Description

Everglades National Park, located in South Florida near Homestead, is one of America’s most unique and awe-inspiring natural wonders. Covering 1.5 million acres, the park is only a part of the greater Everglades ecosystem, often referred to as the "River of Grass." Once stretching over 6 million acres from the Kissimmee River basin down to Florida Bay and the Florida Keys, the Everglades has been significantly reduced in size due to agriculture and development. Still, it remains a subtropical wilderness like no other. Renowned for its vast sawgrass prairies, mangroves, and freshwater sloughs, the Everglades is home to a remarkable array of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and a multitude of bird species. It’s a place where kayaks and airboats glide across shallow waters under enormous cloud-filled skies, offering visitors an intimate glimpse into one of the world’s most unique ecosystems. The park was established in 1947, the same year that Marjory Stoneman Douglas published her iconic book, *The Everglades: River of Grass*, which helped bring national attention to the importance of preserving this natural treasure. In her honor, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness, a section of the park free from development, was created in 1978, highlighting her lasting impact on the protection of the Everglades. Everglades National Park offers various outdoor activities, including kayaking, airboat tours, and wildlife viewing. Whether exploring the remote Cape Sable beach on the Gulf Coast or wandering through its diverse habitats, the park immerses visitors in the untamed beauty of America’s Everglades.