All Rights Reserved.
Copyright Constance Mier, 2007-08
Planning a kayak or canoe trip to the Everglades? Here are some
recommended routes for kayakers or canoeists.

Generally, these paddling trips are no more than 16 miles per day (average
about 10 miles for multi-day trips). Basically, we like to take our time
photographing and fishing on the shorter trips (6-8 miles).  These are not
recommended trips for someone who wants to cover great distances in one
day.  Rather, these are great trips for those who are novice or intermediate
kayakers or canoeists, or  new to the Everglades and not wanting to push
their limit.

All the trips described here are within the 10,000 Island area, north of
Lostmans River and are loop trips beginning and ending at the same point.  
These are trips that I have taken and are most familiar. Mileage is provided
(the mileage is an approximation and can vary by route).

Once you become familiar with the routes, you can devise an endless
combination of loop routes for multi-day trips.  Always take the tides into
consideration when planning a trip.

Overnighters (1 night, 2 days):
  • Everglades City to Picnic or Tiger Key, 15 miles round trip
  • Chokoloskee Island to Lopez River via Turner River & Cross Bays, 12-
    14 miles round trip
  • Chokoloskee Island to Sunday Bay, 14 miles round trip
  • Everglades City to Camp Lulu, 17 miles round trip

Two nights, 3 days:
  • Everglades City (or Chokoloskee Island) to Picnic Key to Rabbit Key; 7
    or 10 miles, 8 miles, 5 miles

Three nights, 4 days:
  • Chokoloskee Island to Watsons Place to Turkey Key, to Pavilion Key;
    16 miles, 6 miles, 8 miles, 7 miles
  • Chokoloskee Island to Lopez River, Watsons Place, Pavilion Key; 8
    miles, 11 miles, 7 miles, 7 miles

Five nights, 6 days:
  • Chokoloskee Island to Watsons Place, to Lostmans Five, to Willy Willy,
    to Hog Key, to Pavilion Key (73 miles roundtrip)
  • Chokoloskee Island to Mormon Key, to Hog Key, to Lostmans Five, to
    Watsons Place, to Lopez River (61 miles roundtrip)
Three essential things that go into your preparation for a kayak or
canoe trip through the Everglades:

1. Buy a marine chart of the area! Go to the website:
waterproofcharts.com

Purchase chart #41 for the 10,000 Islands that includes Everglades City
and Chokoloskee.  It includes the area north of Lostmans River. Every
recommended route I describe on my website are included on #41.  
The exception is the trip that includes the campsite Willy Willy, which
can be routed from map #39.

Chart #39 includes Flamingo and the cape, Hells Bay area, Whitewater
Bay and north to Lostmans River.

2. Check the tides. Go to saltwatertides.com, which includes the
Florida gulf coast tides.  In order to make sense of these, you need
your map.  For instance, if you're planning a trip to Pavilion Key and
you are leaving from Everglades City, get your tide readings for both
days of paddling and for both Everglades City and Pavilion Key.  Be
flexible and adjust your paddling schedule to give you a tide advantage
whenever possible.

3. Purchase Johnny Molloy's book: A Paddler's Guide to the
Everglades National Park, and read it. In fact, bring it on your trip.
When kayaking or canoeing in the Everglades,
be mindful of :

  • The tide schedule
  • Oyster beds
  • Mud flats
  • Summer afternoon storms
  • The lack of fresh water
  • Bugs
  • Raccoons
  • Alligators
Featured Recommended Reading
    If you want to learn the history of the The Everglades including
    the early inhabitants, the politics of draining the Everglades, the
    evolution of the national park and the survival of a delicate
    wetlands ecosystem despite the devastating effects of
    development and agriculture, read Michael Grunwald's The
    Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise.
"You won't get to where you want to go if you only travel on sunny days".  Anonymous
Have a question or information you would like
to share?  Email me:
constance@cmierphotoandfitness.net
If you are interested in joining a hiking or paddling group in the south
Florida area, check out Palm Beach Pack and Paddle Club and The
Florida Trail Association.  I belong to both.  The Florida Trail Association
has many chapters, choose the one specific to your area.  I belong to
the Broward County (Happy Hoofers) chapter, for which I lead and
co-lead paddling and hiking trips in the Everglades and Big Cypress.
A few photos from our 2007-2008 camping season
(click on thumbnail to see larger view).
For help with meal planning for a kayak/canoe
trip into the Everglades, click here.
Kayak and Canoe Adventures in the
Everglades & other areas
Check out my blog for information on
camping, paddling and photographing in the
Everglades