Whether we’re on vacation, a trip, or just going out for a walk, safety should always be a priority. When entering the Everglades, you are entering a beautiful National Park filled with wildlife and plant life. Being outdoors, you risk dealing with inclement weather, bugs, and other unpredictable things.
If you’re planning to visit the Everglades, it’s best to familiarize yourself with some of the park’s safety precautions and rules, so you can get the most out of your visit. Whether you’re taking an airboat tour, walking a trail, or going camping, you should keep safety in mind while spending time in this Park.
Below, we’ve shared some of the Everglades National Park’s safety precautions, tips, and rules that you need to keep in mind when visiting.
- Pay attention to the weather. It can get very hot and humid in the Everglades, especially during the summer months. Prepare appropriately for the weather. Wear sunscreen, bring water, and wear proper clothing.
- Children should always be supervised. The trails are surrounded by wilderness, so there are animals roaming freely all in the grasses and vegetation. For everyone’s safety, make sure children stick to the trail with you.
- Pets are not allowed on the trails.
- Do not feed wildlife. It is illegal. Over time, animals will become aggressive if they’re being fed by humans in their wild habitat. The animals know how to find their own food.
- Be aware of vultures. Vultures live in the area and are federally protected. They can be mean, and have been known to damage the windshields, sun roofs, and windshield wipers of cars and other vehicles. If you see a a group of vultures, avoid parking near it. Park in full sun, put a car cover over the car, cover any exposed runner with a towel or wet sheet, use loud noises to spook the vultures off the car or vehicle, and notify a ranger if a vulture is on your car and it won’t leave.
- Don’t bother, touch, or interact with any wildlife. If you harm, touch, or get in the way of the animals or birds, you can get in big trouble; it is illegal to bother the animals in any way. The ecosystem is fragile, and we don’t want to disrupt animals in their homes.
- Do not leave a fire unattended. You can build a fire in a designated area.
- Do not tie anything or attach anything to trees or plants.
- Do not leave garbage out or behind. Don’t litter.
- Apply insect repellant before walking on any of the trails; the park also sells repellant at all stores in the Park. It’s best to stick to walking on paved areas if you want to stay away from bugs as much as possible.
- Always tell someone where you’re going if you plan to walk alone in an area.
- Do not pick flowers or plants to bring home.
It’s important that you keep these safety tips in mind so you can have an enjoyable care-free trip to the National Park. An airboat tour is a safe way to explore the Everglades. Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours has many years of experience navigating through the wetland. Book an airboat tour by calling 800-368-0065 or visiting our Everglades Airboat Tours page. We are open seven days a week 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. If paying by cash, adults cost $40 (plus tax) and children 12 and under cost $20 (plus tax. If paying by credit card, adults cost $45 (plus tax) and children cost $25 (plus tax).
