Exploring Everglades National Park

Ivana Dragojevic
06/19/2015

Everglades National Park protects an unparalleled landscape that provides important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species 

With 1,508,538 acres of trails, swamp, and nature preserve, Everglades National Park is enormous. 

There are a lot of great parks and wildlife preserves all over the state of Florida, but none of them compare to the massive size of the Florida Everglades. 

Located right in the heart of the swamps of south Florida, Everglades National Park is just over four hours away from the Villages of Citrus Hills. 

History of the Park 

Everglades National Park was established in 1947 in order to protect the natural habitat of the wildlife in southern Florida. 

Originally, the swamps of the Everglades stretched from the southern tip of Florida and Florida Bay all the way north to Lake Okeechobee. The area has been severely diminished over the years, and today it occupies only 25% of that original area. 

Despite its status as a nature preserve, Everglades National Park played a key role in the Cold War when the United States government decided to build a missile site there shortly after the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Primary Areas of the Park 

Everglades National Park is far too large to explore without a particular plan and plenty of time to execute it. It is recommended that you start your day at one of these four locations, depending on what types of activities you would like to participate in.

 Shark Valley: The Shark Valley Visitor Center is a great place to start for any first time visitors. From here, you can venture out onto a 15-mile loop through the Shark River Slough where you will likely spot alligators and wading birds, as well as other types of wildlife. This is a great trail to walk or bike, but there is also an option to take a narrated tour on a motorized tram. 

Royal Palm: This is the starting point for two of the most popular trails in Everglades National Park. The Anhinga Trail is an extremely popular boardwalk trail that is great for wildlife lovers. The Gumbo Limbo Trail is actually paved and also provides access to lots of great wildlife. 

Flamingo: With amenities like a visitor center, restaurant, campground, picnic area, and marina, Flamingo is the area of Everglades National Park that most resembles other national parks located throughout Florida. This is a great place to start for boating enthusiasts, and for anyone looking to go on a sightseeing boat tour.

Gulf Coast: Located near Everglades City in the northwest corner of the park, this is the most common place for visitors from the Villages of Citrus Hills to enter the Everglades. It is also the place to be if you are looking to take a boat tour through the absolutely amazing mangrove estuary of the Ten Thousand Islands. 

Safety in the Park

While you are traveling through Everglades National Park, it is important to appreciate the safety concerns as well as the beauty of the park. Due to the size and nature of the park, the wildlife here moves more freely than in other parks and can be extremely dangerous if you are not careful. 

One of the most important safety rules is that pets are strictly forbidden on most of the trails. Their presence can put their own lives in danger, as well as the safety of their owners. It is definitely best to leave your pets at home for this trip! 

It is also important to maintain awareness of your surroundings and the current weather conditions. However, as long as you are conscious of the importance of safety in the park, you should have no problem enjoying the stunning beauty of both the natural environment and the magnificent animals that call it home. 

If you have been exploring many of the parks that are located around the Villages of Citrus Hills, you have been naturally building up to a trip down to Everglades National Park.

Full details:

Make your new Citrus Hills home your permanent Florida residence by December 31, 2026, and you may qualify for expanded Homestead tax benefits beginning in 2027. Under Florida’s newly approved Amendment 3, eligible homeowners may exempt up to $150,000 of their home’s assessed value from non-school property taxes in 2027, increasing to $250,000 in 2028, with inflation adjustments beginning in 2029. A separate exemption of up to $25,000 applies to school district property taxes. Homestead benefits also include Florida’s Save Our Homes protection, which limits annual increases in assessed value beginning the year after the home first receives a homestead exemption, subject to applicable exceptions. To qualify for the expanded exemption in 2027, you must have established permanent Florida residency by December 31, 2026, own and occupy the home as your permanent residence as of January 1, 2027, and apply for homestead exemption by March 1, 2027. Actual tax savings depend on your home’s assessed value, applicable tax rates, and individual circumstances. Eligibility and savings depend on individual circumstances and are determined by the Citrus County Property Appraiser.

Terms and Conditions :

Offer valid on new home purchase agreements executed between June 1, 2026 and June 30, 2026 through Citrus Hills Construction and is contingent upon successful closing. Qualified purchasers will receive complimentary meals for one (1) year from the date of closing for personal use by the primary homeowner at participating Citrus Hills restaurants. This offer does not include meals for guests, tenants, secondary owners, family members, or other household members. 

Offer includes food items only and excludes all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, gratuities, taxes, special event menus, themed dinners, holiday dining experiences, catering, takeout, and promotional offerings unless otherwise determined by Citrus Hills.

Dining privileges are non-transferable, have no cash value, and may not be assigned, exchanged, or redeemed for cash or credit. Offer is limited to reasonable household use, not to exceed a single entree per homeowner per day. Citrus Hills reserves the right to determine reasonable usage limits and to suspend or revoke dining privileges in cases of misuse, abuse, excessive use, or violation of community or club rules.

Offer may not be combined with any other promotion, incentive, or discount unless expressly approved in writing by Citrus Hills. Not valid on prior contracts or previously closed homes. 

Restaurant participation, availability, operating hours, and menu offerings are subject to change without notice. Citrus Hills reserves the right to discontinue this promotion prospectively at any time. Additional terms and conditions may apply. See Sales Executive for complete details. 

Terms and Conditions :

No purchase necessary to enter or win. One (1) entry per tour will be provided upon completion of an in-person tour of The Villages of Citrus Hills between May 1, 2026 and July 15, 2026, regardless of the number of tours completed.

Prize consists of a trip for two (2) to the 2026 U.S. Open, including event tickets for one day of play, round-trip coach airfare, and standard hotel accommodations. Drawing will be held on or about July 17, 2026.

Winner will be notified via phone and/or email and must accept the prize within 5 days or an alternate winner may be selected. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

Travel dates, event tickets, and accommodations are subject to availability and may be determined at Citrus Hills’ sole discretion. Prize is non-transferable, has no cash alternative, and cannot be substituted except at sponsor’s discretion. Taxes, upgrades, and additional expenses not expressly included are the responsibility of the winner.

Employees, affiliates, and immediate family members are not eligible. Offer subject to change or termination at any time without notice. Additional terms may apply.

The US Open is a registered trademark of the United States Tennis Association. This promotion is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the USTA.

Terms and Conditions:

 
Offer valid on new construction homes purchased through Citrus Hills Construction with a fully executed purchase agreement between July 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026. Citrus Hills Construction will pay the buyer’s customary title closing costs when the home is closed through Manatee Title, LLC. Closing costs must be verified by an official Closing Disclosure prepared by Manatee Title, LLC. Citrus Hills Construction will provide a credit at closing for eligible closing costs as reflected on the final settlement statement. Offer does not include closing costs associated with financing, prepaid items, prorated expenses, property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, club membership deposits, optional upgrades, or non-standard fees.
 
Offer is non-transferable and may not be combined with other incentives unless expressly approved in writing. Offer subject to change or termination at any time without notice. Additional terms and conditions may apply. See Sales Executive for details.

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