As the 3rd largest national park in America, the 1.6 million square miles of the Everglades National Park is teeming with natural beauty.  Its swamplands are as familiar a sight as the alligators and airboats used to promote the area.  The ecosystem of the park is what draws many of the visitors here.  Although there’s plenty of waterways, swimming isn’t an option because of the unfriendly wildlife who live there, but canoeing is one way of enjoying the water from the relative safety of a vessel.There are guided tours around the park by staff who will talk about the wildlife of the park, and the various sites to see within it.  These tours can be on foot, or by a regular tram, or even by boat – obviously one of the best ways to see the Everglades which are noted for their grasses which grow up through the shallow waters in much of the park.As with most nature reserve/national parks personal safety must be your priority in the Everglades.  This isn’t a superficial theme park.  The wildlife here is real, the teeth are real, and they do bite!  If you take children, especially younger children, make sure that they are aware of the dangers and that they must listen to what people tell them.  This is even more important if you take them out on a boat tour where they must sit still and not trail their hands in the water.The Everglades is one of the most astounding national parks in the US, one which is unrivalled as far as it’s particular brand of natural wildlife and scenery is concerned, but it’s also a place where safety is vital – so read the warnings carefully, keep to the rules of the park as told to you by the park staff, and you’ll have an unforgettable time for all the right reasons – oh and don’t forget the mosquito spray!