West Lake Trail

West Lake Trail is a boardwalk path in Everglades National Park that passes through the largest protected mangrove forest in the United States. The trail hugs the edge of West Lake, offering close views of the tangled prop roots of red mangroves and the brackish water that transitions between the freshwater interior and Florida Bay. The mangrove ecosystem is one of the most productive on earth, serving as nursery habitat for countless marine species and as a buffer protecting the coast from storms. Walking West Lake Trail is an immersive way to understand why mangroves matter — and the birdlife along the shoreline adds compelling wildlife interest to every step.