EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
The Everglades is a singular River of Grass, a vast, slow-moving sheet of water and sawgrass that defines South Florida’s unique wilderness. It is a subtropical wetland supporting an incredible array of plant and animal life.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is a globally significant ecosystem, offering a crucial habitat for endangered species and a stunning landscape of cypress swamps, mangrove forests, and marine estuaries.
Most Popular Attractions
Main Visitor Areas & Access Points:
Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center (Homestead): The main park entrance offering exhibits, an introductory film, and ranger-led programs.
Royal Palm Visitor Center: A short drive from the main entrance, it is the trailhead for the park’s two most popular walking trails.
Gulf Coast Visitor Center (Everglades City): The main access point for the Ten Thousand Islands area and the wilderness waterway.
Shark Valley Visitor Center: Located off the Tamiami Trail (US-41), known for its scenic tram tour and 65-foot observation tower.
Flamingo Visitor Center: Situated at the southernmost tip of the park, offering boat tours, camping, and marina services.
Key Trails & Hiking:
Anhinga Trail (Royal Palm): A famous paved trail over marshland, known for high concentrations of alligators, wading birds, and anhingas.
Gumbo Limbo Trail (Royal Palm): A paved loop through a lush, shaded hammock of tropical trees.
Mahogany Hammock Trail: A boardwalk winding through a dense, tropical hardwood hammock, featuring the largest living mahogany tree in the US.
Paurotis Pond: A beautiful spot for birdwatching and kayaking, often featuring nesting roseate spoonbills.
Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail (Flamingo): A popular marked paddling trail through a shallow, mangrove-edged pond.
Boating, Kayaking & Water Activities:
Wilderness Waterway: A 99-mile marine trail from Everglades City to Flamingo, ideal for multi-day paddling trips.
Ten Thousand Islands: A labyrinth of mangrove islands and estuaries accessible from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, famous for fishing and wildlife viewing.
Eco-Pond (Flamingo): A lagoon popular for spotting crocodiles, manatees, and various birds.
Florida Bay: The large bay accessible from Flamingo, offering excellent opportunities for fishing and viewing marine life.
Airboat Tours: Operating just outside the official park boundaries (primarily on the Tamiami Trail), offering a high-speed way to experience the sawgrass marshes.
Scenic Drives & Cycling:
Main Park Road (Homestead to Flamingo): A 38-mile scenic drive offering numerous pull-offs and trailheads into the sawgrass marsh and coastal prairie.
Shark Valley Loop Road: A 15-mile paved loop road, popular for cycling or the two-hour interpretive tram tour.
Snake Bight Trail (Flamingo): A trail popular for cycling, leading to an overlook on Florida Bay.
Coastal Prairie Trail: A long, unpaved trail for experienced hikers or cyclists, leading to the coast.
Historical & Cultural Sites:
Nike Missile Site (HM-69): A preserved Cold War-era military site near the main road, offering a unique historical tour.
Mrazek Pond: A deep-water slough historically known for attracting large numbers of wading birds.
Activities & Experiences
Take a Shark Valley Tram Tour: Ride the 15-mile paved loop on a guided tram or bike, offering prime opportunities for spotting alligators, wading birds, and other wildlife right next to the path.
Go Kayaking or Canoeing in the Mangrove Tunnels: Rent a watercraft and navigate the intricate, shaded passageways created by mangrove roots, especially around the Gulf Coast (Everglades City) and Flamingo areas.
Hike the Anhinga Trail (Royal Palm): A short, paved, and boardwalk loop famous for its exceptional concentration of wildlife, including alligators, turtles, and the iconic Anhinga bird, visible year-round.
Experience a Slough Slog (Wet Hike): Join a park-ranger-led, off-trail experience walking through the sawgrass marsh (the “slough”) for a true, immersive understanding of the “River of Grass.”
Camp at Flamingo: Stay overnight in a tent or rent an eco-tent at the southernmost point of the park, offering a chance to see crocodiles, manatees, and fantastic stargazing away from city lights.
Go Saltwater Fishing: Launch a boat or hire a guide to fish the waters of Florida Bay or the Gulf of Mexico for snook, redfish, and sea trout (requires a valid Florida fishing license).
Take an Airboat Tour (Outside the Park Boundaries): Experience the fastest way to travel the ‘glades in the surrounding areas (like the Miccosukee Indian Village or Everglades Safari Park) to see wildlife and learn about the local culture.
Observe Birdwatching at Eco Pond (Flamingo): Visit this small, brackish pond near Flamingo during the dry season (winter) to see vast numbers of migratory and local wading birds feeding.
Cycle the L-67 Canal Road: Bring your bike for a less crowded cycling experience along a service road that follows a canal, perfect for birding and viewing the remote sections of the marsh.
Learn from a Ranger Talk: Attend a free ranger-led program at a Visitor Center (like Ernest Coe or Gulf Coast) to gain deeper insight into the park’s ecology, history, and current conservation efforts.
Take the Gulf Coast Boat Tour: Join a guided boat trip from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center (Everglades City) into the Ten Thousand Islands area to see dolphins, manatees, and nesting seabirds.
Stargazing in a Certified Dark Sky Area: Because of its remote location, the Everglades offers unparalleled night sky viewing. Check the park calendar for potential astronomer-led events.
Local Tips & Transport
Car is Essential: The Everglades is a massive park, and nearly all activities require driving. The main roads—State Road 9336 (to Flamingo) and the Tamiami Trail (US 41, for Shark Valley/Gulf Coast access)—are long, and public transport within the park is non-existent.
Key Distances: The park’s main entrance (Ernest Coe) to the Flamingo visitor center is approximately 40 miles (64 km) one way. Plan for a minimum of 1.5 hours of driving without stops.
Inside the Park: Once at a major hub (like Royal Palm or Shark Valley), walking, biking (rentals available at Shark Valley and Flamingo), or utilizing a concessionaire tram/boat tour are the primary ways to explore.
Entrance Fees: You must pay an entrance fee upon entering the park (valid for seven days). America the Beautiful annual passes are also accepted.
Limited Services: Be aware that gas stations, cell service, and Wi-Fi are extremely limited once you pass the main Visitor Centers. Fill your tank and download maps before entering.
Know the Seasons:
- Dry Season (Nov-Apr): Cooler, less humid, and best for wildlife viewing. Lower water levels concentrate birds and alligators near the few remaining water sources. This is the peak visitor time.
- Wet Season (May-Oct): Hot, very humid, and prone to sudden thunderstorms. Higher water levels disperse wildlife, but this is the prime time for viewing beautiful blooming wildflowers and lush vegetation.
The Mosquito Factor: Mosquitoes are legendary here. During the wet season, they can be overwhelming, especially at dawn and dusk. Strong insect repellent (DEET) is absolutely necessary.
Never Feed the Wildlife: This is a park rule and a safety issue. Alligators and crocodiles are wild; maintain a safe distance (15 feet/4.5 meters is the recommended minimum).
Crocodile vs. Alligator: The Everglades is the only place in the world where both American Alligators (U-shaped snout, freshwater/brackish) and American Crocodiles (V-shaped snout, more saltwater) coexist. Crocodiles are generally found further south near Flamingo.
Hidden Gems:
- Pa-Hay-Okee Lookout Tower: A quick walk onto an elevated boardwalk provides a 360-degree view of the vast, open sawgrass prairie, truly capturing the essence of the “River of Grass.”
- Gator Hook Trail: A less-trafficked, unpaved trail (often very muddy/wet) near the main road, offering a quiet, deeper look into the pine rockland habitat. Bring waterproof shoes and bug spray.
- The Big Cypress National Preserve: Located adjacent to the western Everglades, this preserve offers a chance to explore a different, equally beautiful swamp environment dominated by cypress trees—a great area for photography and scenic drives.
Water Safety: If boating or kayaking, be mindful of changing tides, sandbars, and the immense size of Florida Bay. Always check the weather forecast before heading out on the water.
Top Restaurants
Shiver’s Seafood Restaurant [$20-$40] – A no-frfrills, family-owned institution in Everglades City known for its fresh stone crab (in season), Gulf Coast seafood, and famous local gator tail.
Camellia Street Grill [$15-$30] – A charming, rustic, and colorful waterfront eatery in Everglades City, known for its creative dishes, excellent fish tacos, and a laid-back, “Old Florida” atmosphere.
Triad Seafood Market & Cafe [$20-$45] – Located right on the water in Everglades City, this spot is a classic fish house and market specializing in super-fresh, locally-sourced seafood, particularly the seasonal stone crab.
City Seafood [$15-$35] – A genuine working fish house and casual restaurant in Everglades City where you can watch the boats come in and enjoy fresh catches, boiled shrimp, and a cold beer on the dock.
Hole in the Wall Pizza & Subs [$10-$20] – A very casual, locally-loved spot in Everglades City, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal with homemade pizza and hearty sandwiches after a day on the water.
Rod and Gun Club [$25-$50] – While historically significant and thus popular, this is an Old Florida staple in Everglades City offering a formal, historic dining room with classic seafood, prime rib, and a fantastic porch overlooking the river.
Everglades Seafood Depot [$15-$30] – Located in Everglades City, this spot is known for its fresh catches and a slightly elevated take on classic Florida seafood dishes, popular with local fishermen and residents.
Grimm’s Stone Crab [$25-$50] – A humble, seasonal roadside stand and market (check operating hours) in Everglades City that serves some of the freshest stone crab you can find, caught by their own fleet.
Joanie’s Blue Crab Cafe [$15-$30] – A unique, brightly painted shack on Tamiami Trail (US 41), famous for its frog legs, gator tail, and fresh blue crab, offering an authentic, eccentric taste of the Glades.
Oasis Stop & Go [$10-$25] – A highly-recommended gas station and deli on Tamiami Trail known for surprisingly delicious, made-to-order Cuban sandwiches, hearty breakfasts, and a real local feel.
Island Cafe [$15-$30] – Located in the small, quaint town of Chokoloskee, this simple, community-focused café offers fresh seafood and homestyle cooking, popular with fishermen and local park service employees.
The Crab Shack [$20-$40] – A casual, rustic spot in Chokoloskee that focuses on locally-caught blue and stone crab, served in a no-frills, authentic Glades setting right near the water.
Robert Is Here Fruit Stand [$5-$15] – Not a restaurant, but an absolute must-stop near Homestead; famous for its unique milkshakes (try the Key Lime or the local Mamey), fresh local produce, and exotic fruit.
Knaus Berry Farm [$5-$15] – A seasonal (November-April) local treasure near Homestead, known for its unbelievably fresh, famous sticky cinnamon rolls and pick-your-own strawberries and tomatoes.
The Pit Bar-B-Q [$15-$25] – A Homestead favorite specializing in classic Southern BBQ, known for its smoky ribs, pulled pork, and a lively, local atmosphere right on US 1.
Chef Ernie’s Restaurant [$20-$35] – A dependable, locally-owned establishment in Homestead offering a solid menu of steaks, seafood, and Italian-American dishes, known for its large portions and consistency.
Casita Tejas Mexican Restaurant [$10-$20] – A beloved, casual Mexican spot in Homestead known for its authentic flavors, excellent tacos, and generous plates that are popular with the local community.
Porky’s Bayside Restaurant & Marina [$20-$40] – While slightly further afield in Islamorada (en route to Key West), it’s a necessary stop for authentic Key West Pink Shrimp and smoked fish dip with a stunning view.
Alabama Jack’s [$15-$30] – Located on a small island near Key Largo, this quintessential, rustic open-air crab shack is known for its conch fritters and laid-back atmosphere on the water.