Everglades National Park is one of the most unique national parks in the United States, and hiking is a special way to experience its magic. This article is here to help you find the best easy hikes in the Everglades — let’s go see some alligators!
No matter your age, ability, or skill level, there is a fantastic hike in the Everglades for you. The best easy hikes in Everglades National Park are the Anhinga Trail, Mahogany Hammock, Eco Pond, Gumbo Limbo Trail, and the Pa-hay-okee Overlook.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. Hiking through the Everglades is such a fun way to see the park, and I can’t wait to share the best easy hikes in the Everglades with you. Let’s talk about your options!
What are the Best Easy Hikes in the Everglades?
Everglades National Park is not known as a great hiking park, so you won’t find a ton of trail options here. In this instance, you can usually see the park better from the water. But it is definitely still worth hitting the trail to experience a unique side of the Everglades.
If a trail is less than three miles, doesn’t have more than 300 feet of elevation gain (everything is flat here, so that won’t be a problem!), and is somewhere I take my own small children, it’s included in this list of the best hiking trails in the Everglades.
Anhinga Trail
The Anhinga Trail is THE BEST trail in the Everglades if you want to see wildlife while you hike! Also one of the most popular trails, this relatively short hike is usually crowded with people, alligators, turtles, anhingas, and lots of other birds.
Anhinga Trail Information
Distance: 0.8 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 0 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No
The Anhinga Trail is an absolute can’t-miss while visiting the Everglades, especially for wildlife viewing! You never know what you’ll see as you hike, but I’ve had great luck seeing alligators (isn’t that why we’re all here?!), turtles, fish, and several species of beautiful birds. Keep your eyes peeled — you never know what is lurking right near the path.
This trail is paved or on a boardwalk the entire way, and you gain 0 feet of elevation, making this an awesome option if you are looking for an easy hike.
Turn this trail into a massive game of I-Spy, and your entire group will be happy as you hike!
(ALTERNATIVE) Some of the other best trails in the area include the Gumbo Limbo Trail and the Pinelands Trail. From the Anhinga Trail, you’re also only a few miles from the Nike Missile Base if you want to step back into history.
Location
The Anhinga Trail is located at Royal Palm, about 4 miles southwest of the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center.
Mahogany Hammock
The Mahogany Hammock Trail is named for the dense vegetation that cradles the trail from start to finish. As you hike along this short trail, you can see the largest living mahogany tree in the United States!
Mahogany Hammock Trail Information
Distance: 0.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 0 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Restrooms: No
Pets Allowed: No
The Mahogany Hammock Trail is one of the shortest and easiest hikes in the park—it usually takes under 10 minutes for most visitors to complete (without stopping). For the best experience, you’ll want to wear bug spray (and maybe even long sleeves!) on this one.
You’ll wander along a picturesque short boardwalk as you explore this tropical hardwood hammock. A hammock in the Everglades is an area of land that is slightly higher than the rest. This creates the opportunity for large trees to grow in a protected area that rarely floods.
As you walk along the easy trail, be sure to stop and read the informational signs that share fascinating facts about the Everglades.
(ALTERNATIVE) Other easy hikes in the area include West Lake or the Pa-hay-okee Overlook.
Location
The Mahogany Hammock Trail is found along the main park road, about halfway between the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center and the Flamingo Marina.
Eco Pond
Strolling around Eco Pond at the Everglades is relaxing and rewarding, as a large variety of birds are found along this path. Other wildlife, such as alligators and turtles, are also commonly spotted at this freshwater pond.
Eco Pond Trail Information
Distance: 0.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 0 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: No
Pets Allowed: No
This is a short dirt trail that travels along the shoreline of Eco Pond. I love coming here to look for the big, beautiful birds that are common in the Everglades — it is amazing to see them from the trail!
This area is perfect for kids, as the hike normally takes under 10 minutes round trip to complete without stops. However, we usually spend a lot of extra time watching wildlife here.
(ALTERNATIVE) Other easy hikes in the area include the Guy Bradley Trail or the Bayshore Loop.
Location
Eco Pond is found in the Flamingo area of the park, just after you pass the marina but before you reach the Flamingo Campground.
Gumbo Limbo Trail
One of the few shaded trails in the Everglades, this paved trail leads through a dense group of gumbo limbo and royal palm trees, as well as some other ferns and air plants. You’ll feel like you’re taking an easy walk through a jungle as you enjoy these unique trees!
Gumbo Limbo Trail Information
Distance: 0.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 0 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No
The Gumbo Limbo Trail is often overlooked due to its more famous neighboring trail, the Anhinga Trail. You’re not likely to see any alligators on the Gumbo Limbo Trail, but it does provide a lovely walk through a beautiful forest area.
The trail is named due to the abundance of gumbo limbo trees, and these are fun trees to see. You can recognize them by the peeling red bark. Gumbo limbo trees are often nicknamed the “tourist tree” because the bark resembles the burnt and peeling skin of a tourist in Florida!
(ALTERNATIVE) Other easy hikes in the area include the Anhinga Trail and the Pinelands Trail.
Location
The Gumbo Limbo Trail is located at Royal Palm, about 4 miles southwest of the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center.
Pa-hay-okee Overlook
Florida is home to several unique ecosystems, including the Everglades, which is on full display at the Pa-hay-okee Overlook! The path ends at a raised observation platform that gives you unobstructed views of what is called the “river of grass.”
Pa-hay-okee Overlook Information
Distance: 0.2 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 0 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Restrooms: No
Pets Allowed: No
The path to the Pa-hay-okee Overlook is a short and sweet walk along a wooden boardwalk that cuts through the grass. When you make it to the overlook tower, you’ll get a birds-eye view of the Everglades!
You’ll want to put on bug spray before you walk out to the overlook so that you can have an enjoyable experience as you look out over the wide expanses of grass around you!
(ALTERNATIVE) Other easy hikes in the area include the Mahogany Hammock Trail and the Pinelands Trail.
Location
The Pa-hay-okee Overlook is located about 12 miles west of the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center along the main park road.
What are the Best Wheelchair-Friendly Trails in the Everglades?
Everglades National Park aims to be a highly accessible park for everyone — it also helps that everything is flat in Florida! If you’re looking for some wheelchair-friendly trails, then you’ve picked the right national park!
Four of the five best Everglades hikes listed above have great accessibility. You can travel the Anhinga Trail, the Mahogany Hammock Trail, the Gumbo Limbo Trail, and the Pa-hay-okee Overlook Trail in a wheelchair. These trails are either paved or have a flat boardwalk surface.
Everglades Hiking Regulations
To protect this beautiful place and leave it better than you found it, please follow these regulations:
- Don’t take anything. Rocks, flowers, sticks, etc. must stay in the national park. If you find something cool, take a picture of it, but please don’t remove it.
- Stay on the trail. Please don’t make your own trail or follow trails that other people have made (unless you’re sloughing!). This is for your safety and to prevent soil erosion and stomping of plants.
- Don’t feed the wildlife. These animals need to be able to find food on their own in order to survive the harsh winters. They often become aggressive and transmit diseases to humans if fed. Maintain a safe distance from the park’s wildlife to avoid injury or death.
- Pets are not allowed on any park trails. See where you can take your pets if you bring them to the park.
What are the Best Longer Day Hikes in the Everglades?
If you’re able to hike longer distances and are feeling extra adventurous, Everglades National Park has several longer hikes that will take you into the farthest reaches of the park. These trails are not easy by any means, but if you’re looking for a challenge, consider these hikes!
Long Pine Key Trail
This trail is a whopping 15.5-mile trail that, although long, isn’t as difficult as you might think it is—hikers normally take under five hours to complete this almost completely flat hike. While on the Long Pine Key Trail, you’ll wander through winding, rocky paths past Pine Glades Lake and through all the different types of scenery that the Everglades has to offer.
Snake Bight Trail
If you’re not looking to be gone for five hours on a hike, consider taking the Snake Bight Trail. This trail is a 3.6-mile straight shot out to Florida Bay, where you’ll find a boardwalk with excellent views of the water. The hike normally takes around an hour and is almost completely flat—the perfect trail for those who want to hike something longer than some of the shorter, easier hikes in the Everglades without making a day trip out of it.
This park is full of amazing sights and fun trails. I hope you enjoy these easy trails in Everglades National Park — happy hiking!
More Everglades Trip Planning Information
How to Get to Everglades — the best airports and roads in the area.
How Many Days Should I Spend in the Everglades? — itinerary ideas.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
10 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Everglades — the top 10 spots.
Best Things to Do — activities for every type of adventurer.
The Ultimate Everglades Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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