Everglades National Park reopens Coastal Prairie Hiking Trail

April 28, 7:12 PMMiami Travel ExaminerGeorge Leposky

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Entrance to Coastal Prairie Trail.
Credit: National Park Service

The Coastal Prairie Hiking Trail in the Flamingo area of Everglades National Park has reopened. 

The popular trail was closed in 2005 after Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma caused extensive damage. “Clearing this trail was done by hand and has taken some time,” park officials explain, “due to the challenges of working in a designated wilderness area that limits the type of equipment that can be used.”

The trail begins at the rear of the “C” Loop in the campground at Flamingo, and extends 7.5 miles to Clubhouse Beach, where visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of Florida Bay. 

This trail follows an old road once used by cotton pickers and fisherman. It traverses open prairies where succulent coastal plants grow. Near the end of the trail, clumps of shady buttonwood trees appear. The trail offers magnificent vistas for photography, painting, or simply soaking up the experience of walking in a wilderness.

If you plan to cover the entire 15-mile round trip, bring whatever supplies you may need for the day, including food, water, bug repellant, and sun screen. This remote area of the park has no services, and your cell phone isn’t likely to capture a signal there.

Flamingo Visitor Center. 
Credit: National Park Service

To help plan your hike, stop first at the Flamingo Visitor Center where rangers can share their local knowledge of the trail and its surroundings, or call the Flamingo Visitor Center at 239-695-3990.

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