naples fl everglades tour

Everglades Excursions & Tours

Embark on one in a lifetime adventure through the Everglades! See alligators, ride an airboat and more. Let our experienced tour guides show you the mystery and ecology of the Everglades on your own private excursion. Learn about the four Eco-Systems and precious wildlife that thrive in this area.

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5 Best Everglades Tours Near Naples (Airboats, Kayaking And More!)

November 24, 2021 //  by  Florida Trippers

For those looking to explore one of the most interesting National Parks the country has to offer while still staying in an established city, there is no better place to look than this list of the best Everglades tours near Naples. Naples, Florida is approximately 45 minutes from Everglades National Park, and offers beautiful beaches as well as lots of interesting things to do .

Naples is one of the best places to stay to visit the national park because the area around the park itself is very rural. There are tons of great places to stay , and delicious restaurants to try after a day at the Everglades. Locals and seasoned tourists alike will tell anyone that one of the best ways to see the Everglades is through a guided tour, so find the right Everglades tour near Naples for you!

Everglades Adventure Day Trip

The Everglades Adventure Day Trip offers a full day experience in the Everglades, featuring an airboat ride, a van tour, and a walking tour. This tour offers hotel pickup or pickup and drop-off from the greater Fort Myers and Naples area.

The first portion of the tour takes place in an airboat where experienced guides will help visitors search for Florida’s most famous celebrity, the alligator. Other wildlife such as turtles, birds, and more are sure to make an appearance too. Then visitors can enjoy a wildlife drive through Big Cypress National Preserve. This part of the tour is given by biologists, highly educated in the wildlife seen all around you!

The walking portion of the tour takes place on a trail lined with cypress trees and provides the opportunity to see all the incredible wildlife up close and personal. This tour includes lunch at Island Cafe, featuring local cuisine. The last portion of the tour takes visitors on a relaxing boat cruise through the mangrove forests. This tour encompasses almost all of the amazing things to see and do in the Everglades, and is one of the best Everglades tours near Naples!

Check Rates Here: Everglades Adventure Day Trip

Everglades Kayak Safari Adventure

Everglades Kayak Safari Adventure provides a whole new perspective on the Everglades National Park experience. Meet up with the tour at the address provided in Ochopee, FL, and get ready for this 4 hour, unforgettable experience.

Start the tour by getting into your stable and very comfortable kayak. Then, paddle through some of the most beautiful rivers you can imagine. The tours are all led by extremely knowledgeable biologists and Florida naturalists who can tell you everything there is to know about the Everglades and the wildlife that makes it home there.

Of course, visitors will have the opportunity to see majestic alligators basking in the sunlight, wading birds, turtles, and even orchids and air plants in their natural habitat. This tour takes visitors through mangrove tunnels which can only be experienced in the Everglades. This tour is very educational and fun, and is one of the best Everglades tours near Naples!

Check Rates Here: Everglades Kayak Safari Adventure

Boat tours of the Ten Thousand Islands/Everglades

Boat tours of the Ten Thousand Islands/Everglades provides visitors the opportunity to drive the rented boat themselves through the Everglades, making this tour one of the best Everglades tours near Naples for boaters.

The boat up for rent is a Craigacat catamaran and can be rented for 3 hours. Depart from the Port of the Islands Marina in Naples, and the opportunities are endless from there.

There are plenty of opportunities to see the Florida wildlife such as alligators, manatee, birds, and turtles, and stopping the boat along the shore might lead to some seashell discovery!

Check Rates Here: Boat tours of the Ten Thousand Islands/Everglades

Private or small group motorboat eco tour of the everglades.

This Private or Small Group Motorboat Eco-Tour of the Everglades provides visitors the chance to go on one of the best Everglades tours near Naples in an intimate setting. This tour is great for families as it offers discounts for kids 17-13, and kids 12 and under are free!

The tour departs from a Marina in Everglades City and returns to the same place. Snacks, water, insect repellant, and ponchos are included in the tour, providing necessities for all possibilities.

This tour focuses on the expanse and unique ecosystem living in the Everglades and has many opportunities to see the unique Florida wildlife. Many tours will see alligators, birds, and sometimes even bottlenose dolphins. At one point on the tour, visitors are welcome to stop at a secluded island to look for this wildlife.

Check Rates Here: Private or Small Group Motorboat Eco Tour of the Everglades

Western everglades adventure tour.

The Western Everglades Adventure Tour is one of the most fun Everglades tours near Naples, and provides visitors with an exciting half-day experience, including an airboat ride! The tour departs from Immokalee, FL and visitors can meet the wildlife biologist at the trailhead to the Corkscrew Marsh.

The main attraction of the tour is having Florida biologists pointing out the alligator and answering any questions about them. There are more alligators per acre here than anywhere else in the world, so this is definitely a must-see! In addition, visitors will see namely birds and reptiles.

This tour also includes a one-hour reptile presentation. This show helps all to learn about and see first hand the many reptile species in Florida! This is a great tour for families and people of all ages hoping to learn more about the Everglades and the animals that live there.

Check Rates Here: Western Everglades Adventure Tour

create unforgettable Everglades memories at captain jack's!

Zip through Everglades City on airboat tours

Venture through a cypress forest on a swamp buggy

Get a chance to see wild alligators, birds & more

Stay safe and comfortable 

See alligators & animals up close

Hold a baby alligator

Take home gifts and memories

Everglades National Park Boat Tour

Mangrove Tunnel & National Park Combo

Ten Thousand Islands Boat Tour

Mangrove maze airboat tours.

Race through a maze of Everglades mangroves on an airboat, away from other traffic.

• Mangrove Maze Ultimate Combo

• Mangrove Maze Airboat Tour

Mangrove Tunnel Airboat Combos

• Total Everglades Combo

Mangrove Tunnel & Grassland Combo

Mangrove Tunnel & Buggy Combo

Private Mangrove Tunnel & Buggy Combo

Mangrove tunnel airboat tours.

Take a high-speed tour of Everglades City's signature mangrove tunnels!

• Mangrove Tunnel Airboat Tour

• Private Mangrove Tunnel Airboat Tour

Grassland airboat Tours

Grassland & Buggy Combo

• Grassland Airboat Tour

4 Attractions Included with All Our Tours

When you book direct.

Animal Sanctuary

Alligator Show

Hug an Alligator

Why Choose Captain Jack’s?

Local Roots

Safety & Experience

Two-Way Headsets

Alligators & Animals

Quietest & Comfiest

Personal & Popular

Refreshments & Gifts

Guests love us.

“There is something about flying down narrow alleys of mangrove trees that is just a rush. I could never get tired of it. The guides always give more than just a ride. You learn so much about the Everglades and the total ecosystem that it is. We most certainly will be back!

—C. from Florida

“The mangrove tour was so much fun! We saw a family of dolphins swimming along the boat, several alligators, and a few fish jumping out of the water. Riding through the mangroves was beautiful and a fun way to see the Everglades. I would recommend to anyone.”

—J. from Massachusetts

“We really enjoyed seeing the alligators. The captain of the airboat gave a lot of information about the Everglades and habitat. The addition of the two-way headsets let us all communicate during the tour. This was really a highlight of having friends down visiting us new Florida residents. Plan to bring other guests."

—K. from Florida

“We did the combo package and it was amazing! Great way to experience all 3 ways to 'see' the Everglades! Would highly recommend. All the captains for each segment were fantastic! Had a great time!"

—J.T.

• Mangrove Tunnel & National Park Combo
• Mangrove Tunnel & Grassland Combo
• Mangrove Tunnel & Buggy Combo
• Private Mangrove Tunnel & Buggy Combo
• Grassland & Buggy Combo
• Lodging Nearby
• Total Everglades Stay & Play
• Online Gift Shop
• Animals & Alligator Show
• Everglades City Boardwalk

• Great for Kids!

Captain Bob’s Everglades Adventure Tour from Naples

Guided tour departing from Naples

Quick Details

• Tags Location: Southwest Coast
• Hour Glass Duration: 5 hours

8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

What to Bring

What’s Included

• Rain poncho (if needed)
• Insect Repellant (rarely needed)
• Biologist-guided transportation from the Naples in an air-conditioned tour van

Experience the highlights of the Florida Everglades on our airboat tour, nature drive & reptile show!

Guided transportation.

• Our biologist will pick you up in our air-conditioned tour van and narrate the tour out to the Everglades. You will learn about the history of the area as well as the conservation status of one of the world’s most unique and imperiled wilderness areas.

Airboat Ride

• Upon arrival at our destination, guests board an airboat that will navigate the pond apple swamps and marshes of the Western Everglades! During your airboat ride you’ll search for alligators and a beautiful variety of unique birds that may include roseate spoonbills, great egrets, wood storks, purple gallinules, herons and more.

Reptile Presentation

• How much do you know about snakes, turtles and alligators? What’s the difference between venomous and poisonous? How long can alligators stay underwater? What’s their life expectancy? How fast do they grow? When is nesting season? What’s the difference between gators and crocodiles? Learn all about the reptiles of Florida in this exciting and educational interactive reptile presentation!

Pickup Locations

• Embassy Suites   (10450 Corkscrew Commons Drive, Estero, Fl 33928)
• Target (2415 Tarpon Bay Blvd, Naples, FL 34119)

Related Everglades Activities

• The Full Everglades Experience
• Hour Glass 9 hours

Everglades Day Safari

Join us on an in-depth, naturalist-guided day trip into the majestic Everglades! Includes an airboat ride, nature walk, mangrove wilderness boat ride and a delicious lunch!

• Nature Walk, Airboat Ride & Reptile Show!
• Hour Glass 4 hours

Western Everglades Adventure in Immokalee

Enjoy an educational, hands-on reptile presentation with snakes and alligators and explore for reptiles (including alligators!) and birds on an airboat ride!

Your Florida adventure starts here...

Manatee, dolphin & 10,000 islands beach eco-tour.

Tour Length: 3 Hours

Manatee, Dolphin & 10,000 Islands Sunset Cruise

Common questions & answers, when should i arrive, how long will it take me to get there, where do i park, where do we meet, can i bring food and drink on the boat, what should i wear for this excursion, how long are the tours, where will the tour take me, will i see other kinds of wildlife, is the water visibility clear, what is the likelihood i will see a manatee, what is the best time of day to see wildlife, are manatees better during a certain part of the year, what if i have a party larger than 6, what if i want to make it a private tour, what is the cancellation policy, what is the reschedule policy, what is your covid-19 policy, is there a minimum number of passengers, can i purchase a gift card, do you offer any other tours.

Captain Mitch's * Everglades Airboat rides

Everglades City Fl , Swampland Airboat Tours

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Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours

EVERGLADES Airboat Tours with Captain Mitch’s OPEN 7 a days week 8:30 to 4:00

CAPTAIN MITCH’S Airboat Tours Everglades City, FL. THRILLING Everglades airboat tours on thousands of acres of private swampland. At the same price as our competitors. So join us on a Everglades City Airboat ride.

Oldest family in the airboat ride industry of south Florida.

• Come let us show you the great Everglades rides in Florida on an Airboat.
• The best way to travel is Everglades Airboat Rides, Everglades City, FL.
• Skim over the water on one of our  Airboat Tours  and see the grasslands of the Florida Everglades the way it was meant to be seen.
• Captain Mitch House of  Everglades Private Airboat Tours , and his family has been in the airboat tour business for more than 60 years.
• This is the original small Airboat Tours in Everglades City, FL.
• In our private Everglades Airboat ride park we see gators, birds, fish, snakes come see all of our friends!
• For more  Everglades  info.

Everglades Private Airboat tours Captain Mitchs  History

TRAVEL LIKE THE OLD PIONEERS WITH A REAL PIONEER FAMILY.

Know that your time at  Everglades Private Airboat Tours  will be one of your cherished memories of your Florida Everglades Airboat experience, whether you are visiting or a year-round resident. We’ll see you soon!

Email us at  Everglades Private Airboat Tours  .

1-800-368-0065

Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours 31000 Tamiami Trail E Naples, FL 34114

A Florida Everglades airboat ride, Everglades City, FL. Just south on US 41 in the swamps from Naples or Marco Island, FL. Ft Myers or Miami fl are great day trip of aprox 1 1/2 hrs drive. Private Everglades Airboat Tours through the swamplands and Everglades island.

**SPECIAL**

$5.00 OFF EACH (ADULT & CHILD) Mention Verbal Code: ***SCHOOLS OUT*** at check in to receive discount ***EXPIRES: 06/30/2024

*Cannot be combined with any other coupons* **Verbal Code must be mentioned at check in to receive the discount. Discounts will NOT be accepted after purchase**

COUPONS NOT VALID ON PRIVATE TOURS

Airboat Ride Adventures

Experience this THRILLING once in a lifetime one hour Everglade airboat tour in the Florida Everglades swampland at Captain Mitch’s airboat park.

Reservation Request

*All online reservation requests should be done 72 hours in advance. If you are planning same day service (less than 72 hours), please call our office to ensure we can get you in right away.

**Current prices effective 04/07/2022**

Adults: CASH PRICE: $45.00 per person, plus tax. CREDIT CARD PRICE: $50.00 per person, plus tax (1 hr ride) Child: CASH PRICE: $20.00 per person, plus tax. CREDIT CARD PRICE: $25.00 per person, plus tax (1 hr ride)

(Boat minimum 2 adults)

AIRBOAT PIONEER BARREL HEAD HOUSE

• 31 reviews of Everglades Private Airboat Tours in Everglades City

Our local Airboat tour captains

Capt Mitch.

Born and raised in Everglades City Fl. Raised commercial fishing the Everglades National Park and running airboat tours.

Raised in Chokoloskee, FL crabbing, commercial fishing the Everglades 10,000 Islands and airboat rides

Capt  Hunter

Raised in Chokoloskee, FL airboating the Everglades all his life

Born in Ohio relocated to Everglades City fishing and airboating the Everglades 20+years

Naples Florida redneck. Airboat Captain from the swamp.

Captain Cory

Our newest Airboat Captain living the island life on Chokoloskee, FL

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Phone: (239) 695-3377 Address: 30999 Tamiami Trail E Everglades, FL 34139

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Airboat Rides

EVERGLADES AIRBOAT TOURS

• Native Floridian Tour Guides
• Comfortable Cushioned Seats
• Airboats seat up to 10 adults comfortably
• Everglades Gift Shop
• Hold a live baby alligator and have your picture taken
• Open 7 days a week
• 45 minute airboat rides
• Clean restrooms

Protect Your Trip »

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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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

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• BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING

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8 ways to get the most out of Everglades National Park

Mar 24, 2024 • 6 min read

Top Everglades birdwatching spots include Eco Pond and Mrazek Pond © Brian Lasenby / Shutterstock

Across more than 1.5 million acres across South Florida  sprawls  Everglades National Park , a wonderland of marshland, sawgrass and mangroves.

Such a vast place can intimidate first-timers, and it’s hard to know where to begin. As you plan, remember that how you explore the Everglades makes all the difference. You can hike, airboat, canoe, kayak or even travel by tram here, with each experience presenting visitors with a different impression.

Which is yours? From  strolling on a boardwalk above gator-filled waters to embarking on a backcountry camping adventure, here are the best things to do in Everglades National Park.

1. Feel the distinct vibes of all four of the park’s entrances 

There are four entrances in total to the park, and each provides access to distinct terrains. To make the most of an Everglades trip, you should try to visit them all. Approximately 40 miles west of Miami , the Shark Valley Visitor Center is home to the famous 15-mile paved Tram Rd, a haven for bike rides, walks and (yes) tram rides; you’ll usually find alligators lounging by the side of the road. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City is a hub for boating excursions, providing the perfect seaside jumping-off point for exploring the Ten Thousand Islands , a wildlife refuge for thousands of water birds.

Homestead is home to two visitor centers. Royal Palm Visitor Center provides access to a number of shorter hiking trails (all under a mile), ranging from strolls under canopy trees to walks on boardwalks over the marshland. The Flamingo Visitor Center is approximately 40 miles south of Royal Palm – it’s a gateway to the mangrove-draped Florida Bay, canoe trails and the 275-pitch Flamingo Campground .

2. Camp on a chickee  

What is a chickee, you ask? In Everglades-speak, it’s a wooden platform positioned above the water where you can set up a tent; it’s like having your own little island. Most chickee sites are found near the Flamingo Visitor Center.

You’ll need a few things in addition to your camping gear, notably a backcountry camping permit (available from any park visitor center), bug repellant for the inevitable mosquitos and a canoe (as you can only reach the platforms via water). Canoes and kayaks can be rented from several spots around the park. Off the Hell’s Bay Trail are a handful of chickee sites within a 5-mile canoe jaunt, including Lard Can and Pearl Bay Chickee .

3. Zip through lily-covered water on an airboat

If the Everglades were to have an official vehicle, it would be the airboat (along the Tamiami Trail , you can’t miss all the “AIRBOAT TOURS” signs). These flat-bottomed boats with giant propeller fans on the back are designed to safely navigate the grass- and lily-heavy waters. 

While there are oodles of airboat operators beyond the national park’s confines, there are only three that operate within the park: Gator Park , Everglades Safari Park  and Coopertown Airboats . Whichever you choose, just make sure to keep your hands inside when you coast by the inevitable gator (or 10).

4. Learn about the Everglades’ Indigenous roots at the Miccosukee’s museum

Humans have inhabited the Everglades for upward of 15,000 years. Long before European colonization began in the 19th century, tribes like the Seminole and Miccosukee comprised the bulk of the population. 

Today, you can learn all about Miccosukee culture, history and legacy at the Miccosukee Indian Village , less than a half-mile from the park’s Shark Valley entrance. The village includes a museum with beadwork and photographs, as well as regular alligator demonstrations, which demonstrate the importance of the gators to the tribe. These are strictly ethical presentations, meaning there are no wrestling elements to the show.

Detour: The Museum of the Everglades also has exhibits covering more than 2000 years of the Everglades’ history. Cruising through Everglades City, you can’t miss it – it’s a restored pink building that’s on the National Register of Historic Places.

5. Zigzag through Nine Mile Pond’s mangrove islands via canoe or kayak

The ultimate Everglades water excursion – and an easy-to-tackle one, too – awaits at Nine Mile Pond . Approximately 12 miles northwest of the Flamingo Visitor Center, you’ll find the roadside trailhead for this water course. Despite its name, it’s actually just 5.2 miles of paddle, during which you’ll swish through tree islands, curved mangrove tunnels and tranquil open waters. You don’t have to worry about getting lost, thanks to periodic white PVC pipe signs with helpful arrows that just out of the water.

Planning tip: If you need to rent a canoe or kayak, head to the Flamingo Visitor Center, where the team will provide you with a key to unlock a canoe or kayak that will be waiting for you at the pond.

6. Tour the Ten Thousand Islands via boat

Since Everglades National Park consists primarily of swamps, lakes and marshes, you’ll need a boat to get around. For a true open-water experience, head to the Gulf Coast Visitor Center to catch a 90-minute, ranger-narrated boat tour through Florida Bay aboard a large catamaran. Along the way, you’ll see island after island made of mangroves, sawgrass and other lush flora. You’ll want to book the excursion ahead of time via the park’s official partner, Everglades National Park Adventures .

Planning tip: If you want an upper-body workout, four-hour, ranger-led kayak and canoe tours of Florida Bay are also on offer at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.

7. See how many alligators you can spot along the Anhinga Trail

Fewer than 50ft from the Royal Palm Visitor Center is the park’s most popular hiking route. While the Anhinga Trail is short – just an 0.8-mile round-trip – it delivers maximum Everglades pizzazz. As you follow the path along wooden boardwalks hovering above lily and sawgrass marsh and asphalt, you’ll have a solid shot at seeing gators, turtles and the trail’s namesake, the anhinga – a large water bird with a tail that resembles a turkey.

Detour: For a bonus short hike, the 0.4-mile Gumbo Limbo Trail is right by the Royal Palm Visitor Center, too.

8. Spot pelicans and storks on a pondside birdwatching adventure

Among the seemingly infinite number of waterways and ponds within the park’s confines, two spots reign supreme for birdwatching. Across the street from the Flamingo Campground and accessible via half-mile paved trail that surrounds it,  Eco Pond  brims with ducks frolicking about and a range of wading birds – storks, herons, and egrets – taking a dip or soaring above. 

Mrazek Pond is another bird-lover’s paradise, particularly during the winter months when hordes of wood storks feast in the shallow waters. Ask a guide at the Flamingo Visitor Center – just three miles south – what’s in season and what to expect.

Keep planning your trip to Everglades National Park:

Figure out the best time to visit Get up close with nature on these hikes Take a road trip to the park on these drives through Florida Know these things before you go

This article was first published Feb 1, 2023 and updated Mar 24, 2024.

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Get Close to Nature

The Shark Valley area is home to a diverse number of animals and plants. The various species change with the seasons and water levels throughout the year. As a result, every journey through the Everglades offers a different experience for visitors. MORE

Experience the Everglades

At the half-way point of the Everglades tour, a 45 foot high observation deck gives visitors an opportunity to experience panoramic views of the Everglades, extending outward 20 miles in all directions. A gradual ramp provides easy access to the observation tower deck. MORE

Ride the Everglades Loop

Bicycling the 15 mile Everglades loop is an excellent way to view the area at your own pace. A great alternative for those who prefer to explore “on their own.” The small elevation changes in South Florida make this an ideal place to bike. MORE

Shark Valley Tram Tours

The captivating and educational way to see the everglades.

The Everglades is a unique and fascinating ecosystem. When you take an Everglades National Park tour at Shark Valley, you’ll travel in a relaxed setting, learning about the ecology and history of The Everglades from our friendly and knowledgeable Park-trained naturalists. They’ll turn your sightseeing visit into a highly educational tour of the Everglades, and at the halfway point on your adventure, you can walk to the highest accessible point in Everglades National Park, the viewing platform of the Shark Valley Observation Tower.

Pay us a visit and experience one of the world’s most unique eco-systems at Everglades National Park. Take advantage of local insight offered on a  guided Everglades tram tour or venture out on your own on a self-guided Everglades bike tour .  Either way, you’ll be creating memories for a lifetime.