Pa-Hay-Okee Lookout Tower — Attraction in Florida City

TL;DR: Pa-Hay-Okee Lookout is a short, easy boardwalk hike in the Everglades with beautiful scenery and great birding opportunities. Covered observation deck, ample parking, but no bathrooms.

Pa-Hay-Okee Lookout is a lovely, short boardwalk hike in the Everglades National Forest. The scenery is stunning, with lush greenery and plenty of opportunities for bird watching—perfect for nature enthusiasts. The walk is very easy, with only a few manageable stairs at one end. The upper observation deck is covered, providing a shaded spot to enjoy the views. Parking is ample, making it convenient to access. However, note that there are no bathrooms at this location. It’s a peaceful and accessible spot for anyone looking to enjoy a bit of...

Pa-hay-okee Trail is a quarter-mile boardwalk that leads to an elevated observation deck to view the marl prairie and Shark River Slough. This is the same Shark River as Shark Valley to the north; the lookout tower is about 15 miles north from this point. Pa-hay-okee is a Seminole word for "grassy waters", an appropriate name for the views. Alligators, herons, and egrets can be seen in the shallow waters around the boardwalk. There is also a cypress swamp to walk past - a lot to see in just a quarter mile. The access is road is about 12 miles west from the entrance at Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center and maybe 20 miles before Flamingo. It's definitely worth...

Nestled within the breathtaking expanse of the Everglades National Park, the Pa-Hay-Okee Lookout Tower stands tall (not that much) as a beacon of serenity and natural beauty.

From the top, the panorama unfolds like a masterpiece painting, with miles of verdant marshlands stretching to the horizon. The tranquil silence is broken only by the occasional call of a bird or the rustle of the wind through the sawgrass. It's a moment of pure connection with nature, a chance to pause and reflect on the wonders of the natural world.

Visit the Pa-Hay-Okee Lookout Tower and let yourself be transported to a place of peace and wonder amidst the untamed beauty of...