Borrow Pit Trail (0.3 mi, Easy) – Everglades National Park

Overview

About Borrow Pit Trail

Why go

A quick look at the borrow-pit water, with alligators sometimes visible.

Heads up

The short local walk comes after a 7-mile trip to the tower.
Flooding can make the path muddy or impassable.

Map & elevation

The route

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Full map

Elevation10–13 ft

TrailheadShark Valley Observation Tower25.65629, -80.76641

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Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Park at Shark Valley Visitor Center off U.S. 41. The tower and trail are about 7 miles down Tram Road; continue on foot, by bicycle or by tram because private vehicles stop at the visitor center. The trail distance starts at the tower and excludes the main tram-road trip.

Safety

Flooding and mud can make the path difficult or impassable; check with a ranger before leaving the tower. Alligators and other wildlife use the water edge, so stay at least 15 feet away. Pets are not allowed on park trails.

4 active Everglades alerts

ClosureEast Everglades Day Use Area closedThe East Everglades Day Use Area is closed to all public use from SW 168 Street westbound to SW 237 Avenue, including the entire roadway of SW 237 Avenue.Official details
ClosureGulf Coast wilderness sites closed or restrictedClosures and restrictions affect several Gulf Coast wilderness areas and sites. - Hog Key: Camping is open, but the middle of the key is closed.Official details

See all 4 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Everglades Tour Guide

Your drive to Borrow Pit Trail, narrated.

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Wildlife heatmapsfor Mountain Lion, West Indian Manatee, Alligator, and 13 more
Works offlinemaps, 19 trails, 33 places, and audio download before you lose signal
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Trail guide

Hiking Borrow Pit Trail

A short walk at the towerBorrow Pit Trail is an easy 0.3-mile out-and-back from Shark Valley Observation Tower.

Borrow Pit Trail is an easy 0.3-mile out-and-back from Shark Valley Observation Tower. It follows a short approach path to the named trail along the borrow-pit water, then returns the same way. Allow about 15 to 20 minutes once you reach the tower. The distance is a mapped estimate; no separate official mileage is posted.

Getting there and checking conditionsThe tower is about 7 miles from Shark Valley Visitor Center along Tram Road.

The tower is about 7 miles from Shark Valley Visitor Center along Tram Road. Reach it by foot, bicycle or tram; private vehicles stop at the visitor center. That longer trip is separate from this local walk. The route is nearly flat, but mud and flooding can make the path difficult or impassable, so check with a ranger before setting out from the tower. Pets aren't allowed on park trails.

The borrow pitThe name comes from limestone removed for local construction before the park existed.

The name comes from limestone removed for local construction before the park existed. The trail borders the water, where alligators and other wildlife may be seen. Keep at least 15 feet away from wildlife; sightings aren't guaranteed. The observation tower's broad panorama is nearby, but it is a separate stop from the trail.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Everglades

All Everglades wildlife maps

15 sightingsMountain LionMost seen around 7 AMSighting map

1,429 sightingsWest Indian ManateeMost seen around 9 AMSighting map

4,397 sightingsAlligatorMost seen around 5 PMSighting map

1,672 sightingsCrocodileMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

42 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

15 sightingsBobcatMost seen around 7 AMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Everglades. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.

Borrow Pit Trail