Everglades National Park is an international treasure. Visitors come from all over the world to galavant through the 1.5 million acres of tropical wetland, experience the airboat rides through shallow swamps, paddle across calm lakes, spot dozens of alligators, and hike across wildlife-riddled marshes.
While the Everglades is known for its staggering annual rainfall records, humid air, fierce hurricanes, and thick clouds of mosquitoes, you shouldn’t let the less-than-enthusiastic reputation prevent you from perusing the swamps, rivers, and wetlands.
If you visit in the right season, you can avoid the rain, the hurricanes, the bugs, AND the hot, sticky weather. Instead, you can relish in mild temperatures, dry nights under the stars, and of course, many forms of enjoyable outdoor recreation. Don’t worry; I’ll share with you exactly when to visit so that you have the best chance at making this happen!
In this Complete Guide to Everglades National Park, I will share the top hikes, the best things to do, when to go, where to stay, and more!
Complete Guide to Everglades National Park
Quick Facts About Everglades
- Location: Florida, USA
- Established: 1947
- Size: 1.5 million acres
- Annual Visitors: 1,155,193 (2022)
- Fee: $30/vehicle for 7 days or FREE with an annual pass
- Visitor Centers: Gulf Coast, Shark Valley, Ernest F. Coe, Flamingo, Royal Palm
Fun Facts About Everglades
Everglades is home to one of the largest wetlands in the world.
Everglades is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles can coexist.
Everglades contains the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere.
Everglades is home to thirteen endangered and ten threatened species.
Everglades is home to the largest continuous stand of sawgrass prairie in North America.
Everglades receives about 60 inches of rain per year. That’s almost twice the amount that Seattle, Washington receives!
Everglades is the third largest National Park in the lower 48 states, after Death Valley and Yellowstone.
A snake owner let loose his pet Burmese python in the park in 1979, and now the non-native species are invading the Everglades. It is estimated that there are hundreds of thousands of them in South Florida.
Top Hikes in Everglades
Bobcat Boardwalk Trail
- Distance: 1 mile
- Type of Trail: Out & Back
- Elevation: 0 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
Located just behind the Shark Valley Visitor Center, this 0.5-mile one-way trail leads you through sawgrass slough and tropical hardwood forests. As you zigzag along the boardwalk through the dense brush, you will probably spot alligators and turtles loitering in the waters and birds circling the swamps and resting atop tree branches.
My favorite way to hike this trail is to treat the walk as a one-way and at the end of the boardwalk, pick up the Shark Valley Tram Trail and begin hiking that paved path.
Gumbo Limbo Trail
- Distance: 0.4 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation: 0 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
This paved trail begins at the Royal Palm Visitor Center. The looped boardwalk trail meanders through a shaded, jungle-like hardwood hammock of gumbo limbo trees, royal palms, ferns, and air plants.
Gumbo limbo trees are native to South Florida and are large, semi-evergreen trees that can reach up to 60 feet tall. They’ve got red bark and unique branches. It’s definitely worth it to wander through the trees on this trail!
While you’re near the Gumbo Limbo Trail, make sure to hike the Anhinga Trail, which I’ll mention next.
Anhinga Trail
- Distance: 0.8 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation: 0 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
This trail begins at Royal Palm Visitor Center right beside the Gumbo Limbo trailhead. It twists through a sawgrass marsh, where alligators, turtles, anhingas, herons, and egrets are known to hang out.
Shark Valley Tram Trail
- Distance: 15 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation: 26 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
The Shark Valley Tram Trail is a shared paved loop that accommodates tram tours, bikers, runners, and hikers. Along this path, you’ll see a plethora of alligators, birds, and other wildlife in and around the freshwater marsh.
The bog runs the length of the west side of the loop, so there will be plenty of chances to stop and see the wildlife lurking in and around the waters. But beware, gators are known to block the walking/biking path from time to time, so give them as wide of a girth as possible when passing! We saw dozens of them on this trail alone, many of which were either very close to the path or directly on the path. (We visited in January).
If you make it halfway through the loop, don’t forget to stop at the Shark Valley Observation Tower. The tower is the highest elevation you can reach by foot in the entire park: 70 feet. Enjoy panoramic views of up to 20 miles of the Everglades and glimpse the diverse landscapes stretching far and wide into the distance.
Where to Stay in Everglades
Lodging (Inside the Park)
There is no lodging inside the park. Consider camping in the park or staying outside of the park.
Lodging (Outside the Park)
Lodging is available in communities surrounding the park, including Homestead, Florida City, Miami, Everglades City, and Chokoloskee. Here are a few options:
TownePlace Suites Miami Homestead
Home2 Suites by Hilton Florida City
Camping
There are two drive-in frontcountry campgrounds in Everglades National Park.
- Flamingo Campground. Located near the Homestead entrance at the southernmost section of the park, this campground has 274 RV and tent sites, solar-heated showers, two dump stations, picnic tables, grills, an amphitheater for seasonal Ranger programs, several hiking trails and canoe trails, and opportunities for saltwater fishing. Reserve your site here.
- Long Pine Key Campground. Open seasonally November-May, this campground has 108 tent and RV sites, a dump station, flush toilets, showers, fire rings, and picnic tables. Reserve your site here.
Backpacking
There are a number of ground sites, beach sites, and elevated camping platforms (“chickees”) available in various locations in the park. Most wilderness camping sites are accessible by canoe, kayak, or motorboat, though a few may be reached by hikers.
A wilderness camping permit is required for all wilderness campsites and issued the day before or the day of your trip at either the Flamingo or Gulf Coast Visitor Centers.
Preparation is extremely important for a successful trip. Plan your trip here.
Getting Around Everglades
While you can certainly access the park with a vehicle, the best way to experience the park is by boat. Take an airboat tour through the freshwater swamps, rent a canoe or kayak on one of the many pristine lakes, or charter a boat to get out on the waters.
Also, drivers should note that gas stations are pretty limited throughout the park so make sure you have plenty of fuel before entering. Florida isn’t a state I thought would be “remote,” but there are definitely some deserted stretches in South Florida.
When to Visit Everglades
The dry season runs from December through April, making this the best time to visit the Everglades. Note that since this is the “high season” for tourist visitation, prices are usually higher.
The wet season is considered to be May through November. During this time, rain is likely, hurricanes are possible, temperatures are hot, and the air is sticky.
Best Non-Hiking Activities in Everglades
Bike the Shark Valley Tram Road
Biking the Shark Valley Tram Road was one of my favorite things to do in the park. You can bike the whole 15-mile loop, or just conquer a section of it. Either way, you’ll get to see tons of wildlife like gators, turtles, and birds.
While you can hike on this paved road as well, you’ll be able to see more in less time while on a bike.
If you are interested, two-hour guided tram tours also are available for this route. You’ll ride in a tram along the entire length of the loop while you receive commentary from a knowledgeable ranger.
Take an Airboat Through the Everglades
This was also one of my favorite experiences in the park. If you only have time for one activity in the park, take an airboat ride!
An airboat is basically a flat-bottomed watercraft propelled by a large propeller and powered by either a jet engine or an automotive motor. It practically glides across the surface of the water with the help of its propeller. By skimming the top of the water, airboats don’t disturb vegetation or wildlife, making them one of the best ways to see the swamps.
An airboat ride through the Everglades won’t be overly crazy but it will be fun. The driver will zip through the marshes, twist and turn through the vegetation, and stop at any alligator sighting.
Since there are many different airboat outfitters throughout the park, it can seem overwhelming to pick just one. You’ll cruise by dozens on Route 41 alone.
To make your decision easier, there are only three authorized airboat businesses that offer professional tours inside Everglades National Park.
- Coopertown Airboats
- Everglades Safari Park. This is the tour we did!
- Gator Park
What to Explore Around Everglades
If you’re going to be in South Florida for a while, these are some other places I’d recommend for you to visit near the Everglades:
- Biscayne National Park
- Dry Tortugas National Park
- Bahia Honda State Park
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Curry Hammock State Park
- Long Key State Park
