Located in South Florida, Everglades National Park is the third-largest national park in the lower 48 states (after Death Valley and Yellowstone) and the largest east of the Mississippi. On average, about one million people visit Everglades National Park each year.
The best time to visit is from late November through mid-March, when temperatures are cooler and there are fewer mosquitoes. One of the most interesting sections to visit is Shark Valley. Located just off U.S. Rt. 41, about 40 miles west of Miami, the entrance to the Shark Valley Visitor Center is immediately before the Miccosukee Indian Reservation.
The defining feature of this portion of the Park is a 15 mile, paved round-trip tram road leading to an observation tower. Tram tours run about every 20 minutes during the cool weather months.
For cyclists, this paved tram road makes for one of America's most unforgettable bike rides. You can bring your own bicycle, or you can rent a cruiser at the gift shop. It is best to ride in the opposite direction of the trams. As a tram approaches, bikers are required to pull over to the side of the road and stop as the tram passes.
Begin your bike ride on the western section of the road. This portion runs straight south, with a canal on the right. This canal is a haven for a variety of wildlife, including birds, turtles, and alligators. The presence of these reptiles make this ride truly unique.
Alligators are cold-blooded and depend on the sun for warmth. During the cooler months, the warm asphalt pavement of the tram road is an irresistible attraction. On a cool day, a bicyclist can expect to pass within a few feet of 30 or more 6' to 8' alligators sunning themselves along the side of the road.
On occasion, a large alligator will venture onto the center of the road and make itself comfortable. At these times, we recommend that the biker pass the alligator by riding along the grass shoulder of the road, or simply wait for a tram to come by, which will cause the alligator to move.
The return trip on the eastern section of the road contains some curves. With no canal as a haven, there are typically fewer alligators to be seen. However, this section offers an open panorama of the Park's river of grass.
If the time is right and the sky is clear, a full moon bike trip at Shark Valley is one of the most amazing bike rides one can take. The parking lot closes at 6:00, but the Park itself remains open to nighttime visitors. You can park along the grass shoulder of the highway and ride your bike or hike into the Park.
For this journey, the open eastern section of the tram road is best. As the sun sets, the moon rises. The reflection of moonlight off the river of grass provides plenty of illumination, so no flashlight is needed. There are few alligators to be seen at night, as they are now scattered throughout the glades to await a passing meal. But the aura of moonlight reflecting off of miles of shimmering water is another Everglades experience that bikers and hikers are unlikely to forget.
The best time to visit is from late November through mid-March, when temperatures are cooler and there are fewer mosquitoes. One of the most interesting sections to visit is Shark Valley. Located just off U.S. Rt. 41, about 40 miles west of Miami, the entrance to the Shark Valley Visitor Center is immediately before the Miccosukee Indian Reservation.
The defining feature of this portion of the Park is a 15 mile, paved round-trip tram road leading to an observation tower. Tram tours run about every 20 minutes during the cool weather months.
For cyclists, this paved tram road makes for one of America's most unforgettable bike rides. You can bring your own bicycle, or you can rent a cruiser at the gift shop. It is best to ride in the opposite direction of the trams. As a tram approaches, bikers are required to pull over to the side of the road and stop as the tram passes.
Begin your bike ride on the western section of the road. This portion runs straight south, with a canal on the right. This canal is a haven for a variety of wildlife, including birds, turtles, and alligators. The presence of these reptiles make this ride truly unique.
Alligators are cold-blooded and depend on the sun for warmth. During the cooler months, the warm asphalt pavement of the tram road is an irresistible attraction. On a cool day, a bicyclist can expect to pass within a few feet of 30 or more 6' to 8' alligators sunning themselves along the side of the road.
On occasion, a large alligator will venture onto the center of the road and make itself comfortable. At these times, we recommend that the biker pass the alligator by riding along the grass shoulder of the road, or simply wait for a tram to come by, which will cause the alligator to move.
The return trip on the eastern section of the road contains some curves. With no canal as a haven, there are typically fewer alligators to be seen. However, this section offers an open panorama of the Park's river of grass.
If the time is right and the sky is clear, a full moon bike trip at Shark Valley is one of the most amazing bike rides one can take. The parking lot closes at 6:00, but the Park itself remains open to nighttime visitors. You can park along the grass shoulder of the highway and ride your bike or hike into the Park.
For this journey, the open eastern section of the tram road is best. As the sun sets, the moon rises. The reflection of moonlight off the river of grass provides plenty of illumination, so no flashlight is needed. There are few alligators to be seen at night, as they are now scattered throughout the glades to await a passing meal. But the aura of moonlight reflecting off of miles of shimmering water is another Everglades experience that bikers and hikers are unlikely to forget.
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