Where can I take an airboat ride?

Most of the nearly 2400 square miles of Everglades National Park is managed as a wilderness area and Airboats are prohibited in these parts of the park (including Florida Bay).

There is a section in the northern area of the park that was added as park land in 1989 and private airboat operators currently offer tours in this area as the park goes through a planning process to determine if this area will be classified as wilderness or not. These operators are located off of U S 41/Tamiami Trail between Naples and Miami. There are several airboat operations that offer tours in non-park lands, also along U S 41/Tamiami Trail.

Deeper water, pontoon-type boat tours and tram tours are available in several locations around the park.

Should I be concerned about venomous snakes? Alligators? Toxic plants?

Four species of venomous snakes - the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), Dusky pigmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius), Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus), and Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius)- live in south Florida. Snakes usually shy away from people. If you see a snake, and you are unsure what kind it is, give it a wide berth and it will not bother you. Never pick up a snake.

Despite their fearsome appearance, alligators are normally wary of people; unprovoked attacks on humans are rare. Those habituated to people as a source of food, however, may be more aggressive. As with all wild animals, it is necessary to keep a safe distance.

Certain local plants, some found nowhere else in the U.S., contain toxins which can cause skin reactions if contacted. If you plan to leave the trails, learn how to identify poison ivy, poisonwood, manchineel, and other poisonous plants.

What areas are good for wildlife viewing?

Shark Valley, the Anhinga Trail (at Royal Palm), and Eco Pond (one mile past the Flamingo Visitor Center) are good for viewing alligators, wading birds, and other freshwater wildlife. Canoeists can paddle into Snake Bight (near Flamingo) and Chokoloskee Bay (Gulf Coast) before low tide to witness large numbers of water birds feeding in the shallows and on mud flats. A productive freshwater canoeing area is Nine Mile Pond and adjacent borrow pits (11 miles, or 18 km, up the road from Flamingo).

Should I be especially aware of certain regulations?

When observing animals, especially on major highways, pull completely off the road. Rangers use radar to clock speeders. Obey speed limits. It is dangerous and illegal to feed or harass any wildlife. Additionally:

• Weapons are prohibited in Federal buildings marked as such. Firearms may be possessed on parks lands in accordance with Federal, State and Local laws. All other types of weapons are prohibited.

• Skateboards, rollerskates, and personal watercraft, such as Jet Skis®, are prohibited in Everglades National Park.

• Pets are allowed on a 6-foot (2 m) leash in parking lots and campgrounds, but not on trails or in wilderness areas.

What should I do about insects?

Even though insect infestations aren't usually as severe during the drier, cooler winter months, one should always be prepared for encounters with bugs, especially mosquitoes.

In addition to using repellents, several actions can be taken to avoid insects:

• Cover up! Wear long-sleeved clothing.

• Avoid grassy areas where mosquitoes can hide.

• Close doors quickly.

• Seek open, breezy areas and avoid shady places.

How can I become a volunteer at Everglades National Park?

Everglades National Park has an active volunteer program! Often there are more than 200 volunteers participating in a variety of positions, including clerical, maintenance, resource management, and visitor services. For more information, click here.