tropical wilderness
largest
in the United States
Everglades National Park
Looking for a warmer winter park destination? There’s no place better to escape
to than the Everglades National Park
in Florida. Usually starting in December, the Everglades experiences what is
known as a true winter dry season. Being that the Everglades has a subtropical
climate, the best time to visit the park
is during this dry season. Temperatures
are beautiful for the area, with highs in
the 70s and average lows right around
the 50s. The best part about this dry season is that the humidity is low, so visiting the park during this season makes
for a much more enjoyable experience
if you’re including outdoor activities in
your itinerary, like hiking and nature
walks.
The Everglades is the largest tropical
wilderness in the United States. The Everglades became protected in 1934, after
it was discovered that the habitat was
38 Fall 2016 Adventure Outdoors
quickly diminishing. Its ecosystem is so
intricate and so fragile, that more than
1.5 million acres had to be protected in
order to ensure the safety of the wildlife and water systems within them.
There are more than 30 endangered or
threatened species that thrive in the Everglades, including the Florida panther,
West Indian manatee, and the American crocodile. There are approximately
350 species of birds in the park as well,
and more than 300 species of freshwater
and saltwater fish.
Camping overnight and visiting for several days is encouraged, but we suggest
that you make reservations ahead of
time, as the winter season is the busiest
season in the Everglades. Park rangers
provide tours and educational programs
to visitors, and you may often be hiking
in crowds. Bring your camera! Wildlife
within the park is much easier to spot
during the dry season.