Shark Valley (Everglades NP)

The National Park Service's north-side entrance to Everglades National Park, and the closest stretch of true wilderness to Miami. A 15-mile paved loop pushes straight south into sawgrass prairie, with a 65-foot observation tower at the halfway mark — a spiral concrete ramp up to a 360-degree view across the River of Grass, the highest walkable point in the park. Alligators sun along the pavement edge through the dry-season months, sometimes inches off the trail. Tour options are ranger-narrated tram (about two hours), rented bike, or on foot. Note for riders: motorcycles cannot run the loop itself — bikes and trams only past the gate.

What to order

$35 per vehicle at the gate (7-day pass; free with an Interagency Annual). Book the tram in advance November through April — it sells out; otherwise rent a bike at the visitor center and ride the loop yourself (2–3 hours, flat, zero shade — bring water). Dry season (Dec–Apr) is when the gators pile up along the road.

Hours

Gate 8:30a–5p dry season (mid-Dec through mid-Apr) · 9a–4:30p wet season · tram schedule shifts seasonally