At just under a mile long, with a flat surface and wheelchair accessibility, the Anhinga Trail will take you through a sawgrass marsh on an elevated boardwalk. From the boardwalk, looks for a wide variety of wildlife below, including alligators, turtles, pelicans and the anhinga bird, among others. The trail is only .8 miles long and can be easily reached from the Royal Palm Visitor Center. One curious aspect to be aware of are the area’s vultures. Many people report that the vultures are attracted to, and destroy, any exposed rubber parts of vehicles, including around windshield, windshield wipers and even tires. You can tarp the car if you’re going to leave it unattended.

Paddling through the everglades in a kayak is the best way to get an up close feel for the park and its wildlife. The waters are still, and you usually won’t run into large crowds due to the park’s size. Alligators, turtles, fish and manatees all inhabit the park’s waters. You can bring your own kayak and launch from one of several designated launching spots. Alternatively, there are several tour companies with tours available that last from a couple to several hours.

The highlight of the Shark Valley area is the abundance of alligators. You’re sure to spot a few here, but the real fun begins when you get on the Shark Valley Trail. The trail is a flat, 15 mile paved loop that will take you deep into the glades, where you’ll see an abundance of wildlife in addition to the alligators. Although the trail is very popular for biking, you can also walk or take a tram. About halfway through is an observation tower that will give you sweeping views of the park. If you don’t have your own bicycle for the trail, they can be rented beforehand.