Everglades Tour: Self-Guided Drive

“It is a river of grass.”

That’s what conservationist Marjory Stoneman Douglas famously called the Everglades. Not a swamp, not a jungle, something entirely unique. Water that flows like time. Grass that hides gators. Sky so wide, it might swallow you whole.

This place is wild. Not just in nature, but in story. The Everglades once hid Native tribes fleeing colonial powers. Later, it lured prospectors and poachers, drained by engineers, and saved, barely, by a few voices crying out for preservation.

Today, it’s one of the most biologically diverse landscapes in North America. Think mangroves, marshes, hardwood forests, and rare animals found nowhere else. It’s quiet. Humid. Alive.

With this self-guided audio tour, you’ll cruise through the park at your own pace, listening to stories and insights that play automatically as you drive. Whether you’re pausing for a trail, scoping out gators, or just soaking up the view, the guide rides shotgun the whole way.

You’ll walk shaded boardwalks along Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo Trails, pass through sun-dappled pinelands, and catch panoramic views from the Pa-Hay-Okee lookout. Mahogany Hammock shelters giants, including the largest mahogany tree in the country.

Spot wildlife near Nine Mile Pond, where boaters paddle through mirrored water. Hear whispers of cryptids like the Alligator King and the Skunk Ape. On drier ground, the West Lake and Snake Bight Trails offer glimpses of crocodiles, egrets, and more.

From the resilient trees of Christian Point to the sunbaked shores near the Flamingo Center, every turn reveals another piece of this wild, watery world. Your final stop, Eco Pond, is a birdwatcher’s dream and a peaceful sendoff from a place that never stands still.

Disclaimer: Alligators don’t bite unless provoked. Mosquitoes, however, do not need a reason.

Download the Everglades National Park Trip Planner for more details on how to reach the park, must-see stops, best places to stay, when to visit, activities to do, packing tips, and more!

NOTE: The Pa-Hay-Okee boardwalk trail, tower and parking lot are closed for a replacement project until Fall 2025. For the latest road closure updates and more information, please visit the National Park Service website.

Hello, Hallo – Explore Everglades in English and German!
All languages are available to you when you purchase the tour.

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