And no, I’m not camping. I don’t camp in tents. I camp in air conditioned RVs that have hot running water, microwave ovens, and cable TV. Ivylad has given up trying to show me the wonder and the glory that is peeing behind a bush.
We’re spending a week in Key West in June here. Ivylad had hinted that maybe I take more than a week off work, and now that we have the numbers from our tax accountant regarding our 1040, it appears that on the way back from Key West, we’ll take a visit to the Everglades.
I know the park doesn’t offer airboat rides, but outside vendors do. If we’re coming back from Key West, which part of the park would be our best bet to spend a day in with a fairly decent hotel to spend the night in? Tips, thoughts, places to avoid?
A swamp is a swamp. If you’re in Orlando, you know what the weather is going to be. June is better than July-August, but it’s gonna be hot. If you’re not an outdoorsy type, an airboat ride for a couple hours is prolly gonna be all the swamp you want to see. Bring bug spray and sunscreen. More than that. Still more. Ok, that should do it. Prolly also want sunglasses and a hat.
I’ll drop you an email, one of my good friends is a fantastic eco guide in the Everglades (out of Key Largo) and if you’re interested in a trip, he is the man to see. I hope you’re able to swing through and let me buy you a drink while you’re down!
If you are driving north from the Keys toward mainland, you want to take Card Sound Road North. Costs a dollar. Scenic route, very little traffic. Immediately after you go over the Card Sound bridge and pay your toll, there is a honky tonk bar on the left. “Alabama Jack’s” is very rustic.
Farther east on the Tamiami Trail (I love that name…), you can take a tram tour or bike ride at Shark Valley. A bit further down the road is the Big Cypress Visitor Center where you can hike a section of The Florida Trail. There are airboat rides advertised all along that section of State Road 41.
The only hotel in the Park itself was destroyed by hurricane 3 years ago I believe. As Bo said, it may be best to visit the park by boat from Key Largo or Islamorada. If you enter the park by car from Florida City on the mainland, it is a long drive to Flamingo at the end of the road. You can not get lost in the park as there is just one road. Bring mosquito dope and get out at any interesting wide spot in the road. Keep your eyes on the road as you may see snakes/gators crossing. Binoculars are helpful as the spaces are huge.
In Florida City/Homestead, you can also visit Biscayne National Park by glass bottom boat
I drove out to the Flamingo Lodge area from Key Largo as a daytrip when the Lodge was still open. They had boat tours out of the marina, where we spotted a (then rare) crocodile.
Almost forgot… you can take a boat or seaplane from Key West to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. I think it is the largest brick structure in the western hemisphere. Absolutely amazing that they were able to build this thing, literally in the middle of nowhere, by hand.
While driving either to or from Key West, take an hour or two to visit Pigeon Key; the southernmost station on the underground railroad. If you are up to it, walk or bike across the old bridge rather than taking the tram. The view of the water is fantastic and if you should happen to make the walk while the tide is ebbing, you will get a real sense of tidal power. I found the history of the place very interesting; in fact, I was offered a part-time job there as a tour guide but the pay wasn’t enough to make it worth while to drive to and from Homestead.