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The walkers observe us hungrily, as the Shark Valley Tram, in Everglades National Park, makes its way back to the visitors’ center. I imagine at the start of the day, ambition and motivation, convinced them the loop is an easy saunter. Reaching the tower, the view incites oohhs and aahhs, until reality sets in. After walking the 7.5 miles to the tower, they must now walk another 7.5 miles back. The walkers have piracy in their eyes, wondering if it’s possible to overtake the tram. The tram putters forward, until the walkers are tiny specks in the distance.
The Observation Tower is the highlight of visiting the Shark Valley section of Everglades National Park. The path is 15.4 miles round-trip. There are three ways to experience the loop, walking, biking, and taking the tram. We opt for the tram because…
- I had major surgery two months before we embarked on this trip
- For me, riding a bike isn’t “just like riding a bike”
- The tram includes a guided tour by a Park Ranger. I can’t pass up a chance to learn new things
You must have a ticket to ride the tram. I highly recommend, buying the tickets online in advance. We purchase our tickets a month in advance, and many of the days and times were already, completely full.
Park Ranger Dan encourages our 2:00pm tram group, to load the tram in an orderly, polite, fashion. I receive a tip, before visiting Shark Valley, that if you want the best pictures, sit on the left side of the tram.
On the ride to the Observation Tower, Park Ranger Dan teaches us about the landscape ecology of the park. There is little wildlife spotted in this direction, but the views are stunning. This is the place where I fall in love with the Bald Cypress. In winter, they are bare. Limbs reach out, like effortless ballerinas.
There is beauty in the barren.
One would think that a giant, concrete tower is a blight on the captivating nature, but there is an elegance to the architectural curves.
The tower is accessible. It is a gentle, flat, slopping, meander to the top.
The views are a picture taker’s dream.
Park Ranger Dan, points out places of note in the distance.
Though we got our fill of alligator sightings in Big Cypress National Preserve, the Everglades newbie- visitors, are delighted as the tower provides the first official sighting of the day.
There is more wildlife found on our ride back. Alligators lounging by the road. Birds, perched in trees, or fishing in the swampy waters. We’re even graced by the presence of the resident crocodile, in the Shark Valley section of Everglades National Park.
She did not find a tram full of gawking visitors pleasing.
I recommend taking the tram if it is your first visit to Shark Valley in Everglades National Park. The Ranger lead tour is informative, and if you walk or bike, you may not notice much of the wildlife inhabiting the swampy terrain. The tour takes two hours. The tram has a roof. There is little shade on the paved tram loop, so if you walk or bike, there is nothing to protect you from the blazing, Florida, sun. Note that if you visit during rainy/storm season, Shark Valley may be closed due to flooding. Plan accordingly. There are a few extra trails you can hike, if so inclined.
Don’t forget your National Park Cancellation Stamp
I enjoy the diverse ways one can explore United States National Parks. I like the leisurely drives, like the Badlands. Taking the bus through Denali, is inspiring. The Shark Valley tram, added to the unique ways to experience the outdoors.
If you want to visit other National Park Sites in the area, check out
Everglades National Park-Coe and Flamingo
Stay in Miami as a home base
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Dawn byrne
atSo beautiful. And your pictures are fantastic. Thanks for this.