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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Flamingo Hiking Trails

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 Snake Bight that were shaped by hurricanes. Finally, you'll a bird rookery in . This is a scenic 1.8 miles one way end up along the shore of Snake Bight, best shortcut between the campground day–use area Don't let the name deter you! In this play on viewed near low tide for birds. and the visitor center. words, a "bight" is actually a bay (Snake Bight) within a larger bay (Florida Bay). Enter another  Bear Lake world as you travel through a tropical hardwood Trail: 1.6 miles one way  Bayshore Loop hammock, with dozens of tropical tree species. Road: 2 miles one way (road only) 2 mile loop Bird watching may be good from the boardwalk Journey through a dense hardwood hammock Meander along the shore of Florida Bay, at the end of trail. mixed with . The trail follows the watching for remnants of an outpost fishing old Homestead Canal, built in 1922, and is an village. Begin at the Coastal Prairie trailhead at excellent area for woodland birds. There are the back of Loop "C" in the campground. Veer  Rowdy Bend (mountain bike) more than 50 different tree species. Bike, drive, left at the trail junction to the bay. 2.6 miles one way or walk to the end of Bear Lake Road to begin Explore an overgrown old road bed through this trail, which ends at Bear Lake. shady buttonwoods and open coastal prairie.  Coastal Prairie This is an opportunity for good woodland bird  Eco 6.0 miles one way watching. Combine this trail with the Main Park ½ mile loop Step back in time as you walk this old road Road (use caution!) and the Snake Bight Trail Due to the salt intrusion from storm surges once used by cotton pickers and fishermen. for a 12.6 mile round–trip bike ride from the during the hurricane season off 2005, Eco Pond Open prairies of succulent coastal plants dotted Flamingo Visitor Center. is in a state of change. Wading birds, shorebirds with shady buttonwoods surround you as you and occassional crocodiles can be seen. journey toward the shore of Florida Bay. Begin at the rear of Loop "C" in the campground. A  Christian Point  Guy Bradley backcountry permit is required for camping at 1.6 miles one way 1 mile to campground amphitheater Clubhouse Beach. Wander a rustic path through a wide Mingle with a variety of birds and butterflies, as diversity of habitats. The trail begins in you amble along the shore of Florida Bay. Old dense mangroves and buttonwoods full of pier pilings are a reminder that Flamingo was bromeliads. Next, investigate the unusual, once a small fishing village. The trail was named salt–loving vegetation of open coastal prairie. for Audubon warden Guy Bradley, murdered in Bicycles permitted, but always be cautious for Dead buttonwood snags interrupt these epanses 1905 by plume hunters while trying to protect hikers on these sometimes winding trails.

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National Park Service 3HARK U.S. Department of the Interior 2IVER)SLAND Everglades Everglades National Park

Flamingo Canoe Trails

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Nine Mile Pond to a series of small bays beyond Lard Can. The  Lake Loop 5 mile loop; 3.5 mile shortcut trail is marked with more than 160 poles. A 7.5 miles round trip from Coot Bay Pond This scenic trail passes through shallow grassy more detailed trail map is also available. Motors Route may start at Coot Bay Pond or Bear with scattered islands. Watch are prohibited from the trailhead to Lard Can. Lake Trailhead. Venture inland through for alligators, wading birds, and an occasional A wilderness permit is required for overnight the mangroves on this trail connecting the endangered snail kite. The trail is marked with camping. Buttonwood Canal, Coot Bay, Mud Lake, and the numbered white poles. A more detailed trail Bear Lake Canal. Birding is often good at Mud map is also available. Trail may be impassable Florida Bay Lake. There is a 250 yard portage between the due to low levels near the end of the dry Distance varies Bear Lake and Buttonwood Canals. Motors are season. Motors prohibited. Opportunities for fun abound! Watch mullet prohibited on Mud Lake, Bear Lake, and Bear jump and birds feed (particularly in Snake Bight), Lake Canal. Check trail conditions first as Bear Noble Hammock do some fishing, or just enjoy the scenic bay. Lake Canal is too shallow during parts of the 1.9 mile loop Explore Bradley Key (during daylight hours only), year. Winding through a maze of shady mangrove- the only nearby key open to landing. The open lined creeks and small , the sharp of Florida Bay are relatively mosquito- turns and narrow passageways require good free, even in the summer. Not recommended West Lake maneuvering skills. Enjoy a “crash” course. Check on windy days due to open, rough waters; 8.1 miles one way to Alligator Creek for low water levels during the dry season. A Route to Snake Bight may be impassable during Paddle through a series of large open lakes calm trail on a windy day. Motors prohibited. extremely low tides. connected by narrow creeks lined with mangroves. Look for alligators and crocodiles. Hell’s Bay Bear Lake Canoe Trail - West Lake is closed to vessels with motors 3.0 miles to Lard Can Campsite Impassable greater than 6 h.p. Motors are prohibited from 3.5 miles to Pearl Bay Chickee 11.5 miles one way to/from Cape Sable the east end of West Lake through Alligator 5.5 miles to Hells Bay Chickee Impassable from Bear Lake to Cape Sable as of Creek. Not recommended on windy days due “Hell to get into and Hell to get out of,” or so September 2010. Check any Everglades Visitor to open, rough waters. A wilderness permit is the old timers claimed. This sheltered route Center for current status. required for overnight camping. weaves through mangrove creeks and ponds

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