Shark Valley

 

My biking to do list has long included Shark Valley in the Everglades National Park. The tram road is a flat fifteen-mile paved loop for trams giving visitors a close-up view of the everglades. The road is closed to all but trams and an occasional ranger patrol. You are allowed to cycle here and they even rent bicycles. One of the attractions for me was the almost guaranteed sightings of allegators. I have seen many varieties of wildlife from my bike but never an allegator.

I rode the loop in May 2025. It was 95F and absolutely no shade. I slathered on the sunscreen and loaded plenty of water. The weather was the driest in 20 years so water levels were very low. I did see about ten allegators and many heroin, egrets and similar birds. I had a great time.

 The start is the parking lot and visitor center. There are restrooms at the visitor center along with a water fountain. The tram road has mile markers painted on the center of the pavement. There is an observation tower and rest rooms at the half way point. Both the tower and the rest rooms require you to park your bike and walk a short distance. The uppermost portion of the tower was closed perhaps due to the small spiral staircase required to access it.

 There are not any sharks in Shark Valley! It gets its name from Shark River Slough.

If this sounds like a ride for you, it is an hour west of Miami on route 41. (25.75651, -80.76614) Parking is limited and fills during busy times. Don’t forget America the Beautiful Pass (senior) if you have one, otherwise it is $20-$35. The park does NOT accept cash.