Coastal Prairie Trail, Everglades National Park, 14-Mile Hike

**THIS HIKE IS FOR EXPERIENCE HIKERS**, that have been hiking 10+ miles on a regular basis. It is going to be physically challenging, but a lot of fun too.

***Let’s meet at 7:30AM at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center***. This is before the entrance gates. While the Visitor Center will be closed, the bathrooms will be open. From here we will caravan to the Flamingo Campground and the trailhead. It will take about an hour to get there.

The Homestead entrance to the Park is open 24 hours a day. The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle or $25 per motorcycle, and it will give you access for the week. I would recommend purchasing your pass the day before online, we did not see anybody at the gate collecting the entry fee last year.

***This hike will be long, difficult, muddy, and buggy***, but your reward will be one of the remotest beaches in Florida. This will be a 14-mile hike on the Coastal Prairie Trail in Everglades National Park to Clubhouse Beach. The trail is about 7-miles out and will be mostly full sun. Our destination will be ***Clubhouse Beach***, where we will take a break before heading back.

***Be prepared. You will need at least 3 liters of water, possibly more. Plan on this trip taking all day, as some areas will be very difficult to traverse. You will want sunscreen, bug repellent, and food in addition to water. Everything you pack in you must pack out, including toilet paper, so have a bag.***

You should be aware that ***Everglades mosquitoes*** are not like the ones in our area. They are hungry and numerous, last year they were not so bad, but we got lucky with a cold front that weekend. You should bring a head net, long pants, long sleeve shirt with an undershirt and a good bug repellent ***40% DEET*** is preferable. You will be sorry if you don’t take the mosquitoes seriously. The ***mud is extra slippery***, this was a major problem a few years back, so bring shoes that have a good grip.

Public/Strenuous
Contact: Jorge Hernandez, 561-346-5129
Co-Leader: Gloria Hernandez, 561-308-0621

**HOW TO GET THERE:**

The address for the Visitor Center is 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034. Take the Florida Turnpike south until it ends, merging with U.S. 1 at Florida City. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Palm Drive (State Road 9336/SW 344th St.) and follow the signs to the park.