Everglades National Park

Shark Valley Trail

This is a 15-mile loop that is the best option for biking or a long run in the park. Best bet is to start at the Visitor Center, which is 40 miles west of Miami. It is 7 miles out West Rd. to the Visitor Center, and 8 miles back along East Rd. Be aware of trams – best bet is to run opposite.

Pinelands – Long Pine Key Nature Trail

Most of the pines in this area were logged before the establishment of Everglades National Park in 1947. Roads created by logging, fire roads and old farm access roads have created a 43 mile (69 km) network of paved and primitive trails through the pinelands. Closed to vehicular traffic, most of these trails are simply two ruts in the limestone bedrock. They are good for hikes, and a few are open for bicycling. The best bets for running are to follow the ‘biking and hiking’ trails on the map, principally the Long Pine Key Nature Trail, which runs 7 miles one-way from Pine Glades Lake. This is the largest contiguous pine rockland habitat in all of North America. Note: this is more for trail running.

Pinelands – Old Ingraham Highway

This is a good option for a longer run. The trail follows a former road for 11 miles. From the Visitor Center, take the Gumbo Limbo Trail for 0.8 miles to access the Old Ingraham Highway.

Flamingo Trails

The Flamingo area is at the southern end of the park, about 90 miles from Miami. There are several terrific trails in this area for walking/hiking that are also good for running. Best bets are the Snake Bight Trail (3.6 miles RT), Bear Lake (3+ miles one-way), and Rowdy Bend. Also, ask the ranger about the Coastal Prairie Trail, temporarily closed.