everglades tourist video

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Everything you need to know about Everglades National Park

Plan your trip to the southern tip of Florida to visit the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States.

Why you should go to Everglades National Park

Sprawling between South Florida’s Lake Okeechobee and the Gulf of Mexico, the Everglades is one of the world’s largest tropical wetlands. About 20 percent of the region is protected within the confines of Everglades National Park , the third largest national park after Death Valley and Yellowstone in the lower 48 states. While the park’s main purpose is preserving wilderness, Everglades also provides plenty of scope for outdoor adventure.

Although technically a wetland , perhaps it’s best to think of the Everglades as the nation’s slowest, widest river—a constant stream of freshwater roughly 60 miles wide, moving at a speed of around 2.5 miles per day as it makes its way south to Florida Bay. The Seminole people called the region Okeechobee (“river of grass”). And while a large part of the Everglades is covered in razor-sharp sawgrass, the region also encompasses mangroves , tropical hardwood hammocks (island forests), pine and cypress forests, freshwater prairie, and various marine and estuarine habitats.

(This ambitious new trail will someday connect South Florida’s two national parks.)

“A visitor with an untrained eye—especially one used to the dramatic vistas of some western national parks—might arrive at Everglades National Park and think ‘What's the big deal?’” says Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades. “It's a park that requires you to really train your eye and be mindful and be present. When you do that, you can experience some really incredible and subtle nature.”

Where to find the best views in the park

With elevation ranging between sea level and eight feet, it’s not easy to snatch a lofty view of the park anywhere other than the 70-foot-high Shark Valley Observation Tower . Opened in 1984, the futuristic spiral renders views of up to 20 miles across the Everglades.

Fourteen miles west of Coe Visitor Center along the Main Park Road, the Pa-Hay-Okee boardwalk and elevated shade shelter provides another wide view across the river of grass.

One of the best coastal views is from the second-floor breezeway of the Guy Bradley Visitor Center in Flamingo.

Where to find the park’s best trails

Located near Coe Visitor Center, the Gumbo Limbo Trail (0.4 mile) and Anhinga Trail (0.8 mile) meander through Royal Palm hammock, while the 22-mile Long Pine Key Trails   penetrate the park’s largest stand of native pines.

Dead flat and paved, the 15-mile Shark Valley Trail varies between sawgrass marsh and tropical hardwood hammocks. Despite the name, there aren’t any sharks, just snoozing gators to step around (at a safe distance, of course).

Where to spot wildlife

Flamingo village is surprisingly good for wildlife. Osprey hatch and raise their young on nesting towers beside the marina, while manatees and American crocodile are sometimes spotted in the bay and nearby mangrove channels.

Alligators   routinely emerge from the swamp and sun themselves on or beside the Shark Valley Trail . It’s also a primo bird habitat for creepy-looking wood storks, gorgeous roseate spoonbills, and anhinga “snakebirds.”

Other places to watch gators and birdlife are the Anhinga Trail and Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk   in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park adjacent to the national park.

(Go on a wildlife odyssey through the Everglades and Key West.)

How to visit the park like a Nat Geo Explorer

National Geographic Young Explorer and conservation biologist Gabriela Tejeda has guided visitors along the park’s Florida Bay coast in boats, kayaks, and on paddleboards.

Her favorite way to explore inland areas is "slough slogging." It entails hiking in knee-to-waist-high water through sawgrass to reach secluded hardwood hammocks   or cypress domes —flora and fauna rich arboreal islands in the sawgrass.

When viewed from above, the domes form a rough circle around a pond. “What I didn’t know the first time I explored a dome,” Tejeda recalls, “is that the water in the middle is an ‘alligator hole’—a place where they hang out in the winter when the rest of the Everglades is drying out.”

“[The cypress domes] are unlike anything I had ever seen,” Tejeda continues. “I like to equate them to a fairy tale—a little fairy dome where you just feel like there’s going to be something magical flying around.” No fairy sightings so far. “But I always see owls and alligators and snakes.”

She highly recommends joining a ranger-led slough slog to Double Dome or other cypress domes along the Main Park Road.

Notable activities and excursions

Driving:   The Main Park Road runs through a variety of Everglades ecosystems—freshwater prairie, cypress forest, mangrove, and coastal marsh — on a 38-mile journey between the Coe Visitor Center and Flamingo . Along the way are sideroads to the Royal Palm trails, Historic Nike Missile Site , the   Mahogany Hammock boardwalk trail, and West Lake Boardwalk .

Tours:   Shark Valley offers two-hour narrated tram tours that stop at the Shark Valley Observation Tower. January through April, rangers lead Full Moon/New Moon Bike Rides and other activities.

Narrated boat tours depart from Flamingo and Everglades City . The latter is also homebase for private outfitters offering airboat tours, including Everglades City Airboat Tours. History buffs should visit the town’s small but interesting Museum of the Everglades .

Paddling:   Flamingo and Everglades City bookend the Everglades’ ultimate kayak/canoe experience —the Wilderness Waterway —a 99-mile meander through mangroves and marshes with raised platform “chickee hut” campsites along the way. Everglades City is also the starting point for self-guided paddles along the Turner River Canoe Trails .

Best things to do for families

Bikes & boats:   If keeping kids active is your mission, rent bikes and dodge snoozing alligators along the Shark Valley Tram Trail or explore Florida Bay and the mangroves by boat. Flamingo Adventures   offers canoe and kayak rentals in two-hour increments, as well as full-day pontoon boat rentals.

Tours:   Hop aboard a narrated boat tour of Florida Bay (from Flamingo Marina) or the Ten Thousand Islands (from Port Everglades); or feel the wind in your face during an adrenaline-pumping airboat ride from outfitters around the periphery of the park.

Junior Rangers:   Offered in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, the park’s Junior Ranger Booklet features hands-on and self-guided activities including a scavenger hunt to spot wild animals that call the park home.

The park also participates in the Every Kid Outdoors program that provides vouchers for fourth graders and their families in the U.S. to visit the Everglades (and other national parks) free of charge for an entire year.

Where to stay

Hotels: Destroyed by a hurricane in 2005, Flaming Lodge is open again with new waterview rooms. Outside the park, the closest hotels are in Homestead and Doral (on the eastern edge of the park) and Everglades City, Marco Island, and Naples (beyond the western edge).

Houseboats: Modern, six-person, 42-foot houseboats at Flamingo Marina are equipped with a bathroom (and with shower), an indoor galley, outside grill, air conditioning, bedding, and fish-cutting tables.

Camping: Long Pine Key Campground is open November 1 to April 30. Flamingo Campground is open year-round. Both feature bath houses, dump stations, and potable water. Reservations highly recommended. For camping with the comforts of home, Winter Glamping Tents are available November-April in Flamingo.

Wilderness camping is allowed on certain ground or beach sites or “chickees” (elevated camping platforms). Most sites are accessible only by water and all require wilderness permits. Reservations at Recreation.gov .

Here’s what else you need to know

Access: Although the entire coast is open to exploration via watercraft, land-bound visitors have three options for entering the park: Everglades Homestead in the east, Shark Valley in the north, and Gulf Coast in the northwest.

When to visit:   The dry season (December to March) is when most ranger programs and park concessions are available. This is also the best time to see wading birds and other wildlife. The wet season (April to November) is hot, humid, buggy, and has fewer park services.

“Many people prefer the winter for the terrific weather,” says ranger Allyson Gantt. “But each season offers something special. The shoulder seasons of fall and spring are less busy and may offer more solitude. Summer is especially great for boating and other water activities.”

Closures: A multi-year construction project to raise the level of the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) often features delays. Shark Valley parking is often full by 10 a.m. Check out the latest road, trail, and parking lot conditions, plus weather and prescribed burning alerts at the park’s   conditions page.  

Fishing: Unless you’re under 16 or a Florida resident 65 or older, a state fishing license is required. Anglers casting south of Nine Mile Pond need a saltwater fishing license; from Nine Mile Pond northwards, a freshwater fishing license is mandatory.

Swimming: Swimming and snorkeling are forbidden anywhere inside the park.

Remote control aircraft: Drones, model airplanes, and similar unmanned aircraft are not allowed in the park.

Read before you go:   Originally published in 1947, the definitive Everglades book remains The Everglades: River of Grass ,   by Florida writer and conservationist Marjory Stoneman Douglas.

Are pets allowed?  

Because of the park’s wildlife-rich environment—and the potential threat that it poses to both pets and wild animals—pets and service animals are only allowed in parking lots, on boats, and in the campgrounds and picnic areas at Flamingo and Long Pine Key.

How accessible is Everglades?

Among the accessible sites and services are seven trails, all four visitors centers, two developed campgrounds and one backcountry campsite, narrated boat tours, and the Shark Valley Tram Tour. Visitor information via TDD is available at (305) 242-7740.

Related Topics

• NATIONAL PARKS
• BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING

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How to explore the florida everglades.

The legendary River of Grass is one of the wonders of the world, a vast subtropical wilderness that has been declared a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve and Wetland of International Importance. There are many ways to experience the Florida Everglades National Park – here are nine entry points.

Corkscrew Swamp: Land of Giants

Deep in the heart of  Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary , in the largest stand of old-growth cypress trees on the planet, living giants tower over the primeval landscape. Some of the trees measure more than 135 in height and nearly 40 feet in circumference. A 2.1-mile-long boardwalk leads into the Corkscrew wilderness.

 A boardwalk leads into Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, which occupies around 13,000 acres in the western Everglades.

- Peter W. Cross for VISIT FLORIDA

Big Cypress: Brake for Alligators

Along the Tamiami Trail in the 720,000-acre wilderness of  Big Cypress National Preserve , alligators line the canal banks like scaly, cold-blooded Lincoln logs. The reptiles reign in the swamp, particularly along the 25-mile Loop Road that leads off the main highway into the deep Everglades.

If you don’t see an alligator during an Everglades visit, especially when traveling through Big Cypress National Preserve, you’re doing something wrong.

Step Into the Mystery of Fakahatchee Strand

Venture into  Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park  and you could see an elusive Florida panther, or a black bear, or the famous ghost orchid, which was featured in Susan Orlean’s best-selling book “The Orchid Thief” (which was made into a movie starring Meryl Streep and Nicholas Cage).

Fakahatchee Strand is a wild and beautiful 7,000-acre preserve in the western Everglades.

Go Rolling Down the Gator Trail

Shark Valley Visitor Center  is located 25 miles west of Miami and 70 miles east of Naples. The 15-mile Tram Loop is closed to motorized traffic except for the regular tram tours; many visitors choose to bike the trail, stopping halfway to take in the view from the observation tower.

Take the tram on the 15-mile Shark Valley loop in the Everglades if you want to get close, but not too close, to a lot of alligators.

- James Branaman for VISIT FLORIDA

Store Stocked with Tales of Florida Frontier

Stepping through the doorway of the  Smallwood Store  on the island of Chokoloskee is like stepping back in time. Opened in 1906 by Florida pioneer Ted Smallwood, the wooden building on pilings is more museum than retail establishment now, with a trove of stories and artifacts from bygone days.

The Smallwood Store was a frontier outpost for Gladesmen, Seminole Indians and other Everglades denizens.

Eat Your Fill, Sit a Spell at Joanie’s

Joanie’s Blue Crab Cafe  isn’t fancy, but it serves up heaping helpings of old-fashioned Old Florida character with every plate of fresh seafood. Proprietor Joanie Griffin, who practically grew up in the Everglades fishing and hunting with her late husband, presides with downhome charm and hospitality.

V isit the Disney World of Tropical Fruit

At  Robert Is Here , browse the aisles for exotic produce – dragonfruit, lychee, sapodilla,  Monstera deliciosa  – as well as more familiar fare, like tomatoes cucumbers, bananas, mangoes and more. Owner (and namesake) Robert Moehler, a big, friendly man who will talk your ear off, grows most of what he sells.

Robert Moehling’s fruit stand near Everglades National Park’s main entrance has been feeding visitors and passersby since 1959.

Go deep for everglades chickee camping.

Canoe into Hell’s Bay in the southern tip of the Florida Everglades for a backcountry chickee camping adventure . Chickees, traditional Seminole or Miccosukee structures using palm or palmetto thatching on a log frame with a raised floor, are open on all sides to allow breezes to flow through. Chickees make roughing it not so rough for wilderness camping novices.

The rising sun outlines campers on the Pearl Bay Chickee and illuminates the beauty of Hell’s Bay.

Sawgrass Recreation Park

Discover the South Florida Everglades with an airboat adventure that glides over the sawgrass and cattails and lets your spirit soar as you hear stories of this only-in-Florida environment. Hold an alligator and see a Florida Panther in the animal exhibit areas, featuring more than 100 mammals and reptiles that have been adopted and rescued.  ​

River of Grass, river of time

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The Ultimate Everglades National Park Travel Guide

Here’s how to make the most out of a visit to one of the wildest places in the U.S., from kayaking to birding to fishing and so much more

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

I first saw the Everglades more than 30 years ago, as a kid from Chicago dragged along by my parents. Buggy, hot, and flat, what I laid eyes on then was a sodden grassland, and I wasn’t much impressed. But there’s a reason the Glades remained wild well after the continent had been “conquered,” why the migrant Seminoles were able to hide so long in its redoubts from the U.S. Army. Even today, this national park is massive. Its 1.5 million mostly inaccessible acres make it the third-largest national park in the lower 48 after Death Valley and Yellowstone. Now, after living on its doorstep for 20 years, I’ve become enthralled with its untamed nature.

A catch-all term for many different ecosystems, the Everglades once stretched more than 200 miles, from the Kissimmee River in Orlando, south past Lake Okeechobee, to the state’s southernmost tip and the Gulf of Mexico. Today the national park preserves just 20 percent of that, and cities, suburbs, and agricultural land abut its very edges. But the preserved Glades are as wild as it gets. Crocodiles and alligators, the Florida panther, manatees, and a vast number of flora, fauna, and invasive species of all sorts call the place home. Fragile and always changing, this Unesco World Heritage site is under threat of real inundation as sea levels rise, as well as from red tide and blue-green algae blooms (possibly caused by agricultural runoff), which have been devastating in recent years. The Glades are also a premier dark-sky zone, a sanctuary for migratory birds and raptors, and a refuge to get absolutely lost and forget the modern world exists at all. Here’s our guide to the Everglades on how to do just that.

What You Need to Know Before Visiting Everglades National Park

There are two main seasons in the Everglades: the wet and the dry. From April to October, it is so hot and humid that even short excursions can be draining, and some park facilities, such as the remote Flamingo Visitor Center, are staffed only intermittently. I’ve found myself wiping masses of mosquitos off my bloody arms in summer, and the no-see-ums can be even worse, driving the stoutest of hearts bonkers. The upshot is that there are fewer crowds during these months. The dry season, which runs November through March, can be idyllic and mild. But whatever the season, pack bug repellent or netting, and be prepared for drenching rain.

Surrounding the park, especially its western parameters, are small, interesting towns like Everglades City, which some of the fabled Gladesmen—non-native people who managed to decipher the mysteries of the swamp and carve out frontier lives for themselves—still call home. The Everglades City area was so lawless in the recent past that bales of cocaine and marijuana were alleged to have regularly washed up on the shore. In 2017, Hurricane Irma tore through the area, and the people who live there are still recovering.

Finally, there’s no better way to prepare for a journey to the park than to pick up a copy of The Everglades: River of Grass , by the late journalist and conservationist Marjory Stoneman Douglas . A seminal work on South Florida’s unique ecology, the book was published in 1947, the same year the Glades were designated a national park. The ecosystem was not seen as something worth saving by the many developers who drained and ditched this region all through the 20th century. That a significant part of the Everglades remains is due in large part to Douglas’s activism.

How to Get There

The Glades are so expansive that seven airports serve as access points. Though some require longer drives than others, none are more than four hours away (and most much less). So it’s best to pair your arrival city with other things you might like to do: Orlando has theme parks; Tampa and Miami, nightlife and museums; Sarasota, Fort Myers, and Naples, fine dining, golf, and charter fishing; and Key West, Hemingway kitsch, history, and endless margaritas.

Once you choose your airport, there are three main entrances and four visitor centers, as well as an information station in the park. The Shark Valley and Ernest F. Cole Visitor Centers and the Royal Palm Information Station and Bookstore—all easily accessed from Miami—are close to civilization on the park’s east side and offer ranger-led programs. Shark Valley’s 45-foot-tall, 360-degree observation tower is a popular stop. On the park’s west side, in Everglades City, the Gulf Coast Visitor Center is easily accessed from Naples and is the best entry point for the coastal Ten Thousand Islands region, a birding, fishing, and kayaking paradise. There’s also the Flamingo Visitor Center on Florida Bay, on the park’s far southern tip, accessible   by car from Miami or by boat from the state’s east and west coasts.

Road access is straightforward. On the west side, U.S. Route 41 is the only road in from Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers, or Naples. From Miami, U.S. Route 41 and Florida State Road 9336, which turns into Main Park Road, are the main points of entry. From Orlando, either side is equally convenient. But no matter where you’re coming from, if you want to explore the west coast, where the river of grass meets the sea, it’s easiest to bring your own canoe or kayak or rent one in Everglades City at the Ivey House . Beware: the waters are shallow, and the underwater environment is fragile. If you get stuck in the mud, you’ll have to get out of your boat and push, which tears up the underwater seagrass habitat. Depth finders should be used, and knowledge of tides and nautical maps and an awareness of vulnerable manatees are also essential.

Where to Stay In or Near the Everglades

Despite the park’s massive size, traditional front-country camping and RV services are limited to just two sites inside the park. Long Pine Key Campground, near the Royal Palm Information Station, is only open November through May ($30 per night, no electric hookups available), while Flamingo Campground is open all year ($30 per night, $45 for electric hookups) and offers watercraft rentals. Reservations are recommended during the dry season.

There’s plenty of Gulf of Mexico beach camping on the park’s west coast, and much of the park is only accessible by canoe, kayak, or flatboat, so backcountry campers will be rewarded with solitude like few other places left in the U.S. But you must take trip planning seriously and pack your canoe or kayak with enough food and water for the length of your excursion. You’ll also need to know how to orient yourself with GPS and nautical maps—it’s easy to get lost in this landscape of repetitive landmarks. Backcountry camping permits are only issued on a first-come, first-served basis in person at the Flamingo and Gulf Coast Visitor Centers ($21 fee, plus $2 per day).

If you like a bed and shower, Everglades City is a great base camp. The town has a museum, restaurants, and an eclectic assortment of hardy inhabitants. Places to stay include Ivey House Everglades Adventure Hotel (from $129) and the cottages at the turn-of-the-century Rod and Gun Club (from $125). Longer-stay self-catering options include the Captain’s Table Hotel (from $109), great for large groups, and the waterfront one- and two-bedroom cabins at River Wilderness (from $130). You can also rent kayaks and gear at Ivey House, take swamp-buggy tours, and hire park-approved fishing charters and guides to lead you into the Glades.

The Best Adventures in Everglades National Park

Most of the park’s one million annual visitors don’t penetrate much farther than a visitor-center walking tour, but the Glades offer myriad activities for those willing to brave the maze-like waters, tall grasses, and mangrove isles. Whatever activities you choose, they’ll all have at least one thing in common: you’re probably going to get wet.

Bird-Watching  

If you’re a birder, there is no better place in the country to check off your life list than the Everglades, which boasts more than 360 of the winged species. Just pick a bird on your list—for me it is always the skittish and pink-hued roseate spoonbill—and in the Glades you know you are going to see it. Snowy egrets and wood storks are everywhere, osprey—and the bald eagles that steal their fish—circle overhead, and if you find a lucky spot in the mangroves, flock after flock of curved-beaked ibis will zip over your head as they head home to roost in the evenings. Keep an eye out for black skimmers, a shorebird that is making a rebound; you’ll know them as the seagull-like birds with an incredible underbite that seem to have no eyes at all because of their black and white coloration. Reserve tickets online for the Shark Valley tram to see wading birds, like limpkins. Kayakers can turn a corner in the islands and mangroves and happen upon a rookery that’s filled shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of birds: ibis, herons, egrets, wood storks, anhingas, and cormorants galore, and the spring- and fall-migration periods will offer you dozens of species a day without any struggle. Even if you never leave your car, you’ll see birds. That’s the charm of the Glades.

Launch your canoe or kayak at either the Flamingo or Gulf Coast Visitor Centers for a day trip or a two-week expedition. Between the two points are 100 miles of interconnected, watery wilderness, backcountry campsites, and a few marked canoe trails to help keep you from getting lost. The 5.2-mile loop through the grass marshes and mangrove islands around Nine Mile Pond is a favorite for day-trippers. Still, those who lose their way keep park rangers busy with regular rescues. If you want an expert to lead you, Tour The Glades, based in Everglades City, offers excellent, private ecotours.

The water is murky and full of creatures that will splash near your craft. Don’t worry, the usual cause of commotion is not alligators but mullet, a fish that schools here and is an important part of the food chain. For some reason that scientists still don’t understand, the foot-long, thick-bodied fish loves to leap out of the water, and it happens all day long. You will see gators, but they’ll leave you alone. That said, I keep my distance from any reptile longer than I am tall. If you camp on the beach, don’t tread on sea turtle nests, and if you paddle or boat along the coast, you will at some point be accompanied by dolphins.

Fishing Trip

There are nearly 300 species of fish here, and the first step to landing them is to get a license online at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website  (the park itself has some special regulations  outlined here ). Light tackle is fine for freshwater areas. I use crawlers and land plenty of panfish, catfish, and bass. Unfortunately, you’re also likely encounter the invasive Southeast Asian walking catfish, a creature that can “walk” on its front fins overland to infest ever more bodies of water. If you catch one, you can release it. But if you decide to keep one, by law it must be killed.

In the brackish water of the mangroves, anything can happen, and you never know what you’ll hook, from the delicious and gorgeous black-lined snook to equally delicious sheepshead and snapper. I use live shrimp for bait both here as well as out in the saltwater. If you want to land a tarpon, one of the region’s premier saltwater game fish, heavier tackle and wire leaders are musts, and it’s better to go out with a guide. They have the local knowledge and all the expensive gear that will improve your chance of tight lines.

One of the great joys of my life was learning to throw a ten-foot, lead-skirted net for mullet. It isn’t easy, but all the local guides can offer lessons for the determined and interested. These fish will not take a hook, but if you have the shoulder and core strength to throw the net, it’s a true South Florida experience, and you can haul in a biblical bounty of these delicious silver beauties.

Everglades City remains a fishing paradise, as it was not hit by the red tide that ravaged the state in 2018. Fishing guides of note include  Jimmy Wheeler and  Jesse Hill , though as Kathy Brock, publisher of Everglades City’s newspaper, The Mullet Rapper , notes, “All our guides here are good. They can’t survive if they’re not.”

Hiking Trails

Short, interpretive trails are offered at all of the park’s visitor centers, but while wonderful and easy, they won’t satisfy those looking for a demanding, all-day trek. For that, head to the Old Ingraham Highway —accessed from Royal Palm—for a 20-mile round-trip trek in absolute solitude on what was once a paved road but has long since fallen into wild decay. The Coastal Prairie Trail —accessed from Flamingo—is a 15-mile round-trip that offers backcountry camping at Clubhouse Beach. The campsite requires a permit obtained at the Flamingo Visitor Center.

If you’re pressed for time or want a better understanding of the Glades’ ecosystem, sign up for a guided airboat tour. On the park’s northern edge, just off U.S. 41, three park-approved airboat companies— Coopertown ,  Everglades Safari Park , and  Gator Park —will take you into areas adjacent to the park (airboats are not allowed in the park itself due to the risk of damaging fragile submerged flora), schooling you on the region’s unique environments as you go.

Where to Eat and Drink Near the Everglades

Shop around in Everglades City, and find a menu that offers smoked mullet. It tastes like a moist, jerky delicacy. Restaurants include the year-round City Seafood, Island Café, Havana Cafe, and Camellia Street Grill, as well as the seasonal Triad Seafood Market (closed in summer). Also look for any menu that offers wild hog. The first Spanish explorers to Florida brought domesticated Iberian pigs with them as walking meat lockers. Some escaped, and now more than half a million feral hogs call Florida home. In Spain, these animals were raised on acorns and are to this day considered the highest-quality meat in that country. Here on this peninsula, they roam free in the Everglades, tearing up the environment with their bulldozer-like snouts, which means their meat is both delicious and good for the environment.

Stone crab season runs October to May. After taking just one claw from these thick-shelled crustaceans, fishermen throw the living crabs back into the water, where they will regenerate the missing claw over three years. All the local restaurants feature them.

Speaking of crab, I prefer the blue variety, which you can catch in the mangroves. Don’t bother with a trap (though you can set up to five if you insist). Just cast out any hunk of meat on a hook, and as soon as your line goes tight, reel it in very slowly: the crabs are so greedy that they won’t let go. All you’ll need is a dip net. Sex them on capture, and release any females. Males have a thin, narrow “apron” on their undersides, while females’ aprons are wide and triangular. There’s no special permit required and no better backcountry meal. They’re delicious boiled live in a pot.

If you can, plan your trip for early February when Everglades City hosts its annual Everglades Seafood Festival. Its post-Irma resilience was on full display in 2018 as more than 60,000 people descended to show their support and eat local seafood of every variety while enjoying the live local music.

If You Have Time for a Detour

If you fly into Orlando, stop by Eatonville, a town founded by African Americans at the turn of the 19th century and now consumed by Orlando’s sprawl. It’s the site of the writer Zora Neale Hurston’s acclaimed novel Their Eyes Were Watching God , which has many scenes set in the Everglades and chronicles the 1928 hurricane, during which the banks of Lake Okeechobee overflowed into the Glades, killing 2,500 Floridians, including many poor African Americans. Like Stoneman’s The Everglades , Hurston’s novel should be read in advance of any visit to the Glades. Popular attractions include the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts and, in late January, the popular  Zora Festival , which has been celebrated for more than 30 years.

Those who find themselves in the Keys should be sure to hike the trails of the Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park. In ecological terms, a hammock is a type of habitat found in the region’s higher, drier elevations, and this park is home to one of the largest remaining West Indian tropical-hardwood hammocks in the world. In Key West, hop on the Yankee Freedom III for a ride over to Garden Key and Dry Tortugas National Park. Explore imposing Fort Jefferson before paddling a rental kayak to Loggerhead Key to camp on the island or dive the Windjammer , a 19th-century shipwreck. And off the coast of Summerland Key is Looe Key Reef, my favorite place to dive in the Keys. Part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, this is a special sanctuary preservation area. Corals are under threat all across the region due to climate change and ocean acidification, but Looe Key teems with corals and fish and reminds us of how things once were.

The Tamiami Trail, a 60-mile stretch of U.S. 41 that cuts right across Florida from east to west along the northern edge of the Everglades, offers campgrounds and RV parks. You’ll also find many federally recognized Miccosukee Indian villages, recognizable by their thatched homes and security gates. At Miccosukee Indian Village and Airboats, you can watch demonstrations of wood carving, beadwork, basket weaving, and doll making as well as taste unique dishes like fry and pumpkin breads and frog legs or witness alligator demonstrations. During the last week of December, the Miccosukee also host the Indian Arts and Crafts Festival.

The trail is also home to  Clyde Butcher ’s Big Cypress Gallery. Known as the Ansel Adams of the Everglades, the storied photographer—who is a friend of mine and many other South Florida environmentalists—struggled to support his family and make a living most of his life. But following the death of his 17-year-old son, in 1986, Butcher stepped into the Everglades to heal and produced his now iconic black and white photographs of the region’s wild places. Today even Queen Elizabeth owns one of his prints. His gallery, located almost halfway between Naples and Miami, offers guest stays and walking tours. If you’re lucky, Butcher will be there during your visit. In failing health, he’s still a library of information about the history of the conservation work that made the preservation of the Everglades possible.

Editor’s Note: We frequently update this National Parks guide, which was originally published on May 13, 2019.

• Conservation
• Environment
• Hiking and Backpacking
• National Parks

Everglades National Park: The Complete Guide

• Things to Do
• Best Hikes & Trails
• Other Activities

Camping and Hotels

How to get there, accessibility, tips for your visit, everglades national park.

Everglades National Park , the third-largest national park in the U.S., is a vast, diverse and fascinating wilderness area that takes up most of the bottom tip of the Florida peninsula. The 1.5 million acres of wetlands are filled with millions of alligators, turtles, wading birds, fish, and many endangered species, including the extremely rare Florida Panther. Wilderness areas include pine uplands, sawgrass rivers, hardwood forests, mangrove islands, and boggy marshlands. Everglades National Park is only accessible from three different points, each quite some distance from one another. No roads run through the center of the park or connect one visitor center to another.

Visitors to Everglades National Park are virtually guaranteed abundant animal sightings, especially of wading birds and alligators, and the chance to experience and learn about the fragile ecosystem of the U.S.'s largest subtropical wilderness area. Whether you do a deep dive into the park or just visit for a few hours, the "untamed" nature of the Everglades is immediately obvious—this is definitely a place where wildlife and an often inhospitable environment are to be respected and given deference.

Things to Do in Everglades National Park

There are four park visitor centers accessed from the three park entrances. Activities and animal-sighting probabilities at each of these visitor centers vary according to the terrain.

Gulf Coast Visitor Center

The park's Gulf Coast Visitor Center is located in Everglades City, which, along with neighboring Chokoloskee, is the southernmost city on Florida's west coast. After a 2017 hurricane destroyed the permanent visitor center, a temporary center has stood in its place. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is the access point to the Ten Thousand Islands, a network of mangrove islands that starts at Marco Island and stretches down the rest of the west coast. There are bathroom facilities but no food or drink services at the visitor center, though these can be found in Everglades City. Boat rides from the center allow visitors the opportunity to spot a host of wading birds, including rare white pelicans, as well as bottlenose dolphins and, with any luck, endangered West Indian manatees. You're not likely to see alligators here, as they prefer brackish water and areas of dry land to sun themselves on.

Activities and services available at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center include:

• Interpretive displays
• Maps and brochures
• Backcountry permits
• Ranger talks
• Interpretive tours of the Ten Thousand Islands on a pontoon boat
• Canoe and kayak rentals
• Birdwatching from the shoreline

Need to know: Boat rides and rentals are offered through Everglades Florida Adventures , a park concessionaire. Camping in the Ten Thousand Islands is possible only with a backcountry permit, and primitive campsites with no water or facilities are only accessible by boat. Novice campers or boaters should not attempt wilderness camping or navigating the islands and the maze of waterways by boat. Many primitive campsites close from May to September, which is the bird-nesting season.

Shark Valley Visitor Center

Located on US 41, also called the Tamiami Trail, the Shark Valley Visitor Center sits on the northern edge of the "River of Grass," the vast area of freshwater prairie and slough that is actually a slow-moving river. The visitor center is located about 73 miles from Naples, on the west coast, and 40 miles from Miami , making it a reasonable day trip from either location. This is one of the park's most popular access points and offers nearly immediate animal sightings, including alligators sunning themselves right at the entrance drive. The visitor center has bathrooms, drinks, and snacks.

From the visitor center, a 15-mile paved loop road dips into the River of Grass and offers an easy introduction into the park's ecosystem. Visitors can walk, bike, or take a tram along the trail and readily spot alligators, American crocodiles, aquatic turtles, fish, including monster-sized alligator gar, birdlife, tortoises, and sometimes even otters or white-tailed deer. An observation tower at the trail's midway point offers sweeping views of miles and miles of wetlands.

Activities and services available at the Shark Valley Visitor Center include:

• Interpretive tram rides along the loop road
• Bicycle rentals
• Paved and unpaved walking trails

Need to know: Bike rentals, tram rides, and snack and drink services are offered through Shark Valley Tram Tours , a park concessionaire. December to March, Florida's dry season, are the busiest tourist months in Florida, and also peak viewing time for animals at Shark Valley, who gather in and around canals and watering holes. If you visit during this period, try to come mid-week, when the park is less crowded.

Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center

The largest and most comprehensive visitor center in Everglades National Park, the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is located on State Road 9336, 50 miles south of Miami on Florida's east coast. It's also the park headquarters. Located in the "swampier" section of the park, the visitor center is surrounded by dense forests and wet prairie and is another prime spot for wildlife watching. Services on-site include bathrooms and a nice gift shop that also sells snacks, drinks, and, crucially, mosquito repellant.

From the visitor center, guests will find walking trails with interpretive signage, wildlife-viewing platforms, and nearby, the Royal Palm Nature Center, with more informative displays, trails, and up-close animal viewing. Here, animal sighting possibilities include alligators (again!), roseate spoonbills, anhingas, and the usual vast range of wading birds and aquatic life. Though it's highly, highly unlikely you'll see one, Florida Panthers have been spotted around the visitor center.

Activities and services available at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center include:

• Interpretive displays and films
• Wildlife viewing platforms and boardwalks
• Park headquarters

Need to know: Where there's standing water, there are mosquitos, and this side of the park, especially, is dense with them. Bring your own bug spray, or prepare to run from your car to the visitor center to buy mosquito repellant—they're that prevalent here.

Flamingo Visitor Center

Quite literally the end of the road, the Flamingo Visitor Center sits at the end of State Road 9336, where it runs smack into the Gulf of Mexico at Florida Bay. It's 38 miles from the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, a drive made longer because there are so many good places to pull over to the side of the road and observe wildlife. Once you reach the water's edge, it may be possible to spot manatees, dolphins, and wild flamingos.

More developed than you might expect given its remote location, the Flamingo Visitor Center has a snack bar, a marina store, bathrooms, boat tours and rentals, a campground, and a gas station, in addition to interpretive displays and park info.

Activities and services available at the Flamingo Visitor Center include:

• Narrated boat tours
• Bicycle, canoe, kayak, and fishing gear rentals
• A developed campground
• Backcountry camping permits

Need to know: Boat tours and rentals, bike rentals and other paid services are offered through Flamingo Adventures , a park concessionaire. Bring or buy mosquito spray. If you're visiting for the day, either from Miami or Homestead/Florida City, time your visit so that you're not driving on the park road after dark.

Best Hikes & Trails

Because so much of Everglades National Park is underwater and so much of the backcountry is inaccessible, there are only a handful of hiking trails at the visitor centers, and they are short walks with no elevation change. There are no hiking trails from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center. Top trails include:

From Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center:

• Anhinga Trail: Accessed from the Royal Palm Nature Center, this .8-mile trail passes through a marsh and offers close-up views of wading birds and alligators.
• Gumbo Limbo Trail: This .4-mile trail passes in the shade of palm and gumbo limbo hammock and is a prime viewing area for lovers of orchids and bromeliads.

From Flamingo Visitor Center:

• West Lake Trail: This half-mile boardwalk is suspended over a mangrove swamp and stretches out into Florida Bay.
• Snake Bight Trail: An unpaved, 1.6 mile trail and section of boardwalk is prime terrain for spotting gopher tortoises, white-tail deer, and raptors.

From Shark Valley Visitor Center:

• Park Loop Trail: The 15-mile paved loop that's the centerpiece of Shark Valley has abundant wildlife viewing of a dizzying array of species and can be walked or biked.
• Bobcat Boardwalk: This half-mile raised boardwalk crosses over a sawgrass slough and hardwood hammock and permits a close-up view of the park ecosystem.

Other Activities in the Park

• Fishing is possible at the Gulf Coast, Flamingo, and Ernest F. Coe visitor centers. Fishing licenses are required for Florida residents and non-residents, and short-term licenses are available.
• Canoe, kayak, and motorboat rentals are at the Gulf Coast and Flamingo visitor centers.
• Biking and bike rentals are offered at the Shark Valley, Flamingo, and Ernest F. Coe centers. 

There are developed campgrounds, some with electrical hook-ups, at the Flamingo and Ernest F. Coe visitor centers. Near the park visitor centers, the closest recommended hotels and motels are:

• The Everglades Rod & Gun Club , with rustic cottages and a historic bar and restaurant, is in Everglades City, one mile from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.
• Those who wish to stay close to Shark Valley should consider Comfort Suites Miami-Kendall , 26 miles away, or the Miccosukee Resort & Gaming , a tribal-owned hotel and casino 18 miles away.
• Near Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, there are several budget to mid-range hotels in Florida City, 9 miles away. Florida City is also the last mainland stop before the Florida Keys , making a convenient, if not particularly scenic, base for exploring the park and the Keys.
• At Flamingo Visitor Center, Flamingo Adventures rents houseboats and eco-tents and is developing a 24-room hotel with a restaurant scheduled to open in late 2021.

How you access Everglades National Park depends on what coast of Florida you're on and which visitor center you plan to visit. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is convenient to Fort Myers , Naples, and Marco Island on the west coast, and there is an international airport in Fort Myers. The Ernest F. Coe and Flamingo visitor centers are closest to Miami and Miami International Airport . The Shark Valley Visitor Center is on US 41, one of the two roads that cut across the state's southern end. It's closer to Miami but accessible as a day trip from Naples. A car is needed to reach all the park access points.

Park visitor centers and bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. Many of the most popular park trails are paved for wheelchair access. Non-paved trails may be rutty but have virtually no elevation change. Guided boat tours are wheelchair accessible.

• Whenever and wherever you access the park, bring sunscreen, a hat, water, and mosquito repellant, as well as a camera and binoculars.
• Alligators may look lethargic as they sun themselves on dry land, but this should never be a temptation to get too close. Don't ever attempt to pick up or even get too close to baby alligators. Sure they're cute, but Mom is never far away.
• Don't ever attempt to feed or touch wildlife, even raccoons and birds that are used to mooching snacks from humans.
• Leashed pets are allowed on paved vehicular roads (but not the Shark Valley Loop) and campgrounds. They are not permitted on hiking and biking trails or in any wilderness areas.

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12 things to know before visiting Everglades National Park

Mar 26, 2024 • 6 min read

Here's what you should know before setting out on the waterways of the Everglades © Maridav / Shutterstock

Around an hour's drive from Miami on Florida's  southern tip, Everglades National Park offers 1.5 million acres of natural wonder. Covering an area the size of Rhode Island , this complex and vital ecosystem of wetlands, swamps, mangroves and forests is North America 's  biggest protected sub-tropical wilderness reserve.

Teeming with wildlife such as alligators, crocodiles, manatees and birds, the park is laced with hiking and biking trails, dotted with campsites and has waterways navigable by kayak, canoe and boat. On any given day, you can hear airboats whizzing by, wading birds splashing about and fishing rods whirling in the wind as they're cast. In the park's more silent and serene nooks, you're likely to hear nothing at all.

Amid the awe, however, there are plenty of ways to get the most out of your trip here. Having lived nearby for nearly a decade, guiding friends and families deep into the Everglades, I've gotten to know a few dos and don'ts, tricks and tips. Here's everything you need to know before you visit Everglades National Park.

1. Avoid the "snowbird season" crowds

There's a joke in South Florida from the fall through early spring (October–March): the leaves don't change, but the colors of the car license plates do. That's because while the rest of the Eastern USA is freezing, Florida remains warm, so travelers – known locally as snowbirds – migrate down here for the cooler months. Expect the Everglades National Park to be particularly busy during this time.

The best way to avoid the crowds in the Everglades is to get up early during the summer months (June–August) and visit in the morning. Note that the park is often muggy by noon, and temperatures regularly reach at least 90°F (32°C).

2. There are four entrances to the park, so find the best one for your journey

The Everglades only has four entrances . Two are in Homestead: the Flamingo Visitor Center, which is a gateway to an extensive network of canoeing facilities; and the Royal Palm, which is primed for walking adventures. The latter also has several paved and well-packed dirt trails nearby. 

The other two entry points are found west of Miami. Shark Valley is the busiest and is known for its gator-surrounded, 15-mile bike trail; the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City, meanwhile, attracts fewer people. It is primarily a gateway for boating and exploring the nearby series of mangrove islands. Depending on where you are traveling from in Florida and the traffic levels, it can take hours to drive between each park entrance, so plan wisely.

3. To access most of the Everglades, you'll need an airboat

Airboats – flat-bottomed watercraft with giant fan propellers at the back – aren't just kitschy tourist vehicles for gawking at gators. They are actually vital in delicately navigating the wet prairies, both in terms of helping preserve the vegetation and avoiding debris that would otherwise damage a fishing boat. Should you want to plan an excursion, there are three authorized airboat businesses in the park itself that provide services: Coopertown Airboats , Everglades Safari Park and Gator Park .

4. Snag a permit ahead of time if you want to fish solo

The Everglades are a mix of saltwater and freshwater landscapes, equating to a fishing utopia. When fishing independently, you'll need a license for both saltwater and freshwater fishing – two separate permits in Florida that you obtain from the Florida Fishing and Wildlife Conservation Commission . Cell service is extremely limited in the park, so save a potential headache by registering for the right license online ahead of your visit. If you are embarking on a chartered journey, your captain should already have a license, but check beforehand.

5. Support and book excursions with local tribes

The Calusa, Tequesta, Seminole and Miccosukee tribes all have deep roots in the Everglades region. Along the Tamiami Trail (US Hwy 41), you'll see a number of Miccosukee destinations – notably the Miccosukee Casino & Resort , as well as the Miccosukee Village and Airboat Rides . At the village, there is a museum where you can learn more about the tribe and tour exhibits of their earliest clothing, tools and beadwork.  

6. Don't bring pets – they're not allowed on the trails 

What do the popular Otter Cave Hammock Trail , Rowdy Bend Trail and Gumbo Limbo Trail have in common aside from awesome names? You can't bring your pets with you… or on any of the walking trails in Everglades National Park. Besides, they probably wouldn't fare too well with a camouflaged gator anyway. 

7. Opt for an ethical animal sanctuary

The Everglades has a number of wildlife sanctuaries, but not all are animal-friendly, so do your research before visiting. Aside from spotting blue herons in their natural environment along the Anhinga Trail or manatees coasting in the Florida Bay , Everglades Outpost is an ethical option if you want an up-close encounter . The nonprofit rehabilitates injured gators, reptiles and more from the nearby land before releasing them back into the environment.

8. Give wild animals their space

If you do have an encounter with a manatee in the open waters or a gator quietly lurking in the mangroves, leave them alone. Refrain from feeding the animals, and if there is a visibly sick or young creature with parents nearby, tread lightly as their defense mechanisms may kick in. Additionally, bird nests – for the likes of wood storks and herons – are a common sight. Let those be, too.

9. Yes, there is a Cold War missile site in the park that you can visit

Constructed after the Cuban Missile Crisis in the early 1960s, the HM69 Nike Missile Base was once a hub for protecting the US against a possible attack by the Soviet Union. The site has three missile barns, an assembly building, barracks and two missiles today. The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center   runs tours from December through March.

10. The Everglades is vital to the entire state, so help where you can

As well as being home to endangered or threatened species, such as the Florida Panther and West Indian Manatee, the Everglades provides drinking water for more than eight million Floridians. When you visit, remember that your actions – and what you may leave behind – have a lasting impact.

If you're looking to support the park's vitality, The Alliance for Florida's National Parks accepts donations, with funds supporting youth environmental education programs, ranger-guided tours, habitat protection programs and more. 

11. Please, please, please bring sunscreen and sun gear

Too many tourists and locals that let their guards down do it every year; they forget their sunscreen and sun gear and end up looking like a painful ripe tomato in the ensuing days. Pack more than enough sunscreen and protective gear like hats, sunglasses and sun-protective shirts for your adventure, and set a timer for reapplying sunscreen. Whether canoeing the Flamingo District or birdwatching Paurotis Pond , you'll need it. 

12. Don't swim in the water and keep your limbs inside boats

It's the same mantra in every national park: don't touch the wildlife. Well, that notion comes in various forms in Everglades National Park. During the scorching summer months, it can be incredibly tempting to take a quick dip in seemingly calm waters, but just remember that there may be alligators, crocodiles, snakes, reptiles and more lurking in the waters. In the same vein and as any guide will tell you, keep those limbs inside the airboats. The wildlife will generally leave you alone, so long as it's reciprocal.

Keep planning your trip to Everglades National Park:

Figure out the best time to visit Get up close with nature on  these hikes Add  these experiences  to your itinerary Take a road trip to the park on  these drives through Florida  

This article was first published Jan 23, 2023 and updated Mar 26, 2024.

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A Guide to Everglades National Park: The Best Boat Tours, Alligator Lookouts, and Local-Loved Fruit Stands

By Matt Kirouac

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Despite the fact that South Beach is barely an hour’s drive away,  Everglades National Park is a vast, immersive wilderness that feels like a world of its own. A far cry from the hustle and bustle of Miami, the mighty River of Grass—so named by conservationist and author Marjory Stoneman Douglas, describing its billowing sawgrass marshes and swampy waterways—protects 1.5 million acres of uniquely Floridian flora and fauna. While climate change and early developers have dwindled these once-mightier wetlands, fed at a trickle pace by Lake Okeechobee in central Florida, it’s still the largest subtropical wilderness in the country. National park status was given in 1947 to protect this delicate landscape from further drainage. 

Nowadays, Everglades, the third largest national park in the lower 48 states, is the only place on Earth where crocodiles and alligators coexist, and alongside rare Florida panthers, manatees, dolphins, sharks, and invasive pythons—in a sea of coastal mangrove forests, labyrinthine waterways, pine flatwoods, murky swamps, and sawgrass marshes so endless that early explorers coined the forever-sounding word “Everglades.”

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know for a visit to Everglades National Park. From the best time to visit to the boat tours that best showcase this wonder, consider this your definitive guide to the crown jewel of Florida's national parks . 

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Everglades National Park's Shark Valley observation tower 

Alligator in Everglades National Park

When to visit Everglades National Park

While most parts of the country see all four seasons, there are really only two in Everglades National Park: dry and wet. During the dry season, from December through March, humidity is at its lowest, rain is rarer, mosquitos wane, and temperatures are comfortably warm, with average highs of 77 degrees Fahrenheit and average lows of 53 degrees. The most popular months for the park’s one million annual visitors, this is also the season when wildlife is most active; animals like alligators, deer, and wading birds congregate around lingering water holes. With increased visitation, though, comes increased demand for campsites, ranger-guided tour slots, rentals for equipment like kayaks and canoes, and parking, thus necessitating advanced reservations across the board. 

The wet season, conversely, transforms the Everglades into a watery wonderland. Aligning with hurricane season, from May through November, this is when thunderous weather is more likely (afternoon downpours are a common, albeit fleeting, occurrence), humidity is over 90 percent, mosquitos and flies are swarming, and temperatures soar to average highs of 90 degrees. Higher water levels also mean wildlife is more dispersed, and ranger-guided programs drop off as some facilities enter a seasonal hibernation. Despite the drastic weather changes, a visit in the summer has its pros too: lusher landscapes, decreased crowds, prime boat tour conditions, and opportunities to spot more alligators in the water, rather than on dry land. 

The best things to do in Everglades National Park

Unlike some of the iconic national parks in the west, with their soaring peaks and deep canyons, Everglades is the type of national park where water is the star. Yes, there are hiking trails, but most are short and all are flat—Florida, after all, is the  flattest state in the country . A majority of the trails are aquatic ones, for paddle sports and boats. Canoeing and kayaking are popular excursions, and guests are able to bring their own , or rent from within the park, at the  Gulf Coast area or  Flamingo . The Gulf Coast teems with tree-lined paddle trails, including the five-mile Sandfly Island Loop and those along Turner River. From the Flamingo area, paddlers have the opportunity to see crocodiles as they wind their way up Buttonwood Canal to Coot Bay, or out into Florida Bay, where Bradley Key is the only island available for landing.

Boat tours and rentals are also available throughout the park, with excursions to the Ten Thousand Islands from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, or back country boat tours to Whitewater Bay from Flamingo Marina. Airboat tours, meanwhile, are operated by three permitted outfitters near Shark Valley:  Coopertown Airboats ,  Everglades Safari Park , and  Gator Park .  

For those who prefer dry land, there are still plenty of options throughout the park. Anhinga Trail, close to the east entrance nearest Miami, is a crowd-favorite 0.8-mile boardwalk loop through a sawgrass marsh, where visitors are practically guaranteed to see an alligator or two (including some those that typically sun-bathe right next to the trail in the dry season). While you won’t see any sharks in the Shark Valley section of the park, located smack dab in the inland midst of the park’s sprawling marshland, you’re highly likely to spot alligators basking along the 15-mile paved loop road that leads to a 70-foot observation tower. Said tower is accessible via narrated tram rides or bike rentals, both from the Shark Valley Visitor Center. In the Flamingo area, at the southern nexus of the Florida coastline, trails include the bay-hugging Guy Bradley Trail, where manatee sightings are common, and the Coastal Prairie Trail, one of the longer treks in the park at 7.5 miles one way along a defunct road to a quiet beach.  

Bakers Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton

Where to stay in Everglades National Park

Camping in the park is a great way to immerse yourself further in the solitude and serenity of this subtropical wilderness. The largest campground in the park, Flamingo Campground is a Wi-Fi-less escape with 274 tent sites and 65 RV sites, along with glamping Eco-Tents. There are no proper lodging facilities in the park, but  houseboat rentals are available from Flamingo Marina, allowing up to six guests to literally sleep on Whitewater Bay. For something more primitive, paddlers and boaters can pitch tents on elevated riverside camping platforms called chickees ( permits are required ). 

Caitlin Morton

Jessica Puckett

Jamie Spain

Meaghan Kenny

Outside of the park, comfortable accommodations can be found near all of the entrances, including cottage suites at  Port of the Islands Resort near Everglades City, and all manner of chain properties between the main Ernest C. Coe Visitor Center and Miami . A bit more luxe,  Baker’s Cay Resort is a tropical paradise on nearby Key Largo. The Davidson Resorts property draws guests with its bay-front suites, two pools, dock-to-dish dining, a tiki bar, and one of the only sandy beaches on the Keys. 

What to do nearby

An apt pitstop outside the east entrance of the park,  Robert Is Here is the self-described “Disney World of fruit stands,” featuring an array of tropical fruits and a milkshake counter where guests can mix and match produce like guava, mamey, jackfruit, dragon fruit, banana, coconut, and canistel. 

Between Everglades and Miami is another smaller national park that flies a lot further under the radar. One of the most aquatic parks in the country,  Biscayne National Park is 95 percent water, awash with shipwrecks, more nautical wildlife than  Finding Nemo , and the largest coral reef in North America. Guided boat tours take guests to different keys for on-land outings, but most activities are wetter, like snorkel reef tours and stand-up paddle boarding through mangroves mazes at Jones Key. 

North of the park, the  Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge affords more opportunities for dry-land hiking in the Big Cypress Basin. Although panther sightings are rare and unlikely, the refuge allows visitors to trek through their native habitat, including along the 1.19-mile Panther Trail. 

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11 Best Things To Do In Everglades National Park

October 20, 2020 //  by  Florida Trippers

Florida has some of the best national parks in the country, but do you know about all the cool things to do in the Everglades? If you’ve never braved the swamps, mangrove forests, and trails of the Everglades, you’re in luck.

With over two million acres to explore, the Everglades provide endless recreation in Florida’s most beautiful ecological feature. So grab your bug spray, we’re here to help you take on one of the best national parks in Florida !

What Are The Everglades?

A subtropical ecosystem that spans over two million acres, the Everglades are an expansive set of wetlands and sawgrass marshes. During the wet season, Lake Okeechobee overflows, which releases water into a shallow river known as the “river of grass.”

As the water passes southward, it passes through several habitats. The slow trickle of water moves through cypress swamps, wet praries, and mangroves down to the Florida Bay.

Experiencing a wide range of weather patterns, the Everglades sees frequent flooding in the wet season as well as drought in the dry season. As the largest remaining subtropical wilderness in the country, the area is unmatched in its beauty.

Human life dates back to 15,000 years ago when Native American tribes inhabited the swampland. Its main inhabitants were the Seminoles as well as fugitive slaves. After the First Seminole War, exploration began in the area, as well as construction and maintaining passable trails.

Home to hundreds of animal species, you can find many of Florida’s native animals in the Everglades today. It is not uncommon to see the endangered leatherback turtle, Florida panther, and Burmese pythons. The Everglades are also home to Florida’s alligators and manatees as well!

Where Are The Everglades Located? 

You can find the Florida Everglades at the southern tip of the state. Taking up the entire southern third of the peninsula, the area is largely depopulated. Instead of residents, you’ll find three national parks.

Originating just south of Orlando, the Everglades extends down the Kissimmee River all the way to the Florida Bay at the tip of the peninsula. Also technically included in the Everglades are the Ten Thousand Islands near Naples and parts of the Florida Keys !

How To Get From Miami To The Everglades

There are three entrances to the Everglades: the north entrance at Shark Valley, the south entrance at Florida City near Homestead, or the northwest entrance at Everglades City on the Gulf Coast.

If you’re traveling from downtown Miami, you can expect only a forty-minute drive! You’ll want to go to the Shark Valley entrance! For the quickest route, simply take I-95 North to exit 3A (FL-836 W to FL-825). From there, turn right onto US-41 West until you hit swamp!

For a more scenic route, you can actually just take SW 8th Street through downtown Miami! You’ll pass through Little Havana and see all of the best Miami attractions . While this route takes longer, it is more scenic. This is perfect if you don’t want to take the expressway.

How To Get Around The Everglades

The easiest way to get around the Everglades is definitely by car. In a vehicle, you can cover the most ground in the least amount of time. Most drivers can explore the entire park in one to two days!

Before you go, make sure to pick up a national park pass. It only costs $25 dollars per vehicle for an entire consecutive week!

Many people will tell you boating is the best way to explore the beauty of the ecosystem, but if you’re not an experienced boater, you might run into problems.

Only the most prepared boaters should attempt to navigate the waterways as a recreational activity. It can be easy to become lost or run aground in park waters! If you don’t use navigational aids and marked channels, you can do a lot of damage to your boat and the ecosystem itself.

How Long To Spend In The Everglades

Of course, any stay in the Everglades will depend on how much of the park you want to see. For a quick pass just to see everything, a driver could easily accomplish this feat in one to two days.

However many locals will tell you that simply will not cut it! Especially if you want to tackle the hiking trails, experience an airboat tour, or paddle through the waterways on a kayak, you will need more time.

If you really want to fully explore the park, we recommend a full week to see everything. Depending on your activities planned, you can easily spend three to four days on each coast of the park.

Best Everglades Tours

The Everglades are a big place, and it’s very easy to get overwhelmed. If you’re having trouble deciding what to do in the Everglades, consider checking out a tour, whether it be by foot, by car, or by boat!

Now you don’t have to do any planning of your own! The best part? You’ll still see the best of the beauty of the park in a timely, organized fashion! Taking a tour is certainly one of the best things to do in the Everglades if the idea of going it alone seems daunting.

Everglades Holiday Park

An hour-long narrated boat tour, you’ll learn about the variety of wildlife that inhabits Florida’s famous wetlands. In addition to the boat ride, you will also see a live alligator show and have the opportunity to hold a baby gator!

This is a great comprehensive option, but we recommend attending early in the day, as crowds can dampen the experience! One of the best Everglades tours from Miami, your guide will cover a lot of ground.

Tours operate seven days a week! Boats leave from the park every 20 minutes from 9 AM – 4 PM. Adult tickets cost $35, children’s tickets cost $20, and kids two years and under ride for free!

Shurr Adventures Everglades

If you really want to get the blood pumping, then this three-hour kayak tour of the mangroves of the Everglades is for you! You can spot orchids, birds, and of course alligators as you paddle your way through the mangrove tunnels!

You’ll be led by patient, experienced guides who take the time to educate guests about the ecosystem. Tours depart every day at sunrise, 7:30 and 8:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and sunset. Tickets are $109 for adults and $99 for children.

Shurr Adventures Everglades also offers full-day tours of the mangrove tunnels. You can also take a motorboat tour through the Ten Thousand Islands, among other options.

11 Best Things To Do In The Everglades

Lucky cole’s speakeasy.

The last thing you think about in the Everglades is a bar or restaurant. But for weary travelers willing to do into the depths of the swamps, Lucky Cole is waiting to greet you with open arms.

One of the best things to do in the Everglades, stop by Lucky Cole’s personal home. Off of US 41, about 40 miles from Miami, you’ll eventually see a red mailbox next to old motorcycles and a Lucky Strike sign. You have arrived.

A famed Florida photographer, Cole photographs women with the Everglades as the exotic backdrop. All shoots are directed by his loving wife of many years, Maureen. Together, they advocate women’s empowerment by creating glamorous and sensual photographs of everyday women in various states of undress.

When you visit Lucky Cole and Maureen, expect to be greeted with a smile. You’ll be welcomed with astonishing hospitality, serving cheep beer and homemade venison chili.

Their guests range from locals, Everglades lifers, and anybody that dares to venture this deep into the swamps. Be warned, Lucky only welcomes guests on the weekends. Check his Facebook page to make sure he and Maureen aren’t out on a photoshoot!

Shark Valley

Off of the Tamiami Trail, Shark Valley is one of the best things to do in the Everglades! In the very heart of the Everglades freshwater marks, this is one of the best places to observe Florida wildlife in its natural habitat.

To get there, start at the Shark Valley Visitor Center. Here you’ll find educational displays, a park video, and you can pick up an informational brochure. Inside you’ll find what plants and animals you’re most likely to see!

Next door, you will also find a gift shop where you can pick up essentials and souvenirs. We recommend grabbing bug spray before you head to Shark Valley, and then visiting upon your return. That way you don’t have to lug your souvenirs as you hike!

From the Visitor Center, you can walk or bike along a 15-mile loop trail that leads into Shark River Slough. Halfway up the loop trail is a 65-foot high observation tower!

From the concrete observation tower, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the sawgrass marsh. See the untouched grounds as it appeared to natives over 300 years ago.

Make sure to bring your binoculars. If you look down, you’ll be sure to see baby alligators learning to walk as well as Red-bellied Turtles! Keep your eyes to the skies to catch glimpses of Red-winged Blackbirds and Double Crested Cormorants.

Wilderness Waterway

Calling all kayakers! If you want a paddling challenge, then the Wilderness Waterway is for you, one of the best things to do in the Everglades!

Over 99 miles long, in Wilderness Waterway, you’ll find a navigable recreational waterway, also known as the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness. With many interconnecting creeks, rivers, lakes, and inner bays, only the most experienced paddlers should tread these waters.

There are many shallow waterways that are only passable at high tide. One pass known as “the Nightmare” is especially difficult to navigate without damaging submerged natural features.

While difficult, the Wilderness Waterway has its merits. You can see shell mounds build by the Calusa people! You can also see Nauti Buoy Chickee, the last remaining private property within the park.

A full trip along the Wilderness Waterway takes an experienced paddler around eight days to complete. Travelers can however use additional route options to extend or shorten their trip.

Around the banks of the waterway, you’ll find beach, ground, and chickee campsites. Permits are required and may be obtained at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.

Because many hurricanes have passed through the Everglades in recent years, you should always talk with an experienced ranger before embarking on a trip. They will have the most up-to-date information about best routes for your paddling skill level!

Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center

When you first arrive at the Everglades, you may become overwhelmed by your options. Instead of embarking blindly into the park, make your first stop at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, one of the best things to do in the Everglades to orient yourself.

Here you’ll get an overview of the extensive offerings in the park. Check the map to get a detailed look at what to do and where to go! A wildlife chronology details the native Florida animals you may see that day.

Inside you’ll find educational displays and informational brochures. Special collections by local artists are usually on display. Don’t forget to stay for River of Life, a 15-minute documentary detailing the ecosystems of the park.

Next door you’ll find the bookstore and a small gift shop to pick up essentials and souvenirs! Here you can buy books, guides, camera film, postcards, and of course, insect repellent.

The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center also provides guided tours by park rangers. Your guides will have a deep understanding of science and a love of the South Florida area. A ranger’s expertise of the animals, birds, and trees will become the highlight of your trip!

Anhinga Trail

For most visitors, the Anhinga Trail is one of the first glimpses they’ll get of the Everglades National Park. Very close to the Royal Palm Visitor Center, the Anhinga Trail is one of the Everglades’ best attractions.

Just short of a mile, the Anhinga Trail is one of the most accessible in the Everglades, even for novice hikers. Children and dogs are permitted, but parents are encouraged to keep a close eye as predators are nearby.

The Anhinga Trail is one of the best places to see wild alligators . A haven for all Everglades wildlife, you’ll find cormorants, egrets, herons, and roseate spoonbills along the stone wall and trees.

Look for odd-looking clusters of trees! These are pond apple trees that bear fruit. Don’t eat the apples though. They taste like turpentine. If you visit during the summer months, you might see sprays of orchids in the branches.

The path will eventually turn into a boardwalk and later into a larger observation area over the slough. You’ll see alligators drifting through the inky water as well as miles of sawgrass prairies.

Flamingo Visitor Center

At the southern tip of the Everglades, you’ll find a wide asymmetrical building featuring a long breezeway. This breezeway connects two buildings that overlook the Florida Bay.

This is the Flamingo Visitor Center, one of the best things to do when traveling from Miami to the Everglades. Next door, you’ll find a marina. Here you’ll find a great place to see wild manatees playing and sleeping in the water.

If you’re more of the adventurous sort, you can also rent kayaks and boats here. Spray on your bug spray and take to the water!

Open daily from mid-November through mid-April, you can find rangers to provide you with maps and advice should you need it. This is also where you can obtain camping permits as well.

The center itself is currently under construction due to extensive hurricane damage. When the Flamingo Visitor Center reopens completely, you’ll find updated exhibits and even a new restaurant and lodging!

Ten Thousand Islands

One of Florida’s hidden gems , the Ten Thousand Islands are a chain of islands and mangrove islets that can be found near Naples between Cape Romano and the mouth of the Lostman’s River.

Here you’ll find over 230 square miles at the northwest-most corner of the Everglades National Park. With endless swimming and kayaking, a visit to the Ten Thousand Islands is one of the best things to do in the Everglades.

One of the world’s largest mangrove systems, this national wildlife refuge is a paradise for those seeking some peace and quiet. Perfect for experienced paddlers and easy-going tourists, there’s something to do for everyone!

Take a narrated boat tour at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center to learn the islands’ unique environment. The guides will direct your attention to wildlife like bald eagles, hawks, and dolphins playing in the water.

If you love the great outdoors, plan an overnight kayak trip. Choose between Tiger Key or Picnic Key for a view of the brilliant night sky from your own private beach! Sites at the island are limited and must be reserved in advance.

For a more relaxed approach, check out Tigertail Beach on Marco Island, one of the best beaches in Naples. From here, you’ll get a great view of Sand Dollar Island to spy on terns, black skimmers, and sand pipers.

Eat Stone Crabs at Everglades City

At the northwest tip of Everglades National Park, you’ll find a small town of only 500 people. Congratulations, you’ve stumbled across Everglades City, one of the great Florida oddities.

Everglades City was once a popular hub in the late 1970s as part of the marijuana trade. Over the years, after nearly the entire town was indicted in court, the town has found a new item to peddle.

Everglades City is proudly now the Stone Crab Fishing Capital of the world, a much more legitimate way to make a living. Instead of spending a pretty penny on Claws at expensive restaurants in Miami , head to Everglades City for a more casual and authentic experience.

At Grimm’s Stone Crab or Triad Seafood Market, you’ll get stone crabs freshly-fished out of the water. As you dine with the waterfront views of the Everglades, strike up a conversation with a local. We promise you’ll get a great old Florida story.

Especially if you’re visiting the Everglades from the northwest part of Florida, stop off at Everglades City. This is one of the best things to do in the Everglades, especially if you want an authentic meal!

Big Cypress National Preserve

During the rainy season, an expansive canopy of Big Cypress trees covers the Tamiami Trail. This will be the most scenic highlight of your drive through the park! The Big Cypress National Preserve is one of the best things to do in the Everglades.

For those that don’t want to get hot and sticky in the swamp and avoid mosquito bites, you’re in luck. The Big Cypress National Preserve is one of the best places to see the Everglades National Park from the comfort of your own vehicle.

As you drive, you’re likely to see egrets and herons soaring through the sky. Completely untouched, you’ll drive through an old Florida wonderland, seeing firsthand what indigenous people who made there home here once saw.

To get a closer look at the flora and fauna, stop at the Big Cypress Visitor Center. On a boardwalk along a large canal, you’ll see gators sunning and birds flying overhead. Remember never to feed the alligators, lest you want to lose a limb!

Snake Bight Trail

For a true walk on the wild side, brave the Snake Bight Trail. Don’t let the name fool you, while snakes like Burmese pythons and poisonous trees are found in this area, you will be safe as long as you stick to the trail.

We’re warning you now, the five mile trip from Main Park Road to Snake Bight has the worst mosquitos in the park. So make sure to wear lots of bug spray. We warned you!

But no risk, no reward, right? To get there drive north from the Flamingo Visitor Center to park on the grass after the “Rowdy Bend Road” sign. Start at the trailhead to walk or bike through a lush tropical forest.

The trail is very tight as it travels through a tunnel of Cypress trees. Don’t veer from the path as there are poisonous manchineel trees and Burmese pythons lurking in the forest nearby.

The air smells salty from the coast as the path changes into a boardwalk. Look out for the Bromeliads clinging to the buttonwoods!

After two miles, you’ll have reached your destination and reward. At the observation platform, you’ll have a sweeping view of all of Snake Bight and the Florida Bay. If you look closely, you’ll see flamingos perching in the mud if you visit during winter.

Pa-Hay-Okee Lookout Tower

To truly get up close and personal with the marshy ecosystem, try the very accessible trail at Pa-Hay-Okee. Named after the Seminole word for River of Grass, you’ll find a short boardwalk leading to a tall observation tower.

To get there, follow Main Park Road from the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center for 21 miles. Enjoy the scenic drive before turning right at the sign for Mahogany Hammock to reach the trailhead.

Because the entire trail is aboardwalk, Pa-Hay-Okee is very kid-friendly. While the mosquito situation isn’t as bad as other areas like Snake Bight, you’re still going to want to protect yourself. As you walk down the boardwalk, you’ll walk over the gorgeous sawgrass prarie.

When you climb the staircase to the Observation Tower, you’ll ascend past Cypress trees on a small island. From your shaded perch, you will be able to see the incredible vistas across the prarie.

If you look down, you’ll see the only water source for much of the wildlife in the dry season. To get back to your car, simply follow the boardwalk ramp through the Cypress canopy down to the forest floor.

Did You Find This Post Helpful?

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The 9 best everglades airboat and swamp tours.

See much more than alligators during one of these exciting trips.

The Top Everglades Airboat & Swamp Tours

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If you're planning a trip to Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Florida , visiting Everglades National Park should be on your to-do list. The South Florida national park is known for its expansive beauty, as well as its varied population of wildlife that includes everything from bobcats to alligators.

To see all the Everglades has to offer, sign up for a guided tour. U.S. News consulted both traveler sentiment and expert opinion to identify the top Everglades tours. Before you go, make sure you read through the National Park Service's Wildlife Viewing Ethics to keep both yourself and the animals safe during your time in the park. When choosing the best Everglades tours, we avoided recommending operators that promote wildlife shows or encourage feeding or holding the animals for photo-ops.

Visitors should plan to pay a fee to enter the park, as it may not be included in the price of the tour ticket. You should also keep in mind that many of these tour operators are located at least 30 miles west of Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Tours that run on airboats – open-air vessels with huge fans at the back that propel the boat – can be very loud. Companies will generally offer ear protection, but if you or your companions are sensitive to loud noises, contact the tour provider to discuss options before you book.

The Best Everglades Airboat and Swamp Tours

Everglades swamp tours – one hour group tour.

Price: Adults from $60; kids from $30 Duration: 1 hour

This sightseeing trip takes you out on an airboat to cruise through the Everglades' main waterways in search of alligators, birds and interesting vegetation. Throughout the ride, knowledgeable guides share facts about the area's history and ecology. Many travelers recommend booking this tour, describing it as fun and informative, with plenty of wildlife sightings. Departures generally take place daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., but availability may vary by month.

Children 5 and younger can ride for free, but still require a reserved seats. Also check out Everglades Swamp Tours for private airboat tours that last up to two hours.

Check prices & availability on:

Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures – 30-Minute Airboat Tour

Price: Adults from $35; kids from $30 Duration: 30 minutes

Located at the headwaters of the Everglades in Kissimmee, Florida (about 40 miles south of Orlando), Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures earns praise from reviewers for its personable, experienced staff and the family-friendly environment. On the airboat ride, you and up to 16 other passengers will glide through the tall grass in search of eagles, alligators, raccoons and more. In addition to airboat rides, the site houses a replica of a Jororo Tribe village, as well as a gem and fossil mining activity for kids.

Tours depart throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 5 pm. You can buy your tickets online, but there are no reservations for this tour. For a longer adventure, consider the company's hourlong airboat ride. There are also sunset and night tours, if you're hoping to avoid the midday heat and crowds.

Marsh Landing Adventures – 90-Minute Everglades Airboat Tour

Price: Adults from $65; kids from $60 Duration: 1.5 hours

For wildlife lovers who want more than half an hour to experience the Everglades, this 1.5-hour airboat ride from Marsh Landing Adventures is an excellent experience. Located in Kissimmee on Lake Tohopekaliga, Marsh Landing Adventures promises travelers an in-depth look at the headwaters of the Everglades and the plants and animals that inhabit its waters. What's more, the company says it can reach areas of the Everglades that are inaccessible to larger boats because of its small crafts. Travelers give kudos to the boat captain for their educational and entertaining delivery. Many call the experience the highlight of their Florida vacation.

Tours are offered Monday through Saturday at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Reservations are required, and there is a 1% fuel surcharge added to each ticket. Marsh Landing Adventures also offers hourlong, two-hour and four-hour airboat rides.

Everglades City Airboat Tours

Price: Adults from $47; kids from $31 Duration: 1 hour

Everglades City Airboat Tours sets itself apart from other companies by offering participants two-way headsets, which allow passengers and guides to better engage with one another throughout the hourlong ride. As you navigate through narrow creeks and shallow bays, you may spot alligators, manatees and birds. Tourists enjoy the ride and appreciate the headsets. Reviewers are also complimentary of the boat captains, who they describe as entertaining and knowledgeable.

Tours depart multiple times Monday through Saturday, although timing may be modified based on the season. It's a good idea to reserve your tour in advance. Everglades City Airboat Tours is located approximately 85 miles west of Miami and 35 miles southeast of Naples, Florida.

Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tours – 45-Minute Standard Airboat Tour

Price: Adults from $45; kids from $27.50 Duration: 45 minutes

For an excursion that combines cultural immersion and wildlife viewing, consider this outing from Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tours. The Miccosukee family-owned company's standard tour focuses on introducing visitors to the homelands of the Miccosukee people: an American Indian tribe that migrated to Florida before it became a state. During the tour, you'll not only see local wildlife, but also will get to see a Miccosukee Indian camp and take a nature walk. Visitors recommend the tour, describing it as an amazing experience thanks to the small, intimate group size.

Tours run daily at multiple times between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The company also offers private outings.

Everglades River of Grass Adventures – Semi-Private River of Grass Airboat Tours Everglades

Price: Adults from $85; kids from $45 Duration: 1.5 hours

One perk of this tour is that it is capped at six to eight travelers per boat. During the excursion, you'll get the chance to see the famous flora and fauna of the Everglades, including herons and alligators. Visitors say this is a family-friendly tour and call the trip "memorable" and "amazing."

These tours run seven days a week; since they're semiprivate, you must call or email to find out the best times to depart. River of Grass Adventures also offers sunset tours of the Everglades.

Other Popular Everglades Tours

Shurr Adventures Everglades – Three Hour Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour Small Group Adventure

Price: Adults from $109; kids from $99 Duration: 3 to 4 hours

Enjoy an up-close view of animals and nature, and get some exercise in too, on this kayak tour of the Everglades' mangroves. As you paddle your way through the mangrove tunnels, you may spot orchids, birds and, of course, alligators. Kayakers say this tour is excellent and appreciate the patient, experienced guides who share a wealth of information about the plants and animals that reside in this unique ecosystem. What's more, reviewers appreciate that the tours are limited to just eight participants.

Tours are available Monday through Saturday from August to April; times vary by season. Children must be at least 7 years old to participate. Tourgoers will enjoy three to 3.5 hours out on the water but should plan to spend a total of four hours on-site from start to finish. Shurr Adventures Everglades also offers a full-day tour of the mangrove tunnels, as well as a motorboat tour in the Ten Thousand Islands region of Everglades National Park, among other options.

Shark Valley Tram Tours

Price: Adults from $31; kids from $16 Duration: 2 hours

These naturalist-led excursions not only include a tour around Everglades National Park in an open-air tram, they also give tourgoers the chance to explore on foot. Halfway through the tour, participants can climb a 45-foot-tall observation deck to see sweeping views of the surrounding vegetation. During the two-hour tour, travelers also have the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife. Tourgoers enjoy learning about the Everglades from the expert guides and say riding the tram is part of the fun. Many also recommended taking a morning tour to avoid the midday heat.

From mid-December through late April, tours depart on the hour daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. From May through mid-December, tours depart at 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m. Shark Valley Tram Tours also offers self-guided bike tours. (Note that you'll have to pay a separate fee to enter Everglades National Park for any tour.)

Everglades Florida Adventures – Ten Thousand Islands Tour

Price: Adults from $59; kids from $29 Duration: 3 hours

If you're hoping to see the Everglades by boat, but want something a little quieter than an airboat ride, consider this cruise. Departing from Port of the Islands Marina in Naples, this 45-foot passenger catamaran glides across the Faka Union Canal while guides share information about the history and ecology of the area. Tourgoers report spotting lots of birds, turtles, dolphins and manatees. They also call out the insightful crew and clean, comfortable boat as highlights.

Cruises are offered Monday to Friday at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Everglades Florida Adventures also offers kayak and canoe rentals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Like any other form of transportation, riding an airboat may come with some risks. To stay safe on your Everglades airboat tour, be sure to choose a company run by experienced, professional boaters (most of which undergo special training and are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard) and adhere to all rules set forth by your guide. Parents should keep a close eye on children and be sure they are properly fitted for their life jackets, and all passengers should protect against the heat by wearing sunscreen and staying hydrated. Commercial airboats typically do not exceed speeds of 30 to 40 mph to ensure a safe, smooth ride, and most operators will reschedule your tour in the event of lightning or other inclement weather. Tour companies will also generally provide riders with proper ear protection, as the boats are quite loud.

Typically, passengers will feel the most comfortable in lightweight, sleeveless clothing and shorts while on an Everglades airboat tour. If you are taking a wintertime tour, keep an eye on the weather – pants and long sleeves may be a better option, but you likely won't need a heavy jacket. Be sure to bring sunglasses, sunscreen and water to protect yourself from the effects of the sun; you may also want a hat to provide further shade and keep hair in place. Passengers with long hair are advised to wear it in a ponytail or bun to keep it from becoming knotted in the wind. Tourgoers may also wish to apply some bug spray prior to embarking on their adventure.

Airboat tours last about an hour, though duration will depend on the tour company.

An airboat's top speed is about 30 mph.

Not normally, but you run a small risk of getting misted with water. If you take a tour when it is raining, expect to get wet.

In winter, you'll want to time your visit for midday, when it warms up. In summer, you'll want to visit in the morning or later afternoon when it's coolest. Visiting at these times can increase your chances of seeing wildlife, but you'll likely see all kinds of critters no matter when you visit year-round.

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Airboat In Everglades Videos

Airboat In Everglades Video Gallery

Everglades airboat tour videos are awesome! We have had the honor and pleasure to compile awesome footage from visitor from across the world through out the years. It can simply be explained in words as you gaze into the never ending horizon of the Florida Everglades, but it's easier to show you through these everglades Videos. We hope you enjoy the collection and will joi us to make your own.

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DISCLAIMER: ***RIDE AT YOUR OWN RISK*** Cancellations must be received 48-hours in advance in order to receive a full refund.. A 50% cancellation charge will be issued if you are a no show or cancel within 47 hours prior to your reservation. If the adventure is canceled on behalf of Airboat In Everglades INC for any reason what so ever the guest is entitled to a full refund.

I've visited 25 US national parks — these 3 are underrated and just as stunning as the most popular parks

• After visiting 25 US national parks, I've fallen in love with some lesser-known locations .
• I love visiting Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park, which is home to 800-year-old cliff dwellings.
• I've also enjoyed my time in Alaska's Denali National Park and Florida's Everglades National Park.

A national park is meant to be an oasis — a reprieve from the traffic and crowds of urban life. Unfortunately, though, many people seek this same reprieve, meaning some national parks have become extremely crowded during peak seasons.

In fact, according to a report published by the US Department of the Interior in December 2022, half of all national park visits take place in the 25 most-visited parks.

Although many parks have implemented timed-entry systems to combat overcrowding, this solution isn't foolproof. For example, when I was leaving Arches National Park last summer around noon, the line to get in was over two hours long — and these people all had reservations.

To avoid this issue altogether, I like to visit parks with lower attendance rates. The good news is many of these lesser-known national parks are just as spectacular as the big names.

Of the 25 US national parks I've visited, these were some of my favorite less-popular spots.

Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park is home to 800-year-old cliff dwellings.

Located in the southwestern corner of Colorado , Mesa Verde is often overlooked as people continue west to "The Mighty Five" parks in Utah. Yet, the vistas in Mesa Verde National Park can easily rival those of its peers.

However, what truly sets the park apart is the chance to see the over 800-year-old cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo people. My husband and I did several short hikes to view the preserved homes from different angles.

Unfortunately, we were there a week before the guided tours began for the season, so we couldn't walk through the buildings for ourselves.

If you're interested in attending a tour, make sure to thoroughly read through the options (some involve climbing ladders on the sides of cliffs and crawling through a tunnel on your hands and knees).

Denali National Park in Alaska has activities for every kind of traveler.

Understandably, several of the least-visited national parks reside in Alaska. While they're a trek to get to, they offer an unmatched level of seclusion. But as far as Alaskan national parks go, Denali is a great choice because it's fairly easy to get to from Anchorage.

The park's six million acres offer all kinds of opportunities to explore. For example, visitors can go for an early morning hike to try to catch a glimpse of Denali, the tallest peak in North America . For a more relaxing option, I recommend taking a four-hour bus tour into the heart of the park.

Or, if you need an animal fix, you can attend a demonstration of the park's famous sled dogs (aka canine rangers) and give them pets afterward for a job well done.

The wildlife is the star at Everglades National Park in Florida.

Located just an hour outside Miami, Everglades National Park houses the largest subtropical wilderness in the US . In my opinion, a tram tour is the best way to explore this South Florida park, which is home to many rare and endangered species.

The trams have open sides, allowing for clear viewing of the dozens of alligators that line either side of the road — in total, we counted 48 alligators in a two-hour timeframe.

Halfway through the tour, the tram pulled up to a ramp that spiraled up into the sky. When we reached the top of the Shark Valley Observation Tower , we could truly appreciate how expansive the park really is.

If you're OK with being a bit closer to the gators, bikes are also available to rent to cruise along the 15-mile-long Shark Valley Tram Road .

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Investigators add details about boat that killed Ransom Everglades student by Key Biscayne

Investigators have updated their description of the hit-and-run boat that ran over a 15-year-old girl Saturday who was water skiing near Key Biscayne’s Nixon Beach.

It’s a center console boat with a light blue hull, multiple white outboard engines and may have blue or dark blue bottom paint, according to statement released Monday afternoon by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Investigators’ preliminary probe has uncovered that around 4:30 p.m., Ella Adler fell in the water while water skiing and was struck by another boat.

The law-enforcement agency for boating accidents said Monday the boater was still at large, but it was making “significant progress” in its investigation.

READ MORE: Girl killed in hit-and-run boat crash off Key Biscayne was a Ransom Everglades student

Ella was a freshman at Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove and a ballerina in more than 100 productions of “The Nutcracker,” at the Miami City Ballet. She was the granddaughter of Michael Adler, the U.S. ambassador to Belgium. Michael Adler was formerly president of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and vice chair of the Florida International University Board of Trustees.

READ MORE: ‘The world has been robbed’: Family mourns girl killed in boat crash near Key Biscayne

“...You were taken from us way to soon, and the world has been robbed of all the things you could have achieved,” her father Matthew Adler said in a letter read at Ella’s funeral service Monday morning at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach. “But you will always be here with us and your friends and family will carry your energy and spirit forever.”

Anyone with information about the incident — or with video footage from the scene — should call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers and FWC are offering $5,000 and Ella’s family $10,000 for any information leading to an arrest.

READ MORE: Girl killed near Key Biscayne’s Nixon Beach. The famed attraction isn’t a stranger to danger

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15-year-old ballerina killed in hit-and-run boat crash while water skiing in florida.

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A 15-year-old ballerina was killed in a hit-and-run boat crash while water skiing in Miami over the weekend, officials said.

Ella Riley Adler, a student at Ransom Everglades School, was enjoying an idyllic Saturday afternoon celebrating a friend’s birthday in Key Biscayne’s Nixon Beach when a boat collided with her before speeding away,  WSVN reports .  

Ella, a dancer with Miami City Ballet, was left bobbing in the water as first responders reported “a lot of blood” coming from her body.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), who are investigating the hit-and-run, said no suspect has been identified yet as authorities put out a $20,000 reward for tips leading to an arrest, along with $5,000 more from Miami Crime Stoppers.

The FWC said Ella was in the water wearing her life vest and skis when a boat, described as light blue with a darker blue bottom, struck her.

One witness said Ella was struck by the center console of the fishing boat, which did not appear to swerve or slow down when it approached the teen,  NBC 6 reports.

The case has left Ella’s family and community reeling over the loss of the young dancer who had more than 100 performances with Miami City Ballet. 

“Miami City Ballet School are utterly devastated by the heartbreaking news of this tragic accident,” The dance company said in a statement. 

“Ella Adler was not just a beloved student and a magnificent dancer who graced our stage in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker; she was an integral part of our family, radiating potential and promise whose kindness, warmth, and infectious joy were known to all,” it adds. 

A funeral service was held Monday for Ella at the Temple Beth Shalom synagogue, where friends and family touted the Ransom Everglades School student’s talent and radiant personality. 

“Her magnetism radiated on the stage, where she belonged and thrived,” her obituary read. “Her love of dance continued at Ransom Everglades, where she performed on the dance team and, just a few weeks ago, in the school play.” 

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Her family added that Ella was a proud member of the Ransom Everglades Jewish Students Association and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors.  

Ransom Everglades Head of School Rachel Rodriguez described Ella as an ideal student whose death has rocked the community. 

“Our hearts are broken and our community has been devastated by this tragedy. Ella shined in our classrooms and on our stages, and she embodied the mission of Ransom Everglades School,” Rodriguez said in a statement. 

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With shelters full, dogs are being dumped in the Everglades. These folks are saving them

In salty humidity thick as stew, Gloria Cabal and Hector Vega trudged through the mud and crawled on all fours through wet, mucky mangrove and cocoplum thickets in the dense Everglades. Were the fresh pawprints they found in the damp soil left by bobcats, panthers, coyotes — or the elusive animal they were tracking?

The volunteer dog rescuers hoped they were on the trail of an abandoned pit bull mother, whom bikers had reported seeing with her two puppies in the Redlands area of the 1.5 million acre South Florida swamp. The rescuers had set up cameras in the area and, sure enough, saw the trio running around.

“We’re in the middle of nowhere," said Vega's wife, Paola Jordan, a Redlands resident and third rescuer that TCPalm accompanied on the hunt that day in March. “You can dump someone here and no one would know.”

There is an "epidemic" of people dumping unwanted dogs and cats in the Everglades , Jordan said, estimating she gets about a dozen reports of strays a day .  At the same time, there's a "crisis for capacity" at shelters, said Everglades Angels Dog Rescue Vice President Denise Guevara.

The Pompano Beach nonprofit, and others like it, need help from more people like Treasure Coast resident Tara Goins, who adopted a dog and donates money.

“I don’t even want to know what’s in the bank,” Guevara said. “If you're not adopting our dogs, there's just so many we can take in. Last year ... our hands were tied. There was very limited space and funds.”

Abandoned dogs of Everglades

Everglades Angels, one of at least seven such nonprofits, has saved 860 dogs and adopted 795 in 10 years.

Cabal and Jordan, who work with several different nonprofits, could only speculate on why people dump pets in the Everglades. Rent and other living expenses increase too much to afford a pet, people become homeless, so-called "bully breeds" become unmanageable, and people who got pets during COVID isolation no longer have time for them. Shelters are full and veterinarians won’t euthanize healthy dogs, so there are few good options.

“What are you supposed to do?” Jordan empathized.

“Not dump them,” Cabal said. At least let them loose in Miami, where they can be found more easily, she added. The problem with that is the Miami-Dade County Animal Services no-kill shelter is also overcrowded.

"We can comfortably house about 350 dogs, but today we are housing 650 dogs," Director Annette Jose said in March. "Dogs are staying in the shelter for too many days, weeks and months — some over a year. Their quality of life diminishes in the shelter. ... Please adopt from your local shelter instead of buying a dog from a breeder."She also recommends people tag, chip and spay/neuter their pets, and prevent them from getting loose.

On the hunt for the pit bull mother and puppies

Back on the hunt for the pit bull mother, the rescuers left food and water, then returned to grill pork and tripe, in hopes the smell would lure her out of hiding.

“We’re gonna be here all night,” Vega said. “That’s what we gotta do, baby,” Jordan replied. 

The next day, they finally found her — scared, scraped and with a swollen face and jaws, but safe. They named the jungle survivor Jana, after the female version of Tarzan. They previously had found one of her pups and named her Jenny. Sadly, they had also found the other pup's dead body lying nearby, decaying and drawing flies. 

They took Jana and Jenny to the hospital, then the Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue in Fort Myers to be adopted.

“As much as we try, there are endless stories,” Jordan said.

Rescuers find dogs starving and hurt in the Everglades

Rescuers find sick, injured and starving dogs with oozing sores, broken bones and protruding ribs. They're plagued by fleas, mosquitos and diseases such as heartworm. Their lives are threatened by bobcats, panthers, coyotes, alligators, crocodiles and invasive Burmese pythons — not to mention vehicles.

Rescuers risk their safety as well as their mental, emotional and financial well-being. Jordan said she spends hundreds of dollars a week on rescue efforts, and recently went to the emergency room three times in two weeks for a bug bite infection. Her mother asked if she’d die for the dogs.

"Yes," she replied. "I'll die doing what I like. We are the dogs' only chance."

Everglades Angels spends $2,777 on the monthly mortgage for its Oakland Park shelter. Donations, grants, fundraisers and sales from its Treasure 4 Tails thrift shop in Deerfield Beach help pay expenses, including food, medicine and veterinarians, President Beverley Smith said.

The rescuers get to know and love each dog: the ones that bark and bite; the crippled ones; the playful ones that chase kongs outside. In a decade, the no-kill shelter has euthanized fewer than five dogs with cancer, Guevara said. The overcrowded shelter had to turn dogs away last year as it faced a record-low adoption rate of only 20 dogs.

If Jordan can’t find an available hospital or shelter space, she takes dogs home, quarantining them in the garage she and her husband converted into an air-conditioned kennel.

“There are some days where I come home and break down and cry, but I have to wipe it off and keep saving dogs the next day,” Jordan said. “If we don’t do it, who will?”

Treasure Coast dog adoption

Tara Goins was 17 when she moved out of her parents' house in New Jersey and began fostering cats and later dogs. Now she's 42 and living in Port St. Lucie with her wife, Lauren; 5-year-old daughter, Callie; and their cat, Eli.

The family was searching for a dog to adopt, one of a certain size that would get along Eli. After finding Katy on the Everglades Angels website, they traveled to the Oakland Park shelter to meet the terrier.

“We squatted down on her level and she just came right up to us and seemed like she knew us for a long time,” Goins said. “We just knew that she was meant for us.”

Katy was skittish when she was found with a collar taut around her neck and scars on her neck and knees. For six months, Katy was terrified of the car, cowering and wobbling as Goins tried to put her in. Katy eventually acclimated to running errands around town with Goins.

Now Katy happily hangs her head out the window, ears flapping in the wind, and howling like her namesake, Katy Perry. She even guards Callie when strangers approach the family's front door.

“We couldn’t be more happy with her,” Goins said.

Animal rescue nonprofits

You can volunteer, make donations, and foster or adopt an animal through any of these nonprofits:

• Everglades Animal Coalition
• Everglades Golden Retriever Rescue
• Paw Patrol Animal Rescue
• Paws 2 Care Coalition
• Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue
• Cold Noses Foundation
• Pegasus Foundation

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Funeral held for teen killed in hit-and-run on the water off key biscayne, fwc: ella adler, 15, was struck by boat while waterskiing saturday afternoon.

Trent Kelly , Reporter

Amanda Batchelor , Digital Executive Producer

Liane Morejon , Reporter

Christina Vazquez , Reporter

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – A funeral was held Monday in Miami Beach for a 15-year-old girl who was killed by a boater over the weekend.

Police said the boater fled the scene after striking Ella Adler around 4:40 p.m. Saturday while she was waterskiing near the Nixon Beach sandbar off the coast of Key Biscayne.

“(She was) a special little girl, she was a great dancer. My daughter’s best friend,” Loren Pearson told Local 10 News.

A long line of friends and family members could be seen streaming into Temple Beth Shalom in Miami Beach Monday to pay their respects.

“My daughter was out waterskiing with her,” Pearson said. “You know, it’s a tremendous loss. She had such a bright future. It’s very sad.”

Ella’s funeral was held just two days after she was hit by a passing boat.

Police said the operator of the vessel that hit her never stopped to help.

Witnesses provided a detailed description of the boat to investigators.

“We are searching for a vessel that we are told is a center console, light blue, possible blue bottom paint with two or possibly up to four outboard engines,” said Officer George Reynaud, a spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Local 10 learned Monday that Ella was a student at Ransom Everglades High School in Coconut Grove and is the granddaughter of Michael Adler, the current U.S. ambassador to Belgium.

“Our hearts are broken and our community has been devastated by this tragedy,” Ransom Everglades Head of School Rachel Rodriguez said in a statement Monday. “Ella shined in our classrooms and on our stages, and she embodied the mission of Ransom Everglades School.

“She was an outstanding student, a wonderful dancer and an active member of the Jewish Student Association and speech and debate team. We extend our deepest sympathy to her family and our prayers are with all who are mourning her loss.

“In this time of unspeakable pain, we have been moved by the outpouring of kindness and compassion from the Ransom Everglades community. In the coming days and weeks, we will continue to lean into our core values and provide support and care to the many students and members of our professional community who are grieving.”

Those who knew Ella best are now pleading for the boater involved to come forward.

“Hand yourself in and take responsibility, and let things go from there,” Pearson said.

Anyone with information on the crash or the vessel involved is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS or the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922. Between the FWC, Crime Stoppers and the victim’s family, a total reward of $20,000 has been offered for information that leads to an arrest.

Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

About the Authors

Trent kelly.

Trent Kelly is an award-winning multimedia journalist who joined the Local 10 News team in June 2018. Trent is no stranger to Florida. Born in Tampa, he attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he graduated with honors from the UF College of Journalism and Communications.

Amanda Batchelor

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

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River of Life

Everglades National Park

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Descriptive transcript.

Description Narrator: Discovery Channel logo.

The camera moves over water toward an island of mangrove trees.

An alligator swims in shallow water.

Flowers and birds of the Everglades.

Speaker 1: Where there's water, there's life. And nowhere is this more true than right here in South Florida's national parks. Everglades, Biscayne, Dry Tortugas, Big Cypress.

Description Narrator: Views of a river of grass in the Everglades; a school of yellow fish in Biscayne; Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas, and a cypress swamp at Big Cypress.

Speaker 1: Four spectacular natural and cultural treasures. All created by water, all linked by water, and all in every South Floridian’s backyard.

Description Narrator: Florida city views. A waterway lined by mangrove trees. People kayaking, biking, and snorkeling.

Speaker 1: These water wonderlands offer places to explore and to have fun. And at the heart of this vast, interconnected ecosystem is the Everglades, the largest of Florida's national parks. A one-and-a-half-million-acre wilderness harboring a wide array of plants and animals.

Description Narrator: Egrets, jelly fish, dolphins, orchids, manatees, an alligator.

Speaker 1: From the microscopic to the menacing, and slowly drifting over it all is the engine that drives the Everglades. Wherever you go, you are witnessing life-giving water flow through a great sea of grass. This is a River of Life.

Description Narrator: Everglades: River of Life.

Speaker 1: In its variety and abundance, the Everglades has few rivals. Almost 400 species of birds, 50 kinds of reptiles, dozens of mammals, and countless fish and insects…

Description Narrator: Footage of birds, reptiles, mammals, and insects of the Everglades.

Speaker 1: …find refuge in these life-giving waters. South Florida sits on the edge of both temperate and tropical environments, making it the largest subtropical ecosystem in America.

Description Narrator: Arial footage of water and vegetation; Great egrets sit in a tree; a spider in a web; a deer in tall grass; Manatees feeding.

Speaker 1: This means plants and animals from much farther north live side by side with creatures from the tropics. The Everglades’ delicate ecosystem supports a wondrously complex web of life, completely in tune with the seasonal fluctuations of water. But over the last 100 years, the Everglades were dammed, diked, and drained, diverting water to feed thirsty farms and cities. As less water entered the ecosystem, the Everglades shrank, reducing it to less than a third of its original size.

Description Narrator: Visitors on a boardwalk taking photos of animals.

Speaker 1: For life to return to the way it was, we must turn back the clock to replicate the water's original plan. Nature will hopefully do the rest. The future will be a balancing act. As South Florida's population grows, so will the need for open space and a slice of nature.

Description Narrator: Views of highways, a crowded city park, and beach.

Speaker 1: This will only happen if the Everglades and all of South Florida's national parks continue to be restored and preserved.

Description Narrator: Views of Fort Jefferson, people paddling kayaks, Mangrove trees, and coral reefs.

Speaker 1: They're all one vast, interconnected ecosystem, all linked together…by water.

Description Narrator: The sun sets over the Everglades.

National Park Service logo. Proud Partners of America’s National Parks.

Logos: American Airlines, Discovery Channel, Ford, Kodak, and Time magazine.

www.nationalparks.org .

Discovery Channel logo.

Description

Discovery channel orientation video to the park.

3 minutes, 57 seconds

Discovery Channel

Date Created

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