I was returning from New Years weekend camping in Everglades National Park in what I intended to be a fact finding return trip home. I have traveled US 41 so many times but find myself relying on a fuzzy memory to try and remember where things are.  Thus, I decided to write things down this time. Below are a list of camping areas, national and state park centers, boardwalks, eateries and other miscellaneous stops.  I still could not resist taking photos in Big Cypress National Preserve off Loop Road.  FYI Loop Road is CLOSED until at the earliest sometime in February.  You an can enter the first 2 miles of Loop Rd. from the Collier County side and reach the Gator Hook Swamp Head Trail (5 mile marked roundtrip swamp trek) and Loop Road is blocked after that.  From the Dade County side you can enter Loop Road all the way till the Big Cypress boardwalk, housing and office.  So, you can reach both free camping areas from the Dade County side, Mitchell's Landing and Pinecrest. 

The photos below are from Loop Road, Dade County side and from along US 41 mile. There were hundreds of wading birds as I was making my way back to Naples around mile marker 76 and I had to pull over to take pics. 
Mileage amounts going East on US 41 from the intersection with SR 951 
The information here are places that caught my eye based upon my interests (not all inclusive)
4.8 Lighted Golf course 
6.5 You Enter Collier Seminole State Park Land
7.2 Hiking Trail - Just Before SR 92 to Goodland/Marco
8.1 Collier Seminole State Park
9.3 Air Boat Rides
10.6 Marsh Trail Ten Thousand Islands National Refuge
13.4 Port of the Isles
13.8 Beginning of Fakahatchee State Park Land
16.5 Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk - North Side
18.1 Picnic Area
18.3 Kayak Drop in Spot 
22.5 Everglades Private Airboat Tours
23 Jungle Erv's Airboat Tours
23.5 Four-Way Cross- SR 29  and US 41- North on 29 to Fakahatchee State Park Entrance/ Janes Scenic Drive - South on 29 to Everglades City
23.5 Entering Big Cypress National Park Land
25 Viewed Roseate Spoonbills on South side of road
25.4 Wootens Air Boat Tours
26 Seagrape Drive - Big Cypress Welcome Center - Halfway Creek Drop In - Osprey Nest on fake stand- 
26.2 Big Cypress National Preserve Headquarters
27 Donna Drive Small Camping Area and Dump Station 
27.8 Ochopee, Florida - Smallest Post Office in the US
27.8 Joanies Blue Crab Cafe
29.5 Turner River Canoe Access
30.1 Turner River Road SR 839/HP Williams Wayside Picnic Area/Boardwalk - Bathrooms- Parking- 
32.3 Burns Lake Campground (free) 
37 Kirby Storter Boardwalk 
39.6 Monument Lake Campground ($16 night)
40.4 Loop Road/Monroe Station (between mile markers 60-59) 22 miles long
44.7 Oasis Big Cypress Visitor Center - Florida Trail Passes through
45.5 Clyde Butcher Big Cypress Gallery 
47.4 Midway Campground
55.8 Collier/Dade County Line
59.9 Loop Road 
60.5 TC's Big Cypress BBQ
61.8 Micosoukee Tribe Headquarters
63 Micosoukee Indian Village
63.6 Everglades National Park Shark Valley 
73 Designated Turnaround


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It has been a long time since I have camped and even longer since I have been to Everglades National Park. To be exact, the last time I was in Everglades National Park was New Year's 2010.  What an amazing park, it deserves at least one trip a year. Here is a link to Everglades NP if you would like to learn more. 

I camped at the secluded and forested Long Pine Key Campground and experienced outstanding weather.  The slash pine habitat there is the most endangered pine habitats in the country. 
There is something special about being in nature and something extra special about waking up to the songs of birds and going to bed to the sounds of crickets and frogs. When I am able, as on this trip, I use a tent without a rainfly and sleep under the stars. Since it has been some time since I have camped there was a sense of nostalgia, and I reminisced about my past experiences camping in Africa and South America. Camping brought back memories and reminded me how much I really enjoy being and living outside day in and day out.  

Some highlights of the Everglades trip were the Great White Blue Heron, Kestrel, Roseate Spoonbill, and Snail Kite. The best places (most intimate) I enjoyed photographing were Anhinga Trail and Mazrek Pond.  I was able to get up-close and personal with the wildlife.  Most times it is very hard to approach wildlife and not spook them but these two locations boded well.  
I also like to get off the beaten path.  As I alluded to earlier some of the best places in Everglades NP are the marked stops and the most visited but I still crave the adventure of finding my own unique shots.  This is one of the main things I love about Everglades NP.  There are few restrictions where you can travel, and also equally important, no time constraints. Normally, when you are in a park you have to stay on the designated trails, and then observe opening and closing times.  Everglades NP is an anomaly in that the park rangers encourage hiking through the boggy swamp, taking night walks, and an overall sense of adventure.  It is very special to be able to jump in the swamp day or night and walk your own path.  This combines well with my sense of adventure.

The picture on the left below is my position filming the bald eagle in the video to the right.  Look in the camera screen to left to see what was filmed on the the right.

Images off the beaten path

Vermillion Flycatcher

Another great sighting the was Vermillion Flycatcher. Now this was one flash little dude.  He had some personality to him. If you ever want to see this little guy he is located at Pump Station C-111 on 9336 about one mile before the park entrance.  There is a bridge where the pump station is located and the Vermillion Flycatcher hangs out around a group of Gumbo limbo trees, power lines, and large yellow gate at a small turnoff at the pump station C-111.  If you want even more specific info I will be happy explain further.
All and all a trip to Everglades National Park was a great way to bring in the New Year.  I would not trade my time there for anything else in the world.  On the way back to Naples driving through Homestead I stopped a the intersection of 200th Street and Krome Avenue.  There is a little restaurant located in the gas station that has great latin food.  For $7.50 you get an amazing food and secondly an amazing amount of it. Thinking of food here was my New Years Eve dinner.

New Year's Eve Dinner

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