Snake Bight Trail Everglades National Park (Florida)

Trip Date: January 2012

My sister and her husband decided to take a trip to Florida last January and they really wanted us to come too. We are more mountain people but we had a blast. One of my favorite parts was when we went to Everglades National Park. While there, we were able to hit a little trail.

Several People in our group were not in shape for very strenuous hiking and we were not prepared to carry our 1 and a half year old daughter so the trail had to be flat and smooth enough for a stroller and "papa". We chose Snake Bight Trail. This is more of an easy walk through a canopy of trees than a hike.

The trail had a very nice serene feel as we walked. The trees encircle you in a sort of tunnel. There were many varieties of tropical trees and plants that were quite different than the mesquite trees and cactus in West Texas. We went in the middle of winter so bugs were not an issue and the weather was perfect. I don't imagine it would be so pleasant in the summer. We went at an easy relaxing pace and really enjoyed this beautiful ecosystem. Having never been to Florida we did nervously check the water that ran near the trail just in case there were certain creatures lurking about.

The trail is pretty much a straight shot without any up and downs. It is 1.6 miles to the bay. With about 0.3 miles to go the canopy of trees opens up to the sky. At the very end of the trail there is a boardwalk going out to the bay. Rylee saw this as the perfect opportunity to jump out of the stroller and stretch her legs. Being there at low tide, we didn't get the privilege of seeing birds feeding in the bay. It was neat nonetheless. The view was a nice ending of a very pleasant walk. It was well worth the effort.

After sitting on the benches at the end of the trail for a few minutes and catching our breath, we headed back to the car. The walk back was more tiring since Rylee wasn't having the stroller anymore. Instead, she decided to alternate between papa's and my shoulders.

We made it back to the car in about an hour and a half having gone a total distance of 3.2 miles. All in all it was a very nice hike in one of our country's fine national parks.