We so enjoyed the Everglades. We stayed in three different campgrounds. Flamingo is the most southern, which has hugh pull through sites. This one is down at Florida Bay, has a vistor center, small store, and a marina. It used to have a large restaurant and motel rooms but they were damaged by hurricane Katrina but then destroyed by Wilma. They do have plans to rebuild. The Long Pine Key campground has large sites, but oddly have of them are backwards. Meaning if you back in the picnic table is on the other side of rig. Oh well it's still very nice. And Midway is off HWY 41 with back in sites around a small lake with electric. We highly recommend the Everglades! But of course you will have to give up your phone and computers as there is no reception.
We went to nine Ranger led programs. One a four hour Canoe Ranger lead tour in the mangroves. Another a two hour bike hike, others were a history walk, a two hour bird walk and several evening slide shows. We learned all about the water flow of the Everglades, including mangroves, how and why they are formed. The habits and habitat of gators, snakes, birds, etc.
At Shark Valley there is a 15mile loop that goes out to an observation tower. You can only take a tram, walk or ride a bike. No cars.
We rode our bikes(we did this 6 yrs ago also) the first 7 miles goes along a canal full of alligators. They still give me the creeps being so close but they are way more interested in sunning themselves.
Note: for you RV'ers notice the elevation sign , you can double click to enlarge.
