No discussion of kayaking in Florida is complete without the Everglades—a vast subtropical wilderness stretching from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay. Often called the “River of Grass,” the Everglades’ slow-moving waters have shaped Florida’s ecology and identity for centuries.
For Indigenous peoples like the Miccosukee and Seminole, the Everglades were both home and sanctuary. They used canoes to navigate its hidden channels, fish in its waters, and move between tree islands.
When conservationists fought to protect the region in the early 20th century, the Everglades became a symbol of ecological awareness. Kayaking offered a way to explore this fragile ecosystem without damaging it.
The first organized kayak tours in the Everglades began in the 1970s, coinciding with environmental movements and the rise of national park tourism. These tours emphasized minimal impact—no engines, no noise, and no trace left behind.
Today, paddlers can follow designated routes like the Wilderness Waterway, a 99-mile trail stretching from Everglades City to Flamingo. Along the way, they encounter mangrove forests, sawgrass marshes, wading birds, and the occasional manatee or crocodile.
The Everglades kayaking experience is not only about beauty—it’s about endurance, reflection, and respect for the ancient rhythms of nature. shutdown123