You may have read about the imminent demise of the Flamingo Lodge in my earlier Traveler post or other sources. Well, the waiting is over. The building, which was hurricane-damaged beyond repair in 2005, has been demolished.
This is a pretty sad situation, and I don’t mean just the irrevocable loss of a beloved (if quirky) structure that was built half a century ago and used by Everglades National Park visitors of just about every conceivable stripe. The rub now is that there won’t be a replacement structure at Flamingo Key for many years – if ever.
Constructing a new “green” lodging complex, re-doing the marina, and taking care of related needs will cost $20 million or more. Where will that kind of money come from? NPS funds are not available for lodging construction in Everglades or any other park (a standing fact for decades). And alas, there were no “shovel ready” plans for a Flamingo lodging project that might have been considered for economic stimulus funding. Finally, and most regrettably, scrounging up adequate private funding in today’s economic climate is a mighty mountain to climb.
However this plays out, you’ll still be able to enjoy overnight stays at Flamingo if you like (or at least can tolerate) camping/RVing. The campgrounds have been reopened and electricity is available in the tent and RV areas.
There’s also good news for Flamingo marina users, including those who’ve enjoyed the houseboat rentals and have patiently waited for the marina to replace the eight houseboats lost to the 2005 storms. Two replacements houseboats now on order are reportedly due in soon. As you may know, canoe and skiff rentals are already available, Whitewater Bay boat tours are operating, the Marina Store is open for business, and fuel sales have resumed. For additional information, schedules, and reservations, phone the concessioner at 239-695-3101.
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Comments
It's a shame that our government can't afford to keep up the parks better. I've been waiting for this lodge to open for years. Maybe we'll try to camp there. The Everglades are full of beautiful creatures.
I'm still mourning the loss of Flamingo Lodge. Since I travel alone, I always felt safe going to the lodge when I wanted to visit the Everglades. Staying in the local motels is NOT my favorite experience, though I have done it. The notion that a 30 room hotel will suffice, or that we should stay in "eco-tents" is ludicrous.
Twenty years ago, I had the best piece of fried fish I've ever had in my life at Flamingo Lodge restaurant. I had returned after visiting as a kid in the 1970s. And to hear that I can't "go home again" is just down right sad. If I had $20 million, I would donate it tomorrow.
Never stayed in the lodge, but thought I would some day. I can always dream.
Just came across this article and must say good riddance to your kind or type....yeah what we need is more towering condo's here in Fl....... can't you see the spectacular country the untended land that is meant to hold you in its bosom ......yeah good bye to you go visit a small area covered with the ant-like people such as yourself ....probably despoiling the land with your trash and your attitudes.
Sadly we can Empire build around the globe, but can't rebuild a Lodge for the citizens. Trillions of tax payer dollars are sent to Iran, Afghanistan and Israel annually for these countries infrastructure.
The Military/Industrial complex has usurped the American people and the Constitution.
I was just on the maps reminissing about my season working at Flamingo, many more years ago than I want to admit, this truely is a sad loss. Hi so hope that one day it will come back, for the tourists and for the workers, we had people from all over the world working there, Very fond memeroies of that, and I still have very fond memerioes of a wonderful person from Finland, - A lifetime ago
There's more than grass, skeeters, and gators down in Flamingo. If you know where to look, there are crocodiles! Manatees too, but never found any of the elusive womanatees. Added over a hundred bird species to my lifetime list in my six months living in the park. RIP Flaming-O Lodge...
Not one more dime of foreign aid should be allocated until places such as this lodge are rebuilt by our so called government. Further, I can't understand why this place was not insured against damage from hurricanes, like every other building in Florida.