CAMPING

Two campgrounds are available: Long Pine Key and Flamingo. Both have wheelchair accessible campsites and restrooms.

There is only one backcountry site accessible to people with mobility impairment. It is the Pearl Bay Chickee off of the Hell's Bay Canoe Trail. This is about a four hour canoe trip from the main road. It features handrails, a canoe dock, and an accesssible chemical toilet.

VISITOR CENTERS

The Ernest Coe Visitor Center located at the park entrance near Homestead is fully accessible to wheelchairs. This visitor center is a good place to get oriented to all the park has to offer. There are audio programs as well as a theater with captioned vidoes available.

The Royal Palm Area is also fully acessible and has a wheelchair available for loan on a first come, first served basis. This is an excellent place to view wildlife on nearby boardwalks.

The Flamingo Visitor Center is accessible by a steep ramp from the parking area. It contains a museum exhibit with both print and audio displays (?). A free wheelchair is available for loan on a first come, first served basis.

The Shark Valley Visitor Center, north entrance off of U.S. 41 / Tamiami Trail, is fully accessible and has a wheelchair available for loan on a first come, first served basis. Tram Trail a good place to view wildlife.

The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is accessible by elevator from the parking area. It contains a museum exhibit with print and captioned video display (?).

BOAT & TRAM TOURS

The Backcountry boat tour from Flamingo is accessible. Fishing Charters out of the marina may not be, ask when making reservations.

The tram tour at Shark Valley is accessible for most wheelchairs, please call ahead to make arrangements. Tour includes a stop at an observation tower which has a steep ramp, may be accessible with help.

RANGER-LED ACTIVITIES

Throughout the winter numerous activities from slide shows to canoe trips are offered by rangers in various areas of the park. At least half of these are accessible by wheelchair or have accommodations for special needs. Check the list of current ranger-led activities on the web-site, or at a visitor center, for information on programs and accessibility. In the summer, fewer programs are offered.

TRAILS

Anhinga Trail (paved / boardwalk)

At Royal Palm Area it is possibly the best place to look for alligators, birds and other wildlife.

Gumbo-Limbo Trail (paved & boardwalk)

Also at Royal Palm is a hardwood hammock trail illustrating the tropicall forest trees reminiscent of Central America.

Pineland Trail (slightly paved)

An often missed, but truly fascinating trail through the original "fire forest" of Florida. A slightly paved trail which is often uneven, narrow and has some holes.

Pahayokee Overlook (Boardwalk)

This is a good place to see vast stretches of sawgrass sweeping the horizon and islands of cypress trees. An short observation tower is accessible by a ramp.

Mahogany Hammock Trail (Boardwalk)

this trail leads through a tropical mahogany jungle, includes the largest mahogany tree in the U.S. Follow the trail counter-clockwise to make two small inclines easier to navigate.

West Lake Trail (Boardwalk)

Trail winds through a fascinating mangrove forest to West Lake. An accessible restroom is located in the parking lot area.

Bobcat Boardwalk (Boardwalk)

Located at Shark Valley, this trail takes you through a bay head and open sawgrass environment.

Other Trails

There are other trails at Long Pine Key, Flamingo and Shark Valley. Depending on the season these may be passable. Check with park rangers for latest trail conditions.