Anhinga Trail

The Anhinga Trail is a 0.8-mile round-trip boardwalk and paved loop at the Royal Palm Visitor Center, about 4 miles past the main Ernest F. Coe entrance. It's short, wheelchair accessible, and consistently the best wildlife-viewing trail in the entire park.

The boardwalk runs directly over a freshwater slough, which means alligators, anhingas, herons, egrets, and turtles are often visible just a few feet away without binoculars. Wildlife concentrates here most heavily during the dry season (November-April) as water levels drop elsewhere in the park.

Stay 15-20 feet from any alligator you see, even ones that look motionless. Early morning brings the most active wildlife and the smallest crowds; midday in high season can mean a full parking lot.