Everglades National Park: Visitor Guide

Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of the largest subtropical wilderness in North America. The landscape is not mountains or canyons — it is water, grass, and sky. The Everglades is a slow-moving river of freshwater, 60 miles wide and barely 6 inches deep, flowing from Lake Okeechobee south through sawgrass prairie to Florida Bay. It is one of the most biologically diverse parks in the US, with 36 threatened or protected species including the American crocodile, Florida panther, and West Indian manatee.

Entry Fees and Passes

Entry costs approximately $35 per vehicle as of 2026 (valid for seven days, covers all occupants). Motorcycles pay approximately $30; individuals on foot or bicycle pay approximately $20. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entry.

The park has three main access points:

Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center (main south entrance, near Homestead, FL) — 24 hours, fee station staffed daily.
Shark Valley (north entrance, off US-41) — open daily, separate entry.
Gulf Coast Visitor Center (Everglades City, northwest entrance) — access to Ten Thousand Islands canoe area.

When to Visit

December through April (dry season): The only season we recommend for most visitors. Water levels drop, concentrating wildlife in remaining pools and along trails. Alligator and bird viewing reaches its peak — wading birds including roseate spoonbills, great blue herons, and wood storks crowd the feeding pools. Temperatures are 65–80°F with low humidity. Mosquitoes are manageable.

May through November (wet season): Not recommended for most visitors. Temperatures reach 95°F+ with extreme humidity; rainfall is near-daily; mosquito density becomes severe enough to make outdoor activity miserable without full-coverage clothing and DEET. Flash floods can make some trails impassable. Wildlife disperses across the flooded landscape and becomes harder to see. However, summer is the only time to see nesting sea turtles on Florida Bay beaches.

January through February: Peak dry season. Best wildlife concentration; best birding. Temperatures 65–75°F. Most visitor programs are active.

Getting There

From Miami, FL (36 miles to Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, approximately 45 minutes via the Florida Turnpike and FL-9336): The primary approach. Miami International Airport (MIA) has the widest international and domestic connections. Car rental from approximately $40/day. No public transit serves the park.

From Homestead, FL (10 miles to the main entrance, approximately 15 minutes): The last significant town before the park. Full range of services including gas, grocery, and accommodation.

From Naples, FL (78 miles to Everglades City / Gulf Coast Visitor Center, approximately 1.25 hours via US-41 E): The approach for the northwest Ten Thousand Islands area. Naples Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is a viable alternative.

Shark Valley entrance (Tamiami Trail / US-41, approximately 25 miles from Miami’s western edge): A distinct, easily accessible northern section focused on wildlife viewing without the full south-park drive.

Must-See Trails and Attractions

Anhinga Trail — 0.8 miles round trip (easy, 30–45 minutes) from the Royal Palm area. One of the best wildlife-viewing trails in the entire US national park system. Boardwalk and paved path along a deep freshwater slough. Anhinga birds dry their wings on branches 10 feet away; alligators float motionless below the walkway; purple gallinules and great blue herons hunt from the grass. Visit at 7–9am for the highest wildlife density.

Gumbo Limbo Trail — 0.4 miles round trip (easy, 20 minutes), adjacent to Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm. A hammock (elevated hardwood forest) of gumbo-limbo trees (with peeling red bark) and royal palms. Good for orchids and ferns in dry season.

Pa-hay-okee Overlook — 0.4 miles round trip (easy, 15 minutes). An elevated walkway over an open sawgrass prairie with views of the Glades landscape that define the Everglades. The best single viewpoint for the open-water grass ecosystem.

Eco Pond Loop (near Flamingo) — 0.5 miles round trip (easy, 30 minutes). A freshwater pond at the park’s southern edge that concentrates wading birds and alligators in dry season. American crocodiles (saltwater habitat) are seen in the Flamingo marina channel.

Shark Valley Tram Road — 15-mile paved loop (moderate by bicycle, 2–3 hours; or tram tour 2 hours). The 65-foot Shark Valley Observation Tower at the midpoint gives views across the sawgrass river. Bicycle rentals at the Shark Valley entrance: approximately $10/hour as of 2026. Tram tours: approximately $28/adult, $21/child as of 2026. The highest alligator density in the park is on this loop.

Florida Bay and Cape Sable — The southernmost section of the park, accessible by boat from Flamingo. Flat-water kayaking and canoe routes. American crocodile habitat. Flamingo Visitor Center has kayak and canoe rentals (approximately $25/hour, $70/day as of 2026). Motorboat rentals: approximately $200/half-day.

Ten Thousand Islands (Gulf Coast, Everglades City) — A labyrinthine coastal wilderness of mangrove islands and tidal channels. Canoe and kayak routes range from 2-hour paddles to a 99-mile Wilderness Waterway (7–10 days). Outstanding fishing, manatee sightings, and complete isolation. Canoe rentals from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center from approximately $35/half-day.

Permits

Day hiking and day use of all developed areas and short trails requires no permit beyond park entry.

Backcountry camping (overnight canoe/kayak trips and backcountry chickees and ground sites) requires a backcountry permit, approximately $15/trip + $2/person/night as of 2026. Available online at recreation.gov (up to 24 hours in advance) or in person from visitor centers. Chickee platforms (elevated wood platforms over open water) are the only overnight option in the mangrove zone — sleeping on the ground in the backcountry is limited to a few designated beach sites.

Wilderness Waterway permit: The 99-mile route from Everglades City to Flamingo is the premier backcountry canoe/kayak route. Permit required as above; plan for 7–10 days. Detailed route planning available from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.

Fishing permit: Florida state fishing license required for fishing within the park (freshwater license for interior; saltwater for Florida Bay and Gulf zones). Available from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission online at myfwc.com. Approximately $17/3 days or $47/annual for non-residents as of 2026.

Accommodation

In-park:

Flamingo Glamping Tents (reopened post-2022 hurricane): Canvas glamping tents at Flamingo (the southernmost point reachable by road). From approximately $130/night. Limited availability; book at recreation.gov. The adjacent Flamingo Marina store provides basic supplies.
Flamingo Campground — Ground sites and waterfront sites approximately $30–40/night. Electric hookups available. Open year-round. Reservations via recreation.gov.

Backcountry campgrounds: 46 designated sites (chickees, ground, and beach sites). Permit required (see above). No facilities other than the chickee platforms.

Homestead, FL (10 miles from the main entrance):

Chain hotels: Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn from approximately $100–130/night.
Budget motels from approximately $70/night.
Everglades Hostel & Tours (in Florida City, adjacent to Homestead) — Dorms from approximately $30/night; private rooms from approximately $70/night. Runs guided Everglades tours from the hostel.

Florida City, FL (12 miles from the entrance): Budget and mid-range hotels; the Miccosukee Resort & Gaming is nearby with rooms from approximately $90/night.

Miami, FL (36 miles): Full range of accommodation. Using Miami as a base adds significant commute time but maximizes restaurant and entertainment options.

Everglades City, FL (Gulf Coast entrance):

Small town with a handful of inns. Ivey House Bed & Breakfast (canoe/kayak outfitter on-site) from approximately $110/night. Book ahead for dry season weekends.

Packing and Preparation

Insect repellent is mandatory: Even in dry season, mosquitoes are present at dawn and dusk. In wet season, the levels are extraordinary — full DEET concentration (30%+) and long sleeves are not optional. The NPS rates the Everglades mosquito season among the most intense in the continental US.
Sun protection: The Everglades is an exposed, flat landscape with essentially no shade outside the tree hammocks. SPF 50+, wide-brim hat, and UV-protective clothing are critical on any trail or water route.
Hydration: The climate is subtropical. Humidity and heat cause dehydration faster than visitors typically expect. Carry at least 2 liters of water per person for any hike longer than 1 mile.
Wildlife precautions: Alligators are wild animals and behave unpredictably. Maintain at least 15 feet of distance; never feed or approach them. The Everglades is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles coexist — crocodiles are in the saltwater areas near Flamingo and the Gulf Coast.
Sunrise timing for Anhinga Trail: Arriving at the Anhinga Trail at 7am in dry season virtually guarantees extraordinary wildlife encounters within yards of the boardwalk. The midday heat disperses animals.
Maps for backcountry water routes: The Ten Thousand Islands and Wilderness Waterway backcountry requires detailed nautical charts — the channels look identical from water level. NOAA nautical charts are available at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center. GPS is strongly recommended.
Cell coverage: Minimal throughout the park south of Homestead and in Everglades City. Download offline maps and confirm plans before entering the backcountry.