For a different perspective of Everglades National Park in southern Florida, instead of hiking on land, why not explore the park paddling a water trail for a few hours or a few days.
Paddling the Wilderness Waterway, Everglades National Park / NPS-Jane Gamble
Before embarking on your water-based adventure, however, it’s very important to remember a few things.
- Stay hydrated - Regardless whether you are on the water or near it, the importance of carrying your own water and staying hydrated cannot be understated.
- Keep an eye on the weather – If you hear thunder or lightning, you should seek cover immediately. Gulf Coast storms can get quite intense.
- Bring your insect repellant and sunscreen– Mosquitoes and biting flies are prevalent year-round. You’ll particularly feel this during the hot, humid summer months. The sun will also be relentless. Wear a hat and apply insect repellant and sunscreen.
Don’t have your own canoe or kayak to paddle the park’s water trails? You can rent either at nearby businesses in Everglades City or from Flamingo Adventures.
Below is a list with descriptions of Gulf Coast and Flamingo paddling trails, along with information about guided tours of Nine Mile Pond with the Everglades Institute, and overnight camping trips in Everglades’ wilderness.
Gulf Coast Paddling Trails
Click here to see a Gulf Coast paddling map.
According to park staff:
This area of the park is on Florida's west coast, accessible from Everglades City. The public, non-motorized launch on the Gulf Coast Visitor Center grounds is currently closed for construction, but private boat ramps are available in Everglades City and Chokoloskee for a fee. Alternate launch sites include the Rod & Gun Club, Outdoor Resorts of Chokoloskee, and Chokoloskee Island Park and Marina.
Sandfly Island Loop
Length: 6.5 miles (10.5 kilometers), accessible from Everglades City and Chokoloskee.
Trip durations may vary if you walk the 1-mile (1.62-kilometer) hiking trail on Sandfly Island or if strong winds or unfavorable tides are present. If you decide to stop at Sandfly Island, please use the beach area next to the dock, as the dock is currently in disrepair. A portable toilet is available near the dock. Tide charts are available online.
Turner River
Length: From the Turner River canoe launch on US 41: 8.5 miles (13.7 kilometers) to Chokoloskee.
The Turner River may be impassable if water levels are too high or too low. Check water levels at the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center. Alligators are in the area. Keep a safe distance and give them the right of way. Visitors can launch from Everglades City, Chokoloskee, or the Turner River Canoe Launch in Big Cypress National Preserve.
Halfway Creek
Length: Depending on your route, the trail is 7.3-11 miles (11.7-17.7 kilometers) long. From Everglades City, the Halfway Creek-Left Hand Turner-Turner River loop is approximately 12-14 miles (19.3-22.5 kilometers).
The Halfway Creek and Loop Trails are accessible from Everglades City, Chokoloskee, or the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center on Sea Grape Drive off of US 41. Sections of the trail may be impassable at low tide. Contact the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center at 239-695-1168 for questions about water level. Allow 4-10 hours for these trails. Note: Halfway Creek is not completely passable at this time. You can put in and paddle from Sea Grape Drive in Big Cypress south towards the HC 1 marker. To complete the through-trip, paddlers must head west once they encounter the HC3 / L 15 marker, and continue following the L markers. Once you travel across the “lake,” look for the L 14 marker. The numbers will continue to descend and take you to L 5 or L 6. From there, head west and you will come out by Everglades City. From the L 3 marker up to the L 1 marker is impassable. The Halfway Creek-Left Hand Turner-Turner River loop is also not accessible at this time.
Flamingo Paddling Trails
Nine Mile Pond
Length: 5-mile (8.05-kilometer) loop; 3.5-mile (5.6-mile) shortcut.
Trailhead accessible from the main park road. This scenic trail passes through shallow grassy marsh with scattered mangrove islands. Watch for alligators, wading birds, and an occasional endangered snail kite. The trail is marked with numbered white poles. A more detailed trail map is also available at visitor centers. Trail may be impassable due to low water levels near the end of the dry season, ask a Park Ranger for current conditions. Motors prohibited. Note: Water levels here can fluctuate greatly so approach the trail with caution. If shallows are encountered, turn around, do not risk getting stuck. Periphyton, a community of sponge-like organisms, can restrict the ability to paddle. If difficulty is encountered, do not proceed. If you are unsure of the route, do not guess, go back the way you came. Do not overestimate your abilities.
Click here for a map of the Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail with marker descriptions.
Noble Hammock
Length: 1.9-mile (3.06-kilometer) loop.
Trailhead accessible from the main park road. Winding through a maze of shady mangrove-lined creeks and small ponds, the sharp turns and narrow passageways require good maneuvering skills. Enjoy a “crash” course. Check for low water levels during the dry season. A calm trail on a windy day. Motors prohibited.
Hell’s Bay
Length: Distance varies depending upon destination.
Trailhead accessible from the main park road. “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 the Lard Can wilderness campsite. The trail is marked with more than 160 poles. A more detailed trail map is also available at visitor centers. Motors are prohibited from the trailhead to Lard Can. A wilderness permit is required for overnight camping.
Hell's Bay water trail map, Everglades National Park / NPS via NPmaps.com
Florida Bay
Length: Distance varies.
Accessible from Flamingo marina. Opportunities for fun abound! Watch mullet jump and birds feed (particularly in Snake Bight), do some fishing, or just enjoy the scenic bay. Explore Bradley Key, the only nearby key open to landing (open during daylight hours only). The open waters of Florida Bay are relatively mosquito-free, even in the summer. Not recommended on windy days due to open, rough waters. Route to Snake Bight may be impassable during extremely low tides.
Click here for a map of Florida Bay with included legend.
Bear Lake
Length: 11.5 miles (18.5 kilometers) one-way to Cape Sable.
Trailhead accessible from Bear Lake Road or the Flamingo marina. Impassable from Bear Lake to Cape Sable as of September 2010. Check at the Flamingo Visitor Center for current conditions. Note: Currently impassable.
Mud Lake Loop
Length: 7.5 miles (12.1 kilometers) round trip from Coot Bay Pond.
Route may start at Coot Bay Pond or Bear Lake trailhead. Venture inland through the mangroves on this trail connecting the Buttonwood Canal, Coot Bay, Mud Lake, and the Bear Lake Canal. Birding is often good at Mud Lake. There is a 250-yard (228.6-meter) portage between the Bear Lake and Buttonwood Canals. Motors are prohibited on Mud Lake, Bear Lake, and Bear Lake Canal. Check trail conditions first as Bear Lake Canal is too shallow during parts of the year. Note: Currently impassable.
West Lake
Length: 8.1 miles (13 kilometers) one-way to Alligator Creek.
Trailhead accessible from the main park road. Paddle through a series of large open lakes connected by narrow creeks lined with mangroves. Look for alligators and crocodiles. West Lake is closed to vessels with motors greater than 6 horsepower. Motors are prohibited from the east end of West Lake through Alligator Creek. Not recommended on windy days due to open, rough waters. A wilderness permit is required for overnight camping.
Everglades Institute Guided Tours
The Everglades Institute offers guided paddling tours of Nine Mile Pond when water levels permit. Canoes and paddling equipment will be supplied to all guests.
Wilderness Camping
At Everglades National Park, you can enjoy wilderness camping along Florida Bay or the 99-mile (159.3-kilometer) Wilderness Waterway. It takes a good deal of planning and preparation for this kind of trip, but you’ll be guaranteed a good measure of solitude while exploring the park from the perspective of a canoe or kayak.
Click here to see the wilderness campsite map.
Paddling through the Everglades, Everglades National Park / NPS-Peter Zarba
