The Everglades

Also known as the River of Grass, the Everglades wetland complex in South Florida is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. The national park (www.nps.gov/ever) established to protect the ecosystem covers only a fifth of the entire system, yet receives most of the visitors. People come for swamp tours, birdwatching, canoe trips and fishing. Popular wildlife includes many snakes, alligators and turtles, as well as the endangered Florida panther. A network of paddling trails, elevated walking paths and camping platforms make for excellent adventures. Park rangers caution that during the summer, heat can be a literal killer, so we suggest visiting during the fall and winter months through until April or May at the latest. The 2005 hurricane season damaged some of the park infrastructure, so for those seeking indoor lodging, try the communities that border the park, including Everglades City and Chokoloskee (www.chokoloskee.com).