The Anhinga trail departs from the Royal Palm Visitor Center, where you can stop in to get more information about the trail and park. If exploring the trails on your own, stop to read the informational plaques along the route and scan for alligators surrounding the boardwalk. Alternatively, if you don’t want to risk missing any of the information or wildlife, join a ranger-led walk. You can get more information about ranger programs at any of the park visitor centers.
From the main park entrance and Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, take State Highway 9336 for 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) and then follow signs for the Royal Palm Visitor Center. The Anhinga Trail departs from the visitor center.
The dry season (winter) offers the best wildlife viewing opportunities because the alligators and anhingas are breeding, adding to more activity. Plus, the shrinking slough concentrates the wildlife closer to the boardwalk.
One of the most popular activities in the park is bird watching. You can view birds from the trails or take a kayak or canoe tour and get deeper into the park. In fact, the water trails are another of the park’s main draws. Adventurous travelers can even take a multi-day kayak or canoe trip and camp at backcountry sites along the way. There are also drive-up campsites in the park.