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Everglades National Park is an expansive sanctuary, offering a unique mosaic of marshes, mangroves, and hardwood hammocks. This World Heritage site is centered around the slow-flowing River of Grass, vital for its diverse wildlife and complex ecosystems.
Travel the park by car along its main road to access various trails and visitor centers, such as the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. These gateways lead to deeper explorations—traverse boardwalks over sawgrass prairies or paddle through the intricate mangrove forests.
The park hosts an incredible array of flora and fauna. It is one of the only places where American alligators and crocodiles coexist, highlighting its unique ecological diversity. The pinelands shelter rare orchids and a variety of birds, including the roseate spoonbill and wood stork, while seasonal wildflowers add bursts of color to the landscape.
Everglades National Park is not just a place to visit, but to experience. It invites you to observe its wild beauty, reflect on nature’s resilience, and connect with an ecosystem that stands as a testament to environmental preservation.
Start your self-guided tour of Everglades National Park conveniently from southern Florida.
Miami
Miami International Airport (MIA) is the nearest major airport, about 45 miles northeast of the park’s main entrance near Homestead. Rent a car at the airport and head south via the Florida Turnpike, exiting at Florida City to follow signs directly into the park. The drive should take about an hour.
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is approximately 75 miles northeast of the park. Car rental facilities are available at the airport, and you can reach the park in about an hour and a half via the Florida Turnpike South, exiting towards Homestead.
If you’re coming from Miami, drive south on the Florida Turnpike to Exit 1 (Florida City) and follow signs into the park. For those traveling from Naples, take I-75 South (also known as Alligator Alley), head east, and then south on the Florida Turnpike, following the signs to the park after exiting at Florida City.
Getting Around
Traveling through Everglades National Park is most convenient by car, with ample parking available at key visitor centers and trailheads. For those without a car, limited public transport options from nearby Miami connect with tour services for guided visits. Inside the park, explore unique ecosystems through guided tram and boat tours. Biking and hiking the park’s trails also offer close encounters with its natural beauty. These diverse transportation options ensure all visitors can thoroughly explore the park’s varied environments and wildlife.
All visitors to Everglades National Park are required to purchase an entrance pass, which is available at all park entrance stations and online. Various pass options are offered, including a seven-day vehicle pass, individual entrance passes, and an annual park pass. Everglades National Park is transitioning to cashless payments at all entrance stations, accepting credit, debit, and digital wallet payments to streamline the entry process.
Consider purchasing the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass if you plan to visit multiple national parks or federal recreational lands throughout the year. This pass provides year-round access to Everglades National Park, other national parks, and federal recreational sites across the country, supporting conservation efforts and visitor services enhancements.
Everglades National Park offers unique camping experiences, with several campgrounds available for those wishing to stay overnight within the park. Flamingo Campground and Long Pine Key Campground offer developed sites with amenities, ideal for families and first-time campers. For the more adventurous, backcountry campsites accessible by hiking, canoe, or kayak provide a closer connection to the park’s wild settings.
The surrounding areas provide a variety of accommodation options:
Homestead and Florida City
These gateway communities are the closest to the park, offering everything from budget motels to comfortable hotels, along with cozy bed and breakfasts for a small-town feel.
Miami
Just a short drive from the park, Miami offers a wide range of accommodations from luxury hotels to boutique guesthouses. The city’s vibrant culture, beaches, and nightlife also make it an attractive option for those looking to enrich their stay.
Key Largo
To the south, Key Largo presents beachfront resorts and waterfront rentals, perfect for visitors who also want to explore the Florida Keys during their trip.
Visiting Everglades National Park from December to April during the dry season offers cooler, less humid weather, making it the best time for wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources. With lower mosquito activity, outdoor activities are more comfortable. To avoid the crowds, consider an early morning visit.
From May to November, the wet season brings hot, humid weather with daily rainfall, enhancing the lushness of the park and making it ideal for water-based activities like canoeing and kayaking. Wildlife is more dispersed but still visible, especially during cooler parts of the day. Remember to prepare for mosquitoes with protective clothing and repellents.
The transitional months of November and May can provide a mix of benefits from both seasons, with fewer tourists and moderate weather. This time is particularly good for witnessing seasonal changes such as the start or end of bird migrations.
For a day trip starting at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, spend your morning exploring nearby trails such as the Anhinga Trail, where you can easily spot alligators, turtles, and an array of birds. Follow this with a hike on the Gumbo Limbo Trail, which offers a shaded walk through a dense hardwood hammock.
If you have a full weekend, dedicate your first day to deeper exploration of the trails accessible from the visitor center, like the Pinelands Trail, which showcases the park’s unique pine rockland ecosystem. On the second day, venture further to explore the Pa-hay-okee Overlook for expansive views of the River of Grass and finish with a sunset at the Flamingo area, where you can relax by Florida Bay.
With several days at your disposal, include a visit to more remote areas like the Long Pine Key area for serene pine flatwoods and seasonal ponds that attract a variety of wildlife. Longer stays allow you to fully immerse in the natural beauty and tranquility, providing a comprehensive experience of the diverse habitats in the Everglades.
To avoid crowds at Everglades National Park, visit on weekdays or during the shoulder seasons of late spring (April to May) and early fall (October to November). These times offer fewer visitors and pleasant weather. Arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon can help you escape peak times, especially at popular spots like the Anhinga Trail and Shark Valley.
Explore less-visited areas for a quieter experience, such as the southern trails near Flamingo or the western entrance. Remote trails like the Coastal Prairie Trail or Snake Bight Trail are excellent choices. Venturing into the backcountry, whether on foot or by canoe, provides solitude and close encounters with wildlife.
Staying overnight in or near the park enhances your visit, allowing early morning or evening wildlife observations when animals are most active and crowds are minimal, creating a more intimate experience with the park’s natural environment.
You’re likely to see alligators in the Everglades, but if you’d like a guaranteed sighting, you may want to check out the Everglades Alligator Farm. It offers an up-close look at alligators and the region’s wildlife. This farm features airboat tours through the Everglades, alligator feedings, and snake shows, making it a thrilling destination for wildlife enthusiasts. It’s a perfect spot for those eager to explore the unique ecosystem of the Everglades and witness its fascinating inhabitants.
Gumbo Limbo Trail is a short, half-mile loop that meanders through a shaded, dense hammock of gumbo limbo trees, known for their distinctive, peeling red bark. Often referred to as the “tourist tree” because the bark resembles sunburned skin, the trail provides a cool respite from the Florida heat.
Anhinga Trail, on the other hand, is slightly longer, this mile-long loop offers an entirely different view of the Everglades. This paved and boardwalk trail winds through a sawgrass marsh, where visitors can spot a wealth of wildlife, including alligators basking in the sun, turtles, and a variety of birds.
Ever wondered what it feels like to stand amidst a seemingly endless “river of grass”? The Pa-Hay-Okee Lookout offers exactly that experience.
This short and accessible boardwalk trail is perfect for visitors of all ages and abilities.
The easy stroll takes you through the lush Everglades landscape, culminating in a covered observation platform.Nicknamed “Pa-hay-okee” by the Seminole people, which translates to “River of Grass,” the Everglades unfolds before you in all its vastness. Take in the seemingly endless expanse of sawgrass prairies, dotted with islands of trees and teeming with life.
The Mahogany Hammock Trail offers a quick yet immersive journey through the Everglades’ unique ecosystems via a half-mile boardwalk loop. Taking roughly 10 minutes to walk, this trail showcases a dense jungle of hardwood trees, providing a glimpse into the lush greenery of the area. Notably, it hosts the largest living mahogany tree in the United States, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and tree lovers alike.
If you’ve been dying to see more Everglades wildlife, this is the perfect stop for you. This half-mile trail loops around a small pond that serves as a magnet for an array of wildlife. This tranquil trail provides visitors with the opportunity to closely observe the park’s diverse birdlife, including wading birds, ducks, and songbirds, in their natural habitat.
The calm waters of the pond are also home to softshell turtles and the occasional alligator, adding a thrilling element to the wildlife-watching experience.
Experience the exhilarating rush of an airboat ride across the Everglades. These tours whisk you through marshes and mangrove forests at high speeds, offering close encounters with the park’s diverse fauna and flora, and providing insights into this unique wetland ecosystem from knowledgeable guides.
Paddle at your own pace through the serene waters of the Everglades. Routes like the Nine Mile Pond and Hell’s Bay canoe trails offer peaceful exploration of the park’s intricate waterways, where you can spot wildlife in their natural habitat and enjoy the quietude of nature.
The park is a prime bird-watching destination, hosting rare and exotic species such as the Roseate Spoonbill and American Flamingo. Locations like the Eco Pond are excellent for morning or late afternoon birding sessions, offering sightings of diverse birdlife in a compact area.
Anglers can enjoy both freshwater and saltwater fishing in the Everglades, targeting species like tarpon, snook, and redfish. The park’s vast waterways provide ample opportunities for sport fishing, making it a year-round activity for fishing enthusiasts.
The diverse landscapes of the Everglades are a photographer’s paradise, particularly at sunrise and sunset when the light casts magical hues over the wetlands. Wildlife, plant life, and vast scenic vistas provide endless subjects for both amateur and professional photographers.
Explore significant historical sites within the park like the Nike Hercules Missile Base, which tells a cold war era story, or the Smallwood Store in Chokoloskee, which offers a glimpse into the early settler life of the Everglades region.
Join park rangers for educational programs that delve into the Everglades’ ecosystems, conservation efforts, and history. These programs are designed to enhance visitor understanding of the park’s importance and offer unique insights through walks, talks, and interactive presentations.
Protective Clothing: Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing to keep cool and comfortable. Long sleeves and pants are essential to protect against mosquitoes and the sun.
Waterproof Footwear: The Everglades has wet and marshy areas, so waterproof hiking shoes or boots are recommended. Consider packing water shoes if you plan on canoeing or kayaking.
Daypack: A durable daypack is essential for carrying water, food, insect repellent, and other essentials.
Sun Protection: The Florida sun can be intense. Pack broad-spectrum sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-protective sunglasses.
Insect Repellent: Mosquitoes can be a significant nuisance. Bring effective insect repellent with DEET or other recommended substances to help ward off bites.
Hydration Supplies: It’s crucial to stay hydrated in the heat. Bring reusable water bottles or a hydration pack, and consider a portable water filter if venturing into remote areas.
Rain Gear: Sudden rain showers are common, especially during the wet season. Pack a lightweight, waterproof rain jacket or poncho.
Navigation Tools: Cell service can be unreliable in remote areas, so bring a physical map and a compass or GPS device.
First Aid Kit: Include basic first aid supplies, especially treatments for insect bites and sunburn.
Binoculars and Camera: Enhance your wildlife viewing experience with a good pair of binoculars and a camera for capturing the diverse flora and fauna.
Trash Bag: Always be prepared to pack out what you bring in to keep the park clean.
Headlamp or Flashlight: Useful for exploring in the early morning or evening and during any nighttime activities.
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