The wilderness of South Florida is a famous, but misunderstood and imperiled ecosystem. Much of the glades were once drained or diverted to serve the sprawling cities. Luckily, within the past century people have realized the true value of this ecosystem. The vast wetlands, however inhospitable, are indispensable for natural flood control, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and more. The glades even reveal an exquisite beauty to those who care to look, and exploring on foot is one way to go.

Everglades National Park has many short trails and boardwalks, and you should do a number of them if you want to see a great variety of wildlife. If you have to choose just one, though, consider the Anhinga Trail. It’s a paved and wooden walkway over wetlands that teem with birds, turtles, and alligators. The wildlife residents are fairly accustomed to people, so you can view them safely. The alligators are a real highlight and don’t pose any danger if you don’t bother them.

For a longer trek through the pinelands, you can start on the Long Pine Key Nature Trail and make a loop with less-traveled paths in designated wilderness. The trail goes through a variety of habitats that are typical of the Everglades uplands. Winter is by far the best time for this hike, when wildlife spotting is easier through thinned vegetation, and when conditions aren’t so muggy and buggy.

This concise loop makes an excellent day hike near the Flamingo Campground in Everglades National Park. On the Bayshore Loop you’ll walk through sunny coastal prairie and shady buttonwood forest to the coast. On the bay you’ll find a row of mangroves at the water’s edge, with gaps that allow views over the water. Take time to admire the intricate root jumbles and the communities of aquatic life that live among them.

If you want to do a backpacking trip in the Everglades, consider the Coastal Prairie Trail. It’s a remote path to a wild beach at the extreme southern tip of the Florida mainland, where camping is allowed with a permit. This route crosses some of the Everglades’ notoriously inhospitable habitats, and it’s practically unbearable in the summer. You’ll want to save it for the cooler and drier months, but bring sun and insect protection all the same.