Coral Rock wall, allowing visitors up close and personal views of wildlife and beautiful Everglades vistas with endless skies and grasses. Once you begin your walk, you'll see the 'barrier' between you and the wilderness is quite low, and doesn't hinder your viewing at all. Look at the Coral Rock borders of the canal, you'll see little holes, some with snakes sticking out of them! Don't worry, most of these are harmless Brown Water Snakes, although there are also Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes and Water Moccasins, so don't go pokin' those fingers! Alligators will lay right next to the trail, and even cross in front of you! Remember to keep your distance, state laws prohibit approaching, feeding, or harassing wildlife. Plus.. DUH, it's an ALLIGATOR. It's got TEETH. LOTS of TEETH. Stay Back. Bring a Camera with a ZOOM Lens. Got it? Good. Let's move on. The trail will lead you from higher ground out and over another pond of Taylor Slough. Here you will find a large amount of Alligators, Egrets, Anhinga, and Cormorants. In the water, you'll see Gar and Turtles, among other swimmy-types. The elevated boardwalk leads you out to a lookout point that is almost a guarantee for Alligator Sightings, and out over the Slough, through Pond Apple Trees and bird nest rookeries, then back to the Visitor's Center. At Anhinga, you'll hear Pig Frogs croaking, the screech of osprey and owls, Alligators Bellowing (during mating season) and you may even see an Alligator Nest and hear the guttural call of the baby alligators too. Nearly every trip to Anhinga Trail, you'll see photographers. "Real" Photographers, too, not just hobbyists like me. We're taking Audoban Society, National Geographic and more. With impressive camera and lens setups, too. That itself makes a strong case for the wildlife and natural beauty of this location. One of my favorite INSIDER'S activities: NIGHT WALKS of Anhinga Trail. These can be Ranger-Led or on your own. Bring Bug Repellent and Flashlights (Cover your flashlights with Red Cellophane to cause the least disturbance to your eyes.) Aside from seeing hundreds of Alligators, identifiable by their glowing eyes in the water, you'll have one of the best celestial views of the stars you've ever seen. I'd recommend taking a Ranger-Led walk before embarking on your own, since it can be a dangerous place in the dark if you don't know the basics. On the drive out, you'll have the best chance (which is still about a zillion-to-one) of seeing a Florida Panther. So Drive Slowly! Anhinga Trail is a great way to experience the "Real" Everglades (Without getting your feet wet and stuck in the muck and marl, that is.) It's up-close and personal, and you can experience a few of the unique ecosystems of the Florida Everglades, which can be found nowhere else in the world. (This is a Good Reference Website: http://sofia.usgs.gov/virtual_tour/enp/index.html ) read more
After I was done touring the Nike missile site it was only 330pm so I went to the nearby Anhinga Trail. There was ample parking, clean restrooms and vending machines. The walk itself along the raised boardwalk over the marsh isn't long but boy is it crammed with wildlife! I saw 5 species of water birds, several species of fish, turtles and about 25 alligators. Highlights of my walk included an anhinga spearing a fish in the water then, on shore, flipping it in the air and swallowing it whole. Also one gator got so close you could actually smell it (ugh). The astounding thing is you realize all these creatures are here of their own choice...not like a zoo or tacky roadside attraction. Also next to the marsh is a trail through a gumbo limbo tree forest. The sun barely permeates the canopy and the temperature is several degrees cooler. The crazy way the tree's roots and branches grow every which way is worth seeing. I would highly recommend Anhinga Trail. All that it offers gives you the bang for your buck. Also, you don't have to drive deep into the park to experience it. Lastly, try to go between late October to early April to avoid the overwhelming heat and mosquitoes. read more
16 years ago
10 years ago
A lot of wildlife for the small hike that it is. Many different bird species, lots of alligators, few different types of fish, and saw some snakes. This was an exciting hike that was fairly close to the park entrance. The path is nicely pathed and has up to date walkways and bridges. The visitor center at the path entrance provides tarps free of charge to cover your vehicle with. The birds here supposedly eat away at your windshield wipers because of the fish oils in them? Never heard of this before but many people utilized the tarps. This trail is a nice trip for the family. Lots of wildlife. read more
12 years ago
Wonderful trail with lots of animals. Today we saw a snake, three alligators, a few turtles and a bunch of pelicans and other birds. read more
12 years ago
The trail is very good. We saw some alligators and the nature around is beautiful. Only negative thing is the unfriendly woman at the visitor center. She prefers to play on her mobile than selling magnets and mosquito spray. read more
13 years ago
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