Anhinga Trail - Florida Everglades

The Anhinga Trail is short at only 0.8 miles round trip. It is self guided and consists of paved walkways and elevated boardwalks over the water. It is wheelchair accessible; that and all the wildlife are probably what contribute to its popularity. The trail and its boardwalks showcase Taylor Slough which is a slow moving, freshwater, sawgrass marsh prairie that the Seminole Tribe call pa-hay-okee or grassy waters; it's one of the park's nine distinct habitats. The trail starts at the Royal Palm Visitor Center which is four miles from the main park entrance; you can purchase a wildlife viewing guide there before you head out; that's also where the restrooms are located.

Wildlife Viewing

The trail is famous for its abundant wildlife. Seeing an alligator is almost a certainty, but you may also see a turtle or one of the many birds that call this place home. These birds include the great white egret, snowy egret, great blue heron, tri-colored heron, cormorant, white ibis, wood stork, turkey vultures and the trail's namesake, the anhinga. The anhinga is also called a snakebird because of its long curved neck. It's a swimming bird who hunts fish underwater and therefore it's not uncommon to see the anhinga drying its wings atop the brush or on a short pole.



In November 1996 Anhinga Trail was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Wildlife viewing is best at dawn and dusk because the animals tend to hide during the heat of the day.