Everglades National Park – Rock Reef Pass

Driving along the main road from Homestead to Flamingo, you’ll pass as sign that reads “Rock Reef Pass, Elevation 3 feet”.

It’s comical, but the sign is not intended to be a joke – this is one of the highest points of elevation in the entire park, and it’s remarkable how that tiny change in elevation creates a different environment.

Rock Reef Pass is dominated by dwarf cypress trees, which are familiar to their more common bald cypress cousins, but in smaller scale. These trees are much shorter, not much higher than eye level in most cases.

There is a small boardwalk leading into a large stand of these trees which give you an opportunity to get a better look – a mountain overlook, Everglades style.