First Airboat Tours
Before paved highways crossed South Florida, John Cooper recognized the breathtaking, untouched wonder of the River of Grass. In 1945, he rigged one of the first civilian airboats on the historic Tamiami Trail (US-41) and began guiding daring travelers into the wilderness.
"We've seen a lot of people come and go, up and down the trail over the years. We have been lucky enough to stay." -Jesse Kennon, Coopertown Owner, 2021 Coopertown is the oldest commercial airboat company in the Everglades. Beginning in 1945 as a family frog-gigging (hunting) operation, Coopertown expanded to give rides into the Everglades-adding a restaurant, store, and gas station-long before the national park was established. In 1989, this land and the historic business was added to Everglades National Park.
"Rated Florida's Best by the Miami Herald — an uncommercialized, genuine Everglades landmark."
