Glen Lau joins Flip Pallot for a journey into remote areas of
the Everglades. A place where Flip had only been once before as a
young man. A place where he remembered bays boiling with fish, where
he caught large bass, tarpon and snook in the same waters. One gets
there through Lostman's River, Hell's Bay, and Bear Lake, past Cape
Sable and passages that have disappeared over time and leads to a
real "Quest For Adventure."
www.nps.gov/ever
How to get there:
Only one road enters Everglades National Park in the southern
section of mainland Florida. The road can be accessed from Hwy
9336 which can be reached via the Florida Turnpike, Hwy 997, or
U.S. Hwy 1. Visitors coming from the Miami area and points north
may take the Florida Turnpike south to the Florida City exit. turn
right at the first traffic light onto Palm Drive and follow the
signs to the park. Visitors driving north from the Florida Keys
should turn left on Palm Drive (344th Street) in Florida City and
follow the signs to the park. At the end of the 38 mile road is
Flamingo where facilities are available to the public to spend the
night, eat, fill the car with gas, or choose a variety of boating
adventures to enter the park's waterways.
U.S. Hwy 41 borders part of the park's northern boundaries.
Everglades City on Hwy 39 off U.S.Hwy 41 offers boat tours into
the park.
Miami and Fort Myers are served by international airports,
buses, and numerous rental agencies.
About the park:
The Everglades National Park Celebrates Fifty Year Anniversary
"Here are no peaks seeking the sky, no
mighty glaciers or rushing streams wearing away the uplifted land.
Here is land, tranquil in its quiet beauty, serving not as the
source of water, but as the last receiver of it. To its natural
abundance we owe the spectacular plant and animal life that
distinguishes this place from all others in our country".
| President Harry S. Truman |
| December 6, 1947 |
| Formal dedication
Ceremony of Everglades National Park |
Today Everglades is the third largest national park in the
contiguous forty-eight states, encompassing 1,509,000 acres. The
park is:
- The FIRST national park preserved for its abundance and
variety of life
- Largest continuous stand of sawgrass in North America
- Predominant water recharge area for all of South Florida
through the Biscayne aquifer
- Home of fourteen threatened and endangered species
- Largest mangrove eco-system in the western hemisphere
- Largest designated wilderness east of the Rocky Mountains
- Most significant breeding grounds for tropical wading birds
in the North America.
- Site of a nationally significant estuarine system in Florida
Bay and Whitewater Bay.
Where to stay:
Located near the end on the Main park road is:
 |
Flamingo
Lodge Marina & Outpost Resort.
Cabins provide fully equipped kitchens, a separate bedroom
and living room, air conditioning, and phone ranging from
only $89.00 to $135.00 a night.
Lodge rooms provide two double beds, phone, air
conditioning, and television ranging from only $65.00 to
$95.00 a night. Rates vary by dates.
Pool privileges are provided to guest.
For lodging reservations call: (800) 600-3813.
|
For information on facilities outside the park, contact the
Chamber of Commerce or Visitors Bureau in the area of interest:
| Homestead & Florida City |
|
State of Florida |
Tropical Everglades Visitors
Association
160 US Hwy-1
Florida City, FL. 33934
(800) 388-9669 |
Florida State Park Information
Division of Recreation
3900 Commonwealth Blvd.
Mail Station 535
Tallahassee, FL. 32303-9990
Florida State Information
126 Van Buren Street
Tallahassee, FL. 32399
(904) 487-1462
|
Homestead &
Florida City Chamber of Commerce
550 North Homestead Blvd.
Homestead, FL. 33030
(305) 247-2332 |
Everglades City
Everglades Area Chamber of Commerce
Post Office Drawer "E"
Everglades City, FL. 33929
(941) 695-3941 |
| |
Marina, Canoe Rentals, and Boat Tours:
Flamingo
Lodge Marina & Outpost Resort has a restaurant and marina
were 1-1/2 and 2 hour cruises into the Everglades are available.
The marina rents canoes, kayaks, fishing rods, bicycles, and
binoculars. Several fishing guides work out of the marina and can
take you far into the park to experience fishing among the
mangroves for snook, tarpon, and redfish. Individuals may also
launch their boat at the marina ($5.00). Reservations are
accepted: (941) 695-3101.
Boat tours are also provided out of Everglades City through
Gulf Coast Ranger Station. No reservations accepted; first come
first serve. For further information call: (941) 695-2591.
Maps of the Everglades:
Obtain a good navigational map(s) before taking off into the
maze of grass and mangrove islands of the Everglades. Maps are
available through Flamingo
Lodge Marina & Outpost Resort (800) 600-3813 or (941)
695-3101 (See Topographical Map Sources
Page : Internation Sailing
Supply)
Fishing:
With one third of the Everglades National Park covered by
water, fishing opportunities are excellent. Snapper, sea trout,
redfish, bass, and bluegill are plentiful. Freshwater and
saltwater require separate Florida fishing licenses.
Both fresh and saltwater licenses can be obtained at the Flamingo
Lodge Marina & Outpost Resort or most businesses that sell
fishing equipment. To order licenses prior to your trip, call
1-888-347-4356 or contact the Florida Game and Fish Commission's
website at http://www.state.fl.us/gfc/
for further information.
In Everglades National Park, all waters from and including Nine
Mile Pond northward along the Main Park Road are considered fresh
water. Interior rivers in the north section of the park, such as
the Turner River, are fresh water.
Saltwater fishing includes Florida Bay, Ten Thousand Islands
and elsewhere in the park's coastal zone.
Anglers need to become familiar with and follow specific
regulation for fishing in the park.
