The Shark Valley Area is located in the center of a vast saw grass marsh prairie. Stretching 100 miles from Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico, this freshwater ecosystem harbors abundant wildlife. The Shark Valley Loop Trail is an ecological highlight of Everglades National Park. Perched on the northern border of the park and teeming with interesting flora and fauna, this 15.4 mile trail loops through a grand saw grass prairie, offering close-up views of biological diversity.

A grand saw grass prairie surrounds the Shark Valley area. The saw grass prairie is one of nine distinct Everglades ecosystems

An American Alligator in the shallow waters of Shark Valley. The Alligator is Florida's state reptile

A Great Blue Heron, the largest of all of Florida's wading birds, can grow past 4' in height

A Tricolored Heron fishes in Shark Valley. Herons will often spear fish with their long sharp mouths

A large observation tower is located at the half way point on the trail. Bathrooms and a water fountain are available

A mid-sized gator near the Bobcat Boardwalk Trail, a short Shark Valley side-hike through a 'bayhead' plant community

The deep, dark waters near the observation tower are home to a variety of turtles as well as some of the larger alligators in the park

An Anhinga, a swimming bird, dries its wings on the dense brush of the west side of the Shark Valley Loop Trail

A Great Blue Heron crouching low to stay hidden

A wide view of the Heron above. The thick network of swamp brush provides cover for the Great Blue

Looking east across the saw grass prairie of Shark Valley. The Everglades is actually a slow moving river, often referred to as the River of Grass

A 7' - 8' alligator moves its way across a shallow expanse of water