Anhinga Trail
Royal Palm Visitor Center, Everglades National Park, Homestead, Florida
Just inside the entrance to Everglades National Park, the Anhinga Trail is many visitors’ first chance to explore the Everglades. The accessible, less-than-a-mile long (1.2-kilometer) boardwalk is one of the premier wetland viewing trails in the national park system. While named for the Anhinga (snake birds) that populate the marsh, the trail is also famous for its easy-to-spot alligators.
The Anhinga trail departs from the Royal Palm Visitor Center, where you can stop in to get more information about the trail and park. If exploring the trails on your own, stop to read the informational plaques along the route and scan for alligators surrounding the boardwalk. Alternatively, if you don’t want to risk missing any of the information or wildlife, join a ranger-led walk. You can get more information about ranger programs at any of the park visitor centers.
- The Anhinga Trail is a perfect intro to the Everglades and ideal for visitors with limited time.
- While the boardwalk offers a safe viewing platform to observe alligators and other wildlife, avoid doing anything to intentionally disturb the animals.
- The paved walkway is easy to navigate with wheelchairs or strollers.
- Be prepared for mosquitos by bringing bug spray or long sleeve clothing.
From the main park entrance and Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, take State Highway 9336 for 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) and then follow signs for the Royal Palm Visitor Center. The Anhinga Trail departs from the visitor center.
The dry season (winter) offers the best wildlife viewing opportunities because the alligators and anhingas are breeding, adding to more activity. Plus, the shrinking slough concentrates the wildlife closer to the boardwalk.
One of the most popular activities in the park is bird watching. You can view birds from the trails or take a kayak or canoe tour and get deeper into the park. In fact, the water trails are another of the park’s main draws. Adventurous travelers can even take a multi-day kayak or canoe trip and camp at backcountry sites along the way. There are also drive-up campsites in the park.
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