Our Guide to the Ranger Led Activities at Everglades National Park

1. Everglades Boat Tour

First, their most popular and most accessible tour is the boat tour. This tour is held every day throughout the year, at every hour. The first tour leaves at 9:30 am, and the last one leaves at 4:30 pm. The 9:30 am tour also offers a citizen scientist option, where visitors can write down the numbers of animals and birds found in the park. However, for those who can’t make it to the 9:30 am tour, or who just want to see the park, get a chance to bird watch, dolphin watch, or see animals, this boat tour might just be the one to take.


So, you’ve chosen to do a vacation rental with us here at Naples Florida Vacation Homes, and yet you are excited about visiting Everglades National Park? That’s wonderful, but now that you are eager to visit Everglades National Park, are you sure about how you want to see it? There are several ways to visit Everglades National Park, which all of them are good choices. However probably one of the more convenient ways to visit Everglades National Park is by attending one of the ranger programs. In this post, we will go over the ranger programs offered at Everglades National Park Gulf Coast and what you need to do to participate in one.

2. Everglades Nature Walk

Second, there is the nature walk, which is held twice a day at 8:30 am and 4:15 pm. The walk starts from the Visitor’s Center and into the park. The goal of this tour is to tell and possibly show visitors the different animals and plants in the park, which makes it a good place to start if you want an introduction to the wildlife and plants that make Everglades National Park special. This tour only lasts 30 minutes.

3. Everglades Guided Canoe Tours

Third, are their guided canoe tours, which are held twice a day at either 10 am for four hours or at 2 pm for two hours. These tours enable visitors to see the park in a way they wouldn’t get to see with the boat tour. This is because these tours are longer than an hour and a half, only occur when a reservation has been made, which means that the ranger can go into more detail about the flora and fauna in the park, the ecosystem that makes up the 10,000 Islands and the Western Everglades, in addition to the park itself according to the individual interests of the visitor. In order to attend one of these tours, you must make a reservation in advance. To make a reservation, call within fourteen days to the number 239-695-3311.

4. Beginners Course: Saltwater Fishing

Fourth, is a beginner’s course on saltwater fishing. Saltwater fishing is a very popular activity within the park. After all, this park is the gateway to the 10,000 Islands, which is considered to be one of the best fishing destinations in the world. However, some of you visiting to the park might have never done salt water fishing before, or maybe you haven’t done it in a while. This course is really just a fun drop-in activity that can help guests to Everglades National Park learn or refresh their skills in saltwater fishing in a way that is very informal, economical, and most importantly, very fun! Guests of all ages will learn all the basics, including what fish in the park are best to catch and eat, how to cast a line, throw a net, what fishing poles to use etc. The class normally starts at 1:30 pm and ends around 3:30 pm.

5. Estuary Exploration

Fifth, is a special ranger interpretive program called Estuary Exploration. In this activity, you will learn about estuaries, in regards to what they are, what is in them, what makes them unique, and of the kind of estuaries you will find in the Florida Everglades. This activity starts at 1:30 pm and ends around 3:30 pm.

6. Tamiami Trail Triathlon

Sixth, is to finish up the other activities you did at other Everglades National or canoe Park visitors centers related to the Tamiami Trail Triathlon. With this activity, you can bicycle, kayak from the Gulf Coast visitor’s center to Big Cypress National Preserve’s. If you complete this trip, either starting from Big Cypress National Preserve or from Everglades National Park Gulf Center, or this and the other two bicycle, kayak or canoe tours at Shark Valley or the Oasis Visitor Center, you will receive a decal to help you brag about your accomplishment.

7. Everglades City Bike Tour

Seventh is the bike tour through Everglades City. Everglades City is unusual in the fact that it is located within the perimeters of Everglades National Park Gulf Coast. This tour, lasting two hours, allows visitors to tour Everglades City with the help of a ranger. Guests who take this tour will be able to learn about the history of the city and the area. This tour starts at 10 am, and requires guests to bring a bike with them, either one that they own, or to rent one. This tour is only held during the dry season, or winter time.

8. Ranger Talk about Everglades National Park

Eight or finally, there is the ranger talk, which is held every day at 11 am and 2 pm. This talk varies, including a different topic related to the park. These topics include Everglades ecology, history, environmental issues, animals, and plants. This talk only lasts twenty minutes.
Please note that not all of these activities are held year round, and the website doesn’t clearly state which activities are available all year long or not. In order to get the best information, you must contact the Gulf Coast visitor’s center directly at 239-695-3311. For more information on Everglades National Park Gulf Coast Center and the other visitor’s centers related to Everglades National Park, visit their website at http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm.

About Naples Florida Vacation Homes

Are you frustrated trying to find a rental for season? Look no more, and secure your stay with Naples Florida Vacation Homes! We provide seasonal, and nightly vacation rentals in Naples finest golf and beach communities throughout Collier County, Florida. We can also rent your Naples property!