• Naples to Miami, Florida: Along the Tamiami Trail

      by
      Jerry Kendrick
      Published on 05-29-2010 01:36 AM
      2 Comments Comments

      195 miles. Allow 5 to 7 hours

      A trip along the Tamiami Trail (US 41) starts in the upscale suburban neighborhoods of Naples, proceeds into Everglades National Park and ends in the vibrant density of urban Miami. Along this old route you can see the smallest post office in the U.S., amazing numbers of alligators and big birds, some beautiful wetlands, and a national park that's mostly under water.





      Here are a few highlights to look out for along the way.

      Naples, FL. (Starting Point)
      The route begins in Naples, Florida, the crown jewel of southwest Florida and then heads southeast.

      Ochopee, FL (Mile 37)
      Ochopee, FL is home to the smallest Post Office in the US, a postage-stamp size (really closet-sized) 7’ x 8’ former irrigation shed that still provides mail services for three Florida counties.

      Big Cypress National Preserve (Mile 50)
      The Oasis Visitor Center at Big Cypress National Preserve is located right on the Tamiami Trail and has many live alligators and other interesting exhibits.

      Everglades National Park - Shark Valley (Mile 70)
      Shark Valley you can take a Tram Tour and climb to the top of the observation tower for a bird’s eye view of the “river of grass”.

      Everglades National Park – Ernest Coe Visitor Center (Mile 140)
      The Ernest Coe Visitor Center features several popular hiking trails that take you through some beautiful scenery and up-close and personal with alligators, big birds and other wildlife.

      Biscayne National Park (Mile 160)
      Biscayne National Park. With 95% of the park underwater, it is a boating, fishing and snorkeling paradise with tours available through concessionaires. Land based activities can be found at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center located at Convey Point. From Convey Point it is about 35 miles to Miami.


      A Big Gator Sunning


      1. Categories:
      2. Florida,
      3. Routes,
      4. United States
      Comments 2 Comments
      1. scotishbob's Avatar
        scotishbob - 03-27-2014, 02:52 PM
        Except at Shark Valley, you will not see many gators....At Shark Valley, either take the tram (might have to wait a while to get on one), bike the trail...or if time is prohibitive, at least walk eastward on the trail...lots of wildlife along the first several hundred yards.

        At the same time, there is another road (Florida 94-and was the orginal route too) off this road that gives a better idea of what the Everglades is like. The first couple miles it is grown up and not much to see and then it blossoms into better viewing and lots of wildlife-both birds and gators. Near the end, you will find one of Al Capone's bars/hideouts and the home of the song "Orange Blossom Special". Be forewarned that the road is dirt (but good) most of the way....27 miles of Everglade Heaven and takes about 2 hours to drive
      1. Lifemagician's Avatar
        Lifemagician - 03-27-2014, 07:03 PM
        Quote Originally Posted by scotishbob View Post
        ... there is another road (Florida 94-and was the orginal route too) off this road that gives a better idea of what the Everglades is like. The first couple miles it is grown up and not much to see and then it blossoms into better viewing and lots of wildlife-both birds and gators. Near the end, you will find one of Al Capone's bars/hideouts and the home of the song "Orange Blossom Special". Be forewarned that the road is dirt (but good) most of the way....27 miles of Everglade Heaven and takes about 2 hours to drive
        Would have to agree. Having been across the different ways to cross betweenm Miami and Naples, this was by far my most memorable. The dirt road is a good road, even though I traversed it just after pouring rain.

        Lifey