Discover Everglades

Waterways and local history go hand in hand on a trip to Everglades: boat tours into Everglades National Park depart from Everglades City, while museums and historic buildings offer insights into the history of the town and region. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center at 815 Oyster Bar Ln in Everglades City is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can take these hours into account when planning a visit to the center.

Boat and Paddling Routes

Boat tours into Everglades National Park are offered from Everglades City. For paddling trips, it is important to distinguish between public launch points and the routes themselves: the paddling trails on the Gulf Coast are accessible via the public kayak launch at the Visitor Center. The Gulf Coast Canoe/Kayak Launch gives non-motorized watercraft access to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness, the Ten Thousand Islands, and the Wilderness Waterway.

The Turner River Canoe Route runs 8.5 miles from the canoe launch on US 41 to Chokoloskee; it can also be started from Everglades City. The Halfway Creek and Loop Trails are accessible from Everglades City and are 7.3 to 11 miles long, depending on the route. Another, longer loop connects Halfway Creek, Left Hand Turner, and Turner River and is about 12 to 14 miles long. The approximate figures for this loop are a guide, not an exact route length.

The 99-mile-long Wilderness Waterway is on a different scale, connecting Flamingo and Everglades City. It is recommended only for experienced paddlers. When comparing the trips, it is therefore important to consider not only their different lengths but also the stated experience recommendation. On the Sandfly Island Loop, the trail on Sandfly Island is one mile long; thus, the described nature experiences include walks as well as waterways.

The Gulf Coast area of Everglades National Park provides access to the Ten Thousand Islands, a maze of mangrove islands and waterways. This landscape gives the paddling routes their geographic context, while the individual routes differ in their starting points, length, and recommendations.

Local History and Museums

A notable moment in the park’s history took place in 1947 at the then Everglades City Airport: President Harry S. Truman delivered his speech there when he dedicated Everglades National Park. The Museum of the Everglades presents more than 2,000 years of the region’s human history in permanent and changing exhibitions. The museum building first opened as a commercial laundry in 1927 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

At the museum, the Pauline Reeves Gallery features monthly exhibitions by local and regional artists. Exhibition schedules may change; if you plan to visit the gallery, check the dates in advance. The combination of regional history and changing art exhibitions makes the museum a distinct focus alongside activities on the water.

Historic buildings also shape Everglades City. The Bank of Everglades Building at 201 West Broadway is a two-story building dating from 1926, designed in the Classical Revival style. It was nominated for inclusion on the National Register because of its local significance to commerce and architecture. During the historic period, the Bank of Everglades was the principal lender for boats. The original Collier County Courthouse was built in 1928; the former courthouse is now used as Everglades City Hall.

Getting Around Everglades City

Those wishing to explore historic Everglades City can use its low-traffic streets. Sunsets can be enjoyed along the Barron River. Bike racks are available throughout town and at the airport. These local details complement planning on the water with ways to experience the historic character of the city and its surroundings.

The Everglades Seafood Festival combines fresh seafood with lively entertainment and highlights the region’s maritime heritage. If you would like to include the festival in your trip, check the event dates in advance. Along with the museums and historic buildings, the festival offers another way to connect with regional history; the paddling routes and boat tours, by contrast, focus on the waterways.

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