TranslateOverview
Everglades National Park occupies the southern tip of the Florida Peninsula and protects approximately 1.5 million acres of slow-moving freshwater and saltwater ecosystems. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention — a rare triple designation that signals its global ecological significance.
The landscape is not a swamp in the conventional sense. Water moves as a broad, shallow sheet across limestone bedrock from Lake Okeechobee southward to Florida Bay, sustaining a mosaic of habitats: sawgrass prairies, cypress domes, hardwood hammocks, pine rocklands, mangrove estuaries, and open marine waters. This 'River of Grass' — the phrase coined by naturalist Marjory Stoneman Douglas in her landmark 1947 book — functions as a single, interconnected organism.
The park supports an extraordinary range of wildlife. Roughly 360 bird species have been recorded here, including roseate spoonbills, wood storks, snail kites, and vast wading-bird rookeries. Both American alligators and the rarer American crocodile coexist in the park — one of the only places on Earth where this occurs. The Florida panther, West Indian manatee, and smalltooth sawfish are among the endangered species that depend on this ecosystem.
Visitors access the park from two main directions: the Ernest F. Coe entrance near Homestead and Florida City in the east, and the Shark Valley entrance off US-41 (Tamiami Trail) to the north. A third, more remote corridor leads to Flamingo on Florida Bay in the south. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center at Everglades City provides the gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands area.
Before You Go
Entry fees and passes: The park charges an entrance fee per vehicle; verify the current rate at nps.gov/ever before your visit. The America the Beautiful annual interagency pass, available from the National Park Service, covers entrance for the pass holder's vehicle and is worth considering if you plan to visit multiple national parks or monuments within a year.
Visas: Everglades National Park is a U.S. federal destination. Entry requirements depend on your nationality and travel situation. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for guidance specific to your country.
Health and vaccinations: No vaccinations are required to visit the park, but practical health preparation matters considerably here. Mosquitoes are abundant year-round, peaking in the wet season (May–November). Pack EPA-registered insect repellent and lightweight, long-sleeved clothing. Sun protection — high-SPF sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, and sunglasses — is essential across all seasons.
What to pack:
- Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin-based)
- Sunscreen and sun-protective clothing
- Sufficient drinking water (there are limited potable water sources along trails and in the backcountry)
- Waterproof footwear for wet-terrain trails
- Binoculars for wildlife and birdwatching
- Tide charts and nautical charts if paddling
- A charged phone and a paper map — cell coverage is extremely limited throughout the park
Permits: Backcountry camping requires a permit, obtainable through recreation.gov or at visitor centers. Permits are in high demand from December through April; book as early as the reservation window allows.
Getting There
By Air
The nearest major airport is Miami International Airport (MIA), roughly 35–40 miles northeast of the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is a practical alternative, roughly 50 miles from the main entrance. Both airports are served by major domestic and international carriers. No scheduled public transit runs directly from either airport to the park.
By Car
Private vehicle is the most practical way to reach the park. From Miami, take Florida's Turnpike (SR 821) south to Homestead, then follow US-1 south and SR 9336 west to the main entrance. For the Shark Valley entrance, take US-41 (Tamiami Trail) west from Miami — approximately 25 miles from the city. For Everglades City and the Gulf Coast area, US-41 continues west across the peninsula. Road conditions inside the park can change after major weather events; check the NPS website for current closures.
By Bus
No direct scheduled bus service connects Miami or surrounding cities to the park's entrances. Some commercial tour operators offer day-trip transportation from the Miami area — verify current availability locally or through established tour platforms before booking.
Getting Around
The park has no internal public transportation network. A private vehicle is necessary to travel between the widely spaced visitor centers and trailheads along the main park road (SR 9336), which extends approximately 38 miles from the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center to Flamingo on Florida Bay.
Cycling
The Shark Valley area is an exception: a paved 15-mile loop road closed to private vehicles is popular with cyclists and available for tram tours. Bicycles can be rented at the Shark Valley concession facility — verify current availability and pricing on-site or through the NPS concessions page.
Paddling
Canoe and kayak travel is one of the defining ways to experience the park, particularly in the Ten Thousand Islands and the Wilderness Waterway — a 99-mile marked paddle route between Everglades City and Flamingo. Rentals are available at Flamingo and the Gulf Coast Visitor Center; verify current concession hours and availability before your trip. Tidal conditions and wind significantly affect travel times; always file a float plan with a park ranger before extended paddles.
Airboats
Airboats operate in the wider Everglades ecosystem outside the national park boundary (they are not permitted inside the park). Several private operators are based near Homestead and along Tamiami Trail. They provide a different, noisier perspective on the wetlands and are separate from the NPS-managed experience.
Where to Stay
Lodging options within the park are extremely limited. There is no on-site hotel or lodge currently operating inside Everglades National Park; verify the current status of any future concession lodging on nps.gov/ever.
Campgrounds
The park operates campgrounds at Long Pine Key and Flamingo, as well as chickee (elevated wooden platform) and beach sites in the backcountry accessible only by boat or on foot. Frontcountry campgrounds offer basic facilities; amenities and availability vary seasonally. Reserve through recreation.gov well in advance for the dry season.
Nearby Towns
Homestead and Florida City, approximately 10–15 miles from the main entrance, are the practical base for most visitors. Both towns have a range of chain hotels and independent motels at varying price points. Everglades City, near the Gulf Coast entrance, has a handful of smaller inns and lodges suited for those focusing on the western part of the park — verify specific properties and current availability before booking.
Miami is a comfortable base if you prefer urban amenities, though the 35–40-mile drive to the park entrance adds travel time to each day.
Things to See & Do
Wildlife Viewing
Wading birds — herons, egrets, ibis, spoonbills — congregate at freshwater ponds and sloughs throughout the dry season. Anhinga Trail near the Royal Palm Visitor Center is consistently one of the most productive short wildlife walks in the park, with anhingas, alligators, and turtles often visible at close range. Pa-hay-okee Overlook offers a sweeping view across the sawgrass prairie.
Hiking
The park has numerous short to moderate trails suited to different habitats. Gumbo Limbo Trail runs through a hardwood hammock and is accessible. Pinelands Trail passes through rare South Florida slash pine rockland, a globally threatened habitat. Long Pine Key has an interconnected trail system of roughly 28 miles for more committed hikers. Flamingo-area trails include the Coastal Prairie Trail, which extends to Cape Sable — verify current conditions before undertaking longer routes, as flooding can close sections.
Birdwatching
The park is considered one of the premier birdwatching destinations in North America. The roseate spoonbill and wood stork are particular draws. Eco Pond near Flamingo is a reliable site for a wide variety of species, especially at dawn and dusk. Peak wading-bird concentrations typically occur in the late dry season (February–April) as wetlands shrink.
Stargazing
Everglades National Park is designated an International Dark Sky Park. Far from major light pollution, the night skies — particularly around Flamingo — can be exceptional. Bring a red-light headlamp to preserve night vision.
Ranger Programs
The NPS offers ranger-led walks, talks, and canoe programs seasonally. Schedules vary and are posted at visitor centers and on the park website. These programs are consistently rated as some of the best ways for first-time visitors to orient themselves.
Fishing
Saltwater fishing is permitted in designated areas of the park with a Florida saltwater fishing license. Flamingo and the backcountry waterways are popular; verify current regulations on the NPS and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission websites before fishing.
Food & Drink
There are no restaurants or food vendors inside the main park corridor between Ernest F. Coe and Flamingo. A concession facility at Flamingo has historically offered limited food and beverage options, but services change; verify current availability on the NPS website or by calling the park before your trip.
The Shark Valley area has no food concessions. Pack all food and ample drinking water before entering the park. Potable water is available at some visitor centers and campgrounds but is unreliable in the backcountry.
Homestead and Florida City offer a practical range of dining options — from fast food and grocery stores to local restaurants serving South Florida and Latin American cuisine, reflecting the area's diverse community. Everglades City has a small cluster of seafood restaurants that locally source stone crab and mullet; the town's fishing heritage is reflected on most menus. Specific restaurant recommendations should be verified locally, as smaller establishments open and close frequently.
Practical Information
Emergency and medical: Cell service is extremely limited or absent throughout most of the park. In the event of an emergency, contact a park ranger at the nearest visitor center, or use a satellite communicator device if venturing into the backcountry. The nearest hospitals are in Homestead and the Miami metro area. Know the location of the nearest visitor center before departing on any trail or paddle route.
Visitor Centers: Four main visitor centers serve the park — Ernest F. Coe (main entrance), Royal Palm, Flamingo, and Gulf Coast (Everglades City). Hours vary seasonally; always verify on nps.gov/ever before your visit, as hours and services have changed following hurricane impacts in recent years.
Weather: The park has two distinct seasons. The dry season (December–April) brings cooler temperatures, low humidity, and concentrated wildlife. The wet season (May–November) brings afternoon thunderstorms, high humidity, rising water levels, and intense mosquitoes. Hurricane season runs June through November; monitor NOAA forecasts and be prepared to alter plans.
Leave No Trace: The Everglades ecosystem is fragile. Stay on marked trails, do not feed wildlife (it is illegal and dangerous to both animals and visitors), carry out all waste in the backcountry, and follow all posted guidelines regarding alligator safety — maintain a minimum of 15 feet from any alligator and never approach or harass them.
Safety
Wildlife: American alligators are present throughout the park and are wild animals. They are not typically aggressive unless provoked or habituated to human food, but close approach is dangerous and feeding alligators is a federal offense. American crocodiles inhabit the Flamingo and Florida Bay areas; treat them with the same respect. Keep pets on leashes and never allow them near water edges where alligators may be present.
Heat and dehydration: Heat-related illness is a genuine risk, particularly in spring and summer. Drink water consistently before you feel thirsty, take breaks in shade, and recognize symptoms of heat exhaustion — heavy sweating, weakness, cold or pale skin, nausea. Hike early in the morning when temperatures are lower.
Water hazards: Backcountry paddlers face risks from tidal currents, afternoon thunderstorms with lightning, and disorientation in the mangrove maze. Always carry a VHF marine radio and a GPS device with downloaded charts. File a float plan with park rangers.
Mosquitoes and insects: Beyond discomfort, mosquito exposure in the wet season can be genuinely overwhelming in certain areas. Dense repellent coverage and protective clothing are not optional in summer months. No-see-ums (biting midges) are also prevalent near coastal areas at dawn and dusk.
