Hiking Destination: Everglades National Park

While this article from NatGeo highlights the hiking possibilities in Everglades National Park (and I'm certain I would enjoy hiking there), my first thoughts about this mysterious area are exploring the hidden spots by kayak!  Certainly one to add to my List...

By Kate Siber
Everglades National Park
Even on the outskirts of the Everglades, the country’s largest subtropical wilderness, there is absolutely no indication that the city of Miami and some seven million people live within an hour of the park. Though only about 59 miles of unpaved trails wind through these 1.4 million acres of primordial swamps, grasslands, and forests, it’s still easy to find people-free spots.
Get Hiking: Try the Long Pine Key Trails, a seven-mile nest of paths through pine forest and saw palmetto, haunted by birds, lumbering alligators, and even the elusive Florida panther.
Après Hike: Just outside the park in Homestead, Florida, stop at the Robert Is Here Fruit Stand, where purveyor Robert Moehling has sold fresh local veggies, honeys, jams, and exotic fruit like mango, papaya, and soursop since 1959. The key-lime milkshake is a must.
More Info: Everglades National Park (nps.gov/ever)
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Photograph by Kenny Williams, Alamy