National park · United States
Everglades National Park
Give the Everglades one full day, not a drive-through: enter at Homestead before 8:00 for the Anhinga Trail, then pick one more stop — Shark Valley tram or the Flamingo road — and go December–April, when the water drops and the wildlife concentrates.Give the Everglades one full day, not a drive-through: enter at Homestead before 8:00 AM for the Anhinga Trail, then pick one more stop — Shark Valley tram or the Flamingo road — and go December–April, when the water drops and the wildlife concentrates.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
6,105 km² (2,357 sq mi)2,357 sq mi (6,105 km²)
approximate
Established
1947
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 9Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
- Southwest ↗Most national parks here charge an entrance fee per vehicle; the nationwide annual pass pays off at three or more parks — check current prices.
- Southwest ↗Alcohol is banned on the Navajo Nation and in many pueblos; some Utah restaurants do not serve alcohol or coffee.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 6,105 km² (2,357 sq mi)2,357 sq mi (6,105 km²)
- About 1.5 million acres; the third-largest national park in the lower 48 (check).
- Established
- 1947
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
> - The Everglades is a slow, shallow river of grass running from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay, and the park protects the southern third of it: sawgrass marsh, cypress and pine islands, mangrove coast and the Ten Thousand Islands. It is flat, which is the point — a few inches of elevation changes the plants, the birds and the animals. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a Biosphere Reserve and a Ramsar wetland, one of only three places on all three lists. Winter is the dry season: the water shrinks to the deeper holes, wildlife gathers there, and every road, trail and tour runs. Summer is hot, wet and buggy, with facilities on reduced hours.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1979Everglades National Park.
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1976Everglades and Dry Tortugas Biosphere Reserve.
- Ramsar wetland · 1987Wetland of International Importance.
Size and age
6,105 km² (2,357 sq mi)2,357 sq mi (6,105 km²) · national park since 1947
About 1.5 million acres; the third-largest national park in the lower 48 (check).
Why go
- The Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm is the surest wildlife walk in Florida: alligators, herons, anhingas and turtles from a boardwalk, in an hour.
- Shark Valley's 15-mile loop puts you in the middle of the river of grass by tram or bike, with an observation tower at the far end.
- The Flamingo road runs 38 miles south through changing habitats to Florida Bay, where crocodiles bask and manatees surface at the marina.
- The Ten Thousand Islands mangrove maze off Everglades City is a boat-and-kayak landscape with no road access at all.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, mild; peak season, book tours
- FebDry and clear; busiest month
- MarWarm, still dry; wildlife concentrated
- AprHotter; mosquitoes start
- MayWet season begins; bugs build
- JunRain, heat, heavy mosquitoes
- JulWettest and buggiest; some closures
- AugHurricane season; heat and storms
- SepPeak hurricane risk; limited services
- OctRains ease late in the month
- NovDry season returns; facilities reopen
- DecDry, cool, full services
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alligators (Anhinga Trail, Shark Valley)Nov–Apr · Most visible when water is low; keep 15 ft away. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| American crocodile (Flamingo marina)Nov–May · Bask on the far bank at low tide; Florida Bay is the only place both crocodiles and alligators live. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| West Indian manatee (Flamingo)Nov–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Wading birds and roseate spoonbillsJan–Apr · Dry season concentrates fish and birds in the remaining water. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| MosquitoesMay–Oct · Severe in the wet season; long sleeves and repellent or stay in the car. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Miami
Drive US-1 south to Homestead, then the park entrance road; or US-41 west to Shark Valley.
45–75 min
Open the page →
From Miami International Airport
Rental car or rideshare; no public transport reaches the park entrances.
1–1.5 h
From Naples
I-75 east then US-41 to Shark Valley, or south to Everglades City for the Gulf Coast entrance.
1–1.5 h
From Southwest Florida
Where to base yourself between Miami, Naples and the park.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Palm and the Anhinga Trail | Boardwalk over a year-round wet hole; the best short wildlife walk in the park. | Open with a ticket; car park fills by mid-morning in winter. |
| Shark Valley | The 15-mile tram and bike loop with a 65-ft observation tower, off US-41. | Open with a ticket; tram and bike rentals book out. |
| Flamingo and Florida Bay | The southern end: marina, campground, boat tours, crocodiles and manatees. | Open; services are minimal, bring food and water. |
| Gulf Coast and Ten Thousand Islands | Mangrove islands and waterways reached by boat from Everglades City. | Boat tours and kayak rentals; backcountry permits here. |
Sketch map
- 1Ernest Coe Visitor Center (Homestead entrance) · Headquarters≈25.395, -80.583Map ↗
- 2Royal Palm / Anhinga Trail · Trail≈25.382, -80.609Map ↗
- 3Shark Valley Visitor Center · Headquarters≈25.757, -80.768Map ↗
- 4Flamingo Visitor Center · Headquarters≈25.141, -80.924Map ↗
- 5Gulf Coast Visitor Center (Everglades City) · Headquarters≈25.845, -81.387Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions of the four visitor centres and the Anhinga Trail, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entrance (private vehicle) | US$35 | vehicle | Valid 7 days; 2026 estimate. |
| Park entrance (on foot, bike or boat) | US$20 | person | Valid 7 days; 2026 estimate. |
| Park entrance (motorcycle) | US$30 | motorcycle | 2026 estimate. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | pass | Covers entrance at federal sites for a year; 2026 estimate. |
| Shark Valley tram tour | US$30–45 | person | Reserve ahead in winter; 2026 estimate (check). |
| Camping, Long Pine Key or Flamingo | US$25–40 | site | Per night; Flamingo has more hookups; 2026 estimate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entrance permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Fishing permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$35
- US$20
- US$30
- US$80
- US$30–45
- US$25–40
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on NPS — Everglades fees and passes before you go.
Park rules
- Wildlife distance
- Stay at least 15 ft from alligators and crocodiles; never feed any animal.
- Collecting
- Plants and animals are protected; one quart of empty seashells per person is the only allowance.
- Jet skis and water skiing
- Prohibited in park waters.
- Drones
- Launching or landing a drone is not allowed without park permission (check).check
- Fires
- Only in provided rings at campgrounds; no fires in the backcountry.
Where to stay
In the park
Flamingo campground and eco-tents
The only lodging inside the park: campsites and simple permanent tents at the marina.
In the park
Long Pine Key campground
Drive-in sites in pine forest near the Homestead entrance; seasonal.
Near the park
Homestead and Florida City
Motels and chain hotels 15–30 min from the main entrance; the practical base.
Near the park
Everglades City
Small-town inns and seafood restaurants by the Gulf Coast entrance.
Safety
Heat and sun medium
Mosquitoes high
Hurricanes and storms medium
Wildlife medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Anhinga Trail, Royal Palm boardwalks, West Lake and the Shark Valley tram are wheelchair-accessible.
- The Shark Valley tram removes the need to walk the 15-mile loop.
- Backcountry trails and canoe routes are not accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on trails and boardwalks; the marsh is fragile and easy to trample.
- Do not feed wildlife or leave food — it changes animal behaviour and endangers them.
- Take all rubbish out; services are minimal south of the entrance.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Everglades National Park?
A private vehicle pays about US$35 for seven days, a motorcycle about US$30, and anyone arriving on foot, by bike or by boat about US$20 per person (2026 estimate). An America the Beautiful annual pass at about US$80 covers this park and other federal sites for a year.
What are the best hikes in Everglades National Park?
The Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm is the best short walk — 0.8 mi of boardwalk with alligators and wading birds. Add the 15-mile Shark Valley loop by bike or tram, the Gumbo Limbo and Mahogany Hammock boardwalks, and the 0.5-mile West Lake Trail through mangroves. All are flat and easy; there are no mountain hikes here.
When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park?
December to April. The dry season lowers the water, wildlife gathers at the remaining pools, mosquitoes are manageable and all facilities, tours and campgrounds are open. June to October is hot, wet and buggy, with reduced hours and hurricane risk.
Can I see the Everglades in one day from Miami?
Yes, but pick two stops, not five. Enter at Homestead early, walk the Anhinga Trail, then drive south to Flamingo or west to Shark Valley. The park is 1.5 million acres with no public transport, so driving between areas eats the day.
Do I need a reservation or permit?
No permit for day visits — just the entrance fee. Backcountry camping needs a free permit from a visitor centre, and Shark Valley tram tours and boat tours should be reserved ahead in the dry season.
Is Everglades National Park the same as Big Cypress?
No. Big Cypress National Preserve is a separate protected area just north of the park along US-41, with its own rules and no entrance fee. Many visitors combine the two.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go