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Everglades National Park covers roughly 1.5 million acres at the southern tip of Florida, protecting the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. It is the only place on Earth where alligators and American crocodiles coexist in the wild, and its mosaic of sawgrass prairies, mangrove estuaries, pine rocklands, and coastal bays supports an extraordinary diversity of birds, fish, and marine mammals.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar site), the park draws roughly one million visitors per year. Despite these protections, it remains under significant ecological pressure from water management, invasive species, and sea-level rise — context worth understanding before you visit.
The park has three main visitor entry points: the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center near Homestead (the primary entrance), the Shark Valley entrance off US-41 (Tamiami Trail), and the Gulf Coast Visitor Center near Everglades City in the northwest. Each section of the park offers a different character and set of experiences, so many visitors combine two entrances on a single trip.
Before You Go
Visas and Entry
Everglades National Park is within the United States. For visa and entry requirements, check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for guidance specific to your nationality.
When to Visit
The dry season (roughly mid-November through April) is strongly preferred. Temperatures are mild, humidity is manageable, mosquito populations are dramatically lower, and wading birds concentrate around shrinking water sources, making wildlife viewing exceptional. The wet season (May–October) brings intense afternoon thunderstorms, oppressive heat and humidity, and mosquito pressure severe enough to cut outdoor time significantly — insect repellent and protective clothing become essential rather than optional.
What to Pack
- Insect repellent (DEET-based is most effective; a necessity even in dry season)
- Lightweight, long-sleeved, moisture-wicking clothing in neutral tones
- Waterproof footwear or sandals suitable for wet trails
- Sun protection: sunscreen, wide-brim hat, sunglasses
- Adequate water — potable water is limited inside the park; carry more than you think you need
- Binoculars for birdwatching and wildlife spotting
Fees and Passes
The park charges an entrance fee; verify current amounts on the official National Park Service (NPS) website at nps.gov/ever. The America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance to all U.S. federal recreation lands and is worth calculating against multiple park visits.
Getting There
By Air
Miami International Airport (MIA) is the primary gateway, located roughly 40–50 miles from the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center near Homestead. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is a viable alternative, particularly for budget carriers. Neither airport has direct shuttle service to the park; a rental car or private transfer is the practical option.
By Car
A personal vehicle or rental car is essentially required to visit the park meaningfully. From Miami, take Florida's Turnpike (SR-821) south to Homestead, then follow SR-9336 to the main entrance. Shark Valley is accessed via US-41 (Tamiami Trail), approximately 25 miles west of Miami's western suburbs. The Gulf Coast entrance near Everglades City is reached via US-41 west and then SR-29 south — roughly a 90-minute drive from Miami.
By Bus
No scheduled public transit serves the park's interior. Limited regional bus connections may reach Homestead; verify schedules with Miami-Dade Transit before relying on them. Once in Homestead, onward travel to the park still requires a car or taxi/rideshare.
Getting Around
Inside the park, a personal vehicle is the dominant mode of transport. The Main Park Road runs approximately 38 miles from the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center to Flamingo on Florida Bay, with numerous pull-offs, trailheads, and observation areas along the way. Allow a full day to drive this road leisurely with stops.
Tram Tours at Shark Valley — The Shark Valley entrance offers guided open-air tram tours along a 15-mile loop road. This is one of the most reliable ways to see large numbers of alligators at close range. Alternatively, the loop is open to cyclists and walkers. Tram tour schedules and availability vary by season; reserve in advance through the park's concessioner.
Canoe and Kayak — Water trails are a defining way to experience the park, particularly in the mangrove wilderness and Ten Thousand Islands area near Everglades City. Rentals are available through the park's authorized concessioners; verify locally for current availability and pricing.
Boat Tours — Guided motorboat tours operate from Flamingo and Everglades City and access areas of Florida Bay and the Gulf Coast that are otherwise difficult to reach. Check the NPS website or ask at visitor centers for current authorized operators.
Where to Stay
Inside the Park
Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground are the two main developed campgrounds within the park, offering tent and RV sites. Flamingo also has a limited number of glamping-style accommodations managed by the park concessioner; availability and pricing change — verify on the NPS or concessioner's website and book well in advance for dry-season weekends.
Backcountry chickees (raised wooden platforms over water) and beach and ground sites are available for multi-day paddling or hiking trips and require a backcountry permit. These fill quickly during peak season.
Outside the Park
Homestead and Florida City offer the widest selection of hotels, motels, and vacation rentals at accessible price points. Everglades City has smaller lodges and B&Bs, more suitable for visitors focusing on the Gulf Coast section. Miami Beach and the broader Miami area are a reasonable base if you plan only a day trip, though the 1.5–2 hour drive to the main entrance should be factored into your planning.
Things to See & Do
Wildlife Viewing
The Everglades is one of North America's premier birdwatching destinations. Roseate spoonbills, great blue herons, anhingas, wood storks, and numerous egret species are commonly seen. Alligators are present throughout the freshwater sections year-round. The Anhinga Trail near Royal Palm is consistently one of the best short walks for wildlife encounters anywhere in the park system.
Hiking
Trails range from short boardwalk loops accessible to all mobility levels to longer backcountry routes. Notable short trails include the Anhinga Trail, the Gumbo Limbo Trail (both near Royal Palm), the Pa-hay-okee Overlook boardwalk for panoramic sawgrass views, and the Mahogany Hammock boardwalk. Longer backcountry hiking requires a backcountry permit; obtain one from a visitor center.
Paddling
The Wilderness Waterway is a 99-mile canoe/kayak route connecting Everglades City to Flamingo — a multi-day expedition for experienced paddlers. Shorter day paddles are accessible from multiple launch points. Conditions can change quickly; check weather and tidal information before departing.
Stargazing
Removed from city light pollution, the park's remote sections offer genuinely dark skies. The Flamingo area is particularly noted for stargazing opportunities on clear nights.
Ranger Programs
Seasonal ranger-led walks, talks, and canoe trips are offered throughout the dry season. Check current programming schedules at visitor centers or on the NPS website, as offerings change annually.
Food & Drink
Food options inside the park are very limited. The Flamingo area has historically offered a restaurant and basic provisions, but services there have undergone changes and rebuilding over the years — verify what is currently operating before your visit via the NPS website or by calling the park directly.
Homestead and Florida City, just outside the main entrance, have a range of restaurants, grocery stores, and fast-food options. Everglades City near the Gulf Coast entrance has a small but functional selection of local seafood restaurants and cafes where stone crab and fresh Gulf fish are common menu items, particularly in season.
Practically speaking, most visitors are best served by packing a full day's worth of food and water before entering. Potable water is available at visitor centers but not at many trailheads or backcountry areas.
Practical Information
Connectivity
Cell service is unreliable to nonexistent through most of the park's interior. Download offline maps (such as the NPS app's offline function or a mapping app with cached data) before entering. Do not rely on real-time navigation once past Homestead.
Emergency Services
The park has ranger stations with emergency response capability, but response times in remote areas can be significant given the park's size. Inform someone outside the park of your itinerary if venturing into backcountry. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911; for park-specific emergencies, contact the park's dispatch through the visitor center or by any available means.
Accessibility
Several boardwalk trails, including the Anhinga Trail and Gumbo Limbo Trail, are paved and accessible to wheelchair users. The Shark Valley tram tour is also accessible. Confirm current conditions at visitor centers, as boardwalk sections can be temporarily closed for maintenance.
Leave No Trace
The Everglades ecosystem is fragile. Stay on designated trails and boardwalks, do not feed wildlife (including alligators — it is illegal and dangerous), and carry out all trash. Feeding alligators acclimates them to humans and typically results in the animal being euthanized.
Safety
Wildlife
Alligators are present throughout the park and should be treated with consistent respect — maintain a minimum distance of 15 feet, never approach or feed them, and keep children and pets close. American crocodiles, found primarily in the Flamingo and coastal areas, are generally less aggressive than alligators but still warrant distance. Panthers exist in the park in very small numbers; sightings are rare.
Mosquitoes and Insects
Mosquitoes in the wet season can be severe enough to cause genuine health concern through sheer volume. No-see-ums (biting midges) are also present, particularly at dawn and dusk near water. Long sleeves, pants, and effective repellent are not optional in these conditions.
Heat and Sun
Heat-related illness is a real risk, particularly in summer months. Stay hydrated, take shade breaks, and do not underestimate how quickly conditions can become dangerous, especially for children and older visitors.
Water Safety
Floodwaters, swift tidal channels, and submerged hazards make swimming inadvisable in most park waterways. Paddlers should check tide tables and weather before launching and file a float plan with someone onshore.
