Anhinga Trail: A Wildlife Paradise In Everglades National Park

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Want to hike the Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park?

The Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park is the most popular hike in the park for a reason and that reason? Wildlife!

So much wildlife. This trail was really the only thing I knew about Everglades National Park going in and knew we had to do it.

We had to do the trail twice, actually because we ran out of time and camera battery the afternoon we got there. We did most of it that day and the whole thing the next day.

baby alligator on the Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park

We also did the Gumbo Limbo Trail but I didn’t take any pictures so that must have been on day one. Next time!

The trail starts out paved on the straight part along the edge of a pond behind the Royal Palm Visitor Center.

On our way out the first time we saw an alligator just laying on the path here and got some pretty great pictures of it. We also saw one swimming and I named it El Presidente because it was huge.

Anhinga bird next to blooming air plant on Anhinga trail in everglades national park

Once you get to the loop part, it turns into boardwalk and you can go either direction. We started out going to the left both times.

There is an additional side boardwalk you can walk down, too. We saw tons of birds and alligators along the boardwalk section. I loved it so much.

I got to see my first American Purple Gallinule (the cover photo of this post) and it’s my favorite Florida bird I think. Either that or a Roseate Spoonbill.

This trail is where I took some of my favorite pictures ever and I will absolutely do this trail every time I come back to this park. Maybe even more than once every time!

It’s a beautiful trail but it is busy so don’t expect to have it to yourself unless maybe you go first thing in the morning or maybe the end of the day.

National Park Goodies

If you’re planning to visit three or more national parks within a year from your trip, definitely get the America the Beautiful pass. It will save you money in the long run if you’re going to more than three parks in a year. Buy the pass here.
If you’re planning on doing a lot of hiking on your trip, or even at home, check out AllTrails! This is my favorite app to find, keep track of, and track my hiking activity. And it’s FREE! Sign up here.
This Ultimate National Park Planning Bundle is a must-have. You get two ebooks and a planner, saving 50% by getting them as a bundle! If you want all the details, this is the bundle for you. Buy the Ultimate bundle here.
This National Park Planner (one of the ebooks from the bundle above) is perfect if you just want some guidance in your planning. Buy the planner here.
Get yourself a National Park journal for all of the NPS sites (400+!) to keep track of your travels!
Consider reading some of these books set in national parks before your big trip, on your adventure, or once you get home to take you back to the parks until next time.

gator everglades national park — One of my favorite pictures ever

Anhinga Trail Wildlife

The Anhinga Trail is one of the best places for wildlife viewing in Everglades National Park. Here is just some of what you may see (expect a lot more kinds of birds):

Alligators
Anhingas (a bird, it’s namesake)
Cormorants
Turtles
Herons
Egrets

Anhinga Trail Parking

The Anhinga Trailhead is at the Royal Palm Visitor Center, about four miles from the park entrance and Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center.

It’s about 37 miles from the Flamingo area, 5.5 miles from Long Pine Key Campground, 13 miles from Florida City, 15 miles from Homestead, 50 miles from Miami, and 40 miles from Key Largo.

There is quite a bit of room at the Anhinga Trailhead so you should be fine there. Maybe in the middle of the day in peak season or over the holidays it could fill up but it wasn’t full when we went in the winter afternoon.

Anhinga Trail Length

The Anhinga Trail is just 0.8 miles round-trip and has a straight portion with a loop on the end and one side boardwalk. It can be combined with the Gumbo Limbo Trail for a slightly longer hike.

Anhinga Trail Difficulty

The Anhinga Trail is a nice easy walk with just a few feet of elevation change. The beginning is mostly paved and the loop part of it is boardwalk.

Anhinga Trail Cost

There is no fee for Anhinga Trail specifically but there is the $30 park entrance fee. If you have a national park pass, that will cover the entrance here.

Anhinga Trail Hours

The Anhinga Trail is open all the time but the visitor center is open from 10-4 daily. I believe bathrooms are always open.

Is the Anhinga Trail worth it?

Yes! This is one of the most popular hikes in Everglades National Park and it’s SO good for seeing wildlife. We did it twice and loved it both times. AND saw tons of wildlife.