One of the perennial destinations for birding in Everglades National Park, Eco Pond sits near the end of the Main Park Road in Flamingo.
During the 2005 hurricanes, a wave of salt water washed across the landscape, changing the pond’s salinity, affecting the wildlife living there. This loop still provides excellent birding and wildlife sightings.
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Overview
Location: Everglades National Park
Length: 0.5 mile loop
Trailhead: 25.139185,-80.93742
Fees: Everglades National Park entrance fee
Restroom: nearby at the visitor center
Land Manager: National Park Service
Phone: 305-242-7700
The pond is most interesting at dusk and dawn for birding, which is also when mosquitoes are also most active.
Directions
From the visitor center in Flamingo, drive 0.8 mile south on the Main Park Rd and park in the parking area on the right. A boardwalk leads to an observation platform that marks the start of the trail.
Hike
The trail circles a man-made wetland created to naturally filter and cleanse treated wastewater from the visitor center and lodge complex in Flamingo.
Start at the observation deck and walk counterclockwise around the loop. The trail leads to another observation platform about a quarter of the way around the pond.
As the trail curves around the far side of the pond, you get a nice panorama of the coastal prairie before facing the pond again for great views over the open water as you complete the loop.
Explore More!
Learn more about Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park In 1.5 million acres across South Florida, Everglades National Park has outdoor experiences from accessible boardwalks and paved trails to rugged adventures in harsh wilderness.Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring along Everglades Main Park Road
Bayshore Loop A walk through the mangrove-lined edge of Florida Bay and the unique coastal prairie habitat of the Everglades, the Bayshore Loop explores the site of the former fishing village of Flamingo.
Guy Bradley Trail Named in honor of the first game warden in Everglades, who gave his life protecting the birds, this paved walk offers excellent views of Florida Bay and insight into why Everglades National Park now exists.
Bear Lake Trail Everglades Paralleling the former Homestead Canal, the Bear Lake Trail takes you on a journey through tropical hammock and mangrove forests along a road scooped from the canal diggings. 
West Lake Mangrove Trail At West Lake, the Mangrove Trail loops through a shady tunnel, showcasing the protector of Florida’s coastline, the mighty mangrove, along the shores of a brackish lake.
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