Burmese pythons are expanding their territory north along Florida’s Gulf Coast, with sightings becoming more frequent in areas beyond the Everglades. Wade Gardener recently captured one of these invasive snakes near his home, marking another instance of their presence in the region.Snake trapper Seth explained the reasons behind this expansion, saying, “They’re either running out of food or looking for new food, or the population’s just growing so big that they just start spreading out.”Video above: Ball python caught on camera chilling on a pool deck The python captured was nearly 12 feet long, comparable to the length of a car. The largest Burmese python ever captured in Florida was a female measuring nearly 18 feet and weighing 215 pounds in 2022.Andrew Durso, a professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, noted that Burmese pythons are beginning to slither or swim to new parts of the Gulf Coast.Video below: 5-foot python found in bathroom of apartment”I think we can expect to see pythons continuing to increase their range naturally, slowly,” Durso said.Trappers are receiving more calls about these snakes appearing in new residential areas, a development that does not surprise experts like Durso.”I also think we can expect to see more populations pop up in areas that have a lot of human traffic,” he said.As the invasive species seeks more food in new locations, Seth mentioned the possibility of their presence extending beyond Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties.”I’ll be more surprised if we start to see him in, like, Sarasota or Bradenton or Tampa area,” Seth said.Seth advised against engaging with these snakes if encountered, as improper handling can lead to serious injuries requiring hospital visits and stitches. Instead, he recommended calling experts to safely remove them from neighborhoods.
Burmese pythons are expanding their territory north along Florida’s Gulf Coast, with sightings becoming more frequent in areas beyond the Everglades. Wade Gardener recently captured one of these invasive snakes near his home, marking another instance of their presence in the region.
Snake trapper Seth explained the reasons behind this expansion, saying, “They’re either running out of food or looking for new food, or the population’s just growing so big that they just start spreading out.”
Video above: Ball python caught on camera chilling on a pool deck
The python captured was nearly 12 feet long, comparable to the length of a car.
The largest Burmese python ever captured in Florida was a female measuring nearly 18 feet and weighing 215 pounds in 2022.
Andrew Durso, a professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, noted that Burmese pythons are beginning to slither or swim to new parts of the Gulf Coast.
Video below: 5-foot python found in bathroom of apartment
“I think we can expect to see pythons continuing to increase their range naturally, slowly,” Durso said.
Trappers are receiving more calls about these snakes appearing in new residential areas, a development that does not surprise experts like Durso.
“I also think we can expect to see more populations pop up in areas that have a lot of human traffic,” he said.
As the invasive species seeks more food in new locations, Seth mentioned the possibility of their presence extending beyond Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties.
“I’ll be more surprised if we start to see him in, like, Sarasota or Bradenton or Tampa area,” Seth said.
Seth advised against engaging with these snakes if encountered, as improper handling can lead to serious injuries requiring hospital visits and stitches. Instead, he recommended calling experts to safely remove them from neighborhoods.
Aerial view of structures at the recently opened migrant detention center, “Alligator Alcatraz,” located at the site of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida on Friday July 04, 2025.
Pedro Portal
pportal@miamiherald.com
Twenty-two days into the federal government shutdown, an appellate court has granted the Department of Justice’s request to pause a lawsuit over the environmental impact of the Florida Everglades’ makeshift immigration detention center, Alligator Alcatraz.
In a two-sentence order on Wednesday, the Atlanta-based Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals granted a motion by federal government lawyers requesting that the appellate court pause proceedings in a case that halted a lower court decision shuttering operations at the controversial facility.
The federal lawyers in their motion stated that the shutdown prevented them from working.
“The motion to stay the appeal is GRANTED. The movant is DIRECTED to promptly file a notice with the Court when the purpose for the stay is obviated,” the appellate court decision stated without any further explanation.
As Democrats and Republicans argue over provisions to reopen the federal government, the impending halt to federal food subsidies and the layoffs of federal workers are not the only disruptions— the shutdown has also created another obstacle in ongoing lawsuits against the facility’s operations.
Last week, lawyers for the federal government told the court that “Department of Justice attorneys are prohibited from working” because of the lack of appropriations from Congress. The environmental groups Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity argued against the request, alleging that more harm would be done to the surrounding areas of the Everglades if the case were to be stalled.
The conservation groups on Wednesday issued a statement, saying, “The government is dodging accountability.” The appellate court decision “means the Trump administration and the state of Florida can continue polluting, destroying and degrading the sensitive ecosystems and endangered wildlife in Big Cypress National Preserve.”
“The Trump administration is trying to disable every lever of justice so it can keep breaking the law, hurting both people and the places we love most in the process,” said Elise Bennett, Florida and Caribbean director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Unfortunately for Trump and his sycophants we’re not going away — we’ll be here when they’re ready to face us in court over this major threat to our beautiful Everglades.”
The conservation groups sued the federal and state governments in June, accusing them of failing to follow federal environmental rules during the construction of the temporary tent detention center in the Big Cypress National Preserve. The Miccosukee Tribe later joined the lawsuit. They received a victory from the district court, which issued a preliminary injunction stopping new construction at the detention site – ordering it to shut down operations within 60 days.
The victory was short-lived. In a 2-1 preliminary decision in September, the appellate judges granted the state’s request to pause the lower courts’ decision while they argued for an appeal. In their majority opinion, the judges agreed with the federal and state governments’ argument that the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires environmental impact assessments for large federal projects, does not apply to states.
That decision put the case on hold in Judge Kathleen Williams’ Florida Southern District Court till the appellate judges had reviewed arguments on the merits of an appeal from the state and federal governments.
Wednesday’s decision now leaves the appellate court case in limbo, linking the fate of Alligator Alcatraz to the ongoing saga of restarting federal government operations. However, since the site is mostly state-run, the DeSantis administration can still proceed with business as usual.
The conservation groups and faith leaders have been holding a prayer vigil for detainees every Sunday outside the facility. This Sunday, they plan to demonstrate against the appellate court’s decision at the facility’s gates.
A Central Florida congressman has put forward a proposal for the newest national park in the United States: the Florida Springs National Park.Congressman Randy Fine (R) has filed a bill in the U.S. Congress to create the nation’s 64th national park, consisting of the Ocala National Forest and several area springs, including Silver Springs and Alexander Springs.Fine said he’s an avid traveler to the county’s national parks, which include the Everglades in South Florida.”The idea of it is to commemorate our Florida springs and the surrounding areas on a level like the Everglades or Yellowstone or Yosemite,” Fine said. “Our Florida springs are something unique, not just to Florida but to the country.”He said designating the forest and springs as a national park, which would spread across multiple counties, would drive tourism, increase environmental protections and funding for the springs.Fine maintains recreational activities, including hunting and hiking, or kayaking at the springs, would be up for discussion, and the designation could perhaps be varied depending on the types of activities that occur.”Florida springs are unique on an international level,” he said. “They should be protected, and how do we build that into something that has a national designation that would transform this part of Central Florida?”Fine plans to announce the filing at a news conference Monday at Silver Springs.
OCALA, Fla. —
A Central Florida congressman has put forward a proposal for the newest national park in the United States: the Florida Springs National Park.
Congressman Randy Fine (R) has filed a bill in the U.S. Congress to create the nation’s 64th national park, consisting of the Ocala National Forest and several area springs, including Silver Springs and Alexander Springs.
Fine said he’s an avid traveler to the county’s national parks, which include the Everglades in South Florida.
“The idea of it is to commemorate our Florida springs and the surrounding areas on a level like the Everglades or Yellowstone or Yosemite,” Fine said. “Our Florida springs are something unique, not just to Florida but to the country.”
He said designating the forest and springs as a national park, which would spread across multiple counties, would drive tourism, increase environmental protections and funding for the springs.
Fine maintains recreational activities, including hunting and hiking, or kayaking at the springs, would be up for discussion, and the designation could perhaps be varied depending on the types of activities that occur.
“Florida springs are unique on an international level,” he said. “They should be protected, and how do we build that into something that has a national designation that would transform this part of Central Florida?”
Fine plans to announce the filing at a news conference Monday at Silver Springs.
A federal judge says the Trump administration must halt construction, stop bringing new detainees, and begin winding down operations at the mass detention center in the Big Cypress National Preserve known as Alligator Alcatraz.
“This is a landmark victory for the Everglades and countless Americans who believe this imperiled wilderness should be protected, not exploited,” said Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades. “It sends a clear message that environmental laws must be respected by leaders at the highest levels of our government — and there are consequences for ignoring them.”
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued a temporary restraining order on Aug, 7, which put a stop to new construction and any additional infrastructure at Alligator Alcatraz for two weeks.
Late in the evening on Aug. 21 she doubled-down on the restraining order, saying the state and federal government should pack everything up at Alligator Alcatraz and prepare to shut down the facility.
This preliminary injunction will last until the trial is complete.
The ruling stems from a June 27 lawsuit filed by Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity, and joined by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.
“This ruling affirms what we argued in court — that the government can’t just build something in the middle of the Everglades and the Big Cypress preserve with no environmental review, and no public input,” said Tania Galloni, managing attorney for the Florida office of Earthjustice. “This is why we have environmental laws — to protect the wetlands and ecosystems we all depend on from illegal development.”
Others said the detainment facility is a clear violation of major federal laws put in place to protect wildernesses like the Big Cypress and Everglades National Park.
“The state and federal government paved over 20 acres of open land, built a parking lot for 1,200 cars and 3,000 detainees, placed miles of fencing and high-intensity lighting on site and moved thousands of detainees and contractors onto land in the heart of the Big Cypress National Preserve, all in flagrant violation of environmental law,” said Paul Schwiep, counsel for Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity.
Protestors gather at the entrance of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. It is being transformed into a detention center that is known as “Alligator Alcatraz”.
Alligator Alcatraz sprang to existence early this year, after Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on social media that a detention facility would be constructed at the old jetport in rural eastern Collier County.
That facility has been managed and maintained by Miami-Dade County for decades but was taken over by the state when Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency, which allowed the construction of the center to bypass staff review, public comment and permitting.
A campground is lit up at night with the Milky Way overhead. The photo was taken near Skillet Strand in the Big Cypress National Preserve, a 730,000-acre conservation property where Alligator Alcatraz is being built.
Typically a facility proposed within the boundaries of a National Park Service preserve must go through extensive federal review, a process that can take years.
Alligator Alcatraz was up and running in a matter of days, by July 2.
The defendants in the case include the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Department of Homeland Security, ICE and Miami-Dade County.
In another case focusing on plaintiffs legal and civil rights, U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz ruled Aug. 18 the matter should move to a different court while also declaring part of the lawsuit moot.
At the heart of the case was whether the government had violated detainees’ rights to due process and legal counsel. Civil rights attorneys had said the remote Everglades facility made it nearly impossible for immigrants to speak confidentially with lawyers or even find out which immigration court can hear their cases. The plaintiffs’ attorneys filed suit in the Southern District of Florida, which includes Miami-Dade County, though state and federal officials argued that it should have been filed in the Middle District of Florida, which includes Collier County.
In his 47-page order, Ruiz agreed, transferring the case to the middle district. He also dismissed the immigration-court allegations in the lawsuit, saying they were moot after a federal decision that judges at Krome North Processing Service Center would handle the detainees’ cases.
The case now heads to “a sister court in the Middle District of Florida to reach the merits of plaintiffs’ remaining claims under the First Amendment,” Ruiz wrote.
A federal judge has ordered the State of Florida to halt all new construction and dismantle infrastructure at a migrant detention camp in the Big Cypress National Preserve within 60 days, following a lawsuit from environmental groups.The injunction was issued after Friends of the Everglades, Inc. and the Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit arguing that the project violates environmental laws and threatens sensitive ecosystems.The lawsuit, filed on June 27, seeks to halt construction until compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) assumed control of the airport on June 23, and construction commenced without a prior environmental assessment.Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the federal government had requested and would fully fund the center. Plaintiffs contend that the camp’s construction risks harming wetlands, wildlife, and air and water quality in the preserve, which is critical for endangered species and is located near Everglades National Park.A Motion for Preliminary Injunction was filed to prevent development until NEPA and APA compliance.FDEM Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruett said, “Florida is funding the project, expecting federal reimbursement, and believes the environmental impact will be minimal due to the airport’s existing infrastructure.” Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani served as an expert witness on this case, and below is her statement in response:“Today’s injunction is a resounding victory for Florida’s environment and for justice. The Everglades is one of the most unique and fragile ecosystems in the world, and the idea of carving it up for a sprawling detention camp was both reckless and cruel. This ruling protects our wetlands, our wildlife, and our water supply, while also affirming that we cannot sacrifice human dignity for political gain. Florida deserves solutions that protect people and the planet — not projects that devastate both.”WESH 2 has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment. We have not heard back yet.
FLORIDA, USA —
A federal judge has ordered the State of Florida to halt all new construction and dismantle infrastructure at a migrant detention camp in the Big Cypress National Preserve within 60 days, following a lawsuit from environmental groups.
The injunction was issued after Friends of the Everglades, Inc. and the Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit arguing that the project violates environmental laws and threatens sensitive ecosystems.
The lawsuit, filed on June 27, seeks to halt construction until compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) assumed control of the airport on June 23, and construction commenced without a prior environmental assessment.
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ISSUED ON THE EVERGLADES IMMIGRANT DETENTION CAMP!
The State of Florida must halt ALL NEW CONSTRUCTION, cannot bring *any* new detainees, and in 60 days they must dismantle the fencing, lighting and other infrastructure as the population diminishes. pic.twitter.com/bUqdPHOlQB
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, PhD 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) August 22, 2025
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the federal government had requested and would fully fund the center. Plaintiffs contend that the camp’s construction risks harming wetlands, wildlife, and air and water quality in the preserve, which is critical for endangered species and is located near Everglades National Park.
A Motion for Preliminary Injunction was filed to prevent development until NEPA and APA compliance.
FDEM Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruett said, “Florida is funding the project, expecting federal reimbursement, and believes the environmental impact will be minimal due to the airport’s existing infrastructure.”
Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani served as an expert witness on this case, and below is her statement in response:
“Today’s injunction is a resounding victory for Florida’s environment and for justice. The Everglades is one of the most unique and fragile ecosystems in the world, and the idea of carving it up for a sprawling detention camp was both reckless and cruel. This ruling protects our wetlands, our wildlife, and our water supply, while also affirming that we cannot sacrifice human dignity for political gain. Florida deserves solutions that protect people and the planet — not projects that devastate both.”
WESH 2 has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment. We have not heard back yet.
According to a new study published in the journal Reptiles and Amphibians, Burmese pythons can consume prey even larger than scientists realized.See the story in the video aboveThis means that more animals are on the menu across southern Florida, where the non-native, invasive snakes have decimated populations of foxes, bobcats, raccoons and other animals.Pythons swallow deer, alligators and other prey whole. What they can eat is limited to and dependent on how big the Burmese python’s mouth can stretch. Researchers call this the snake’s gape.Conservancy of Southwest Florida biologists Ian Bartoszek and Ian Easterling recently conducted a study with Dr. Bruce Jayne from the Department of Biological Science at the University of Cincinnati to better understand the ecological impacts of the invasive species.The team measured the greatest maximum gape recorded in Burmese pythons to date.Professor Jayne said measurements of the longest Burmese python, 19 feet, and two other very large snakes, 15 and 17 feet, captured in Florida show that pythons have a gape bigger than previous mathematical models suggest.The largest Burmese python ever captured in Florida weighed a record 215 pounds, stretching 17.7 feet long.Previous studies of pythons found the largest gape diameter was 8.7 inches, but the snakes in the current study had a maximal gape of 10.2 inches. These measurements equate to a circumference of 32 inches.Three large adult female Burmese pythons researched at the conservancy were examined and used for data and observations of this study, including the longest documented capture on record.One python measured for data was found by conservancy biologists while it was ingesting a 77-pound white-tailed deer. The deer was 66.9% of the snake’s mass.“Watching an invasive apex predator swallow a full-sized deer in front of you is something that you will never forget. The impact the Burmese python is having on native wildlife cannot be denied. This is a wildlife issue of our time for the Greater Everglades ecosystem,” Bartoszek said.In the past 12 years, the conservancy’s Burmese Python Research and Removal team has removed 770 adult pythons, totaling more than 36,000 pounds.If each of these snakes ate only one deer as big as they could swallow, Jayne estimates that would be a total of more than 13,000 pounds of deer.What gives pythons the ability to eat such large animals?The lower jawbones are not fused at the front, allowing the jaws to stretch wide. Their skin is also elastic, accounting for more than half the circumference of the maximal gape in large pythons, allowing the snakes to consume prey six times larger than similar-sized snakes of some other snake species. “Besides the large absolute size of the deer that was eaten being impressive, our anatomical measurements indicate this deer was very near the size limit on the prey that could be consumed by this snake. Hence, these snakes resemble overachievers by sometimes testing the limits of what their anatomy allows rather than being slackers that eat only ‘snack size’ prey,” Jayne said.The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is an evidence-based organization, and the python tracking team is staying close to the science.“We have been removing pythons and advancing invasive snake science for over a decade. These animals continue to impress us each season and one thing we’ve learned for certain is to not underestimate the Burmese python,” Bartoszek said.The conservancy began its Burmese python research and removal efforts within the bio-region in 2013. As of October 2024, the team has removed over 18 tons of python from an approximately 150-square-mile area in Southwest Florida.The conservancy’s primary objective is to create a database of behavior and habitat use to better understand python activity. This research helps to inform decision-makers, other biologists, and land managers to develop a control strategy for the apex predator.
According to a new study published in the journal Reptiles and Amphibians, Burmese pythons can consume prey even larger than scientists realized.
See the story in the video above
This means that more animals are on the menu across southern Florida, where the non-native, invasive snakes have decimated populations of foxes, bobcats, raccoons and other animals.
Pythons swallow deer, alligators and other prey whole. What they can eat is limited to and dependent on how big the Burmese python’s mouth can stretch. Researchers call this the snake’s gape.
Conservancy of Southwest Florida biologists Ian Bartoszek and Ian Easterling recently conducted a study with Dr. Bruce Jayne from the Department of Biological Science at the University of Cincinnati to better understand the ecological impacts of the invasive species.
The team measured the greatest maximum gape recorded in Burmese pythons to date.
Professor Jayne said measurements of the longest Burmese python, 19 feet, and two other very large snakes, 15 and 17 feet, captured in Florida show that pythons have a gape bigger than previous mathematical models suggest.
The largest Burmese python ever captured in Florida weighed a record 215 pounds, stretching 17.7 feet long.
Previous studies of pythons found the largest gape diameter was 8.7 inches, but the snakes in the current study had a maximal gape of 10.2 inches. These measurements equate to a circumference of 32 inches.
Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Three large adult female Burmese pythons researched at the conservancy were examined and used for data and observations of this study, including the longest documented capture on record.
One python measured for data was found by conservancy biologists while it was ingesting a 77-pound white-tailed deer. The deer was 66.9% of the snake’s mass.
Conservancy of Southwest Florida
“Watching an invasive apex predator swallow a full-sized deer in front of you is something that you will never forget. The impact the Burmese python is having on native wildlife cannot be denied. This is a wildlife issue of our time for the Greater Everglades ecosystem,” Bartoszek said.
In the past 12 years, the conservancy’s Burmese Python Research and Removal team has removed 770 adult pythons, totaling more than 36,000 pounds.
If each of these snakes ate only one deer as big as they could swallow, Jayne estimates that would be a total of more than 13,000 pounds of deer.
What gives pythons the ability to eat such large animals?
The lower jawbones are not fused at the front, allowing the jaws to stretch wide. Their skin is also elastic, accounting for more than half the circumference of the maximal gape in large pythons, allowing the snakes to consume prey six times larger than similar-sized snakes of some other snake species.
“Besides the large absolute size of the deer that was eaten being impressive, our anatomical measurements indicate this deer was very near the size limit on the prey that could be consumed by this snake. Hence, these snakes resemble overachievers by sometimes testing the limits of what their anatomy allows rather than being slackers that eat only ‘snack size’ prey,” Jayne said.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is an evidence-based organization, and the python tracking team is staying close to the science.
Conservancy of Southwest Florida
“We have been removing pythons and advancing invasive snake science for over a decade. These animals continue to impress us each season and one thing we’ve learned for certain is to not underestimate the Burmese python,” Bartoszek said.
The conservancy began its Burmese python research and removal efforts within the bio-region in 2013. As of October 2024, the team has removed over 18 tons of python from an approximately 150-square-mile area in Southwest Florida.
The conservancy’s primary objective is to create a database of behavior and habitat use to better understand python activity. This research helps to inform decision-makers, other biologists, and land managers to develop a control strategy for the apex predator.
When people plan their national parks vacations, they typically don’t target the winter season. But the low-traffic cooler months are actually a perfect time to visit many parks across the U.S.
“Winter is such an underrated time of year to visit the national parks if you’re willing to put in some extra time planning around seasonal closures and packing those winter clothes,” Jim Pattiz, co-founder of the organization More Than Just Parks, told HuffPost.
Of course, some parks are better suited for winter visits than others. We asked experts to share the national parks they believe are best to explore during the winter season.
Sequoia National Park
Digital Vision. via Getty Images
“Without a doubt my favorite national park to visit in the winter is Sequoia National Park in California,” Pattiz said. “Walking through a grove of the park’s magnificent giant sequoias draped in feet of white snow is truly an awe-inspiring experience. The crowds and frequent wildfires of summer are long gone here and replaced by the serene quiet of snow dropping from overburdened branches and the wind gently passing through the giant trees’ upper canopies.”
He noted that many of the park’s roads are closed seasonally, so it’s important to check the website ahead of time to ensure you can reach the specific destinations you want to visit.
“Be flexible and bring your best winter clothing!” Pattiz added.
Everglades National Park
Douglas Rissing via Getty Images
“So many people make Florida their summer vacation spot because it’s a convenient time for a family getaway. However, it is not a good time to visit Everglades National Park,” said national parks travel expert Mikah Meyer.
This impressive wetlands ecosystem is located just outside Miami, and as Meyer alluded to, the area’s summer heat, humidity and swarms of mosquitos make it less enjoyable to visit during that time of year compared to other months.
“Having spent time in every section of the park in January, I can confirm it is an entirely different ― and pleasant ― experience,” he said. “The lower temperatures make every activity more enjoyable, including it being more comfortable to wear long pants on a muddy ‘slough slog’ hike to a cypress dome.”
Airboat rides feel less blistering in the sun during this time of year, and there’s a nice coolness in the air as you watch dolphins in the southwest section.
“It also means you’ll be less dehydrated during a Shark Valley Tram Tour, and in general will make you want to spend more time admiring the park’s multitude of wildlife than rushing back to the AC of your car,” Meyer said. “While there are other nearby national parks to Miami, Biscayne Bay and Dry Tortugas, both of these are less enjoyable in the winter because they are so heavily reliant upon water activities. The ocean water is cold during this time of year, which also takes away recreation options at the beach.”
Yellowstone National Park
ferrantraite via Getty Images
“Yellowstone is one of the best parks to visit in the winter because it offers a unique glimpse at the world’s first national park,” said Jack Steward, co-host of the “Rock the Park” TV series. “The park has a quieter, less active feel in the winter, and with the bears hibernating, you can really sense the stillness in the air.”
The winter provides rare opportunities for exploration with fewer crowds and incredible snowy vistas, creating the sense that you’re the only people in the vast landscape.
“You can’t drive through or [camp] inside the park in winter,” said Joe Yogerst, travel expert and author of National Geographic’s “50 States, 500 Campgrounds.” “But you can hop a snowcoach or snowmobile tour or join a guided snowshoe or cross-country ski trip in the parks. There’s nothing quite like seeing ― and photographing ― a herd of snow-mantled bison in Yellowstone.”
Make sure you do your research, so you know how you’ll be getting around and which areas are accessible during the winter. You’ll be mentally and logistically prepared for a unique experience.
“Mammoth Hot Springs and the Lamar Valley are two locations that must be visited, both for the wildlife and to see the transformative nature of winter,” Derek Wright and Amy Beth Wright, outdoor enthusiasts and creators of Parks and Points, told HuffPost in an email. “Old Faithful blasts out steaming water, but then watch as it cools in the winter air. Ghost trees (trees covered with the frozen water spray), geysers where water turns from steam to ice, and bison whose exhales come with wisps of steam as well are just a few images of the natural world that are only visible at this time of year.”
Although camping outdoors isn’t an option, they recommended exploring the lodging options inside and outside the park, like the gateway towns of West Yellowstone and Gardiner.
“It is cold, but pack warm clothes and enjoy a hot cocoa at the end of the day, as you’ll never have a winter adventure quite like this,” the Wrights added.
Big Bend National Park
Rebecca L. Latson via Getty Images
“Big Bend National Park in West Texas is a massive park that borders the Rio Grande River and Mexico, and makes for a great winter visit,” the Wrights said. “The summer temperatures will have abated, making it a perfect time to hike or stroll through a unique mountain landscape that formed from volcanic activity 35 million years ago.”
Winter is part of the park’s high season, so make sure you plan ahead if you want to camp or stay at the lodge.
“In particular, skygazing is perfect at this time of year,” the Wrights noted. “If you are into astral photography or simply enjoy being absorbed by the night sky in an amazing location, Big Bend National Park is an official International Dark Sky Park. With the timing of winter sunsets, stargazing can start before 8:00 p.m.”
Travel blogger Renee Hahnel also advised taking advantage of the winter weather conditions in southwest Texas.
“It can get really hot in Big Bend National Park, so visiting during winter is optimal,” Hahnel said. “There’s tons to do, including hiking, sightseeing, bouldering, scenic drives, and soaking in hot springs.”
Bryce Canyon National Park
Dana Michelle Allen / EyeEm via Getty Images
“The hoodoo-spired landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park adds another dimension entirely when snow falls on its peaks,” said James Brockbank, founder of The Family Vacation Guide.
Beyond the magical vibes, you won’t have to contend with crowds and struggle to find parking during the low winter season, and there are still plenty of activity options.
“The red rock amphitheater remains open year-round, and families can head to popular lookouts such as Sunset Point or hike recommended routes including the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden trails,” Brockbank said. “There are a multitude of things to do ― from daytime hiking, ice fishing and snowmobiling to a nightfall stargazing and camping experience for families. Its photogenic landscape makes for a great excuse for sightseeing and plenty of photo opportunities to cherish for life.”
Acadia National Park
Patryce Bak via Getty Images
“Acadia National Park is typically covered in 5 feet of blanketed snow during the colder months,” Brockbank said. “The park contains the tallest mountain on the Atlantic coast of the U.S. Great for cross-country skiers that can enjoy a 45-mile stretch of carriage roads.”
Parkgoers can grab a hot chocolate and explore the nearby Mount Desert Island town of Bar Harbor, Maine, before and after their Acadia adventures.
“The park is rich in human history dating back 10,000 years,” Brockbank said. “Here you can include your kids of all ages, as there are a plethora of child-friendly excursions for educational purposes along with fun-filled activities.”
From snowshoeing to snowmobiling to ice fishing, the options are vast.
Death Valley National Park
Nikhil Nagane / 500px via Getty Images
Death Valley National Park, California.
“Winter is the prime time to visit Death Valley National Park,” said Janel Jensen, program manager for adventure travel at REI. “Temperatures are usually mild (for the ‘hottest place on Earth’), and there are good opportunities to still soak up some sun.”
The snow-capped peaks and low-angled winter light make for some lovely views, and you can spend more time outdoors than is advisable during the hotter months.
“Hiking is an ideal activity along with cycling the less-trafficked roads during offseason,” Jensen said.
Yosemite National Park
Provided by jp2pix.com via Getty Images
“My favorite winter national park is Yosemite, mainly because the valley and the high Sierra look so gorgeous when covered in snow,” Yogerst said.
He recommended snowy activities like snowshoeing through the redwood groves, family-style downhill skiing or snowboarding at Badger Pass, ice skating beneath the stars at Curry Village, and cross-country skiing along Glacier Point Road.
“Yosemite National Park is one of the busiest national parks during the warmer months, so visiting during winter is a great time to escape the crowds,” Hahnel said. “I recommend traveling with tire chains, unless you have a 4×4 vehicle and winter tires. The roads can get icy!”
Photography enthusiasts will also enjoy the season’s low lighting and easy wildlife spotting, added Jensen.
“Yosemite National Park is a winter wonderland of iced granite peaks, snow-topped giant sequoias and snow blanketing the valley floor,” she said. “My favorite snowshoe trip is from Badger Pass to Dewey Point, where you are rewarded with one of the best views of the valley and El Captan and Half Dome on a clear day.”
Zion National Park
Taylor Reilly via Getty Images
“Winters in Zion National Park are spectacular,” Jensen said. “The potential fresh snow on the landscape adds a dramatic contrast to the already unique scenery and the noise-dampening quality of snow makes this less crowded season that much more peaceful.”
She touted the crowd-free solitude of Zion in the winter and variety of hiking options open year-round due to the low elevation and mild conditions.
“Take in breathtaking views of snow-dusted cliffs contrasted against the warm orange tones of Zion Canyon,” Jensen recommended. “Hike to Observation Point, exploring slot canyons along the way and incredible views of iconic Angels Landing. It’s easier to see wildlife this time of year as they move to lower elevation. Wild turkeys, bald eagles, elk and bighorn sheep are a few of the resident wildlife.”
MIAMI, October 21, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– More than 80 kids participated in the launch of an educational initiative to teach kids and their families in Liberty City about the power of water as a natural resource. The Everglades Foundation and the Urban League of Greater Miami hosted the launch of the “Power of Water” educational initiative on Oct. 19 at the Samuel K. Johnson Youth Center at Charles Hadley Park in Liberty City. The outreach program aims to educate future generations about the value of water from the Everglades for their health, their environment, and their communities.
“It’s so important to educate our youth about the critical role that water plays in their lives, and we are proud to partner with the Urban League of Greater Miami to launch this educational outreach,” said Eric Eikenberg, chief executive officer of The Everglades Foundation. “Everyone in Miami-Dade County should understand that their freshwater comes from the Everglades, and it’s a precious natural resource that needs to be protected.”
The event featured an interactive educational activity about the Everglades ecosystem taught to a group of K-5 students from the Liberty City Optimist Club by The Everglades Foundation’s education team.
“Kids need to understand that it’s important to stay healthy and hydrated with water,” said T. Willard Fair, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Miami. “We are thrilled to partner with The Everglades Foundation to help us engage with our community inside and outside our schools.”
The “Power of Water” campaign can be seen around Liberty City on bus wraps, bus benches, and at convenience stores. There will also be Everglades Literacy educational events at public schools in Liberty City. The “Power of Water” campaign is supported by Wells Fargo, Florida Blue, the Green Family Foundation, Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, and the Gerald A. & Karen A. Kolschowsky Foundation.
Visit www.EvergladesLiteracy.org/water to learn more about the campaign where teachers and students can access free Everglades literacy resources.
NOTE: To access the assets from this event, including photos and video, please click here.
MIAMI, October 20, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– A team of five explorers will soon embark on a daring and dangerous trek that has not been completed in 125 years. The 2022 Willoughby Expedition team will attempt to retrace an 1897 canoe journey across the Florida Everglades that was first completed by explorer and scientist Hugh de Laussat Willoughby. Willoughby’s charts aided in creating the first accurate maps of the region, his water sampling provided the baseline water chemistry for the Everglades, and his book is primary reading for all Everglades scholars.
To gauge humanity’s impact on the largest remaining subtropical wilderness in North America and a UNESCO Wetland Area of Global Importance, the 2022 Willoughby Expedition team will sample and test for the same water constituents that Willoughby did more than a century ago. They will also look for water pollutants that Willoughby couldn’t have foreseen, including microplastics, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pesticides, pharmaceuticals,Environmental DNA (eDNA), and antibiotic-resistant genes, all of which are potentially adversely affecting plant and animal species globally. To help conserve wildlife, the team will also document the abundance and location of apple snails, which are the sole food source of the federally endangered Snail Kite, a bird of prey.
Starting at the mouth of the Harney River in the Gulf of Mexico on Oct. 27, and ending in downtown Miami in early November, the coast-to-coast expedition will also commemorate the 75th anniversary of Everglades National Park. It will traverse the saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico, the brackish water of inland rivers, pristine freshwater sawgrass, canals in suburban Miami, and ultimately, through a maze of skyscrapers to Biscayne Bay.
Because the 2022 Willoughby Expedition will be a scientific research milestone for the Florida Everglades, The Explorers Club has awarded the team one of its flags. It is an immense honor for the 2022 Willoughby Expedition team to carryit on their journey. Flags from The Explorers Club represent an impressive history of courage and accomplishment. Today, there are 222 numbered flags from The Explorers Club, each with its own history. One of them was personally flown by Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong on humanity’s first moon landing mission in 1969, and another was carried to the summit of Mount Everest by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund P. Hillary in 1953.
Historically, the Florida Everglades stretched from the north near modern-day Orlando to the south at Florida Bay. Willoughby completed his studies of the Everglades before large-scale drainage and reclamation programs began in the late 19th century. Today, the size of the Everglades has been reduced to approximately one-third of its original size to make way for the modern cities of South Florida and their millions of residents.
The 2022 Willoughby Expedition will bring awareness to the major scientific and conservation goals of its more than 50 partners, including Florida Power & Light Company, University of Florida, National Park Service, Everglades National Park, South Florida Water Management District, Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach International Boat Show, and Cox Science Center and Aquarium.
“This expedition is primarily focused on applying modern scientific investigations to one of the planet’s most important watersheds. However, we also hope to inspire future generations of scientists and explorers, and all citizens to be better stewards of our shared environment,” said Dr. Tracie Baker, lead scientist on the Willoughby Expedition team and an associate professor at the University of Florida. “My work focuses on multidisciplinary research that seeks to bridge and improve human, animal, and environmental health. The Willoughby Expedition will provide critical primary research into that work.”
The Florida Everglades is one of the world’s best-known and most visited watersheds, serving as the “environmental kidneys” of Florida by filtering and cleaning water from all over the central and southern parts of the state. Its water quality directly impacts more than 12 million people and thousands of plant and animal species.
To increase educational programming around the human impact on the Everglades, the 2022 Willoughby Expedition is also partnering with school districts and cultural institutions in South Florida. Live feeds from the Everglades will be shared with schools and science museums, allowing students, educators, and museumgoers to interact directly with the expedition team.
“Public education and the live broadcasts are some of the most exciting and important aspects of the expedition,” said Harvey E. Oyer III, the 2022 Willoughby Expedition’s co-leader, who is also an author, archaeologist, fifth-generation Floridian, and former U.S. Marine Corps captain. “We want to share our passion for the natural world by giving the public an inside look at our work, and igniting their passion to preserve the natural world.”
The Willoughby Expedition team includes:
Harvey E. Oyer III, co-leader – Oyer is a former U.S. Marine Corps captain, member of the Explorers Club, and holds a master’s degree in archeology from Cambridge University. He is also the author of a bestselling children’s book about the Everglades that is part of the 4th-grade curriculum in Florida.
Christophe Vandaele, co-leader – A native of Belgium, Vandaele is a graduate of the Belgium Royal Military Academy and the Special Warfare Officer Training School at Marche-les-Dames. He served multiple tours in Africa and has participated in scientific expeditions in the Andes Mountains, the jungles of Guatemala, and the North Pole.
Tracie Baker, DVM, Ph.D., lead scientist – Dr. Baker is an associate professor in the Department of Environmental and Global Health at the University of Florida. She is an expert on environmental contaminants, with studies that seek to bridge human, animal, and environmental health. She is a former NCAA Academic All-American swimmer and has completed four IRONMAN races and more than 20 marathons.
Carlos “Charlie” Arazoza, navigator – Arazoza is a Cuban-American attorney and CPA in Miami. A vastly experienced Everglades paddler, he has led many trips through the Everglades, served as chairman of the South Florida National Parks Trust, and also founded the South Florida Bush Paddlers Association.
Flex Maslan, photographer and documentarian – A native of the Czech Republic, Maslan has almost 30 years of experience as a paddling guide, leading trips through most of South Florida’s waterways. Maslan is also a professional photographer whose work has been published in nature and watersports books and magazines.
Support team members include three other scientists, a chemist, a pilot, and a filmmaker.
To learn more about the team, the course, the science, and the man who inspired it all, visit willoughbyexpedition.org.
Travel App Visited Compiles Over 1 Million Users’ Data to Determine the Most Popular National Parks in the U.S.
Press Release –
Sep 20, 2022
TORONTO, September 20, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– The travel app Visited by Arriving In High Heels Corporation has published a list of the top 10 most visited U.S. National Parks.
Visited, available on iOS or Android, allows users to check off where they’ve been and where they’d like to go. Travelers can also set travel goals, see personalized travel stats, and discover new destinations using the app. The app features over 50 different bucket list including: popular hiking destinations, list of wonders of the world, popular cruise ports and beer destinations to name a few.
The top 10 most visited U.S. National Parks include:
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is the most visited park, offering the splendor of the Grand Canyon’s red rock ravines which date back millions of years.
Washington Monument in Washington, DC, attracts tourists for the purpose of seeing the nation’s iconic capital landmark that commemorates the first U.S. president.
President’s Park (White House) in Washington, DC, is the third most visited park, which includes the White House, where every U.S. president after George Washington has lived.
National Mall in Washington, D.C., includes the iconic Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area surrounds the San Francisco Bay area and features over 82,000 acres of natural areas that include 19 distinct ecosystems.
Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California attracts visitors who come to see its majestic sequoia trees, granite cliffs, and breathtaking waterfalls.
Zion National Park in southwest Utah features stunning red cliffs, waterfalls, forests, and the Emerald Pools.
Boston National Historical Park in Boston, Massachusetts, includes eight historic sites highlighting Boston’s role in the Revolutionary War.
Everglades National Park in south Florida has 1.5 million acres of wetlands in the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S.
Yellowstone National Park spans Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho and features majestic canyons, alpine rivers, hot springs, and numerous wildlife species.
To see the full list of the most visited National Parksand over 50 bucket lists of the most popular experiences and destinations in the world, download Visited on iOS or Android.
