Start of the Eco Pond Trail in Flamingo unit of Everglades National Park

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See the Hiking web page for an interactive location map.

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Length: .6-mile loop
Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆

A .6-mile loop trail circles Echo Pond, a prime bird watching spot in the Flamingo unit of Everglades National Park (it is near the Flamingo Campground). While you can walk right down to the pond from the parking area, if you want to get the best views of the birds, you need to walk around the pond. There is an island in the middle, and certain places along the shore are much closer to the island than others. It is along these narrow channels where you can get the closest to any birds that are wading in the water. The spot farthest from the island is the one right near the parking lot, and this is as far as most people venture.

View of Everglades National Park’s Eco Pond from near the parking area

The island in Eco Pond gets much closer to the mainland as you walk around the Eco Pond Trail, Everglades National Park

Like all areas of Flamingo, mosquitoes are prevalent even during the winter. However, they are not too bad at Eco Pond since the trail is out in the open and not running through a damp forest. The trail itself is an old dirt road.

Typical terrain of the Eco Pond Trail in Everglades National Park

As you walk around the pond, most of the views from the trail are blocked by trees. However, about every hundred yards or so people have cut trails down to the water. Be careful, because these are often muddy, and they are also favorite spots for alligators.

Path down to the water from the Eco Pond Trail in Everglades National Park

If you travel counterclockwise around the Eco Pond Trail, there is an observation deck .2 miles from the start. This is probably the best place for viewing birds, and it is also the most convenient.

Observation deck over looking Eco Pond in Everglades National Park

If you are into wildlife photography you need at least a 200mm lens, preferably a 400mm lens. I only had a 24-120mm zoom lens, for I was there to take landscape photos and not wildlife photos. Those with binoculars will have no trouble viewing the birds from any location.

Birds on the narrower section between the island and shoreline of Eco Pond in Everglades National Park

Egret on Eco Pond in Everglades National Park

Sometimes you don’t even have to look into the water to see birds. I saw a red shouldered-hawk in the trees right along the side of the trail, about fifteen feet from me. The bird didn’t fly off, so I got a great photo with a 120mm setting on my zoom lens.

Red-shouldered hawk on the Eco Pond Trail in the Flamingo unit of Everglades National Park

The Eco Pond Trail is a mild diversion for those visiting the area and a “must” stop for those who want to see birds. Plan to spend no more than a half hour for a walk around the pond, though bird watchers can spend much more time.

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