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.

For a look at a cornucopia of options, browse Paddle Florida for any and all options for those that want to gain a deeper connection to nature and its wildlife in the Central Florida region. Depending on your ideal excursion, you can cater your Florida vacation to your group and its needs. Whether it is watery creatures, historic forests, or a glimpse back in time, Florida offers a multitude of places to visit when not enjoying a relaxing time at your vacation villa.

Meet the Manatees

The Blue Spring is the largest spring that feeds the St. John’s River, offering beautiful scenery for kayaking throughout. Adjacent to the Blue Spring State Park, this river offers fishing, paddling, and boating, so use caution when motors are nearby. After a short paddle, find yourself amongst manatees that glide through the water gracefully. From there, the Blue Spring State Park provides a number of family activities, including camping, picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and river boat tours after a day of paddling.

Take the Scenic Route

The Dora Canal provides one of the most picturesque paddling experiences in Central Florida. Linking Lakes Eustis and Dora, this short journey is flanked by striking cypress trees, perfect for aspiring photographers and nature lovers alike. Multitudes of water birds, alligators, and otters live in the area adding to the pristine landscape that only nature has touched. Mount Dora, a nearby town, is most desired for its Victorian airs, restaurants, and antique shops. Spend the night at the Lakeside Inn, built in 1883, for a taste of vintage charm.

Disney’s Hidden Gem

Located along the border of Disney property in Kissimmee, Shingle Creek lies within Shingle Creek Regional Park. Flanking its borders are beautiful cypress trees and a myriad of wildlife, including alligators, water birds, and turtles. Voyaging on this seven-mile journey, the peaceful area gives a sense of relief and tranquility in nature, before mankind made its mark on the world.

Danger – Gators!

Before any adventurous excursion, it’s essential to know the best ways to remain safe from predators. To avoid unwanted contact with alligators, consider contacting the local Fish and Game department for the latest information regarding mating season and times of day with increased predator activity. This is usually around dawn and dusk, but can vary slightly from region to region. When encountering an alligator, it’s recommended to stay 100 feet away at all times for safety. If the reptile runs into the water suddenly and appears to be charging, it’s most likely getting into the water to feel safe as quickly as possible. Continue to maintain as much distance as you can and remain calm. If you see a smaller alligator with yellow stripes, it’s a juvenile and it’s almost certain that its mother will be nearby. Although these may be tempting to approach, a territorial mother with rows of teeth is not the ideal opponent to tangle with, especially while on vacation!

Follow these simple tips and you and the whole family will enjoy your Florida adventure happily and safely.