Things to do nearEverglades National Park

Everglades National Park was established in 1947 and covers more than 1.5 million acres, making it the largest tropical wilderness in the United States and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike most national parks built around mountains or canyons, the Everglades is defined by its flatness and its water, a shallow sheet of freshwater flowing south from Lake Okeechobee toward Florida Bay. This subtle hydrology supports an extraordinary range of habitats, from cypress domes and pineland ridges to coastal mangroves and open marine waters. The park is home to numerous threatened and endangered species, including the Florida panther, West Indian manatee, American crocodile, and the iconic roseate spoonbill.

Visitors can explore the park along the main park road, which runs from the Ernest Coe Visitor Center near Homestead all the way to Flamingo on the coast, with trailheads, observation platforms, and canoe launches along the way. The Shark Valley area on the northern edge offers a popular tram tour and a tall observation tower with panoramic views over the river of grass. Rangers lead interpretive walks and boat tours that provide context for the ecology and the ongoing conservation efforts to restore natural water flows.

Dining options within the park are limited, so most visitors stock up in Homestead or Florida City before entering. The park's atmosphere is one of patient, unhurried nature, where the rewards come to those willing to sit quietly and watch the water.