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About the Everglades:
Big Cypress Preserve, Marco Island & Everglades City

  • Big Cypress National Preserve is a federally protected area and the name refers to the 1,139 square miles of dwarf cypress trees that fill the park. There are alligators, snakes, wading birds, and the rare Florida panther here. Thirty-one miles of hiking trails and two main roads for vehicles offer excellent views of the wildlife. The camping here is very primitive with no running water.

    Within the Preserve is the Ah Tah Thi Ki Museum, which has fascinating exhibits about the life of the Seminole Indian tribe. Safari packages are available that allow visitors to experience a bit of Seminole life by sleeping in a chickee hut and enjoying Indian cuisine. For information about the tribe see www.seminoletribe.com.

  • Marco Island is the only inhabited island in the 10,000 islands. It is a highly developed resort area with white sand beaches popular with English and German tourists. For information, call 800 788-6262.
  • Everglades City (population below 1500) survives due to fishermen and tourists.

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    Lodging:

  • There is tent camping at Glades Haven (941) 695-3954, which has hot showers available. The Gulf Coast Ranger Station is across the street and a great resource for information on the 10,000 islands and Everglades.
  • A Bed & Breakfast called "On the Banks of the Everglades" is actually a renovated bank building where you can eat breakfast in the vault. (941) 695-3151.
  • The Ivey House Hotel rents bikes and runs excellent nature trips. (941 695-3299
  • The Rod and Gun Club Lodge was built as a posh hunting lodge in the 1920's. (941) 695-2101.
  • The Captains Table has a restaurant by the same name next door (800) 741-6430.

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