Following are some Frequently Asked Questions and our answers. If you need more information than what we've listed here, please contact us. Our phone is:
239.695.3151 or 239.695.1006. Our email is:
info@evergladesspaandlodge.com
Everglades City is a mile long, incorporated city situated on a mangrove island located in the heart of Florida's Everglades.
Our city is at the bottom coastal tip of Florida between the cities of Miami and Naples (closer to Naples). Population: about 300 people.
Locals and tourists enjoy our city's 'small town' benefits. Our local commerce thrives and our city's population swells during 'high season', which is usually between late November and early April of each year.
To see some maps, click here:
MAPS
General Directions:
On State Road 29, proceed about 3 miles south from the intersection of State Road 29 and US Highway 41 (also called Ta-Miami Trail).
- OR -
From I-75, take Exit for State Road 29 South, continue southbound past US-41 (Ta-Miami Trail) about 3 miles.
From nearby cities:
From Miami or Ft Lauderdale, take either I-75 Northbound or US-41Westbound. Turn south on State Road 29, and proceed about 3 miles south of the intersection of State Road 29 and US-41.
From Tampa or St Petersburg, take I-75 Southbound. Turn south on State Road 29, and proceed about 3 miles south of the intersection of State Road 29 and US-41.
From Naples or Marco Island, take US-41 Eastbound. Turn south on State Road 29 and proceed about 3 miles.
From Orlando, take I-4 Westbound to I-75 Southbound. On I-75, take Exit for State Road 29 and go south. Proceed about 3 miles south of the intersection of State Road 29 and US-41.
In Everglades City:
We're located in the heart of Everglades City, at the center of town. Driving southbound on State Road 29, you'll enter Everglades City. In the center of town is a 'round-about' (a type of circular drive). After you enter the round-about, look for the pale green Bank of the Everglades Building west of the round-about (on Broadway). Across the street from us is the historical Museum of
the Everglades.
Note: Everglades City is a very tiny town, it will be difficult to get lost in it. Plus, our city's population is typically very tourist friendly.
Approximate distances and time from our neighbors:
Miami Int'l Airport - 83 miles / 2 hours
Ft Myers Airport (also called Southwest Florida Int'l Airport) - 68 miles / 2 hours
Ft Lauderdale Int'l Airport - 98 miles / 2 hours
Naples - 36 miles / 45 minutes
Marco Island - 26 miles / 30 minutes
Key West - 220 miles / 5 hours
Orlando - 237 miles / 5 hours
Driving Safety Notes: US-41, also called Ta-Miami Trail, is a 2-laned major highway. This is a main route and is heavily traveled by locals and tourists. For some locations, this is the only main route to/from major cities. Gas stations and rest opportunities are sparse. This route goes through a mainstream of the Everglades eco-system. Interestingly, on the north side of US-41
is a fresh water eco-system and on the south side of this road is a salt water eco-system. Local wildlife and fauna sightings are a normal course of travel on this route. Each season, excited tourists cause many accidents on this road. If you must stop to inspect local wildlife or fauna, first find a safe place to pull over. Caution should be taken when driving this route. Please mark
your travel notes accordingly.
Everglades City Airport: Yes, there is an airport located in Everglades City. However, this is not a commercial airport, but is open to private aircraft. If you elect to fly into south Florida, standard commercial airport choices are: Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Naples/Ft Myers, Tampa, and Orlando.
|
| Everglades City is full of crab houses, shops, restaurants, motels, marinas, museums, an airport, canoe & kayak guided adventures, aero-tours, boat tours, airboat rides, canoe/kayak/bicycle rentals and nice walking paths. Inside our city, there are many areas to bike, walk, watch the sunset and view local wildlife (like our beautiful birds). Additionally, you can roller-blade,
roller-skate or even play basketball or tennis.
|
|
| The main Everglades National Park station is located inside Everglades City. The Gulf Coast Visitors Center of Everglades National Park is at the Northwest boundary of the Park (239- 695-3311). .Spend the day canoeing, kayaking, biking, or hiking in the Everglades National Park or surrounding areas. Within minutes by powerboat, you can
visit a secluded beach or explore a mangrove tunnel. About 130 miles South is the Flamingo area of Everglades National Park
|
|
| Visit our Everglades Area Chamber of Commerce, located at the US 41 & State Road 29 intersection (1-800-914-6355 or 239-695-3941). They have a gift shop and a variety of books about the area.
|
|
| 3 miles South of Everglades City is Chokoloskee Island, which has the famous 'Smallwood Store and Museum'.
|
|
| 7.1 miles West of the Everglades Chamber of Commerce on US 41 is the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk located in Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve (239-695-4593). The boardwalk is one-quarter of a mile long and very scenic.
|
|
| Approximately one hour North of Everglades City is Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (239-657-3771). This is a beautiful area owned by the National Audubon Society and you can walk along the 3 mile boardwalk trail through a bald-cypress forest. They also a have nice shop with lots of resource books of the area.
|
|
| About 3 miles North on SR 29 from US 41 is Jane's Scenic Drive, a beautiful cypress area, nice for hiking and biking.
|
|
| The following locations are measured in miles along US 41 going East from the US 41 and SR 29 intersection:
|
1.6 - Manatees - North side of the road, look for a pond with a small island and a palm tree (possible sightings depending on the season)
2.0 - Sea Grape Drive - South side of the road, nice canoeing area
3.4 - Donna Drive Campground - South side of the road, campground and nice canoeing area
4.2 - Ochopee Post Office - South side of road, (Smallest Post Office in the U.S.)
5.5 - Trail Lakes Campground (239-695-2275) - South side of road (tent and RV camping)
6.1 - Turner River - North and South sides of the road, nice canoeing/kayaking area
6.6 - H.P. Williams Wayside - North side of the road. Good place to see alligators and fresh water birds
6.6 - Turner River Road North leads to Bear Lake and if you take Wagon Wheel Road you can loop back to Everglades City
13.7 - Kirby Storter Roadside Park - Picnic area and walk on South side of the road
16.0 - Moment Lake Campground - North side of road, primitive camping
16.8 - Monroe Station - South side of the road, This begins Loop Road which is approximately 18 miles and very scenic
21.0 - Oasis Visitor Station (239-695-4111) - North side of road, informative movie, resource books and displays
21.9 - Big Cypress Gallery - South side of road, Clyde Butcher's Gallery (Black and White photography)
23.8 - Primitive Campground - South side of road
38.9 - Craft Center and Airboats - South side of road
39.4 - Miccosukee Indian Village and Airboat rides (305-223-8380) - South side of road
39.7 - Gas Station, airboats, restaurant - North side of road
40.0 - Shark Valley (305-221-8455) - South side of road
57.6 - Jct 997 or Krome Ave. - Gas Station
|
|
If you go straight you head towards Miami (US 41 turns into 8th Avenue)
If you turn North you can go to the Indian Bingo
If you turn South you head towards the Keys and Flamingo
79.5 - Turn right at 9336 to go to Flamingo or go straight to go to the Keys
81.2 - Robert is Here - at corner, exotic fruit stand
89.2 - Everglades National Park Entrance and main Visitor Center (305-242-7700)
130.0 - Flamingo Visitor Center, Lodge, and Marina which is the South boundary of Everglades National Park (239-695-3101 or 305-253-2241)
|
For information on Everglades City, Florida Weather Click Here
Advice from a Florida Native:
The Florida Everglades is a
monsoonal region. This means we have periods of heavy rain and periods of rare
rain. These are known as our "Wet Season" and our "Dry Season". Typically, Dry
Season begins about November and ends about late April. Our Wet Season begins by
May and ends about late October. These concur with our High Season and Off
Season dates.
Importantly, Dry Season is
when most tourists choose to visit because of our temperate climate. Wet Season
is generally avoided by most tourists.
In the Everglades, humidity is
high year-round. And humidity is as important to consider as any other weather
condition in planning a trip. In cooler weather, humidity accents the cold
feeling. In hotter weather, humidity accents the heat.
Our High Season, also called
our Dry Season, months are November through April. Temperatures during this time period are usually very moderate and may allow for
semi-tropical clothing with the occasional light jacket and long trousers/pants. Expect high humidity
with occasional
rainfall. Also, windy days are fairly common during this time period. Even
though the weather is fairly mild, expect to need good sunscreen, sunglasses, a
hat and a light jacket to protect you from the elements. Plan for nicely
moderate but humid weather with the occasional colder day, and for nights to
commonly be on the cooler side. In certain months, like January and February,
plan on a few really cold nights and some very brisk days.
Our Off Season, also called
our Wet Season, months are May through October. Temperatures during this time period are typically very hot and humid. Tropical clothing is the norm. Afternoon rainstorms are
very common, especially late summer. But these rainstorms do not always cool down the soaring
temps. Rather, the rainstorms often have more of a steam-room effect. Although
rainstorms
often pass very quickly, they can also last all day. Locals often jokingly refer
to the rain that falls during this season as 'Florida Sunshine', because its so
plentiful. Plan for heavy sun,
intermittent rain, steamy, high heat and the occasional windy day.
Notes on certain months: In January and February, weather is usually on the
really cool side - even downright cold - a bit windy but not much rain, compared to other months. In March
and April, the winds pick up as the weather begins to get warmer. By May, things
have really began to heat up again, with winds usually lessening a bit. In June and
July, the afternoon rains begin coming like clockwork and heat begins to build.
Winds become less frequent. June, July, August and early September can make the Everglades area seem like a
lush and very hot tropical sauna. August is typically the hottest month of the year, and the
rains have usually slowed down a bit by late this month. There's not much relief
from the heat with the coming of September, although the end of September
usually begins the Fall rainy season. Mid-October usually brings a very welcome
cooling trend, with increased balmy winds and rain. In November and December,
the weather is usually nicely moderate, becoming colder as they near the turn of
the year. November can see a bit more rain than December will, but the winds are
usually very balmy during both months.
Every month of the year
includes a good amount of sun, rain, wind and the inevitable high humidity.
Our area is blessed because the constant
crosswinds that the Everglades area enjoys usually keeps the heat from being too
oppressive (especially when compared with places like Orlando, Jacksonville and
Tallahassee). And the mangrove-filled 10,000 islands usually protect the
Everglades from serious storms that blow in from the sea, usually happening the
in late Summer and early Fall months.
Remember that as seasons
change, one season may come early or one season may seem to 'hang around a bit
longer than usual'. So if you're coming near the change of a season (April-May
OR October-November), the weather can be a bit unpredictable.
Precautions should be planned year-round for the effects of the elements, especially the sun,
the wind and high humidity.
People can get sunburn in any
month of the year in our area. It happens all too often. Sunburn can certainly
reduce your enjoyment of your visit.
Planning wisely will help
ensure that you really enjoy your visit to the Everglades.
Advice from a Florida Native:
Yup, no doubt about it: the
Everglades is full of bugs.
Generally, the most annoying
pests are the Mosquitoes
and the No-See-Ums.
Most of our area mosquitoes
are the salt-water variety, which sting more when they bite but don't carry
the dreaded diseases that the fresh-water variety can.
Some things to remember about
mosquitoes (and no-see-ums) are, generally
speaking:
1. Lack of rain in rainy season means more mosquitoes
2. Excessive rain in rainy season generally means fewer mosquitoes
3. Mosquitoes and no-see-ums are not usually a problem during the height of our
Wet Season (they generally disappear about November and reappear by April or May).
No-see-ums are most annoying
at sunrise and sunset. Mosquitoes don't care for the blaring sun, and are
often found in shaded areas any time of day or night. They're more pesky at
night, of course, when its a tad cooler.
DRY SEASON:
After about November or so,
mosquitoes and no-see-ums are not usually a problem. And into January and
February, if there are some truly cold days/nights, you probably won't have
to deal with any of these pests.
WET SEASON:
Bugs in abundance, with extra
pests in non-populated areas (like canoe trails and some of the 10,000
islands). Plan on bugs being a problem and bring some anti-bug spray and
other anti-bug helps.
We suggest OXYGEN GEL by CELL
FOOD as a great aid to alleviate bug bites.
Planning wisely will help
ensure that you really enjoy your visit to the Everglades.
|
