So I'm planning to haul my bike from PA to Jacksonville, FL, park my truck and then ride my bike down to Key West for a bit of throttle therapy and warm weather. On my way home I was thinking of stopping at Everglades Natl Park for a day or so and was wondering if checking out the park is worth it or should I skip the park and and just ride the gulf coast before heading back over to Jacksonville to pick up my truck and head home.

Also interested in suggestions for lodging near the park or in/near Miami. Looking for a place that's safe to park the bike as well as clean and somewhat affordable. I'm not looking to save every penny and stay in a dive nor do I want to stay someplace for $500 a night just something in between. Thanks

Can't really speak to the park. But having said that I would want to do either the down or return up the central part of the state. The East Coast being really heavy traffic. Just some variety.
In the Southern part of the state there are limited road options.

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:
Can't really speak to the park. But having said that I would want to do either the down or return up the central part of the state. The East Coast being really heavy traffic. Just some variety.
In the Southern part of the state there are limited road options.

ETA: The West (Gulf) Coast is major traffic as well. I've had a place near the Gulf Coast near Ft Myers for 5 years. I hate when I have to go anywhere near the coast.

How much time do you plan on spending in Florida? I ask because it's 500 miles to Key West from Jacksonville and there's a lot of things to do and see in the middle, but you're going to have to get off I-95 for that.

We don't have an A1A on this side of the state, so you can't just ride up the Gulf Coast. I-4 isn't your plan to get back to Jacksonville, right?

I don't know about Everglades National Park. With 25 years living here and another 25 just visiting, nobody has ever asked if I've been there and I've never heard anyone mention going there themselves. It could be the best kept secret in Florida.

On the way back, I would take Krome Ave (997) through Homestead to US-27. Then I'd ride the east side of Lake O. I have no idea where to go from there. Although 714 heading to Stuart is like driving through a tunnel of oak tree canopies.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
How much time do you plan on spending in Florida? I ask because it's 500 miles to Key West from Jacksonville and there's a lot of things to do and see in the middle, but you're going to have to get off I-95 for that.

We don't have an A1A on this side of the state, so you can't just ride up the Gulf Coast. I-4 isn't your plan to get back to Jacksonville, right?

I don't know about Everglades National Park. With 25 years living here and another 25 just visiting, nobody has ever asked if I've been there and I've never heard anyone mention going there themselves. It could be the best kept secret in Florida.

On the way back, I would take Krome Ave (997) through Homestead to US-27. Then I'd ride the east side of Lake O. I have no idea where to go from there. Although 714 heading to Stuart is like driving through a tunnel of oak tree canopies.

Total time in Florida probably about 10-14 days depending on if I stop at Everglades National Park.

I don't mind getting off I95 and prefer to avoid it as much as possible. With that said I plan to stay at military installations down and back. So the plan is to stay at NAS Jacksonville, ride about 200 miles to Patrick AFB spend the night and from there ride to Key West. On the trip home the plan was to stay near Homestead and visit the park for a day or two then head west to MacDill AFB, Tyndall AFB, Pensacola and from Pensacola back to Jacksonville.

You have time then. Take A1A as much as you can. Check out the Kennedy Space Center.

Leaving either the Keys or Everglades National Park, still take Krome Ave to US-27 to South Bay. Take State Road 714 along the east side of Lake O and you'll wind up on US-98. Take that to US-27 again and turn left on State Rad 60 in Lake Wales which will take you almost right to MacDill.

From there, US-19 to US-98 to Tyndall. There's Manatee Springs State Park in Chiefland and Fanning Springs State Park in Fanning Springs on the way.

It was worth it to me. Most time I went down there was in the late 90's. Was at the in-laws in F. Myers for Christmas, the ladies wanted to go shopping, I didn't so I drove down to the Everglades. It was so different than anything I was totally mesmerized by it.

he ParkService used to operate a shallow draft jet boat tour that went through the Mango Forests and eventually out to the Gun of Mexico. Awesome tour getting to see Ospreys and Falcons hunt and having dolphins play in the wake of the boat. Loos like it's changed and gone to private concessions now with the closest thing to that cruise being the 10,000 Island tour.

On the way back I stopped at Jungle Jim's Air Boat Tours and went out on the airboat. Complete and total opposite end of the, "Environmentally Responsible" tour offered by the Park Service. I got to sit up high with the driver, something primordial about having a big block Chevy 502 V-8 with open headers right behind my head. Saw all kinds of Gators and then there was the calling ass through the swamp under low hanging branches, spinning donuts and just feeding my inner child.

Ten Thousand Islands is on the Gulf Coast. Any tour that takes you out there probably goes out of Chokoloskee or Everglades City. It’s an option. You would take Krome Ave through Homestead and turn left onto US-41 by the Miccosukee Casino. You wouldn’t stay at a hotel near Miami and you’d be stuck taking I-75 to MacDill.

Based on his starting point, I assumed that calugo was thinking of riding to Flamingo. Since he has the time, I wouldn’t skip it.

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:

... I plan to stay at military installations down and back...

You may wish to visit the restored Nike Hercules SAM site.

https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn...toryculture/hm69.htm

There's no lodging, but it's a blast from the past. I've been to other restored Nike sites but not this one. Check the calendar on the www site and contact them first, it's only open December thru March.

We visited the Everglades almost 20 years ago. I don't know as we ever entered the National Park proper, but we camped at Collier-Seminole state park near Marco Island, did some canoeing and hiking, and drove US41 across the tip of the state and then drove down 1 to Key West and Back.

I would definitely check out the Everglades. We saw a ton of gators and Manatees, and the vegetation is like nothing I've seen anywhere else. Especially if I was on a bike I'd take the time to explore and check out the area. Traffic wasn't bad and there was a lot to see for a northern kid who had never been there before. Just don't hit a gator...they're huge and like to sun themselves on the shoulder!

Getting down there and back from Jacksonville is gonna be no fun, though. Traffic for days!

I live just north of Homestead and Flamingo ( Everglades National Park) is my regular wind therapy ride. Within the last year they do have small hotel type lodging down there. I have no idea how much and availability but would have no problem sleeping there and leaving my bike outside. They also have air conditioned canvas type lodging too. Skeeters get pretty bad when it warms up. I really enjoy the ride in and out of the park. Check out the Nike site if it's open, it's off the main road in and out but it's also a pleasant ride to get to. If you had bicycles instead of Motorcycle I would send you to a place that most don't know about. Aero jet. Back when they wanted to put a man on the moon they did some experimenting with space rockets, solid fuel and liquid, something like that. There is a space rocket in the ground that's covered with concrete I-beams that you can see from above. and the whole infrastructure for what was needed to run this program is still there. They just packed up and left it there. Reminds me of Jurrassic park part 2 when riding around down there.
Nike site





Areo jet



Just before entering Everglades National park on left hand side you can park a vehicle then ride your bicycle 5 miles down make a left at the end go through 3 dug out portions of the road and you will end up here



On the back side here



duck walk down a bit and you'll want a flash light to see this





On the way to this location there are maintenance buildings and other buildings that have been left untouched for 50 years. Feel free to contact me if your gonna try this because will probably need to talk on the phone before taking up that adventure. Hray

My wind therapy vessel.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: hray,

I recommend stopping there if the outdoors is your thing. It’s an easy way to see a unique part of old Fl.

Be mindful that roads like A1A, US 1, and Hwy 90 are not always good roads for riding. Jumping on and off the interstate to avoid miles of built up, stop and go, traffic light infested, soccer mom getting groceries areas can make your ride much more efficient and enjoyable.

Also, depending on the time of year, try to not be riding just before and after sunset. Riding through really thick flying swarms of bugs sucks.

quote:

Originally posted by hray:
I live just north of Homestead.....

Decades ago we toured the area extensively and enjoyed stopping at Robert is Here. Is that fruit/vegetable stand still open?

Yes but rumor has it that they might be or have sold. All kinds of development happening around there and along US1. I got 3 more years in the DROP and I’m looking to leave. Hray

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:
I recommend stopping there if the outdoors is your thing. It’s an easy way to see a unique part of old Fl.

Be mindful that roads like A1A, US 1, and Hwy 90 are not always good roads for riding. Jumping on and off the interstate to avoid miles of built up, stop and go, traffic light infested, soccer mom getting groceries areas can make your ride much more efficient and enjoyable.

Also, depending on the time of year, try to not be riding just before and after sunset. Riding through really thick flying swarms of bugs sucks.

I'm an outdoors type person and enjoy checking out God's creation so Everglades Natl Park would be more my thing than bar hopping. My travel dates are 19 January - 4 February and I'm in no hurry so I'll probably ride after 8 or 9AM and be at my destination by early afternoon so hopefully won't encounter to many bugs during those hours. I remember driving through MS during Love Bug season back in 2005and wouldn't want to experience that on a motorcycle.

I'd also be glad to avoid as much congestion, stop & go traffic, lights, soccer mom's and elderly drivers as possible since those things all detract from the ride. I don't mind hoping on/off the interstate if there's nothing to see on side roads but I'd like to avoid the interstate as much as possible.

quote:

Originally posted by hray:
I live just north of Homestead and Flamingo ( Everglades National Park) is my regular wind therapy ride. Within the last year they do have small hotel type lodging down there.

I already checked and the Flamingo at the park looks like its booked, no surprise since its normally pretty tough to make a reservation at any of the national parks unless you do it way in advance. Unfortunately they shut down the lodging at Homestead ARB or else I would stay there but since its closed can you recommend a nice hotel near the base or towards the park? Looking for someplace nice that's clean, safe and I can sleep at night and not worry about my bike being stolen.

quote:

Originally posted by Sigmund:

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:

... I plan to stay at military installations down and back...

You may wish to visit the restored Nike Hercules SAM site.

https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn...toryculture/hm69.htm

There's no lodging, but it's a blast from the past. I've been to other restored Nike sites but not this one. Check the calendar on the www site and contact them first, it's only open December thru March.

Thanks looks interesting

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
You have time then. Take A1A as much as you can. Check out the Kennedy Space Center.

Leaving either the Keys or Everglades National Park, still take Krome Ave to US-27 to South Bay. Take State Road 714 along the east side of Lake O and you'll wind up on US-98. Take that to US-27 again and turn left on State Rad 60 in Lake Wales which will take you almost right to MacDill.

From there, US-19 to US-98 to Tyndall. There's Manatee Springs State Park in Chiefland and Fanning Springs State Park in Fanning Springs on the way.

Good info....thanks

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:

quote:

Originally posted by hray:
I live just north of Homestead and Flamingo ( Everglades National Park) is my regular wind therapy ride. Within the last year they do have small hotel type lodging down there.

I already checked and the Flamingo at the park looks like its booked, no surprise since its normally pretty tough to make a reservation at any of the national parks unless you do it way in advance. Unfortunately they shut down the lodging at Homestead ARB or else I would stay there but since its closed can you recommend a nice hotel near the base or towards the park? Looking for someplace nice that's clean, safe and I can sleep at night and not worry about my bike being stolen.

I'll check as I haven't stayed any place that close to home. I'm not sure if Reserve bases have lodging or not but Luis Martinez Reserve Center is right by the Miami Metro zoo. That area before the zoo became the zoo use to be the second largest CIA spot other than Langley

Hray,that bike ride to the old missile site makes me want to take a trip to the Everglades! Thanks for sharing, I love stuff like that and you may have just added an item to the bucket list, lol.