Tree islands are tropical oases in the Everglades river of grass, punctuating the sawgrass prairie where there is a slight bit of elevation, enough to make an enormous difference in the flora.
Sandra has always loved Mahogany Hammock, one of the first trails she remembers walking on in Florida, back in the 60s as a kid.
Its length makes it perfect for families with small children, but watch out for the poison ivy that slips through the boardwalk rails!
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Overview
Location: Everglades National Park
Length: 0.4 mile loop
Trailhead: 25.323567, -80.832083
Fees: Everglades National Park entrance fee
Restroom: No
Land Manager: National Park Service
Phone: 305-242-7700
The loop is accessible.
Directions
From the Ernest Coe Visitor Center, follow the Main Park Road for 21 miles towards Flamingo. Turn right at the sign for Mahogany Hammock and follow the road for 1.7 miles to the parking area at the trailhead.
Hike
The hike starts out by crossing a virtual moat in the Shark Valley Slough, coming up to a stand of paurotis palms. The loop starts here.
In either direction, you’ll encounter stately ancient mahogany trees, peeling gumbo-limbo, and the mysterious and vaguely sinister-looking strangler figs.
Although the hurricanes of 2005 tore the roof off the forest and sent a jumbled wreck of fallen trees and root balls across the forest floor, this hammock still feels like a jungle.
Since it’s a boardwalk loop, there’s no risk of getting lost, so enjoy the immersion and watch closely for wildlife.
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.Slideshow
See our photos of Mahogany Hammock
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
Gumbo Limbo Trail At Royal Palm Hammock in Everglades National Park, the Gumbo Limbo Trail is a gentle paved path that gets you up close and personal with a tropical hammock and its oolite holes. 
Anhinga Trail For most visitors, the Anhinga Trail is their first glimpse into Everglades National Park. It's short, and the alligators are right there: hard to miss
Pinelands Trail The Pinelands Trail is a showcase for South Florida’s weird and wonderful karst, a limestone bedrock that’s full of Swiss-cheese like holes, in a tropical forest where colorful tree snails make their home.
Pa-Hay-Okee Boardwalk For a sweeping panorama of the "River of Grass" from a personal perspective, get out of your car and walk the short Pa-Hay-Okee Boardwalk at Everglades National Park.
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