Florida Everglades: Exploring the "River of Grass"

We've been through the Everglades from Naples to Fort Lauderdale along Alligator Alley also known as the Everglades Expressway or I-75. Later, we'd planned to take a longer trip into the national park to explore some more of the opportunities offered there. However, we had a falling out with the people we were planning to go with and the trip was canceled.

The Everglades region of South Florida occupies over 4,300 square miles stretching from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. The area is a subtropical-tropical wetland whose prominent feature is the saw-grass marsh interspersed with mangrove forests, hammocks and Cypress swamps. It's a sanctuary for the American Crocodile, the alligator, the Florida Panther, the manatee and various bird species along with snakes, turtles, fish and shrimp.

The area has a long, complicated and varied history. According to recorded history, the area was originally occupied by Native American tribes which eventually became the Calusa and the Tequesta which are no longer in the area. Their numbers were decimated, then removed by the Spanish. They were replaced by the Seminole who went into the swamp to escape capture, resulting in three wars with the US, when the US was annexing the Florida Territory.

During the 1800's the Federal Government decided to rid the southern area of Florida of the Everglades, which was considered a cesspool during that time. They redirected one of the main supply rivers directly into the Gulf of Mexico, then they drained portions of the swamp and put a dike around Lake Okeechobee to prevent future flooding. Then those areas were taken over by sugar cane fields and a lot of development projects.

Then in the mid 1900's it was realized, after a continual increase in population, putting a strain on the natural resources, that the Everglades system was actually the water source for the south Florida area. Since then the Federal Government with Florida, has been reversing the damage done in the previous century, undoing the
things that had been done to drain the swamp.

This history is reflected in the character of some of the venues you will encounter in the Everglades. This guide is divided up into sections:

Attractions:

Billie Swamp Safari:

The Seminole Tribe of Florida offers individual and group packages of various activities and accommodations including Swamp Buggy eco-tours, night Swamp Buggy eco-tours, alligator and snake and swamp critter shows, storytelling around the campfire, airboat tours and Chickee Lodge overnight stays. Their prices range from $3.50 for the storytelling around the campfire to $73.35 for the package deal which includes everything plus the Chickee overnight stay. They also offer exclusive tours starting at $375.

The tribe also offers a Seminole village along with a traditional council house, a boardwalk nature trail, live animal and bird exhibits, which includes an alligator pit, a restaurant and a gift shop.

They are located off of Alligator Alley. Take exit 49 off of I-75 for 19 miles, going north. For more information call 800-949-6101 in the US and Canada and 863-983-6101 for international guests.

Ahtahthiki-Seminole Tribe of Florida Museum:

The museum is located on the same reservation as the Billie Swamp Safari. It is two miles before the the Safari on the same road. Entry fees range from $9.00 to $6.00. They also offer children's' crafts sessions for $3.00 and an all day scouting experience for $12.00 per scout and also guided tours. Their operating hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm daily.

This venue houses four main exhibits, various collections of tribal history and a living village. They also have a retail store which carries the authentic Seminole patchwork clothing, bead-work, carvings, jewelry, and other crafts made by the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes living in the area.

For more information call 863-902-1113. They are located on 34725 West Boundary Road, in Clewiston, Florida off of exit 49, 17 miles from I-75.

Big Cypress RV Resort:

This full service facility provides RV and tent sites, cabins, a clubhouse, a heated swimming pool and a hot tub, a miniature golf course, basketball courts, a shuffle board, a horseshoe pit, a playground, an exercise room and access to laundry.

Their prices range from $25 per night for a tent site to $125 per night for a two bedroom suite with a full kitchen and bath.

They are located 19 miles north of Exit 49 off of I-75 in the Big Cypress Campground. their address is H.C. 61 Box 54-A in Clewiston, Florida. Call (800) 437-4102 or email at BCRVResort@semtribe.com for reservations.

Everglades Island Airboat Tours and Totche's Island Tours:

They offer both airboat tours and tours of their private island. Their boat rides range from 30 to 90 minutes. They're located in Everglades City at 929 Dupont St off of state road 29. You need to contact them at 1-866-626-2833, 239-695-2333 or evergladeairboat@aol.com for prices, information and reservations.

Captain Doug's:

The company offers small airboat and scenic boat tours. They also offer a free photo with the baby alligator show and a Native American bracelet or a free sand dollar for the women.

They are located on State Road 29 in Everglades City. For reservations and Information call 1-800-282-9194 or email at info@captaindougs.com.

Speedy Johnson's Airboat Rides:

This company is open 9:00am to 5:00pm daily they are located at 621 Begonia Street off of State Road 29 in Everglades City, Florida. Call 1-239-695-4448 or email at speedysfuncruise@aol.com for information and reservations.

Go Fish Guide Service:

This is a fishing charter service. Their prices range from $400 for four hours for two people to $600 for eight hours of fishing for two people. Bring your own food. Your fishing license and gear are included.

They are located on State Road 29 in Chokoloskee, Florida. Call 239-695-0687 for charter information and reservations

Everglades Rentals and Eco Adventures:

This company offers guided full day trips, sunset trips, new moon trips, full moon trips, historical trips, kayak fishing and other specialty trips such as overnight guided canoe trips, guided kayak and boating excursions as well as canoe, kayak, and camping equipment rentals. They also provide boat shuttle services to specific locations. There's a full price list on the website.

They provide accommodations at the Ivey House Bed and Breakfast which ranges in prices from $70 to $116 per night. Ivey House is open year round. All rentals and guided paddle Eco Adventures are available all year. However, their overnight guided Eco Adventures are only available November 1st to April 1st.

They are located in the Ivey House Inn at 107 Camellia Street in Everglades City, Florida off of State Road 29.

For information or reservations call 239-695-3299 or email them at info@iveyhouse.com .

Parks, Preserves and Campgrounds:

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park is located west of Copeland on Janes Memorial Scenic Drive, on S.R. 29. The park is open 8:00am until sunset all year. There's no admission fee. They can be contacted at 239-695-4993.

Big Cypress National Preserve Oasis Visitor Center is located at HCR 61 in Ochopee, Florida. They can be contacted at 239-695-1201. Their hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Monument Lake Campground is open all year. This camp includes a restroom, an outdoor unheated shower, a dumpster. There are picnic tables and barbeques on all of the camp sites which have no electricity. The camping fee is $16 a night with a 14 day limit. They can be contacted at (239) 695-1201.

Midway Campground has an RV dump station, restrooms, RV sites as well as tent sites. The nightly fee is $16 which includes the use of the dump station at Midway and Dona Drive. The camp has a 14 day limit. For More information call the Preserve at (239) 695-1201

Bear Island is open all year. This is a primitive camping site which has no water or rest rooms. For more information call (239) 695-1201

Mitchell's Landing is open all year. They offer primitive camping with no water or rest rooms. For more information call (239) 695-1201

Pinecrest is open all year. They offer primitive camping with no water or rest rooms. For more information call (239) 695-1201

Biking and walking trips:

Biking:

Ride on Bear Island whichisin the Big Cypress National Preserve. Please contact the preserve at 695-4111.
Enjoy Janes Scenic Drive which can be locatedon the Fakahatchee Strand. They can be contacted at
695-4593.
Ride through Shark Valley whichisin the Everglades National Park which can be contacted at 1-305-221-8455.

Walking:

Walk the Boardwalk in Big Cypress Bend. Their contact number is 695-4593.
Take the paths in Collier Seminole State Park. Call for information at389-1628.
Enjoy the paths in Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Call for information at 348-9151.
Take the walks in Big Cypress Swamp. They can be contacted at 695-4111.
Enjoy the walks in Fakahatchee Strand Swamp. Call 695-4593 for more information.

Accommodations:

Captain's Table Hotel:

This hotel is located at 102 East Broadway in Everglades City, Florida and can be contacted at 239-695-4211 or
at info@captainstablehotel.com .

The fees for this year are $65.00 to $130 for June 1 to August 31, $75.00 to $140 from September 1 to December 25 and $75.00 to $170 during December 26 to May 31. These prices include their one bedroom rooms up to their deluxe apartments.

Everglades City Motel:

The motel is located at 310 Collier Avenue, State Road 29, in Everglades City, Florida and can be contacted at
239 695-4224 or 800-695-8353 or at evergladescitymotel@gmail.com .

This motel offers rooms with 2 double beds, a refrigerator, a microwave and a coffeemaker with coffee, sugar and creamer, included. All rooms have AC. They also offer apartments which have 2 double beds, a refrigerator, a microwave, a stove and a coffeemaker. They are also equipped with dishes, silverware, pots and pans for four people and have AC.

You need to call for prices and reservations.

Restaurants:

Most of these restaurants serve fresh caught fish and seafood and for some it's their specialty.

Barron River Marina Villas and RVS's Chickee Bar Restaurant is located at 803 Collier Avenue in Everglades City, Florida. They can be contacted at 239 695-3332
.
Captain's Table Seafood Depot is located at 102 East Broadway in Everglades City, Florida and can be contacted at 239 695-4211.

Everglades Oar House Restaurant is located at 305 Collier Avenue in Everglades City, Florida and can be contacted at 239 695-3535.

Everglades Seafood Depot Restaurant and Market can be found at 102 Collier Avenue in Everglades City, Florida
and can be contacted at 239 695-0075.

Ivey House Bed and Breakfast is a part of Everglades Rentals and Eco Adventures and can be found at107 Camellia Street in Everglades City, Florida and can be contacted at 239 695-3299.

Rod and Gun Club Lodge is located at 200 Broadway in Everglades City, Florida and can be contacted at
239 695-2101.

Additional Reading:

Affordable Lodging in the East Tampa Bay Area, Tourist Must-Sees in the Tampa Bay Area,
Best Bike Paths or Lanes in the East Tampa Bay Area, Best Restaurants for Breakfast in the East Tampa Bay Area, Hiking Trails in Florida, Campgrounds in the State of Florida, Camping in Florida's Ocala Forest: A Review

Sources:

http://www.answers.com/topic/everglades#History_of_the_everglades

http://www.evergladesonline.com/

www.seminoletribe.com/safari.

http://www.billieswampsafari.travel/

http://www.ahtahthiki.com/

http://www.bigcypressrvresort.com/rates.html

http://www.airboateverglades.com/

http://www.captaindougs.com/

http://speedyjohnsons.com/homed.htm

http://www.gofishguides.com/

http://www.evergladesadventures.com/

http://www.iveyhouse.com/

http://www.evergladesonline.com/sports.htm

http://www.evergladesonline.com/campgrounds2.htm

http://www.evergladesonline.com/campgrounds3.htm

http://www.evergladesonline.com/campgrounds4.htm

http://www.evergladescitymotel.com/

http://www.evergladesonline.com/dine.htm