Shark Valley Observation Tower

Nice overlook of the Everglades. You can get here by tram, bike, or by hoffin' it with your own two feet! There some short trips to explore around the tower, but you will see tonnes of gators and birds along the trail. Well worth the trip. See my reviews of the ranger station and the tram tour! That gives you a good expectation.

This is a very wonderful place to come and walk or ride your bike, if you dont have one you are able to rent them there. The place fills up fast and you may have to park off the highway 41. Thats ok its not a far walk. They also have trolley rides. It will Be a 71/2 miles to the tower, you will be seeing different birds, an many gators along the way. It is wonderful to get there and relaxed, you will just fall in love with shark valley you will see Gator, so dont bring your dog please. The tower it self is interesting your view will Be breathtaking as your sitting smach in the middle OF THE EVERGLADS. ( how cool is that)?also The 1 of the best things is.. you just continue on the road because is its a big Loop. Even in the dark its wonderful. ENJOY!

If you're going to Shark Valley National Park in the Everglades, I'd recommend you get up early if you want to rent a bike. We got to the park right when the bike rentals opened, and there was already a bit of a line. The bike rentals are first-come, first-served, so you need to be on the ball. We were fortunate to get two bikes for the fifteen-mile loop, and boy, was it worth getting up early for. So much wildlife and too many gators to count. It's super flat, so it's not a hard ride, but if you don't bike much, it could become a long trek. You can always take the tram, but you experience so much more on the bikes. I'd recommend this loop if you want to be one with nature, and the tower in the middle offers stunning views of the Everglades you can't see from the ground.

Very cool place. We counted over 40 gators that were right next to the trail or on it. We also ran into a large American crocodile just a few feet away. It was a little hot but the bike ride was amazing and the best way to see this place. Just overall amazing.

We had one alligator and one crocodile up near the sidewalk, pretty cool. Great view from the observation deck. Too bad the very top of the tower was closed off. Would recommend visiting this at Shark Valley. It's about halfway around the 15 mile loop. They have a tram tour but we chose the rental bikes.