Gulf Coast Visitor Center — Attraction in Everglades City

I am a writer and photographer for National Park Planner and I visited the Everglades in February 2016. The Gulf Coast Area is located on the west coast of Florida near Naples, and while it is part of Everglades National Park, it is not what most people think of as the “Everglades.” This is not a swamp. This is not a river of grass. There are no airboats here. This is Chokoloskee Bay and the 10,000 Islands. This is sportsmen country. If you don’t have a boat, kayak, or canoe, there’s not much to do here.

Everything in the Gulf Coast Area revolves around water—boating, fishing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing. There are no hiking trails in the area, other than one on Sandfly Island. When you enter the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, you will find that most people are getting backcountry camping permits for a multi-day paddling trip, perhaps on the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway. There are beaches, but you must paddle across the bay to the farthest islands to reach them.

For those who do want to get out on the water, but who don’t have a canoe, park Rangers lead free paddling trips to various locations in the area. Other than that, about the only thing Gulf Coast has to offer the typical car-tourist is a cruise of the bay, where you can spot birds and dolphins, and a cruise of the mangrove-lined shores of the very narrow Halfway Creek.

The Gulf Coast Area has pleasant weather in the winter with minimal mosquitoes and other bugs. While there are no campgrounds in the park, there are plenty of places to stay—campgrounds and hotels—in the nearby towns of Everglades City and Chokoloskee. This is a very popular area for retired people who like to fish and boat all winter long, and many of the campgrounds host a large population of winter residents.

For complete information on visiting the Everglades, check out National Park...

The original visitor center building was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma and will soon be knocked down. There are plans to rebuild a permanent visitor center, but for the time being, the visitor center is housed in one small portable building. Soon, they will transition into a couple of larger portable buildings. Despite these setbacks, the staff was friendly and helpful. A family with small children came by 5 minutes before closing time, and the ranger went out of his way to invite them in, get junior ranger stuff for the kiddos, and show them different marine animal bones and skeletons. The exhibit area may have only been a small table, but I got to feel the weight of manatee rib and see firsthand the differences between crocodile and alligator skulls. Plus, I still got my all-important cancelation stamp for my national...

I came here to provide a float plan and get more information and advice on the kayak trip I was embarking to Tiger Key

Even though it is currently housed in a trailer, the bathrooms are open and accessible, and the staff and volunteers are super helpful!

You can also get your stamp here

Regina and Harold are absolutely the best! They helped me further plan my route from the boat launch to Tiger Key. They provided key points of information that helped me navigate successfully while I was en route.

Their pointers and advice was so helpful in making it a great trip with no issues.

Thanks Regina and Harold!

The boat launch is easy to access, and there is...