Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Flamingo Visitor Center - Everglades National Park



Our early February, 2013, trip to the Everglades included a stop at the Flamingo Visitor Center at Florida Bay.  The visitor center is located up a steep ramp on the second floor of the left pink building.  The right building houses the Buttonwood Cafe in temporary quarters in a screened enclosure on the ground floor.  The menu is very limited as the kitchen is a fifth wheel trailer parked beside the enclosed dining area.  In addition, there was a lodge nearby with about 100 rooms until hurricanes Katrina and Wilma struck in 2005.  While plans are being considered to rebuild a lodge, no construction has been authorized.  There is a campground with 278 sites, of which 41 have electrical hookups.  In addition, there is a small picnic area.  Just to the east of the visitor center is a full service marina with houseboat, canoe, kayak and bicycle rentals.  In addition, boat tours of Florida Bay or the Buttonwood Canal are also available. 


Former location of Buttonwood Cafe

Sea wall at Flamingo Visitor Center


Florida Bay from the sea wall

A mangrove hammock is creating a new key
beyond a sand bar visible at low tide

Birds looking to feast on the sand bar


An osprey nest tops the park's radio tower



The park entrance fee is $10 per vehicle for seven consecutive days.
The park website is http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm.

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