Tips for Organizing an Ideal Trip to Everglades National Park
If you think of expansive wilderness areas as being exclusive to the Western U.S., you haven’t explored Everglades National Park. This Florida gem spans 1.5 million acres, safeguarding the largest designated wilderness region east of the Rockies. Here, alligators and crocodiles thrive side by side, and the diverse ecosystems are so rich that it was the first national park established solely for its biodiversity.
“The Everglades is not just a national park; it’s also a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance, and a specially protected area under the Cartagena Treaty,” shared Allyson Gantt, chief of communications and public affairs for Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park, in an interview with Dinogo. "I enjoy conveying the intricacies and splendor of this park to visitors.”
Gantt has a personal understanding of what makes Everglades National Park unique—she also knows the essentials for newcomers and the must-see highlights.
Stephanie Pollak/DinogoYour Visit Essentials
Given the vastness of Everglades National Park, Gantt emphasizes the importance of arriving with a clear plan for activities and sights. “Due to the park's extensive layout, visitors may want to concentrate on a specific area if they have just a few hours or one day to explore.”
The park welcomes visitors all year but provides two distinct experiences depending on your visit timing. The dry season (December to April) sees more crowds, favorable weather, increased wildlife sightings, and fewer mosquitoes, while the wet season (May to November) is more tranquil. Park passes can be purchased at the Homestead or Shark Valley entrances, or at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center at the Everglades City entrance. During the busy dry season, especially on weekends, it's advisable to buy your park pass online via Recreation.gov to avoid long wait times at the entrance. A pass for a single vehicle or vessel costs $35 and is valid for seven days.
Even if you secure a park pass ahead of time, the Homestead and Shark Valley entrances can become notoriously crowded with limited parking during the busy winter months. The park website suggests, “It’s advisable to visit these locations on weekdays, arrive early (before 10 a.m.), and carpool to the park when possible.”
Your Travel Guide
Given its vast size, Everglades National Park features three entrances located in different cities. A car is essential, as there is no public transportation, and the entrances are at least an hour apart from one another.
The southern section of the park is most easily reached via the Homestead entrance, the park’s main gateway. Located outside Homestead, Florida, this entrance includes the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center and the Guy Bradley Visitor Center (located at Flamingo). Homestead also offers access to the nearby Royal Palm State Park.
To access the northern section of the park, the Miami or Everglades City entrances are your best options. The Shark Valley entrance, which includes the Shark Valley Visitor Center, is the closest to Miami, while the Everglades City entrance, featuring the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, is nearest to Naples.
lucky-photographer/Getty ImagesOptimal Visiting Times
As previously noted, Everglades National Park has two distinct seasons: dry and wet. If you visit between December and April, you'll enjoy the dry season, characterized by cooler temperatures and fewer mosquitoes. This ideal weather coincides with the park’s peak season, making it the best time to observe wading birds and their predators.
The wet season in the Everglades generally spans from May to November, bringing heavy rainfall and a surge of mosquitoes. The summer heat and insects typical of South Florida result in a drop in visitors, which can be a significant advantage.
“The humid summer months create stunning cloud formations and smoother waters for boating and fishing,” Gantt notes. “The shoulder seasons, particularly from early November to December and late April into May, are less crowded but still offer plenty of chances to explore the park’s wonders.”
Top Activities in Everglades National Park
Boredom is not an option at Everglades National Park. The vast area boasts a rich variety of ecosystems and wildlife, including marine environments, estuaries, cypress swamps, and mangroves. While there's much to explore, Gantt suggests a few particular activities for first-time visitors.
Take a drive along the Homestead Entrance Road and enjoy a hike.
“The Homestead entrance features a 38-mile road with several stops and short trails that explore various park habitats,” Gantt mentioned, adding that it's an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the southern part of the park.
She particularly recommended the Anhinga Trail, a short and wheelchair-accessible path starting from the Royal Palm Visitor Center. Alligators, turtles, herons, and egrets are frequently spotted along this route.
Take a tram tour for great wildlife viewing.
Adjacent to the Shark Valley entrance is a paved 15-mile loop that winds along the Shark River Slough, where alligators, turtles, and various bird species can often be seen. The trail is ideal for walking, but if you wish to complete the entire 15 miles, consider renting a bike or taking the tram — both options are available through Shark Valley Tram Tours. Additionally, there’s an observation tower in the Shark Valley area with a deck that overlooks alligators, turtles, fish, and birds.
Gantt points out that in this section of the park, “Visitor numbers are higher, and parking can become difficult on busy weekends and holidays.”
Visit FloridaExperience an airboat ride.
There are three airboat companies authorized to operate in the park, and Gantt emphasizes that gliding through the Everglades on a flat-bottomed boat is a must-do during your visit. The three licensed operators are Coopertown, Everglades Safari Park, and Gator Park.
Explore the mangroves and Florida Bay.
From the Homestead entrance, you can access the Flamingo area, regarded as the gateway to Florida Bay. This bay and its mangrove-lined waterways are home to much of the park’s marine wildlife.
“At Flamingo, we provide narrated boat tours through the mangroves and on the open waters of Florida Bay. There are several excellent paddling trails in the area, as well as the expansive waters of Florida Bay. Manatees, crocodiles, and ospreys are often spotted near the marina,” Gantt shared.
Beyond the marina, which includes a small store and gas station, the Flamingo section of the park features a campground and offers kayak, canoe, and bicycle rentals through Flamingo Adventures.
Explore the Ten Thousand Islands along the Gulf.
If you’re looking to navigate the scenic Gulf Coast, head to the Everglades City entrance near Naples. This area serves as the launch point for adventures to the Ten Thousand Islands, a labyrinth of mangrove islands accessible only by boat. Although the Gulf Coast Visitor Center was damaged by a hurricane in 2017 and is under reconstruction, you can still reserve a boat tour to the Ten Thousand Islands with Everglades National Park Adventures. This two-hour excursion is conducted on a 49-passenger pontoon boat with a knowledgeable guide and occasionally features an Everglades park ranger.
Troy Harrison/Getty ImagesEssential Wildlife and Natural Wonders
The Everglades is a vast wetland characterized by sawgrass marshes, pine flatwoods, and coastal mangroves. This lush wilderness is both captivating and intimidating, particularly considering it is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including the Florida panther, the West Indian manatee, and the endangered leatherback turtle.
However, no animals are more emblematic of the Everglades than alligators and crocodiles. Gantt emphasizes that "South Florida is the only place globally where [alligators and crocodiles] coexist due to the unique blend of freshwater and saltwater regions."
In addition to regular sightings of these majestic reptiles, Gantt highlights that the park boasts a vast array of birds, making it a vital stop on the migratory routes for many species. This results in exceptional birdwatching opportunities, particularly during the winter months.
Aside from its wildlife, Everglades National Park is rich in flora, featuring diverse plants, trees, and landscapes, ranging from coastal mangroves to hardwood forests. It's important to note that the park was originally designated as a protected area due to its rich biodiversity, which remains its greatest attraction.
Accommodations
Flamingo Lodge
The only hotel within Everglades National Park, the newly opened Flamingo Lodge, is situated at the southernmost point of the Florida peninsula, accessible via the Homestead entrance. This lodge features 24 rooms, including eight two-bedroom suites that can host up to six guests. Each room offers an east-facing balcony with stunning views of both the sunrise and sunset over Florida Bay.
Flamingo Glamping Tents and Houseboats
In addition to the new Flamingo Lodge, the Flamingo area offers two unique glamping experiences — one on land and one on the water. Guests can choose to stay in safari-style glamping tents, equipped with a fan and electricity. Remember to bring your own sleeping pad and bag.
For something truly special, consider booking one of the 42-foot houseboats. These come with kitchens, bathrooms, linens, and air conditioning, accommodating up to six guests and allowing for exploration on the water.
Long Pine Key and Flamingo Campgrounds
The other lodging options within the park are the Long Pine Key and Flamingo campgrounds. Both offer RV and tent sites with easy access by vehicle. Long Pine Key Campground is the most accessible, located near the Homestead entrance, while Flamingo Campground is nestled deeper within the park. Each campground provides excellent stargazing opportunities and convenient access to the Flamingo Marina, a favored launch point for fishing trips.
Boogich/Getty ImagesWhere to Eat
The newly opened Flamingo Restaurant is situated next to the Flamingo Lodge and stands as the park’s sole full-service dining establishment.
According to Gantt, “The new Flamingo Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a full-service bar. Anglers venturing out with a licensed fishing guide can also enjoy the restaurant's Cook Your Catch program, allowing them to bring back their freshly caught fish for preparation.”
Numerous dining choices are available in the cities surrounding the park — Miami, Naples, and Homestead — but most guests opt to bring their own food and beverages. Picnic tables can be found at the Long Pine Key and Flamingo campgrounds.
For quick snacks and beverages, Gantt mentions that a limited selection is available at the park’s visitor centers (Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, Royal Palm Visitor Center, and Shark Valley Visitor Center) as well as at the shop by the Flamingo marina.
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