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Boardwalk in a mangrove forest

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.

Everglades National Park  |  Flamingo
( 25.214318, -80.850822 )      0.4 miles

At West Lake, the Mangrove Trail loops through a forest that has seen its share of hurricane-related damage, from salty mud flats deposited by Hurricane Donna to the storm surges of 2005 from Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma.

Yet this walk still leads you through a shady tunnel, showcasing the protector of Florida’s coastline, the mighty mangrove.

Boardwalk over a pea colored lake
The Mangrove Boardwalk over West Lake

Resources

Resources for exploring the area
50 Hikes in South Florida book coverSouth Florida Explorers Guide book coverHikers Guide to the Sunshine State book coverPaddlers Guide Florida The Hiking Trails of Floridas National Forests Parks Preserves book cover  
Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.

Overview

Location: Flamingo
Length: 0.4 mile loop
Trailhead: 25.214318, -80.850822
Fees: Everglades National Park entrance fee
Restroom: At the picnic area
Land Manager: National Park Service
Phone: 305-242-7700

This hike is accessible. Expect mosquitoes.


Directions

 
From the Flamingo Visitor Center, follow Main Park Road north for 7 miles to the West Lake sign on the right. Turn right and park near the “Mangrove Trail” sign.

Hike

Follow the boardwalk into the shady mangrove forest, where bromeliads of various shapes and sizes cling to the gnarled branches of the mangroves. Giant leather ferns rise from the forest floor.

During the dry season, spiders spin webs between the thousands of pnumatephores protruding from the sand like tiny fingers. These are the breathing roots of the black mangroves.

At the junction, reach the beginning of the loop. Turn left to walk out through the mangroves to West Lake.

Large pea green lake
West Lake is surrounded by mangrove forests

Red mangroves line the edge of the lake, standing tall on their roots. The roots are covered with a layer of thick salt, which the plants transpire as they soak in the brackish water.

There are benches where the boardwalk heads out farther to give you great views of this massive lake.

The boardwalk returns to the shade of the mangrove forest, completing the loop. Continue straight out to exit.

Boardwalk in a mangrove forest
The Mangrove Trail tunnels through a mangrove forest

Explore More!

Learn more about Everglades National Park

Lily dotted swamp with prairie to the horizon beyond Everglades National Park In its 1.5 million acres sweeping across South Florida, Everglades National Park offers outdoor experiences ranging from accessible boardwalks and paved trails to rugged adventures in harsh wilderness.

Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring along Everglades Main Park Road

Boardwalk to tree island Mahogany Hammock Trail Mahogany Hammock is a tree island, a tropical oasis in the Everglades “river of grass,” where the short boardwalk trail immerses you in the jungle-like hammock.
Panorama of Everglades habitats 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.
Mud flats edged by mangroves Snake Bight / Rowdy Bend The Snake Bight Trail in Everglades National Park leads you a wild place where tropical forests meet the mangrove shorelines of Florida Bay, where crocodiles cruise the saline shallows and mosquitoes thicken the air.
Trail through mangroves Christian Point Trail The Christian Point Trail is one of the more challenging trails in Everglades National Park, leading you deep into the mangrove forest along Florida Bay.

Park Maps Reserve Campsite Official Website

Category: Hikes, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, South Florida, Southeast FloridaTag: Accessible, Birding, Boardwalks, Botanical, Everglades, Everglades National Park, Fishing, Flamingo, Homestead, Lakefront, Mangroves, Miami, National Parks, Observation Decks

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Our recent park & trail updates in this region

Grassy footpath lined with lyonia under pines

Jack Creek Tract, Lake Wales Ridge WEA

Jack Creek Tract, Lake Wales Ridge WEA
Trail in pine forest leading to bridge

Lake Placid Scrub

Lake Placid Scrub
Well worn path through a wet pine flatwoods landscape

DuPuis Loop Trail

DuPuis Loop Trail
Bridge edged by alligator flag

Okaloacoochee Slough Tram Loop

Okaloacoochee Slough Tram Loop

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