Shark Valley Tram Tours

01/20/2025

Honor Dr. King's legacy by connecting with nature's tranquility.

Join us for a Shark Valley Tram Tour this and experience the beauty of the Everglades.

01/20/2025

Reminder free entrance for Martin Luther king day :).

In honor of the federal holiday on Monday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the National Park Service is offering free entrance to all national parks nationwide on Jan. 20. This day is often marked by a Day of Service, with volunteers across the nation participating in various service projects, embodying Dr. King's commitment to community and social change.

For info on how to volunteer at the park, visit: www.nps.gov/ever/getinvolved/volunteer.htm

For info on MLK Day and events visit: www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/mlk-day.htm

NPS Photo by Paul Gandy

01/18/2025

Shark Valley is a great place to see all sorts of wildlife, from alligators to birds to turtles. You never know what you might find while taking a tour with Shark Valley Tram Tours. You can find alligators, wood storks, and even great blue herons.

The tram tours are a great way to see the park and learn about the ecosystem. The guides are very knowledgeable and they are happy to answer any questions you have.

If you are looking for a great place to see wildlife, Shark Valley is the place to go. You won't be disappointed.

Why wait, come down to Shark Valley and take a tram tour!

Photos taken by Mike Rios of Shark Valley

01/17/2025

Ever wondered what a Nike missile silo looks like up close? This Saturday, January 18th, you have a chance to find out! 😮

Join the national park service Everglades for a special event where the historic Nike missile site in Everglades National Park will be open to the public. Explore the remnants of the Cold War and learn about this fascinating piece of history nestled within the unique ecosystem of the Everglades. 🏞️🚀

This is a rare opportunity as the site is only open on select days of the year. Don't miss out on this fun and educational experience! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

👉 For the most up-to-date information, including hours and directions, please visit the National Park Service Everglades page. 👈

01/16/2025

If you are looking for something to do this Saturday… Nike Missle will be open…

01/11/2025

Check out this amazing photo of an anhinga bird taken by our guide and driver, Mike Rios!

Anhingas are often called "snakebirds" because of their long, slender necks. They are frequently seen swimming in the water with just their heads and necks exposed, resembling a snake ready to strike. Anhingas are skilled divers and can stay underwater for up to two minutes. They feed on fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

When you visit Shark Valley, be sure to keep an eye out for these fascinating creatures. You might even see one drying its wings in the sun.

01/10/2025

The Osprey is a magnificent bird of prey that can be found all over the world, including in the Everglades. These birds are easily recognizable by their white heads and chests, brown backs, and long, narrow wings. Ospreys are also known for their impressive fishing skills. They can often be seen hovering over the water before plunging down to catch fish with their sharp talons.

At Shark Valley, you may be lucky enough to spot an Osprey soaring overhead or perched on a tree branch. If you're really lucky, you might even see one fishing!
Here are some photos of Ospreys at Shark Valley that were taken by Mike Rios, a guide and driver at Shark Valley.

As you can see, Ospreys are beautiful birds that are a joy to watch. If you're ever in the Everglades, be sure to keep an eye out for them!

Osprey Nest at Flamingo

Ospreys build their nests in tall trees or on man-made structures, such as telephone poles. The nests are large and made of sticks and branches. Ospreys often reuse their nests year after year.
Here's a photo of an Osprey nest at Flamingo, which is the southernmost part of the Everglades. This photo was taken by George Liu.

Osprey nests are a common sight in the Everglades. If you're ever in the area, be sure to look up and see if you can spot one!
Additional Information
* Ospreys are also known as fish hawks or sea hawks.
* Ospreys are found on every continent except Antarctica.
* Ospreys are monogamous birds and often mate for life.
* Ospreys can live for up to 20 years.

On your next trip to Shark Valley or the Florida Everglades, look up and you may just spot and Osprey

01/09/2025

🌅 End your day with a breathtaking Everglades sunset! 🌅
Join us for the last tram tour of the day at Shark Valley and you might just be treated to a spectacular show as the sun dips below the horizon.
Imagine: the sky ablaze with color, reflecting off the calm waters of the Everglades. Silhouetted against this stunning backdrop, you might spot alligators gliding through the water, crocodiles basking on the banks, and a variety of birds settling in for the night.
It's the perfect way to end a day of exploring the Everglades!
👉 Book your tour now and don't miss this unforgettable experience!

Visit
sharkvalleytramtours.com
Or book in person

01/09/2025

Just a friendly reminder. We will be open

As the nation mourns the passing of President Jimmy Carter, January 9 has been proclaimed as a National Day of Mourning.

Visitor services (visitor centers, bookstores, and concession operations) at Everglades National Park remain open, though administrative offices will be closed. Additionally, to honor President Carter's legacy of stewardship and activism, entrance fees will also be waived at Everglades and national parks nationwide.

For the most up-to-date visitor information, check the ‘Alerts’ section on our webpage: https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Updates and a full schedule of events celebrating the life of President Carter can be found here: https://www.nps.gov/jica/index.htm

NPS Photo by Leonela Gaither

12/30/2024

Unfortunately, many people only ask after they are already here.

While pets are permitted in select areas of the park, it's best if you can make arrangements to leave your four-legged friends' home for your next visit. This is for the protection of your pet, as well as the local wildlife.

For more information about pets and service animals in the park: https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/pets.htm

NPS Photo A. Alcantara

12/20/2024

Just another day in the Everglades...🐍

This juvenile Burmese python was recently found in the parking lot near the Shark Valley Visitor Center. Based on its relatively small size, this snake likely hatched out last summer and is only a few months old. Incredibly, in another year, with a robust diet, this same python could already be 8 feet (2.4 meters) long!

This incident highlights the importance of reporting nonnative wildlife. Reporting allows scientists to better track the spread of existing species, and in some cases, even prevent the establishment of new invasive species. Reporting also allows for safe handling and removal of wild animals by trained individuals.

You can report sightings of pythons in the park by emailing: [email protected]. You can also report by though the 'I'veGot1' app or at https://www.eddmaps.org/. Be sure to include the date, location (GPS coordinates if possible), and good images when it is safe to do so.

NPS Photo by Chris Beers.

12/03/2024

Water Update:
A section of the east road does still have some water on it, but far less than it had been. While you may still have to go through a few spots, the dry areas are far more numerous these days.
remember, you may still encounter some slippery spots due to algae. Please use the appropriate caution while out there...and have fun.

12/03/2024

We believe we may have heard of this place 😁

Shark Valley is one of the most visited districts of the park, especially in the winter season. So, why is it called ‘Shark Valley’?

Shark 🦈– Present day Shark Valley is comprised of freshwater so you will not find any sharks here! The area is named for its proximity to the Shark River Slough which flows into the Shark River and its tributaries. The Shark River derives its name from the fact that sharks, such as bull sharks, are known to give birth to their young in the Shark River.

Valley 🏞️- While the landscape around Shark Valley may appear flat, it does represent a slight dip in elevation between the Miami Rock Ridge to the east (Miami), and the Immokalee Rise to the west (near present-day Naples). This makes the central part of the Everglades a valley.

For more information on planning a visit to Shark Valley: https://ow.ly/QLeV50UjhEo

12/01/2024

Red Shouldered Hawks are the most common bird of prey viewed at Shark Valley. A smaller Buteo, they tend to spend a lot of their day scouting for food in obvious locations. We occasionally see them heading back to their perches with their quarry. Snakes, frogs, and random rodents may be on the menu.

Photo h/t Mike Rios

12/01/2024

While our version of winter typically does not see all that snow fall, we are seeing benefits of slightly cooler temperatures. Animals such as alligators have been spending more time basking in the sun to help regulate their body temperature.

Photo h/t Mike Rios

11/14/2024

Amazing progress on this project!

One-year update! 🏗️

We began construction of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas and redevelopment of the site one year ago in October and we're excited to report we've made great progress.

So far, the site has been cleared and raised, marina expansion and seawall are completed, and marina dredging is underway.

Visitor center construction has begun, and preliminary work is starting on the concession building. Installation of water, sewer and utilities is ongoing.

The canoe/kayak launch has been delayed due to some delays with the marina dredging. The whole project is expected to be completed by Fall 2025.

NPS Photo

11/06/2024

Native snakes we like to see at Shark Valley!

10/25/2024

Alligator jaws are very powerful, capable of getting through bones and turtle shells. Unlike people however, they cannot simply apply more pressure when the jaw is closed. They must open the jaw back up and crunch down again. That is how creatures such as this turtle have the chance to escape, fleeing while the gator opens its mouth for another chomp. We easily find turtles with scars and scrapes from close encounters they have been able to survive.

h/t Mike Rios