Loop Trail Everglades National Park, Florida

January 17, 2009

This travellog covers the day we toured Loop Trail in Everglades National Park while camping in Monument Lake National Park Campground.

We were camping in Monument Lake National Park Campground $8 with my NP "geezer-pass". The campground features a gravel road and grass sites with NO utilities, not even water or a central dump. It is nothing more than a camping spot in paradise.

Let me share some important information with you about taking a scenic drive on Loop Trail in Everglades National Park. Loop Trail is located on the south side of US 41 less than one-mile east of Monument Lake National Park Campground. Look for SR 94 or CR 94 that turns south off US 41 at Monroe Station.

Use good judgment when on Loop Trail. It is not well maintained and it is not paved. Sometimes it is months between grading. If you find it getting BAD turn around and return to US 41. Do not think that it will get better.............it won't. Not only will it not get better it is a LONG way to get back to US 41 on Loop Trail if you are only doing around 5-mph. During the wet season (Summer) water flows across Loop Trail but it is generally dry during the winter.

White ibis wading in shallow water off Loop Trail in Everglades National Park Florida

White ibis like this one wade in the shallow waters off Loop Trail.

Air plants hanging on tree trunks off Loop Trail in Everglades National Park, Florida

Air plants like these are abundant throughout the everglades.

Great blue heron off Loop Trail in Everglades National Park, Florida

This great blue heron is sneaking around in the clear water off Loop Trail in search of lunch.

Bromeliad off Loop Trail in Everglades National Park, Florida

Colorful bromeliads seem to cover cypress trees and indeed virtually all trees on Loop
Trail in Everglades National Park, Florida.

Bromeliads off Loop Trail in Everglades National Park, Florida

Bromeliads and Spanish moss adorn most of the cypress trees on Loop Trail.

Great blue heron off Loop Trail in Everglades National Park, Florida

This great blue heron is an efficient stalker. We are able to see so many of these magnificent birds while driving Loop Trail in Everglades National Park.

Epiphytes off Loop Trail in Everglades National Park, Florida

Epiphytes adorn the trunks of these cypress trees.

Cypress stump reflecting in the still water off Loop Trail in Everglades National Park, Florida

A cypress stump is reflected in the still everglades water.

Glossy ibis off Loop Trail in Everglades National Park, Florida

This is a glossy ibis and a variety of air plants.