2021 Map of Shark Point

About this map

Shark Point and Highland Beach mark the western coastal edge of Monroe County where the freshwater systems of the interior meet the salt of the Gulf of Mexico. This coastal interface is defined by a dense network of tidal rivers and creeks, including the Harney River, Broad River, and the appropriately named The Nightmare. These waterways form the vital arteries of Everglades National Park, providing a sanctuary for diverse wildlife and a complex landscape for navigation. Modern recreational routes like the Wilderness Waterway Trl and the Everglades Paddling Trl follow these natural corridors, connecting Ponce de Leon Bay in the south toward the northern reaches of the Wilderness Waterway. The presence of Graveyard Creek hints at the challenges faced by early travelers in this labyrinthine environment of mangroves and sawgrass.