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Everglades city.

Everglades City , 36 miles south of Naples on Florida’s Southwest Coast , is a small community where visitors can truly get away from it all and the perfect staging point for a family-friendly Everglades vacation or Gulf-Coast fishing getaway.

The charming waterfront city’s proximity to Everglades parks and wild Gulf islands make it an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. Fish Ten Thousand Islands , kayak the Paradise Coast Blueway , check out the Gulf Coast Visitor Center at Everglades National Park , and choose from a host of companies offering excursions to the Everglades, fishing charters, airboat tours, swamp buggy tours, and eco-tours. Some of Florida’s most iconic preserves and parks, including Big Cypress National Preserve , Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge , Picayune Strand State Forest , and Collier-Seminole State Park , are all within easy reach of Everglades City.

Culinary offerings here range from fresh-from-the-water seafood to cafe fare and Cuban-American cuisine. Everglades City is known as the “ Stone Crab Capital of the World,” and visitors can get this delicacy at local eateries and fish sellers during stone crab season, which runs from Oct. 15 until May 1. The 100-year-old Everglades Rod & Gun Club is a historic local gem where visitors can eat in the same club where several presidents have dined, stay at the resort , and dock at the marina .

Ochopee, a 10-minute drive from Everglades City, is where visitors can find Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery and see the famous black-and-white works of Florida’s best-known photographer. Quirky, family-friendly attractions, including the The smallest post office in the U.S. and Skunk Ape Research Headquarters , are also nearby. The Smallwood Store , four miles from Everglades City on Chokoloskee Island , is full of Florida pioneer history and rumored to be haunted.

Plan your trip to the Paradise Coast .

Explore the parks, spot dolphins on an eco-tour, the area’s family-friendly attractions.

• Skunk Ape Research Headquarters
• More kid-friendly experiences

MUSEUMS, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Visit the museum and local attractions.

• Museum of the Everglades
• Big Cypress Gallery
• Attractions

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Book a fishing charter, airboat tour, or swamp buggy tour, and explore the area’s many parks and preserves.

• Gulf Coast paddling trails
• Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge
• Big Cypress National Preserve
• Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge
• Picayune Strand State Forest
• Collier-Seminole State Park
• Everglades National Park
• Wellness retreats and eco-tours
• Airboat tours
• Fishing, charters, and more

Take a drive to visit the beaches of Naples and Marco Island.

• Naples and Marco Island beaches

ACCESSIBILITY

Visit the area’s accessible attractions.

• Everglades National Park accessibility information
• Everglades City Boardwalk

Enjoy fresh seafood, Cuban-American cuisine, and more.

• Taverns and grills

Pick up essential supplies, gifts, and seafood to go.

• Glades Haven General Store
• Historic Smallwood Store
• Grimm’s Stone Crab, Inc.
• More places to shop

PLACES TO STAY

Book a stay at a hotel, motel, fishing lodge, resort, or campground.

• Hotels and motels
• Vacation rentals

Exploring Florida's 10,000 Islands

Quick facts.

Best access to old Florida swamp life.

Nearest Airport

• Everglades Air Park
• Marco Island Executive Airport

EVERGLADES CITY BUSINESS LISTINGS

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The Best Things To Do In Everglades City, Florida

• Best Things To Do
• Where To Eat
• Where To Stay

Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB

The Everglades are a natural wonder. Often compared to a grassy, slow-moving river, the 1.5 million-acre wetlands preserve is not only a U.S. national park, but it’s also a World Heritage Site. If you want to experience the true untamed beauty of the South—and one of the wildest ecosystems in the U.S.—then a trip to the Everglades is a must. But because the Everglades cover so much distance, it can be difficult to know where to start. Enter Everglades City. The minuscule town of fewer than 500 people is perched on the southwest Florida coast (just 35 miles south of Naples). It offers the perfect gateway to exploring the endless expanses of the Everglades. In true Old Florida fashion, a visit to Everglades City feels like stepping back in time. With weathered seafood spots, charming small-town scenes, and unfettered access to airboat, kayak, and swamp tours of the Everglades, you’ll easily fill a weekend in this one-of-a-kind town. Here’s everything to do on a trip to Everglades City, Florida.

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The Best Things To Do In Everglades City

There are so many ways to explore the Everglades, from heart-pumping airboat rides to leisurely paddles around the mangroves. Make the most of your trip by experiencing the majesty of the coastal mangroves, pine flatwoods, and sawgrass marshes from every vantage point. Start by taking a Big Cypress Swamp Tour with a ranger at the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitors Center. Check out the indoor and outdoor exhibits and watch an introductory film about the swamp, then head out with a ranger who will help you wade through the swamp to spot the incredible flora and fauna for yourself.

When you’re ready to dive a little deeper, reach out to Everglades Area Tours and get going on your next adventure. They offer a variety of naturalist-led kayak eco tours; all you have to do is decide your focus. Alligators and orchids, a mangrove tunnel, the Turner River, or Everglades National Park—the choice is yours. There are even special day trips if you want to try paddling the open ocean. One of the coolest places to see on an excursion with Everglades Area Tours is Ten Thousand Islands, a chain of islands and mangrove islets off the coast that’s partially designated as a National Wildlife Refuge.

Once you’ve taken your time to get acquainted with the otherworldly natural landscape of the Everglades, raise the stakes with a high-speed airboat tour. Captain Jack’s Airboat Tours offers tours of mangrove tunnels, cypress forest, and grasslands. See all three on the 5-hour-long Everglades Combo tour.

After a day of adventuring, head back to town and locate the little pink building. Inside the 1927 laundry house, the Museum of the Everglades ’ rotating exhibits tell the story of 2,000 years of human history in Florida’s Last Frontier. In the neighboring community of Ochopee, get your picture in front of the smallest operating post office in the U.S. The 61.3-square-foot building is a true wonder and exactly the type of nostalgic relic this area of Florida is known for.

One place you can’t leave the area without visiting is Clyde Butcher Gallery in Big Cypress Swamp. There you can see incredible black-and-white fine art photography from legendary photographer Clyde Butcher, who captures the primeval swamp in such stunning clarity that his works have made their way to well-known museums and galleries across the globe. In addition to Clyde’s work, the gallery also features photographs and paintings by his equally talented wife Niki. For an “art imitates life” experience, take one of Butcher’s guided Big Cypress Swamp walks and rent one of his two on-property bungalows for the night.

Where To Eat In Everglades City

Known as the Stone Crab Capital of the World, the dining scene in Everglades City revolves around the crustacean for roughly eight months of the year. Stone crab season runs from mid-October through May, which means you’ll have ample opportunity to indulge in the underwater delicacy. Stone crabs are different from other crab species because harvesters take just one claw from each crab before returning them to the water where they’ll slowly regenerate their appendage. The gentle harvest brings supremely fresh and succulently flaky crabmeat that’s often described as a mix between shrimp and lobster.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a seafood joint on the Paradise Coast that doesn’t sell stone crab in season, but in Everglades City, check out Grimm’s Stone Crab for fresh claws to take home. If you want your seafood prepared for you, grab a dockside picnic table at City Seafood or head to Triad Seafood Market & Café , a beloved institution that offers all-you-can-eat stone crab and has been family-owned since 1984. Another great waterfront seafood spot, Camellia Street Grill is the laidback crowd-pleaser that will satisfy everyone in your group. The menu includes everything from chicken wings and hamburgers to shrimp and grits, tacos, po’boys, and of course stone crab.

Two other special spots to try are Island Café and HavAnna Café . Island Café serves nostalgic diner food at all hours of the day, but the real treat is going early in the morning for a short stack with a side of crispy bacon. Last but not least, HavAnna Café is a tucked-away tropical oasis that offers some of the best Cuban and Cracker cuisine you’ll find anywhere. The eclectic eatery is known for its cheery garden where guests dine under umbrellaed tables in the company of tropical blooms and lush greenery. On the menu, you’ll find everything from a classic Cuban sandwich to red snapper grilled with Cuban sofrito.   

The Best Places To Stay In Everglades City

The cozy cottage and bungalow on Clyde Butcher’s 14 secluded acres are a wonderful place to fully immerse yourself in the natural world, but there are plenty of other places to stay in the area if you don’t snag a reservation. The Ivey House offers comfortable queen and king rooms, with a screened-in swimming pool. They also offer special packages for discounted airboat tours, kayak tours, and fishing charters with your stay. For a glimpse into Everglades City’s storied past, book a room at the The Rod & Gun Club a historic private club that’s now open the public as a hotel and resort. The property is built at the location of Everglades City’s first white settlement when the city was founded 1864. Over the past century, The Rod & Gun Club has hosted presidents, dignitaries, and celebrities like John Wayne, Burt Reynolds, and Jack Nicklaus. Today, it features a massive restaurant overlooking the Barron River, two bar lounges, rental cottages and inn rooms, a swimming pool, and a full-service marina.  

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24 Things To Do In Everglades City: Hiking Trails, Biking, Paddling, And More

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LOOKING FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN EVERGLADES CITY?

I love Everglades City. I don’t know where I want to live forever, but Everglades City is one of the contenders so far (along with Moab and the Asheville area, if you were curious) and it’s in the heart of the Florida Everglades. Or maybe technically on the edge of them.

Every January we make a trip down there and do the same things but also manage to find new things to do in Everglades City every time. Like the Marsh Trail. I didn’t know that existed until the 2021 trip. But then I did it twice this year.

I’ve been wanting to write this post forever and finally feel like I’ve done the majority of the things and hikes near Everglades City that aren’t tours or paddling where I’m qualified enough to really get into it all. Of course there is always more to do.

I like to wait until I’ve done most of the things and have the experiences before I make these lists, that’s why you haven’t seen many here until recently and will be seeing more in the near future.

So, today, I bring to you all the Everglades City hiking, paddling, biking, days trips, fishing, and other fun things to do in the tiny little swamp town in South Florida.

These are all great things to do whether you’re camping in Big Cypress or staying in a hotel in Everglades City.

Travel Services I Recommend: AllTrails – This is my favorite hike tracking app. America the Beautiful – The national park pass is essential. Booking.com – This is great for finding and booking hotels. Get Your Guide – I recommend Get Your Guide for booking tours. National Park Obsessed – This is the best national park planner. Skyscanner – Skyscanner is great for finding and booking flights. Enterprise – This is my rental car recommendation. See all my resources here.

Everglades City tours

• Everglades boat eco tour
• Marco Island: Dolphin, birding, and shelling tour
• Mangrove kayaking eco tour
• Birding, wildlife, and photography tour
• 2.5 hour private photo safari
• Alligators and plants eco kayak tour

Best things to do in Everglades City

There are so many great things to do in Everglades City, Florida, you could stay busy forever. But most of us don’t have that so I’m here to help you narrow down what you want to see and do while you’re there.

Hike the Marsh Trail

Where is it

The Marsh Trail is just 21 minutes from Everglades City. To get there, head out of town towards the Tamiami Trail.

Once you get to that stoplight by the gas station, turn left and follow the Tamiami Trail for about 13 miles.

There will be a parking area on the left. There is a sign for the Marsh Trail in Ten Thousand Islands.

Just park there and the trailhead will be marked with a sign. If your back is to the road, the trail is on the left.

Why should you do this?

This is a nice, easy trail with pretty good bird pay-off. It’s close to Everglades City but also nice to do if you’re driving between Everglades City or Miami and Marco Island/Naples/Fort Myers.

Important things to know

This is a flat 2.3 mile out and back trail. It’s great for wildlife viewing, especially birds.

I went in January and mi-March and would recommend January. There was so much more wildlife that first time . It was still a nice walk in March though.

It does get hot and there is almost no shade. After the observation tower, it’s fairly uneventful but you may see a gator or two after that. It’s not totally necessary to pass that, but of course, you can.

Visit the Skunk Ape HQ

This is right along the Tamiami Trail as well, but the opposite direction of the Marsh Trail.

At that stoplight by the gas station, turn right and follow that for about 3.5 miles. It will be on the right side of the road.

To see/learn about the Skunk Ape, Florida’s swamp version of Bigfoot! Maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see one while you’re out hiking or paddling in the swamp.

This is perfect for anyone interested in quirky roadside attractions, bigfoot, cryptozoology, or anything along those lines.

While it may not be quite as exciting as I hoped (and my Skunk Ape pin broke super fast) it was still a fun little stop but I wouldn’t go it with super high expectations.

This is basically just a little store at a campground but you can take your picture with a few Skunk Ape statues and get some Skunk Ape merch. There is a Geocache here, too.

This is a good stop if you’re just passing through or on your way somewhere else since you don’t need tons of time here.

And if you’re camping, you could always stay here, too. I can almost guarantee this is exactly what you think it’s going to be.

If you want to get to know the weird side of Florida before visiting or while you’re here, definitely check out Best State Ever by Dave Barry.

Hike to the Fakahatchee Hilton

The Fakahatchee Hilton is about two miles down the East Tram Trail in the Fakahatchee Strand State Park Preserve. To get here from Everglades City, head out to that stoplight and go straight across.

Keep going for about 2.5 miles then turn left onto the Janes Memorial Scenic Drive.

You’ll pass the visitor center/ranger station where you pay the entrance fee then follow the dirt road as far as it goes, about seven miles. Park there and the trail is on the right.

Because it’s one of the best hikes near Everglades City! It’s an easy hike with pretty great gator payoff.

You hike to a small swamp shack with a pond full of gators out back. This is one of my favorite hikes in Florida and I’ve done it three times now!

I would also recommend reading The Orchid Thief while you’re there or before/after you go. It can be a little dry at times but it’s kind of set around the Fakahatchee and it’s cool to know what these people will slog through for orchids.

The park entrance fee is just $3 and can be paid at the ranger station. I believe it is cash only and if there isn’t anyone there, they have envelopes to pay in.

The hike is about four miles round-trip but it’s super easy since there is like, two feet of elevation gain. I would bring bug spray though.

If you encounter any gators on the side of the trail make sure to give them as much room as you can when you pass them.

If there are any on the trail, either wait to see if they move (from a safe distance) or turn around. Don’t try any get them to move.

Some of the trail is shaded but there are other parts right in the sun so a hat is really good to have too.

Most cars should be able to drive the scenic drive but it is dirt. Some parts are pretty potholey but I’ve seen plenty of small cars on it, just take your time. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife along the way.

Kayak the Turner River Canoe Trail

The Turner River Canoe Trail is on the Tamiami Trail in Bug Cypress. From Everglades City, go out to that stoplight and turn right.

It’s about seven miles down the road on your left. There is a sign and parking area for this. There are usually a few other vehicles there already.

To experience Big Cypress in a way most people visiting don’t! I still haven’t done this, I haven’t paddled here at all, actually, but I bet it’s pretty cool, especially if you’re used to kayaking.

The trail is just under ten miles and moderately difficult. The launch point is on the Tamiami Trail and the takeout point is either the Gulf District Ranger Station or Chokoloskee Island.

This can take 4.5-7 hours to complete, so plan for that and a way to get back to your car.

I suppose you could always paddle back but I wouldn’t plan for that unless you’re a somewhat seasoned kayaker since it can be tough. Also, keep an eye on the weather if you’ll be on the water at all.

Hike the Gator Hook Trail

The Gator Hook Trailhead is about 25 minutes from Everglades City on the Loop Road. From the town, head out to the stoplight and turn right onto the Tamiami Trail.

Follow that for about 19 miles and you’ll see signs for the Loop Road Scenic Drive. Turn right there and it’s a couple of miles down.

You’ll see the trailhead and parking area on the left. This is a dirt road but any car can drive it (proceed with caution if its’ rainy though).

The trailhead is pretty small and kind of hard to spot at first but there is a small opening in the grasses with a holey limestone path. That’s it.

To really get a taste of swamp hiking while still being on a trail. It’s the perfect beginner swamp hike.

This is a great beginner one because it is a maintained trail and there are usually other people on it so you’re not just wandering aimlessly through the swamp, which would make me nervous.

Unless you’re about five feet tall, or shorter, you’re probably going to be hunched over for a good portion of this hike.

This is a 4.7-mile hike, round-trip, with 0 feet of elevation gain. You will be walking through swamp water for at least part of this if you do the whole thing.

If you do this in the winter (dry season) it probably won’t all be flooded but if you do it in the summer there will most likely be a lot more water.

And a lot more bugs. And humidity. I would wear closed-toe shoes you don’t mind getting muddy for this.

Visit the Museum of the Everglades

This is right in the heart of Everglades City, just across from the cutest city hall ever. It’s a little pink building and it’s address is 105 Broadway Street.

While I haven’t been here yet (I’m not much of a museum person) it’s a great place to learn about the Everglades and the history of the area. I’m sure I’ll get here someday but who knows when.

This is a pretty small museum so I don’t think you would need to plan tons of time to spend here. It would be perfect to stop at if you’re waiting to check into your hotel or Airbnb.

They are open Monday – Saturday from 9-4. I can’t find an entrance fee but they do accept donations and have membership available.

Day trip to Shark Valley

Shark Valley is part of Everglades National Park but is a different area than Flamingo. This part is off of the Tamiami Trail as well.

To get here from Everglades City, head out to that stoplight and turn right. Follow that for about 42 miles and it will be on your right. There will be signs for it.

Because it’s a great way to experience Everglades National Park in a way a lot of people won’t. You can either do a tram tour, walk, or bike the loop and I would recommend biking it because it’s fun and you can go at your own pace.

It’s a great place to really see the Everglades and experience the park wildlife up close. You can also go to the highest point in the park here.

The entrance fee for the park, including Shark Valley, is $30 per vehicle but if you have a national park pass , that will get you in, too. There are additional fees for renting bikes and tram tours.

The loop is 15 miles, so be prepared to bike that if you plan to bike to the observation tower. It may seem like a lot and your butt will probably hurt by the end, but it’s a flat 15 miles which really helps.

If you are not doing a tram tour or biking the loop and don’t have a park pass, it is not worth the $30 to see this. There is nothing else to do here besides the loop.

Join a swamp tour

Throughout Big Cypress and the Gulf District of Everglades National Park. What you decide to do will decide where you need to go.

To experience Big Cypress, Everglades, or Ten Thousand Islands with the guidance of a park ranger or swamp professional.

Not only will they be able to guide you on your adventure, but they’ll be able to tell you all about wherever you are as you go.

This is one of the best things to do in Everglades City if you want to see the swamp up close and have never been in the area.

Skip it if you don’t want to walk in water but if you don’t mind that, this would be great.

I thought there were ranger-led tours in Big Cypress but I haven’t been able to find these and it may have actually been with the Everglades Gulf District.

You can sign up for guided tours of Big Cypress through the Big Cypress Institute , though they are not free. If you want to do a ranger-led paddling tour, you can do that at the Gulf District station. You will need reservations for these.

Go shelling on Marco Island

Marco Island is about 40 minutes from Everglades City and is the perfect option if you’re looking for a beachy day trip. To get here from Everglades City, head out to the stoplight and turn left.

Follow the Tamiami Trail for about 16 miles then turn left onto San Marco Road for 16 more miles. If you plan on shelling, you can go to South Beach or Tigertail Beach. Google Maps should take you to either just fine.

There is great shelling on Marco Island and it’s not as busy as nearby Sanibel or Fort Myers area. It’s easy to get to on your own and has some great shells.

It’s also the closest beach to Everglades City and while there isn’t a whole lot to do on Marco Island, it is a nice place to relax for an afternoon.

If you go to Tigertail Beach (which I would recommend) there is an $8 parking/entrance fee and there are plenty of facilities available. They have a snack bar, beach rentals, and bathrooms.

You will have to either wade across a lagoon or walk around like, ten minutes to avoid that. The walk around isn’t that bad. I haven’t been to South Beach yet so I don’t know what the shelling is like there.

If you are going to go shelling, I would recommend going early to get the best shot at the best shells.

You may have to walk in the water to find the best ones but right along the shore where the water goes back is also good (the spot where it’s wet but kind of dry and the sea stuff piles up.)

Visit Clyde Butcher’s gallery

Clyde Butcher is a famous photographer with amazing shots of Florida and a gallery right in Big Cypress.

To get here from Everglades City, turn right at the stoplight and follow the Tamiami Trail for about 22 miles. It will be on your right, not too far after the Loop Road.

To see some amazing photography right in the heart of where it was taken. It’s a cool little gallery and you don’t see them in the middle of parks like this very often.

The gallery is open daily from 10-5 and also offers swamp walks and cottages to rent! Tours are about $125 per person and cottages are $295-450 per night with a two or three night minimum, depending on when you go.

It’s the perfect stop after doing the loop road (if you’re heading back towards Everglades City) or if you’re going from Everglades City to Miami.

Do a Ten Thousand Island shelling tour

The Ten Thousand Islands are just of the coast between Everglades City and the Marco Island area. Most shelling tours leave from Marco Island but where exactly will depend on the company.

To go shelling on pristine uninhabited islands. Your chances of find large and rare shells is a lot higher on one of these tours compared to just going to Marco Island on your own.

Price will vary by company but plan to spend $125+ for one of these tours. Alternately, you could always rent a boat and go yourself but I wouldn’t do this unless you’re used to driving a boat, boating on the ocean, and are confident navigating through all the islands.

Join a ranger-led Ten Thousand Island tour

These will leave from the Gulf District Ranger Station which is on the right side of the road on your way from Everglades City to Chokoloskee Island.

To experience the Ten Thousand Islands from the comfort of a boat being driven by someone who knows what they’re doing and where they’re going.

There are two tours: the narrated boat tour and nature’s notebook boat tour. Both require a fee but the website doesn’t mention how much it is. You could call the park station to find out and reserve that.

There is an event calendar here for all of Everglades National Park but it’s a little confusing. The Gulf Coast phone number is (239) 695-3311.

Hike the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk

The Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk is on the Tamiami Trail (do you see a trend here?) just 15 minutes from Everglades City. At the stoplight, turn left and continue for about 7 miles. There will be signs and a parking area on the right.

This is part of the Fakahatchee Strand State Park but is a different area than the Hilton. There isn’t tons of parking but there is enough and the trailhead is on the right side of the building if you’re facing it.

It’s a nice short walk and an easy way to see south Florida’s flora and fauna. Chances of seeing wildlife are pretty good. Gators, snakes, a bald eagle, and more can be seen from here.

This is a great easy thing to do in Everglades City, Florida and is perfect for taking up a spare hour if you have one to fill or are just driving through the area.

There are usually gators in the pond out front, so look for those when you get there. There may also be gators or snakes on the trail. We’ve only seen one gator on the trail, I think but we’ve seen snakes all three times we’ve hiked this.

The snakes were all black racers, so harmless, just cute. One was on the trail, one was off the trail on a palmetto plant, and two were, uh, busy at the end of the trail under the boardwalk. This. isa 1.2 mile easy hike.

Hike the Kirby Storter Boardwalk

Again, the Kirby Storter Boardwalk is on the Taimiami Trail, this time a left at the stoplight will get you there. Continue for about 14 miles and there will be signs and a parking area on your right.

This is a nice short walk and while your chances of seeing wildlife aren’t super high here, it’s still enjoyable. I always love a nice boardwalk, even if it’s short. This is also a good spot for a lunch break.

This is an easy, flat one mile boardwalk hike. It’s my least favorite of the boardwalks in Big Cypress but it’s still worth doing at least once. If you fog early in the morning you may catch it with fog which would make it a little cool and creepy.

Hike the Fire Prairie Trail

Finally, a hike off of the Tamiami Trail. While this Everglades City hike is a little further out there, it’s worth the slightly longer drive to get away from people.

I would take the back way there to avoid driving on 41 (the Tamiami Trail) because people drive like maniacs on there.

To get here from Everglades City, head out to the stoplight and continue straight. Follow this for four miles then turn right onto Wagon Wheel Road for about 2.5 miles. Turn left to stay on Wagon Wheel Road and follow that for about five miles.

Finally, turn left onto Turner River Road and continue for seven miles. The trail will be on your left. There is a little parking along the road but be sure to not block the gate.

This is a great hike for escaping the crowds out on the main road, not that the crowds there are excessive, but if you want some solitude, this is a great place to find it.

It’s an easy hike but long for the area (though it isn’t really that long) and you may see some wildlife. We’ve seen panther tracks and possibly bobcat tracks. We also saw a raccoon! In the swamp!

This is a flat 4.5-5 mile out and back trail. It’s easy but there is no shade and the sun can be pretty harsh here.

That can make it a little tough, but terrain wise it’s easy. There’s even a little outhouse on the trail.

I haven’t done this entire hike but it’s a nice one, if you like Florida prairies. We just turned around at this cypress strand but it’s pretty much the same if you keep going so you wouldn’t be missing much.

If you just want a nice, quiet hike, this is a good one. And keep an eye out for Florida Panther tracks along the trail here! We saw them both times I did this.

The drive here is mostly on dirt roads, but they’re easy dirt roads and any vehicle should be able to make it, no problem. And make sure to drink lots of water and wear sunscreen.

Do an airboat tour

Just around Everglades City. There are a few companies that go and you’ll see them around town, most are right as you’re driving in. Where will just depend on who you go with.

To really experience Big Cypress in all it’s glory since most of the park is water based. You’ll be able to see parts of the park that you wouldn’t be able to from your vehicle or hiking and you’ll have someone experienced to drive you around.

I haven’t done an airboat tour so I don’t have one to personally recommend but I’ve heard good things about Captain Jacks.

I also wouldn’t pick one that has gator wrestling, gator shows, or gator handling of any sort, really, because it just seems unnecessary to me.

Of course, that’s up to you, but I’m not a fan of wildlife interaction in tourist attractions. It’s just as cool to go and see them in the wild without them having to be manhandled. This is honestly the main reason I haven’t done this yet (and they’re just so loud.)

If you know one that doesn’t have the gator interactions that you would recommend, I would love to hear it!

Drive the Loop Road in Big Cypress

The Loop Road Scenic Drive (yes, that’s it’s name) is off of the Tamiami Trail. It’s a mostly dirt road about 17 miles from Everglades City. From the stoplight, turn right and continue for 17 miles. There will be a sign on your right for it.

It’s just past the Monument Lake Campground and you’ll also see signs for the Monroe Contact Station here. It eventually connects back to Highway 41.

To experience the Florida backwaters a little bit and hopefully see a lot of wildlife! You’re pretty much guaranteed to see wildlife down here, what just depends on when.

Mid-day we saw SO MANY gators along the road, not even just in the watery open spots but just laying on the side of the road. Birds are plentiful and we even saw a cottonmouth snake, Reggie, who you can see above.

This is one of my favorite things to do in Everglades City even though it’s pretty much surrounded by trees. We do this multiple times on every trip, maybe not the whole drive but a good portion of it.

If you’re thinking of the scenic drives out west when you think of this, stop right now. This will be a major letdown if you’re imagining anything close to that.

This is Florida scenic and Florida pretty. It’s flat with fairly dense trees along the side. There are openings where you can see out into the swamp though and those stops are really pretty. This is also great for spotting wildlife.

Don’t get too close to any of the wildlife if you do stop and get out. Enjoy it but keep a safe distance from it.

This is another one of my favorite things to do in Everglades City and we’ll drive the beginning dirt part more than once, especially if we’re camping at Monument Lake.

Do the Chokoloskee Bay to Sandfly Island Paddle Trail

You would just launch at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center for free or at one of the private launches in town for a fee. There is also a hiking trail in Sandfly Island on a Calusa Indian shell mound.

This is a great way to experience the park from a new perspective, like the airboats, but with less noise and human-powered.

Most people on a short visit to Big Cypress are probably sticking to the road or hiking trails, so it may not be as busy as other activities.

This is a strenuous five mile loop. Tide and wind can effect the difficulty of this paddle trail, so keep that in mind when planning and heading out.

This paddle trail crosses Chokoloskee Bay taking you to Sandfly Island. You can bring your own kayak or rent one in Everglades City.

I haven’t done this one and I’m not sure I would try unless I was more familiar with kayaking (basically stronger in case of wind and tides.)

Look for gators at the Oasis Visitor Center

The Oasis Visitor Center is about 30 minutes from Everglades City. Turn right at the stoplight onto the Tamiami Trail and follow that for about 21 miles. It will be on your left and there is plenty of parking.

Because you’re almost guaranteed to see gators here. We usually only saw a few, maybe five or so, but the most recent time I went (mid-March), we saw, like 15! The ranger out there said it’s the most she’s seen there at once.

You can also see plenty of birds and even some fish here. AND it’s the terminus of the Florida Trail!

While I don’t want to do any thru-hiking myself, I always enjoy reading about them and seeing the trails.

The visitor center does close but the boardwalk over the canal is always open. You’ll probably see more gators here in the winter, but it’s always worth a stop to see. There is no fee for this.

This is one of my favorite things to do in Everglades City and we’ll stop here multiple times in one trip. It’s an easy stop and doesn’t take too long.

Visit the Smallwood Store

Way at the end of Chokoloskee Island. To get here from Everglades City, head into town where the roundabout is.

Take the exit opposite City Hall (which number it would be depends on where you’re coming from) and continue straight over to Chokoloskee.

Eventually you’ll pass Havana Cafe (definitely eat there) and come to a stop sign. Turn right, then take a left and you’ll be there in no time.

It’s super easy to find (and Google can take you there) but the natural direction of. the road sort of takes you there.

To get to know the history of the area and see tons of old stuff from around here. You can also look for dolphins out on the deck of the store.

We just sort of did this as a time filler and out of curiosity but if you like history and museums, this is the perfect stop for you. I didn’t love this but it has a nice view of the bay and is a good way to fill some spare time.

The museum/store is open daily from 10-5 and has a $5 entrance fee. They also offer boat tours that should be reserved in advance. There is no tour pricing on the website (who needs prices, anyway?)

Visit Collier-Seminole State Park

Collier-Seminole State Park is on the Tamiami Trail as well. From the stoplight, turn left and continue straight for about 18 miles. You’ll pass San Marco Road (the road to Marco Island) and it will be on your left not too far after.

Because it’s a nice little hiking area with a boardwalk, a couple of other trails, and even some paddling if you want to do that outside of Big Cypress.

There is a campground here and the park entrance fee is $5 per vehicle. In the main part where you pay the entrance fee, there is the Royal Palm Boardwalk and some paddling.

There are a couple of other trails that are a little longer outside of this area along the Tamiami Trail. You need to register for them in the main area of the park first though.

Go stargazing in Big Cypress

Everywhere! Open areas will be best, of course so you can easily see the sky but anywhere works. The Monument Lake Campground would be perfect or even parking areas along the main road.

If you want to be by a road but not the Tamiami Trail, Wagon Wheel or Turner River Roads would also work, just make sure you’re pulled off to the side.

Big Cypress was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2016 making it perfect for stargazing thanks to it’s lack of light pollution. You’ll be dazzled by the stars that you won’t be able to see in nearby cities.

You can go stargazing anywhere in Big Cypress on your own but they also offer astronomy programs!

What the programs are and when vary (right now they’re virtual because of you know what in 2020) but you can check for information about them here before you go.

Walk around town and see the City Hall

The city hall is right by the roundabout in town but the whole town its pretty cute. I just like driving around and looking at all the houses, too.

Also make sure to stop at the smallest post office in the US in Ochopee while you’re here! It’s right on the right side of the Tamiami Trail if you turn right at the stoplight.

Because this is seriously the cutest city hall ever. I mean look at it! It’s the perfect building with palm trees and the brick sidewalk. SO CUTE.

I’m not sure if you can go in it, but seeing the outside was enough for me. Sunset seemed to be the best time to photograph it so you could catch the glowing light and palm tree shadows on the outside.

The post office is operational and i you want to send something from there, you can! Hours vary by day if you want to see it open (yes, they have a postmaster and everything) and you can find those here. There is also a Geocache here.

Do a swamp buggy tour

Throughout Everglades City to leave and wherever they take you in Big Cypress.

This is a fun alternative if you want to get out into the swamp but don’t want to take an airboat tour.

These swamp buggy’s are giant off-road vehicles, basically, that will take you to hard to get to spots in the swamp.

Cost and tour length will vary by company. I haven’t done this yet either, but I always think it’s fun seeing them around.

I do wonder about the environmental impact of these, though and that is part of what’s holding me back from trying this.

If you know anything about the environmental impact of swamp buggy’s, I’d love to hear that!

Best time to visit Everglades City

Winter, 100%. Weather is perfect and it’s a little busier but summer is hot, humid, and buggy as heck. Fall and spring are ok if you’re really pushing it but winter in the Everglades is the best.

Where to stay in Everglades City

Ivey House – We stayed here one night and I really liked it. It calls itself a bed and breakfast but it’s really just a hotel. It’s cute though and I’d stay again.

Everglades Adventures Hotel Suites – This is run by Ivey House and looks nice and new. I would like to stay here sometime.

Captain’s Table Hotel – If you want no frills and budget, this is your best bet. We spent almost a week here at an Airbnb in the hotel and it’s not fancy at all, and the room was small, but it got the job done without costing a fortune.

Camping near Everglades City

Big Cypress and Collier Seminole State Park are the best places to camp near Everglades City but I have an entire post on camping in Big Cypress that will help you find the right campground for you.

FAQ for visiting Everglades City, FL

Are you planning a trip to Everglades City and have some questions? I gotchu! And if I don’t, ask in the comments and I’ll get you.

Is Everglades City worth visiting?

1000% yes! Like I said, it’s a place I’d be willing to live. Maybe not forever but at least for a while. It’s one of the places I think about going back to the most.

I’ve been four or five times for usually a week or more at a time and still want to go back. It’s a great place to experience the Everglades without huge crowds.

Are there beaches in Everglades City?

Not really, no. There might be water access but there aren’t beaches to relax on unless you get out into the Ten Thousand Islands in a boat or kayak.

What are free things to do in Everglades City?

Anything (except tours) in Big Cypress, the Marsh Trail, the Fakahatcee Boardwalk, the Panther Refuge Trail, Fire Prairie Trail, and shelling in Marco Island (except parking, I suppose).

Is Everglades City safe?

Yes! Overall risk is low for crime. Your biggest worry is hurricanes in the summer. It was flooded pretty badly by Hurricane Ian in 2022. But as far as crime goes, it’s pretty safe .

What is the most beautiful part of the Everglades?

This is hard to say. If we’re going by Everglades National Park, there are three parts: Flamingo, Shark Valley, and Gulf Coast.

I liked Shark Valley the most but Flamingo is sure to have some hidden away spots that are really beautiful. It depends on the landscape you want.

Flamingo is more swamp, Shark Valley is more march/prairie looking, and Gulf Coast is ocean and islands.

Florida posts you may also enjoy:

• Outdoorsy Florida Road Trip
• Easy Hikes in Florida
• Orlando Day Trips
• Fort Myers Day Trips
• Best Trails in Gainesville
• Florida Bucket List for Nature Lovers
• National park bucket list
• Make the most of a national park trip
• National Park camping packing list
• My Favorite national park hikes
• More of my favorite national park hikes
• Underrated national parks
• Fun national park facts
• National park books

Have you been to Everglades City? What did you do there? What is your favorite thing to do in Everglades City?

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2 thoughts on “ 24 Things To Do In Everglades City: Hiking Trails, Biking, Paddling, And More ”

I share your passion for Everglades City, having visited first in 1986 during my 3-month long Everglades Outward Bound course. But how could you not mention the iconic Rod and Gun Club!! A must-see!

Oh, I bet that was amazing! I actually haven’t been there yet but I’ll have to add it and stop by next time I’m there!

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Take a perfect trip to Everglades City; quick, before stone crab season ends May 1

By: Author Bonnie Gross

Posted on Last updated: April 19, 2024

Everglades City has a romantic “end of the road” aura.

It’s a place surrounded by water and wilderness with a tiny population that keeps rebuilding as the place is blasted by hurricane after hurricane. It’s full of surprising stories, history and beauty.

For visitors, Everglades City is also a great place to kayak, fish, see wildlife, explore parks, and eat stone crabs.

If what catches your attention is stone crabs, then be sure to visit Oct. 15 to May 1, when the lobster-like crustaceans are on the menu. That’s also the best time for outdoor Everglades activities.

Everglades City is an hour south of Naples and less than two hours west of Miami. We’ve visited as a day trip from Fort Lauderdale.

I think three days and two nights is the perfect length of time to visit Everglades City, have a substantial outdoor experience, and get to know the town a bit. You can have a great time with one overnight, however, especially if it’s a stone-crab pilgrimage.

I’ve created this itinerary to suggest how to spend your time.

Day 1: The drive to Everglades City is full of things to do

If you’re driving from the Atlantic Coast, you can choose from interesting stops along the Tamiami Trail. The road’s name is pronounced tammy-ammy and derived from Tampa-Miami, the two cities it joined. (If you’re driving from Naples, at some point you may want to drive an hour east on the Tamiami Trail to experience the things I suggest. I’m basing this itinerary on arriving from the east.)

Stops along the Tamiami Trail

As you approach Everglades City on the Tamiami Trail, you have an opportunity to stop at one of the best places to experience the Everglades, Shark Valley. It’s 45 minutes east of Everglades City, so it’s ideal to stop on your way there.

Shark Valley is one of three main entrances to Everglades National Park and it consists of a single 15-mile paved road, open only to guided tram tours, bicyclists and those on foot. In winter, it is full of wildlife that is so close you may have to work to evade it. Alligators, for example, may sun on the paved road where you are walking or biking. Shark Valley also attracts many wading birds.

Any way you choose to see Shark Valley – tram tour, walking or renting a bike and riding – provides a good experience. Personally, I love the bike ride. See a Florida Rambler story all about visiting Shark Valley .

Between Shark Valley and Everglades City, the Tamiami Trail offers several other places to stop, and if you skip Shark Valley, you’ll still have chances to see alligators and birds and Everglades scenery.

I recommend you make your next stop at Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery , 52388 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee. Butcher is a renowned photographer whose large-scale black-and-white photos are designed to make viewers feel like they are at the center of the scene captured. His photos help visitors appreciate the subtle beauty of this unique ecosystem.

Butcher’s studio overlooks a scenic pond, where alligators and wading birds are frequently seen. Be sure to take the short walk on a trail on the grounds.

From the gallery, as you head west, the Tamiami Trail passes through the Big Cypress National Preserve and is designated as a scenic highway. There are several locations here to park, see wildlife, take a hike or have a picnic.

Consider stopping at the Big Cypress National Preserve Visitor Center, 52105 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee,where there are exhibits, an introductory film and national park staff available to answer questions. The boardwalk out front overlooks a pond that attracts gators in winter and rangers periodically give informative talks here. Read more about your choices in this Florida Rambler Tamiami Trail guide .

A few miles further, you can stop for a picnic or to use the restrooms at  H.P. Williams Picnic Area , 12580 Turner River Road, Ochopee, where alligators and wading birds are often seen from a short boardwalk.

Watch for the tiny very cute post office at 38000 Tamiami Trail E, across from the historic (1928) Joanie’s Blue Crab in “downtown Ochopee” and pause to admire it if you have the time.

Arriving in Everglades City

If you arrive early enough, start with the small but excellent Museum of the Everglades , 105 Broadway Ave. W, Everglades City. It’s free and it’s a great way to get oriented and learn Everglades City’s colorful history in 30 to 45 minutes. (It closes at 4 p.m. and is closed Sunday and Monday.)

You’ll learn how Barron Collier, who made his millions with the brilliant innovation of selling advertising on street cars, invested in this mosquito infested corner of Florida at a time when there were no roads. He had to build a highway from the East Coast: the Tamiami Trail, which was considered a modern miracle.

My favorite artifact at the museum dates from the opening of the Tamiami Trail, when Collier knew that people needed to be reassured they could safely cross this wilderness. He built four gas station/convenience stores and created his own police force to patrol the highway.

Troopers rode spiffy Harley Davidson police motorcycles – a rare 1929 model has been restored for display at the museum. Officers wore bright red jackets, inspired by the Canadian Mounties, a copy of which you’ll see on the manikin on the motorcycle.

Another exhibit not to miss is about Everglades City’s hurricane history. Look for the two locations in the museum where there are signs showing how high the water was inside the museum during Irma in 2017. Irma was the worst of the recent storms, but there have been many over the years.

Dinner on your first night: the Everglades City Rod and Gun Club

The ups and downs in Everglades City are dramatic, and they explain why the Everglades City Rod and Gun Club is such a historic treasure.

City founder Barron Collier took an existing home that served as a hotel and added on, turning it into an upscale rustic lodge in 1922. It was a classy spot, befitting Collier’s status and the cronies he entertained there. In 1947, it was where President Harry S. Truman attended a luncheon celebrating the opening of Everglades National Park.

But in 1960, devastating Hurricane Donna hit Everglades City hard and the glory days were over. The bank, the county seat and even Collier’s company all moved to Naples. A family bought the Rod and Gun Club in the ’60s and still owns it. There apparently was no development pressure in Everglades City, so the Rod and Gun Club aged undisturbed, stayed in business and miraculously survived storm after storm.

I was happy to see that the restaurant at the Rod and Gun Club had a good crowd and offered excellent food and service on our April 2024 visit. I am happy to be able to again recommend it. (But bring cash; no credit cards are accepted.)

Dine here, but don’t be quick about it. Look at everything in the remarkable lobby. Read the yellowing newspaper clippings in the entryway. Poke your head into the gorgeous peck cypress bar (rarely used now) off the lobby. It’s better than a museum. Here’s a Florida Rambler story on the Rod and Gun Club .

Day 2: Plan your Everglades outdoor adventure

During your full day in Everglades City, you have many options that will get you outdoors, enjoying this unique environment.

Kayaking with Everglades City as a base

There are some excellent kayak trails in the vicinity and there are several outfitters who will rent you kayaks or offer guided eco-tours. (You’ll find outfitters in the linked articles.)

I think the Turner River is my favorite Everglades river because, unlike most trails, where you choose either cypress swamp or mangrove or sawgrass environments, the Turner River takes you through it all – with over-the-top scenery and wildlife too. Here’s a Florida Rambler story on kayaking the Turner River .

If you decide on the Turner, keep in mind that to maintain the environment and avoid congestion, outfitters are limited in how many kayaks they can launch on the Turner each day, so you need to reserve ahead. If you bring your own kayak, the parking lot can fill up, so early mornings are your best time to start.

When the Turner is too low on water or too crowded, a nearby trail is a good alternative: Halfway Creek trail. It’s full of magnificent airplants and allows you to arrange a trip of any length.

A third kayak option is to paddle into one of the closest of the Ten Thousand Islands. A great saltwater kayak trail nearby is  Sandfly Loop, which gives you a taste of the Ten Thousands Island.

Not a kayaker? You have several other excellent boating options

Probably the most popular activity in Everglades City is to take the naturalist-led Ten Thousand Islands tour operated by a concessionaire of Everglades National Park . The covered pontoon boat goes into the Ten Thousand Islands and often spots dolphins plus many birds and other wildlife. While the park’s Gulf Coast Visitor Center is being rebuilt in 2024 (Hurricane Ian damage), the boat tour is operating from another location in town. Tickets are $48 for adults.

Many people also think a ride on an airboat is an essential Everglades experience, and Everglades City is a great place to do that. Airboats aren’t my thing, so I can’t offer guidance here, but you’ll find several to choose from and you can read reviews online.

Similarly, I am not a fisherman, but the fishing is famous in Everglades City. A very popular activity is hiring a guide to give you a great fishing experience.

Spending the day on land seeing the Everglades City environment

On your second day, if you haven’t visited the Museum of the Everglades, consider doing this now. Afterwards, walk around town and read the many historic landmark signs.

One of my favorites is in the median strip where Broadway meets the Barron River. (It’s next to the Rod and Gun Club.)  Here, we were amazed to read there was a streetcar line back in the day! There is also a historic goldfish pond, restored by Eagle Scouts at one point. But it was impossible to keep goldfish in it; the raccoons got them. Nearby is the historic boat lift which was “transformed into a work of art” by Kenneth Noland, a prominent American color-field artist.

For lunch, consider City Seafood , one of two excellent rustic seafood restaurants specializing in stone crabs and other local catches. It’s located right on the docks, with open air picnic tables with a great view. It’s not open for dinner.

If you are enchanted by out-of-the-way historic spots, you definitely want to stop at Smallwood Store on Chokoloskee, four miles away. Admission to this authentic well-preserved 1906 general store, listed on the National Register fo Historic Places, is only $5

Its dock is a lovely place to watch the sunset. Also, for $10 you can launch your kayak here and paddle out to the closest of the Ten Thousand Islands. Here’s a Florida Rambler story on the historic Smallwood Store .

On your way to Chokoloskee Island, if you want to get an aerial view of area, there is a newly rebuilt wooden tower with 108 steps to the top, where you can gaze over the Ten Thousand Islands. It’s $5 per person.

Right now, it’s the best view of the work being done to rebuild the visitor center and docks at Everglades National Park’s Gulf Coast Visitor Center, which won’t re-open until next year. The visitor center was destroyed in Hurricane Irma in 2017 and then the temporary quarters were wrecked in Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Dinner on Day 2: Triad Seafood or Camelia Street Café

There are only a few places to eat in Everglades City, but thankfully, the options are excellent. Everglades City is known as Florida’s Stone Crab Capital. The season is Oct. 15 to May 1.

Triad Seafood ,  401 School Dr. W, is the place people come from all over the world to feast on stone crabs and other fresh seafood. Triad serves a great variety and we can also recommend the fried-conch sandwich.  It comes with fresh herb-seasoned fries and coleslaw. The sweet potato fries were great, too.

Stone crab prices vary during the season and a low harvest meant high prices. You can count on your least expensive stone crab dinner being at least $40 and $60 for jumbo at Triad, where dinners come with two side dishes and hush puppies. Triad at times offers an all-you-can-eat option at market prices, which can vary.

Camellia Street Grill , 202 Camellia St., is another open-air spot on the Barron River where we’ve had excellent food. Locals recommend it too. The tin-roofed restaurant has live music on some nights You’ll know you’re there when you see the colorful VW Beetle at the curb. The views here are terrific and the ambiance is fun. Our vegetarians raved about the veggie burgers, and it offers plenty of fresh fish options, including Florida stone crabs, as well as lots of taco options.

Day 3: Before you leave, a few more places to explore

For breakfast, we recommend the small-town-feeling of Island Café , 305 Collier Ave., which is also an option for a casual dinner in an old-school diner.  

Then work off those calories with a hike at one of three nearby spots:

Collier Seminole State Par k, 20200 E. Tamiami Trail, is on the route toward Naples, so if that’s the way you’re going, this is a good destination. The park is home to the 1924 Bay City Walking Dredge, and how often do you get to visit a “National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark”?  The hulking dredge was used to build the Tamiami Trail, a road across the Everglades only possible because of this amazing contraption. There are also several hiking trails here, most notably one that goes by a rare stand of native royal palms. Here’s a Florida Rambler story on Collier Seminole State Park .

Minutes from Collier-Seminole, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park is the biggest state park in Florida. It’s great to explore on foot with dry, easy-to-walk trails through a vast and beautiful cypress forest filled with air plants and wild orchids. (Some visitors are lucky enough to spot Florida panthers here.)

A perfect hike is an easy stroll down East Main Trail to a private cabin that makes a great turn-around destination on a two-hour hike. It’s a small, rustic building of old wood and corrugated metal with a sign at the front door proudly identifying it as the Fakahatchee Hilton. Here’s a Florida Rambler story on Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park .

If you only have a short time, a good stop is the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk at Fakahatchee Strand, 27020 Tamiami Trail E, Naples.   It’s part of the state park but located outside the main entrance. It’s on the Tamiami Trail on the way to Collier Seminole State Park and Naples.

The recently opened boardwalk replaces a hurricane-ravaged one that wound through a lush cypress swamp. This replacement takes you through a sunny prairie. There’s a spectacular open air pavilion over the prairie with a breeze and rocking chairs. This boardwalk features restrooms.

Where to stay in Everglades City

We’ve been staying at the Ivey House Everglades Adventures Hotel, 107 Camellia St. E, Everglades City, for a long time, including in the funky historic wing now gone due to Hurricane Irma. The Ivey House is associated with a kayak outfitting company, so you can book your kayak out and your room here. There’s a pool too. Here’s a Florida Rambler story on Ivey House Everglades Adventures Hotel . Rates start at $145 but are higher at peak times.

We’ve not stayed here, but these cabins on the water in the downtown were recommended to us by other travelers: River Wilderness , 210 Collier Ave., Everglades City. They are one- and two-bedroom cabins with kitchens and screened porches overlooking a waterway. Prices start at $275 in season.

We’ve stayed twice in the Everglades City Rod and Gun Club, where the rooms are located in cottages on the grounds, not in the historic hotel itself. The rooms are not cheap ($195 total for two in April 2024) and they’re bare bones – no in-room coffee (not even coffee in the lobby), for example. It’s also cash or check only and you can’t reserve rooms online. Here’s a Florida Rambler story on the Everglades City Rod and Gun Club .

All articles on FloridaRambler.com are original, produced exclusively for our readers and protected by U.S. Copyright law. Any use or re-publication without written permission is against the law.

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The author, Bonnie Gross, travels with her husband David Blasco, discovering off-the-beaten path places to hike, kayak, bike, swim and explore. Florida Rambler was founded in 2010 by Bonnie and fellow journalist Bob Rountree, two long-time Florida residents who have spent decades exploring the Florida outdoors. Their articles have been published in the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, The Guardian and Visit Florida.

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Dave Rafter

Sunday 21st of April 2024

To each their own, but I’m with you. There are myriad ways to admire and appreciate the magic & mystique of the Everglades without sitting in a noisy airboat for 30 minutes.

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Small Town – Everglades City, Florida

• By FTL Staff
• January 17, 2019

A post shared by Carlyn Topkin (@ctop214) on Dec 10, 2016 at 8:46am PST

Everglades City may be best known for what it doesn’t have. You won’t find a mall, traffic lights, high-rises or even a beach here. This trading-outpost-turned-farming-turned-fishing-community spent a few years in the spotlight during Barron Collier’s 1920s construction of Alligator Alley through the Everglades. Situated at the Gulf coast gateway to the ‘Glades, the pipsqueak town — all two miles by four blocks of it — is tucked between the Barron River and the waterways of the 580,000- acre Big Cypress National Preserve. An imposing white Neoclassic city hall and a Collier-built bank, laundry and workers barracks hearken back to an earlier era. You’ll find few mansions here, even along Riverside Drive, where crab pots (October to May, stone crabs’ claws are harvested) and boats nod to a working waterfront, and the stoic Everglades Rod & Gun Club melds past and present.

Royal palms and tin rooftops throughout Everglades City vie for this town’s tallest point amid a tangle of seemingly wayward streets and sparse vegetation — a stark contrast to the plant-choked drive through the wilderness (prime Florida panther habitat) to get here. Many of its stilt homes and small cottages are rented to guests seeking solitude — and water (to that end, some businesses also double as kayak, fishing and airboat guides). Fishing rods poke from open windows in time- and weather- worn cars and pickups, an outward reminder of the area’s livelihood. You realize there’s a humility to this city. It’s a place devoid of the Bentleys and Mercedes found in nearby Naples. Along the water’s edge, mangroves provide a green backdrop to moored boats and a tiki hut or two.

Water- and nature-centric adventures are the big draws here. This is, after all, the Everglades. BYOB (b as in boat) or rent a pontoon or flats boat from Glades Haven Resort . You won’t have to travel far for some of Florida’s best fishing spots for snook, permit, flounder, pompano, sea trout and 200-pound tarpon. Boat deep into the vast and quiet backcountry wilderness of the Ten Thousand Islands, and you’re likely to find a small, secluded beach, ideal for a swim and a picnic.

If oar power is your preferred mode of transportation, take a paddle along the Wilderness Waterway, linking Everglades City to Flamingo, with naturalist David Harraden or his guides at Everglades Rentals & Eco Adventures . Harraden’s daily, moonlit and weeklong canoe excursions to primitive camping sites with names like Camp Lonesome and Willy Willy provide the ultimate in natural immersion and wildlife photo-ops. He’s been doing it for more than 30 years — and hasn’t lost anyone yet.

On land, you can head to the hiking trails and boardwalks at nearby Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve and Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, home of the summer-blooming ghost orchid. Explore Everglades City’s past — from its earliest inhabitants (the Calusa, Miccosukee and Seminole Indians) to its pioneering Storter family — at the Museum of the Everglades , housed in the old, pink-painted commercial laundry building.

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Survey the arrival of the city’s fishing fleet and the departure of shallows-skimming airboats from the open-air deck at City Seafood , a market and restaurant. Inside, the beer and the morning’s catch are served on ice, and a collection jar seeks donations for the local “Cat Lady” who helps wayfaring feral felines. In keeping with Everglades City’s laid-back mentality, City Seafood has an order counter and pickup window, not servers. The same is true at the popular Camellia St. Grill , a kitschy, shabby- chic establishment where it’s practically a pastime to deconstruct the salad, with its flecks of tiny yellow flowers, star fruit, fresh sage and other herbs plucked from the chef’s garden. Dishware, bowling balls and other unexpected items serve as funky ornamentation. The riverfront Rod & Gun Club provides guests a trip back in time and a menu that combines traditional seafood and steaks with more exotic items like frog’s legs and gator.

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Weekend visitors find modest comforts at the Ivey House Bed & Breakfast . Owners Harraden and his wife, Sandee, converted a former Barron Co. employee barracks and boarding house into the B&B, with traditional shared bathrooms. There’s also a newer 16-room inn with a courtyard and pool for guests who want to kick it up a notch.

“I moved here from San Diego, and I wouldn’t live anywhere else. It’s a small town and you just don’t worry about anything.” — Sandee Haraden, Co-Owner, Ivey House Bed & Breakfast

The Facts Population: 500 | Main Drag: Copeland Avenue | Style: Stilt Houses

• Location — Everglades City is on the western edge of the Everglades, 35 miles south of Naples.
• Place to Stay — Ivey House Bed & Breakfast
• On the Water — Everglades Rentals & Eco Adventures
• Things to Do — Museum of the Everglades
• Where to Eat — Rod & Gun Club , City Seafood and Camellia St. Grill 239-695-2003
• Best Time to Visit — February’s seafood festival
• Resources — Naples , Marco Island and the Everglades
• More: Places To Live , South Florida

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• National Parks

How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Everglades National Park

Here's everything you need to know before planning a trip to Everglades National Park.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

• Planning Your Visit

How to Get There

• Best Time to Visit

Best Things to Do in Everglades National Park

Must-see wildlife and natural features, where to stay, where to eat.

Visit Florida

Those who associate wide-open wilderness areas with the Western United States likely haven’t been to Everglades National Park. The Florida park stretches across 1.5 million acres and protects the largest designated wilderness area east of the Rocky Mountains. In the Everglades, alligators and crocodiles coexist (and are seen regularly), and the flora and fauna are so robust that this national park was the first set aside purely for its biodiversity.

“Everglades is not only a national park, but also a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance, and a specially protected area under the Cartagena Treaty,” explained Allyson Gantt, chief of communications and public affairs for Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park, in an interview with Travel + Leisure . "I love sharing the complexities and beauty of this park with visitors.”

Meet the Expert

Allyson Gantt has been a National Park Service ranger for over 25 years, currently serving as the chief of communications and public affairs for Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park.

Gantt knows first-hand what makes Everglades National Park a special place — along with the ins and outs of what first-timers should know and what not to miss.

Stephanie Pollak/Travel + Leisure

Planning Your Visit 

Everglades National Park is massive, so Gantt says it is vital to show up with a plan for what you will do and see. “Because of the geographic spread of the park, visitors may want to focus on one area if they only have a few hours or one day.”

The park is open year-round but offers two very different experiences based on when you visit. The dry season (December to April) is busier, with better weather, more wildlife, and fewer mosquitos, while the wet season (May to November) is quieter. Visitors can buy a park pass in person at the Homestead or Shark Valley entrances to the park or at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center at the Everglades City entrance. If you’re visiting during the busy dry season, especially on a weekend, buy your park pass online through Recreation.gov to avoid waiting in long lines at the entrance gate. A pass for a single vehicle or vessel is $35 and is valid for seven days. 

Even if you do buy a park pass in advance, the Homestead and Shark Valley entrances are notoriously congested with limited parking during the busy winter season. The park website says , “It is recommended to visit these areas on weekdays, arrive early in the day (before 10 a.m.), and carpool to the park if possible.”

Due to its size, Everglades National Park has three entrances in three different cities. A car is a must because the park has no public transportation and the three entrances are at least an hour from each other.

The southern section of the park is best accessed from the Homestead entrance, which is the park’s primary entrance. The Homestead entrance is outside Homestead, Florida and has the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center and the Guy Bradley Visitor Center (at Flamingo). Homestead also provides access to the neighboring Royal Palm State Park . 

The northern section of the park is best accessed from the Miami or Everglades City entrances. The closest entrance to Miami is Shark Valley, which has the Shark Valley Visitor Center. The entrance closest to Naples is the Everglades City entrance, which has the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.

lucky-photographer/Getty Images

Best Time to Visit 

As we mentioned, there are two very distinct seasons in Everglades National Park: dry season and wet season. If you come between December and April, you’ll experience the dry season, which comes with cooler temperatures and fewer mosquitos. The dry season’s preferable climate aligns with the park’s busy season — and it's also when most of the wading birds (and their predators) can be seen.

The wet season in the Everglades typically runs from May to November, and it's rainy with lots of mosquitoes. The weather and bugs that come along with South Florida summers lead to fewer visitors — which can be a major plus.

“The wetter summer season offers incredible cloud formations and calmer waters for boating and fishing,” Gantt adds. “The shoulder seasons, especially November/early December and late April into May, can be less busy times to visit, but still have plenty of opportunities to enjoy all the park has to offer.”

It’s impossible to feel bored during a visit to Everglades National Park. The expansive park has more than its fair share of interesting ecosystems and wildlife. There are marine and estuary topographies, cypresses and mangroves. There’s a lot to see and do, but for a first-time visitor, Gantt has a few specific recommendations.

Drive the Homestead Entrance Road and hike.

“The Homestead entrance has a 38-mile road with multiple stops with short trails through a variety of the park habitats,” said Gantt, who notes that this is a good way to get acquainted with the southern section of the park.

She specifically recommended the Anhinga Trail , a short route that is wheelchair accessible and starts from the Royal Palm Visitor Center. Alligators, turtles, herons, and egrets are often seen along this trail.

Join a tram tour for wildlife sightings.

Near the Shark Valley entrance is a paved 15-mile loop that goes along the Shark River Slough, where alligators, turtles, and many bird species are often found. The trail is great for walking, but if you want to do the full 15 miles, your best bet is to rent a bike or hop on the tram — both of which are available through Shark Valley Tram Tours . There’s also an observation tower in the Shark Valley area with a viewing deck that overlooks alligators, turtles, fish, and birds. 

Gantt notes that at this part of the park, “Visitation is higher and parking can be challenging on busy weekends and holidays.” 

Take an airboat tour.

There are three airboat companies that operate in the park, and Gantt says cruising through the Everglades on a flat-bottomed boat is a must during your visit. The three operators with permission to operate in the park are Coopertown, Everglades Safari Park, and Gator Park.

Visit the mangroves and Florida Bay.

From the Homestead entrance you can get to the Flamingo area, which is considered the gateway to Florida Bay. The bay and the mangrove-lined waterways that feed into it are home to much of the park’s marine life. 

“At Flamingo, we offer narrated boat tours through the mangroves and also on the open water of Florida Bay. There are several great trails in the area for paddling as well as the open area of Florida Bay. Manatees, crocodiles, and osprey are frequently seen around the marina,” said Gantt. 

Beyond the marina, which has a small store and a gas station, the Flamingo area of the park has a campground and kayak, canoe, and bicycle rentals (through Flamingo Adventures ).

Cruise through the Ten Thousand Islands along the Gulf.

If you want to play along the watery landscape of the Gulf Coast, head to the Everglades City entrance near Naples. This area is the gateway for expeditions to the Ten Thousand Islands, a maze of mangrove islands that are only accessible by boat. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center was destroyed by a hurricane in 2017 and is being rebuilt, but you can still book a boat tour to the Ten Thousand Islands with Everglades National Park Adventures . The two-hour tour takes place on a 49-passenger pontoon boat with a trained guide and occasionally an Everglades park ranger. 

Troy Harrison/Getty Images

The Everglades is essentially a giant wetland that consists of sawgrass marshes, pine flatwoods, and coastal mangroves. The boggy wilderness is both beautiful and daunting, especially when you consider that it’s home to a huge number of animals, including the Florida panther, the West Indian manatee, and the endangered leatherback turtle. 

But no creatures are as synonymous with the Everglades as the alligators and crocodiles. Gantt notes that “South Florida is the only place in the world where [alligators and crocodiles] coexist thanks to the combination of freshwater and saltwater areas.”

Beyond frequent sightings of the large reptiles, Gantt says the park has a huge number of birds, and it's “on the migratory path for a number of species, thus offering fantastic birding opportunities, especially in the winter.”

Animals aside, Everglades National Park has a large number of plants, trees, and landscapes, from coastal mangroves to hardwood forests. Remember, the park was originally protected because of its biodiversity, which is its biggest draw.

Flamingo Lodge

There is only one hotel within Everglades National Park, and it just opened in late 2023. The Flamingo Lodge is located at the southernmost tip of the Florida peninsula and can be reached via the Homestead entrance. The lodge has 24 rooms including eight two-bedroom suites that can accommodate up to six people. The highlight of each room is the east-facing balcony that provides sunrise and sunset views over Florida Bay.

Flamingo Glamping Tents and Houseboats

Beyond the new Flamingo Lodge, the Flamingo area of the park has two “glamping” options — one on land and one on water. Visitors can rent one of the safari-style glamping tents , which have a fan and electricity. You will need to bring your own sleeping pad and bag.

For a unique lodging option, book one of the 42-foot houseboats , which have kitchens, bathrooms, linens, and air conditioning. The houseboats can sleep up to six people and can be taken out on the water. 

Related: Best Places to Go Glamping in Florida

Long Pine Key and Flamingo Campgrounds

The only other in-park lodging options are the Long Pine Key and Flamingo campgrounds . Both campgrounds have RV and tent sites and can be driven to. The Long Pine Key Campground is the most accessible and is located near the Homestead entrance, while the Flamingo Campground is set deeper inside the park in the Flamingo area. Both campgrounds offer great stargazing and easy access to the Flamingo Marina, a popular launch site for fishing trips. 

Boogich/Getty Images

The new Flamingo Restaurant is adjacent to the Flamingo Lodge and is the only full-service restaurant in the park. 

“The new Flamingo Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a full-service bar,” said Gantt. “Anglers heading out on the water with a licensed fishing guide can also try the restaurant's Cook Your Catch offering, bringing back their fresh fish to be prepared by the restaurant.”

There are plenty of dining options in cities surrounding the park — Miami, Naples, and Homestead — but most visitors bring their own food and drinks into the park. There are picnic tables at Long Pine Key and Flamingo campgrounds.

For grab-and-go snacks and drinks, Gantt says you can find a limited selection at the park’s visitor centers (Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, Royal Palm Visitor Center, and Shark Valley Visitor Center) and at the Flamingo marina shop.

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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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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Learn how to easily plan your dream trip to Florida!

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?

If so, we would love to keep in touch! We enjoy seeing photos and comments about your experiences in Florida! You can follow us on Instagram and we will repost your photos on our feed and comment too! Just tag us at @floridatrippers and hashtag #floridatrippers. We can’t wait to see your travels!

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 January 2023 and updated March 2024

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After Prison, I Went to Miami to Reacquaint Myself With Freedom

By Ryan M. Moser

This essay is the first in a series about traveling after confinement. Look for the next one this summer.

The day after leaving prison, I inhaled ocean air for the first time in eight years.

I’d decided to take a barefoot walk down Ocean Drive in Miami , passing vendors selling handmade wooden bead bracelets and blown-glass bowls. Bikers and roller skaters were cruising the beachside promenade. Reggae music from a nearby bar floated in the air. Carrying an oversized mojito in one hand and a churrasco skewer in the other, I gazed past the strip of white sand, dotted with umbrellas and sunbathers, towards the Atlantic—the same water I’d grown up swimming in during family vacations at the Jersey Shore . The ocean’s edge has been a sanctuary for me since childhood, always drawing me in to splay my toes across the gritty, cool surface strewn with black-stained jingle shells, tan whelks, and chips of horseshoe crab shells. I need the sand and the ocean like I need air and food.

But it didn’t seem real to me now, being completely free in nature.

When I was arrested for property crimes in 2014, I was living in north Florida. Before that I lived in Philadelphia , my hometown. But my prison, Everglades Correctional Institution, rested 30 miles west of Miami—a city I had never visited. The yachts and nightclubs of the coastal metropolis had felt a million miles away, but somehow the stories I heard about fresh mango juice and the Latin Quarter always made it seem welcoming.

In this way, traces of Miami had reached my prison. I would watch the Miami Dolphins play on Sundays. Through the window next to my prison bunk, I could see the fireworks shows on holidays. And Miami locals would tell me of their favorite restaurants, the music scene, and the city’s celebrities. Juan talked about his Uncle’s Cuban coffee shop on 6th Street. Garcia loved the way the bay smelled after a storm came through—“like a fishy heaven,” he’d say.

During my eight-year prison sentence, I dreamed of visiting this vibrant, multicultural city. And on New Year’s Eve 2022—one day after I was set free—I finally did.

My last day at Everglades started like every other during my roughly 3,000 days of incarceration. I was startled awake by a loudspeaker and siren at 4 a.m. and told to prepare for chow. Impatient prisoners lined up for food and gang gossip. Fights broke out. I felt the stress of living in a constant state of heightened situational awareness. Beige concrete walls and steel bars had colored my life for so long. I was anxious to return to things I barely remembered: the sounds of a violin, the smell of fresh laundry, the taste of Dr. Pepper. But six hours away from being released, I felt unsure of how I was going to re-acclimate to the world.

I sat on a metal bench in the prison’s TV room watching TMZ and thought about the decisions that had brought me here. When my pain pill abuse was at its worst, I committed property crimes to support my addiction. I never realized how much it would cost: freedom, dignity, respect, love. I hadn’t seen my family in a decade, but I was excited, and nervous, to be seeing them soon—and I knew I was the only one going home that day. Through the barred window were glimpses of the Everglades swamp, with myna birds and snapping turtles feeding just outside the prison gate. I waited to hear my name and Department of Corrections number called to signal my release.

When I stepped out of the concertina razor-wire fence, guarded by armed officers, my mentor Alex stood waiting for me on the other side. For four years, I led a men’s group he had created inside my prison, and we had become friends. Tall and gregarious—a retired restaurateur committed to helping men inside prison—he was a father-figure to me when my own dad and stepdad couldn’t be. He looked like an elder statesman with graying hair as he greeted me, throwing a pair of khaki shorts and a polo into my hands and telling me to get changed in his Lexus. When people leave prison, it is often described as “coming home.” But Alex was not only figuratively welcoming me home, he was hosting me at his house in Kendall, a town just outside of central Miami, for the week.

“How does it feel to look back at that fence and know you’re never going back?” he asked me.

I was so overwhelmed I couldn't respond.

Even though I had left prison, I still felt like someone was watching my every move. Inside, the guards were ever present and in your face—a reminder every day that I was temporarily the property of the state, and they took the custody of that property very seriously. On the beach, I had to remind myself there were no corrections officers waiting to catch me breaking a rule—the bike cops cruising around South Beach didn’t even glance at me walking by. I was not an imposter. No one was waiting to send me back to prison. I had served my time. I belonged out here.

As twilight arrived on New Year’s Eve , laughter and revelry echoed from bars. Lamborghinis and Porches, crammed bumper to bumper, blasted electronic dance music as they crawled down Ocean Drive. Neon lights illuminated the strip’s Art Deco architecture. I washed the sand off my feet and caught an Uber downtown to the Hard Rock Cafe to meet Alex and his wife.

For months, the couple had boasted about the restaurants in Miami , telling me over the phone how proud they were of me and how excited they were to show off their city. Dinner was fresh salmon and asparagus at a table overlooking Biscayne Bay. I leaned back in my chair and marveled at how the fish melted in my mouth. The greens were so crisp that they crunched with a snap. I tasted the plum sauce and avocado spread with my bread, and thought about the mystery meat I’d eaten for eight years—how I’d never again stand in a crowded chow line and have to choose between being malnourished or eating food that regularly got men sick with food poisoning.

We had even bigger plans for the rest of the night. After dinner, we walked to the ampitheather at Bayfront Park where we would ring in the New Year at a concert by Pitbull —just about as Miami as you can get. Subwoofers pounded as we neared the show. Though I could barely see the stage from our spot on the grass, I was buzzing with happiness. There were so many people around me that at first Alex was worried about me getting anxious, but I felt comfortable and warm, like I was surrounded by a new family.

Half way through the show, fireworks blasted up into the air and the inebriated crowd screamed and whistled. The large Orange Bowl clock by Biscayne Bay counted down: Three minutes and ten seconds… Three minutes and nine seconds… I had waited years for a clock to run out. But now, I was content in the present.

“Isn’t tonight special?” a German tourist turned and asked me. “You can just start over.”

I thought of the times I had wished I could start over: during my addiction, my marriage, my relationship with my kids, my career, my conviction, my loss of freedom. “You’re right,” I said. “It is special.”

The fireworks crescendoed as it got closer to midnight. Colorful bombs exploded above the heart of Miami. Yellow and blue sparks criss-crossed the sky. I pulled out my new smartphone to take a picture, but cellphones had changed drastically while I was gone and I fumbled. I looked at Alan with tears in my eyes, as the final 10 seconds of the year disappeared and I left behind the mistakes from the past.

It was officially the dawn of 2023 when we got back to Alex's condo in a highrise along the Biscayne Bay. I smoked a cigar on the balcony and looked over the railing at the water lapping against the wooden piers, processing the culture shock of leaving one world and entering another—grateful for another chance at peace. Palm trees swayed as a pair of white ibis grazed in the shallows. Boat lights sprinkled the rippling water under a waning moon and laughter echoed across the bay from a late-night soiree. I drifted to sleep in a hammock right on the balcony and felt safe for the first time in years.

Over the course of the next week I was met with raw emotions and fresh experiences: tacos in Little Havana while Cuban salsa music played; graffitied buildings in the Wynwood art district; sips of coffee at a bistro overlooking the bay. On my last day in Miami, I borrowed Alex’s car and drove to the beach at dawn to rent a bike and ride the path along the ocean. The sky was an eerie bruised purple, except for a speck of amber on the horizon. I started my ride at 30th Street and pedaled south as Vance Joy’s “Missing Piece” played from my phone, zipping by the venerable Fontainebleau Hotel . The beach was empty and for the first time in many years, I was completely alone with my thoughts.

At 8th Street, I locked my bike and walked toward the surf, making sure to squeeze my toes deep into the sand. A cruise ship blew its foghorn in the distance. I sat on the beach watching the crimson sun rise up through peach-colored clouds to be born with indescribable beauty. I wept softly for all of the years I had lost, for making it out alive, for being able to soon reunite with my family. I felt sanguine and was hopeful for the future, having spent my first week out experiencing the joys and wonders that life has to offer through the lens of this magical town: like friendship and trying new food, or talking to my sister on the phone while smelling the salt in the air. It all reminded me of what there is to lose if I make a bad decision.

I breathed deeply. There's never been a night dark enough that the light of a sunrise cannot defeat, and I was thankful for that.

This article was published in partnership with the Prison Journalism Project , a nonprofit journalism organization that trains incarcerated writers in journalism and publishes their work. You can read more work by PJP writers  here .

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