State: Florida
Location: Everglades National Park
Length, Round Trip: 7.5 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 0 feet
Maximum Elevation: 5 feet
Elevation Change: 5 feet
Best Season: Spring, Fall, Winter
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate
View of the Florida Coastline
Trail Information
The Coastal Prairie Trail is a little less traveled than the other trails in this area due to its location and Length. The trail begins at the rear of Flamingo Campground Loop C. From here it leads into a beautiful mangrove forest of buttonwoods. This wide route was once an old road servicing commercial fishermen and farmers. Hiking along the coast provides beautiful, expansive views of clear waters and open sky. Hiking several miles “in” affords better opportunities to see the park’s wildlife than some of the shorter trails found in Flamingo.
Although fast hikers can make the 15-mile round trip in one day, that doesn’t allow time to watch the sun set across the water, or listen to the waves gently lapping at the beach, or enjoy the breeze that sways the coconut palms (remains of a failed plantation). Primitive camping is permitted when first obtaining a permit. Permits are available at the visitor centers.
Directions
From Flamingo:
Begin at the rear of loop “C” in the Flamingo Campground which is located at the end of Main Park Road approximately 38 miles south of the main entrance.
