Coastal Prairie Trail

Coastal Prairie Trail is a long, one-way wilderness hike in Everglades National Park, running 7.5 miles (12 km) from Flamingo Campground to Clubhouse Beach.

The trail is not maintained by the National Park Service because of potential damage to critical habitat for the Cape Sable thoroughwort; it stays open but you should expect terrain that can be hard to pass.

Route character is old—an earlier road corridor used by cotton pickers and fishermen—through open coastal prairie and around buttonwood forests as you work toward Florida Bay.

Surface and footing are often compromised by overgrowth and wet conditions; plan for rugged, potentially muddy ground and areas where vegetation, branches, or other growth can interfere with passage.

The trail ends at Clubhouse Beach, which is a designated backcountry campsite; overnight stays require a backcountry permit.

Bicycles are not allowed and the route is not wheelchair accessible, so keep it focused on foot travel.

Start at the rear of Loop “C” in the Flamingo Campground and follow the designated trail corridor toward Clubhouse Beach.

More information: Conditions, Visitor information, Visitor information