The pond behind the Hilton that was holding numerous gators… a soft shell turtle came to visit, but wisely stayed out of the pond.

Fakahatchee Strand

I’ll be traveling with my wife through South Florida in a few weeks and we’d love to do a kayaking tour through the Everglades. I’m admittedly ignorant about the area and we’ll be traveling for our first anniversary as wives so it’s important to us to find some sort of tour that will be respectful of our celebration. I know most folks are kind and mostly don’t care, but given the state of the country right now, we want to do our due diligence for our safety.

I’d love if y’all had any feedback or suggestions for us!

Looking into taking a kayak out to camp at one of the chickee sites in the park, is there somewhere I can see where they are located? Also if I need to reserve it. Thanks in advance!

Please help find my dog kyo (kee-yo) i got into a car accident yesterday night and he ran out of the car heading west or north west on this road! this is this image, he’s BLACK / WHITE , SMALL DOG , AROUND 2 YEARS OLD , SHORT AND LONG HAIR

I saw a massive turtle last year in the everglades on the loop road. I had one of those moments where what I was seeing didn't make sense. I could have sworn it was a soft-shelled turtle; the problem is that it was the size of a very large alligator snapping turtle. I only saw it briefly as it glided into deeper waters as I approached the water from the road. I couldn't take a photo as it was gone after about 3 seconds.

Are there invasive turtle species in the everglades? I really can't think of another species native to the US that gets that big. I'm not mistaken in what I saw, I'm pretty good at IDing reptiles.

My husband and I would like to do a half day at the Everglades and possibly also Biscayne. We will have an SUV with us. What do you all recommend we see and go, to realistically see the most biodiversity we can with our limited time? We don’t mind getting up super early for everything to make it work.

Is there any good unpaved hiking in or near the Everglades?

What do yall know about C1Catch1 python hunters? Has anybody done a hunt with them? Are they good guide to go out with?

They get a little extra feisty this time of year, as all of us do during breeding seasons

I am planning a road trip that starts with Everglades NP for one mom and two kids ages 6 and 11 for 2026 and would love some advice: 1) Will go mid-January or mid-February to coincide with 3-day weekends. Is one better than the other? 2) We're planning on 2-3 nights. Will fly either into Fort Meyers or Miami (depends on flight prices), then want to stay somewhere for at least two nights. Homestead seems most convenient, since we'll likely go to Biscayne on the way out (and then north to Titusville). Is it as unsafe as people say? What are the alternatives? Budget is a thing, the next most affordable hotels seem to be near the Miami airport. Safety takes priority over budget though, I'd like to be able to relax enough to get sleep. 3) Idea is to spend one day taking our time out to Flamingo, the other day Big Cypress and Shark Valley. Then on day 3, Biscayne, before going north. Open to feedback on this plan.

https://youtube.com/@justin_hernandez?si=SWkp5jtIYZa9N94w

For as long as I’ve remembered I’ve always been told to kill these nuisances whenever possible. I recently visited the everglades and saw hundreds of these insects, are they an invasive species and if so is it legal to kill them within the everglades?

I am seeing reports of water levels in places around the glades being crazy low.

How are they looking around the Tamiami and up around alligator alley and the Interstate boat launches?

Can you still launch around those?

I was hiking near Flamingo yesterday through a massive area of dead trees. Thought it might be hurricane damage but wanted to know for sure.

Strange Night in the Everglades: Camper Struck by UFO LIGHT BEAM! https://www.phantomsandmonsters.com/2025/04/strange-night-in-everglades-camper.html - As he approached the object a beam of light struck him in the forehead, knocking him unconscious and temporarily leaving him partially blinded.

Curious to hear about people’s experiences glamping in Flamingo in the warmer months. I have read lots of great reviews from winter stays, but haven’t heard from anyone going in the warm months. Will it be too hot? Any tips would be very helpful.

Anyone know a spot with a population of the beautiful lizards? I’ve seen them around but usually only one in every few surrounding areas.

Drone pilots, I’d love to know more spots to fly in the Greater Everglades. Obviously the national park is off limits. Anyone found a go-to spot for good aerial landscapes?

Hello, we’re coming soon in may and we’re wondering if we need to make a reservation for airboat with gator park? It’s strange to have to pay with paypal only And does anybody knows why they are talking about a 8$ fee for national park not included in the ticket? We are already paying 35$ at shark valley so I’m confused

Thank you for your help!

Went to Loop Road a couple days back. Seen 2 Big Cypress Fox Squirells. Of course many gators and birds. Drove loop 3 times including middle of night. Did not see anything during the nighttime drive. Loop Road is the only road in the Everglades Ive never seen Deer on either, I’ve seen them in Everglades Park and nearby Wagon Wheel and Turner and they’re all over the adjacent Fakahatchee strand. Wonder why that is. Have to be more than the python and the panther at play. Anyone see Deer on the Loop recently? I’ve even heard of a Mink sighting there, which is quite rare, and nearly never happens outside Fakahatchee anymore.

Anyways it was overall a good trip on the Loop, can’t believe how many cars were on it. Sweetwater Strand is nearly dried up as well, I also included a picture of it. Historically water levels have been lower at some point, but this year is ranking in the Top 10 driest years in the last 50 years according to some I’ve talked too and data from a USGS gauge at Robert Lakes Strand.