Florida is infamous for its beaches, fresh sea air, and nightlife, but an unlikely attraction is the Florida Everglades. It is easy to overlook this natural beauty with all the things to do while on your Florida vacation, but its lush landscape and interesting wildlife will be a unique experience you won’t want to miss.
Explore the Everglades on foot, in an air boat, or even helicopter. Finding somewhere to rest and relax after your excursion is easy if you choose a vacation rental home. All the amenities, like plenty of room and a full kitchen, will be appreciated after a long day of discovery.
A Rich History of the Everglades
In 1934 the Florida Everglades was recognized as a national park. After Death Valley and Yosemite, it’s the third largest in all of the lower 48 United States. Everglades National Park is recognized as a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance. It’s only the third place in all the world to net these accolades.
Celebrating 100 Years of National Parks
All of the nation’s national parks turn a century old this year. Everglades National Park has some fun activities to help commemorate the occasion. They will be offering 16 free admission days in 2016, beginning with Martin Luther King Jr. Day and ending with Veteran’s Day. There are other discounted ticket opportunities for select groups of all ages.
Importance of the Everglades
Don’t think of the Everglades as a swampy marsh. In fact, the area is actually a slow moving river and it supplies nearly 8 million Florida residents with their fresh drinking water. The Native American deemed it ‘pahajokee’ or grassy waters. It was nearly drained in the 1900’s for the planting of sugar cane to boost Florida’s economy.
Explore the Lands
Within its 1.5 million acres, there are three access points to Everglades National Park by foot, and many other entrances via the intercostal waterways. The busiest visitor seasons is December through March, due to the drier climate, lower temperatures, and minimal mosquitos. Feel free to camp, as they have various sites in the park from basic to running water and electric hookups, but make sure you have your vacation home booked.
What You’ll Find Inside
With nearly 73 endangered species, 500-year-old cypress trees, and flowers unique to the northern boundaries named Ghost Orchids, Florida would miss all those natural wonders, and probably more, if sugar farming overtook the area. Unfortunately, southern Florida lost nearly 50 percent of its original wetlands. What remains is essential to the ecosystem.
When you decide to leave the wondrous canopy of cypress trees and subtropical landscape of Everglades National Park, there’s no better feeling than a long shower, a hot meal, and a soft bed after a nice stent of roughing it or sightseeing. Enjoying all that Florida has to offer will be all that more pleasant with a home-away-from-home that you can only find in a vacation rental home.