Exploring Shark Valley
I’ve been posting lately on the fishing I’ve been experiencing here in Florida, but that’s not all I’ve been doing. A few weeks ago, I met a friend at the Everglades National Park Shark Valley for a little exploring. Then last week I returned with my mother during her visit.
Shark Valley Park is a 15 mile asphalt trail that loops through the everglades from the visitor center to an observation tower then back to the visitor center. Park visitors can either, take the tram tour, hike or bike the trail. We choose the tram and hiking.
The straight section of the loop trail through Shark Valley was constructed in 1946 when Humble Oil drilled an exploration well for oil. The company determined oils wells were not economic at the location and the land eventually became part of the everglades national park.
To build the trail, workers dug a trench alongside the road and used the dirt to elevate the path. The trench filled with water and, as the rest of the Everglades dries out in winter, the water in the ditches became perfect habitat and a congregation point for the local wildlife.
Shark Valley Tram Ride
The tram tour costs $25.00 per person. On my first trip to Shark Valley, we rode the tram out to the observation tower then hiked the 7 miles back to the visitor’s center. When my mother and I visited the park we rode the tram out and back. During both trips on the tram, an informative tour guide pointed out the wildlife by name, described the history of the everglades and shark valley, while explaining the how and the whys that make shark valley such a special area.
Gators lined the tram trail as we rode out to the observation tower.
Climbing the tower
Elevation is everything in the everglades and at a place where terrain differences are measured in inches, the 45 foot observation tower at the turn around point on the trail provides a rare 360 degree, 20 mile, elevated view of the everglades. The awesome view gives a unique perspective of how flat the everglades really are when compared to other parts of the country.
Hiking Shark Valley
On my first visit, in an effort to connect closer with the wildlife and plants of Shark Valley, we choose to walk the tram road back to the visitor center after riding it to the observation tower. Along the 7 mile hike, gators regularly lined the path and we walked seemingly uncomforting close to the man-eaters. But I soon surmised that these guys appeared accustomed to the visitors of his everglades and they let us pass without expressing any concern to our presence. Walking at a slower pace than that of the tram gave us a chance to get a more up-close and personal experience of the vast everglades.
My first trip to Shark Valley in the Everglades National Park provided the best visual and informative everglades experience since I’ve been in Florida. Walking with the gators, looking out over the glades from the tower, viewing the countless varieties of birds and plant life that comprises the everglades, and the history of the area explained by the tram tour guide incorporated a comprehensive everglades experience.
So much so that when my mother came to visit me, I had to take her to see Shark Valley and the everglades.
If you come to south Florida visit Shark Valley you won’t be disappointed.
