Pa-hay-okee Trail

The Pa-hay-okee Trail is located within the Everglades National Park near Homestead in Florida and is approximately 75 miles from Miami. The trailhead is approximately 13 miles from the main park entrance at the Ernest Coe Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is open all year round from 9am to 5pm and is a good place to obtain maps and information about the trails in this part of the park.

This is a short 400 meter round trip that leads to an observation platform overlooking the sweeping vistas of sawgrass. Cycling is not permitted along this boardwalk trail but it is wheelchair accessible. The viewing platform will allow visitors to observe several species of bird such as red-shouldered hawks, red-winged blackbirds and vultures.

The tiny sharp teeth of the sawgrass are not the ideal habitat for wildlife but looking down from the observation platform it may be possible to sight an alligator. Before or after taking the trail, hikers may want to stop at the visitor center where there is often a special exhibition of work by local artists. Souvenirs can be purchased here too such as books, postcards and insect repellant, which is advisable for hikers to take with them in the park during the summer.