State: Florida
Location: Everglades National Park
Length, Round Trip: 0.5 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 0 feet
Maximum Elevation: 5 feet
Elevation Change: 5 feet
Trail Surface: Paved
Best Season: Spring, Fall, Winter
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Heavy
Blue Herons are common in Florida
Trail Information
The Gumbo-Limbo Trail is a self-guided, paved trail that meanders through a shaded, jungle-like hammock of gumbo-limbo trees, royal palms, ferns and air plants. You’ll also see native orchids and long trailing woody vines reminding you of a lush Caribbean environment. This beautiful hammock is rather dense at times, inviting all types of swarming insects. You should apply bug spray.
An interesting note about this paved, wheelchair accessible route is that you’ll see remains of the destruction done by Hurricane Andrew. Be sure to look for the sideways surviving gumbo-limbo trees that have sent out new roots. These tropical trees tend to be highly resilient.
Directions
From Homestead:
Located four miles west of the main entrance station (Main Park Road) at the Royal Palm Visitor Center.
