Overview
Everglades National Park occupies the southern tip of Florida and protects approximately 1.5 million acres of slow-moving freshwater and saltwater ecosystems. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, it is recognized globally as one of the most ecologically significant landscapes on the planet.
The park is not a traditional swamp in the popular imagination. It is more accurately described as a very wide, very shallow river — a sheet of water barely inches deep flowing slowly southward from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay. This 'river of grass,' a phrase coined by conservationist Marjory Stoneman Douglas, supports an extraordinary mosaic of habitats including sawgrass prairies, cypress domes, pine flatwoods, coastal mangroves, and open marine waters.
Wildlife is the central draw. The Everglades is one of the only places in the world where American alligators and American crocodiles coexist. The park also hosts the endangered Florida panther, West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead sea turtles, and more than 360 bird species including roseate spoonbills, wood storks, and snail kites. For nature travelers, wildlife photographers, and anyone interested in conservation, it is an exceptional destination.
Before You Go
Entry and Visas
Everglades National Park is located within the United States. Travelers arriving from outside the US should review entry requirements carefully. For visa guidance, check TravelerPulse's Visas section and consult the official US Customs and Border Protection website for the most current rules applicable to your nationality.
Park Fees
Everglades National Park charges an entrance fee. Fee amounts and pass types — including the America the Beautiful annual pass, which grants access to all US federal lands — should be verified on the official National Park Service website (nps.gov/ever) before your visit, as fees are updated periodically.
Seasonal Considerations
- Dry Season (Nov–Apr): Lower humidity, cooler daytime temperatures, dramatically reduced mosquito activity, and concentrated wildlife around remaining water sources. Peak visitation and ranger-led programs are most active during this period.
- Wet Season (May–Oct): High heat, high humidity, intense afternoon thunderstorms, and very heavy mosquito and biting insect pressure. Wildlife disperses widely. Some campgrounds and facilities may have limited availability. DEET-based repellent is essentially mandatory during wet-season visits.
What to Pack
Regardless of season, bring sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, lightweight moisture-wicking clothing, sturdy waterproof footwear, and more insect repellent than you think you need. Drinking water is scarce in the backcountry; carry ample supply. Cell coverage is unreliable in much of the park.
Getting There
By Air
The nearest major airport is Miami International Airport (MIA), roughly 40–50 miles northeast of the main Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center near Homestead, Florida. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is another viable option at a similar driving distance. Car rental is available at both airports.
By Car
Private vehicle is by far the most practical way to reach and move within the park. The main entrance via Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is accessed from Homestead via Florida City on US-1 or the Florida Turnpike. A second major access point is Shark Valley, located on the Tamiami Trail (US-41) about 35 miles west of Miami. The Gulf Coast entrance near Everglades City provides access to the western Ten Thousand Islands area and is reached via FL-29 from the Tamiami Trail.
By Bus / Shuttle
There is no regular public bus service that runs into the park itself. Some tour operators based in Miami or Homestead offer day-trip shuttles and guided tours. Verify current availability with operators before booking.
Important Note on Road Access
The main park road, the 38-mile-long Anhinga Trail corridor road ending at Flamingo, is the primary driving route through the eastern park. Flamingo is the only developed area within the park's interior and offers a marina, campground, and visitor facilities — verify current operational status on the NPS website, as storm damage has affected facilities in the past.
Getting Around
A private vehicle is essential for most visitors. The park's main road from the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center to Flamingo spans roughly 38 miles one-way, passing trailheads, boardwalks, and observation areas along the route. There is no internal park shuttle system.
Shark Valley Tram
At the Shark Valley entrance, a concessionaire operates tram tours along a 15-mile paved loop road — a practical option for those without bicycles. Bicycles can also be rented at Shark Valley. Verify tram schedules and rental availability directly with the concession operator or on the NPS site before visiting.
Boating and Kayaking
Water-based travel is a significant part of experiencing the Everglades. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at certain locations within the park (verify current availability at Flamingo and Gulf Coast areas). The 99-mile Wilderness Waterway, a marked canoe/kayak trail between Flamingo and Everglades City, is a multi-day backcountry route requiring a permit. Motorboat rentals and guided boat tours are available from park concessionaires — check nps.gov/ever for current operators.
Walking and Cycling
Several short paved and boardwalk trails are accessible without a vehicle once you reach a trailhead. Cycling is permitted on paved roads and designated areas.
Where to Stay
Inside the Park
The park has two main campgrounds — Long Pine Key and Flamingo — offering tent and RV sites. A limited number of backcountry campsites accessible only by boat or on foot are available throughout the wilderness; these require advance permits through the Recreation.gov reservation system. Flamingo also has a lodge facility; verify its current operational status and reservation availability on the NPS website or directly with the park concessionaire, as the facility has undergone changes following hurricane damage.
Near the Park Entrances
Homestead and Florida City, just north of the main entrance, are the primary base towns for visitors. Both have a range of chain hotels, motels, and short-term rentals at various price points. Everglades City, near the Gulf Coast entrance, has several small inns and lodges — a quieter, more remote base suited to those focused on the western park and Ten Thousand Islands area. Verify current availability and pricing through your preferred booking platform.
Miami as a Base
Some visitors choose to stay in Miami or the Coral Gables/South Miami area and day-trip into the park. This works well for Shark Valley visits but makes Flamingo a long day. It adds flexibility for first-time Florida visitors combining the park with Miami itself.
Things to See & Do
Wildlife Viewing
The Anhinga Trail (just under one mile, near the main entrance) is widely regarded as one of the best accessible wildlife viewing spots in any US national park. Anhingas, herons, egrets, and alligators are frequently observed at close range. The Eco Pond near Flamingo and the Pa-hay-okee Overlook are also strong wildlife viewing points. Early morning visits yield the most activity.
Hiking and Boardwalk Trails
The park maintains a number of relatively short but rewarding trails including:
- Anhinga Trail — paved/boardwalk, wildlife-rich
- Gumbo Limbo Trail — loops through tropical hardwood hammock
- Pineland Trail — pine rockland habitat
- Mahogany Hammock Trail — old-growth mahogany trees
- Christian Point Trail — longer backcountry route near Flamingo
For serious backcountry hiking, the coastal and interior wilderness requires permits and careful preparation.
Paddling
Kayaking and canoeing through the mangrove tunnels and coastal waterways is among the most memorable Everglades experiences. The Hell's Bay Canoe Trail and Nine Mile Pond are popular day routes. Beginners should stick to well-marked shorter trails; the open bay and backcountry routes require navigation skills and tidal awareness.
Ranger Programs
During the dry season, the National Park Service runs ranger-led walks, boat tours, and evening programs. Check current schedules at visitor centers upon arrival.
Stargazing
The remoteness of Flamingo and the interior park makes for exceptionally dark skies on clear nights — a genuinely underrated experience.
Food & Drink
Food options within the park itself are extremely limited. The Flamingo area has had a café/restaurant at various times, but availability has been inconsistent — verify current status before planning around it. Bringing your own food and water for any full day in the park is strongly recommended regardless.
Homestead and Florida City have a reasonable range of restaurants, including local South Florida Latin American cuisine, seafood, and standard American fare. Robert Is Here, a long-established fruit stand near the main park entrance in Florida City, is a genuine local landmark known for tropical fruit milkshakes and fresh local produce — worth a stop on arrival or departure.
Everglades City has several seafood restaurants that specialize in stone crab (in season, roughly October through May) and locally caught fish. The small-town Gulf Coast dining scene is unpretentious and generally focused on fresh seafood.
Bring significantly more water than you expect to need, especially in warm weather. Dehydration is a genuine risk given the sun exposure and physical activity involved in most park activities.
Practical Information
Visitor Centers
The park has several visitor centers at different entrances — Ernest F. Coe (main entrance), Royal Palm (a short drive inside), Shark Valley, Gulf Coast, and Flamingo. Each offers maps, exhibits, ranger information, and restrooms. Hours vary seasonally; verify on nps.gov/ever before your visit.
Connectivity
Cell phone coverage is unreliable to nonexistent in much of the park, particularly south of the main entrance and throughout the backcountry. Download offline maps before entering. A paper park map from a visitor center is a sensible backup.
Permits
Backcountry camping (whether by land or boat) requires a permit obtained in advance through Recreation.gov. Day-use of most trails and areas requires only the park entrance fee.
Accessibility
Several of the park's main boardwalk trails, including the Anhinga Trail, are paved and wheelchair-accessible. The Shark Valley tram tour is also accessible. Contact the park directly for current accessibility information on specific facilities.
Emergency Services
The park has ranger law enforcement and emergency response capabilities, but the nearest full hospitals are in Homestead or Miami. Emergency services response times in the backcountry can be significant. Always inform someone of your itinerary before entering the backcountry. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Safety
Wildlife
Alligators are present throughout the park and should be treated as wild animals at all times. Maintain a safe distance — the NPS recommends at least 15 feet — and never feed them. Crocodiles are present in the Flamingo/Florida Bay area. Neither species is typically aggressive toward humans who maintain distance, but incidents do occur, particularly when animals are fed or approached.
Lightning is a serious and underappreciated hazard. Florida has among the highest lightning strike rates in the United States. The flat, open sawgrass prairies offer no shelter. If a storm approaches, get off the water and away from open areas immediately.
Insects and Sun
Mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and horseflies can be intense even in the dry season near water. DEET-based repellent and long sleeves and pants during dawn and dusk are practical precautions. Sun exposure in the open marsh is severe; sunscreen and head covering are essential.
Water and Heat
Heat exhaustion is a genuine risk during wet-season visits. Carry and drink adequate water, rest during the hottest midday hours, and recognize the symptoms of heat illness. Do not drink untreated surface water.
Boating Safety
Boating in Florida Bay and the coastal areas involves shallow water, submerged rocks, and complex navigation. Check weather forecasts before any water excursion. Sudden afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer months.