Things to do nearEverglades National Park
Everglades National Park in Florida is a vast subtropical wilderness celebrated for its sawgrass prairies, diverse wildlife, and ancient mangrove ecosystems.
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.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Everglades National Park
Visit during the dry season, roughly November through April, when wildlife concentrates around shrinking water sources and mosquitoes are far less intense.
Try the Anhinga Trail near the Royal Palm area for reliably close encounters with anhingas, herons, and alligators along a short, paved boardwalk.
Bring insect repellent and sun protection year-round, as the open landscape offers little shade and bugs can be heavy even in cooler months.
Rent a canoe or kayak at Flamingo to explore the backcountry waterways, where you may spot manatees, dolphins, and roseate spoonbills in the calm tidal creeks.
Arrive at Pa-hay-okee Overlook near sunset for a sweeping view across the sawgrass prairie as the light turns golden and bird activity peaks.
Top tours & experiences near Everglades National Park
Everglades Airboat Ride & Alligator Farm Admission
Ride a 20–25 minute Everglades airboat with alligator farm admission and shows
VIP 3-Hour Private Airboat & Alligator Tour in Homestead
Private airboat ride plus behind-the-scenes alligator encounters in 3 hours
Guided Alligator Feeding Encounter in Homestead
Hold alligators and feed the breeding pond from a VIP area
Explore Everglades National Park Backcountry Boat Tour
Cruise Flamingo’s backcountry waterways with a naturalist
2-Hour Kayak & Canoe Rental in Flamingo
Rent a kayak or canoe for 2 hours from the Flamingo Activity Booth
4-Hour Bike Rental in Homestead
Rent a beach cruiser for 4 hours, with adult and kid bikes available
Ride a Bike in Everglades National Park
2-hour beach cruiser bike rental for adults and kids ages 5+
Everglades National Park Starry Night Boat Tour
Cruise the Everglades after dark for stargazing and nocturnal sounds
Cruise Key Largo on a Private Everglades Tour
Private Everglades and Florida Bay ecology boat tour for up to 6 people
2-Hour Dolphin, Birding & Shelling Tour in Marco Island
Cruise the 10,000 Islands with a naturalist, then shell on a barrier island
2-Hour 10,000 Islands Shelling Tour Near Everglades
Cruise to a remote barrier island for shelling in the 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge
Explore Everglades National Park by Boat & Kayak
Reach remote Everglades National Park areas by boat, then kayak and walk with your guide
Key Largo Sunset Cruise
Explore mangrove waterways and Adams Cut before sunset over Key Largo's waters
Guided Everglades National Park Boat Tour
Discover Florida Bay’s reefs, wildlife, and mangrove waterways by boat
Everglades National Park Full-Day Fishing Charter
Fish Everglades backcountry waters with the captain you prefer
4-Hour Fishing Charter in Everglades National Park
Private fishing in the Ten Thousand Islands with your choice of captain
Birding Boat Tour in Everglades National Park
Explore remote Everglades waters by quiet power boat
Everglades National Park 10,000 Islands Wildlife Cruise
Explore Everglades National Park’s 10,000 Islands coastal ecosystems by boat
Everglades 2-Hour Birding & Wildlife Boat Tour
Quiet power-boat access to seldom-reached Everglades birding areas
3-Hour Guided Swamp Walk in Fakahatchee Strand
Explore cypress swamps and Everglades ecology with a naturalist guide
8-Hour Everglades National Park Fishing Charter
Fish the 10,000 Islands’ bays and backcountry waters
4-Hour Everglades National Park Fishing Charter
Cast for seasonal inshore fish in the Ten Thousand Islands
4-Hour Skiff Rental in Everglades National Park
Take the helm of a Yamaha-powered skiff with six rod holders
4-Hour Kayak & Canoe Rental in Everglades National Park
Kayak or canoe through Everglades National Park waterways
8-Hour Kayak & Canoe Rental in Everglades National Park
Choose Your Kayak or Canoe for Everglades Waterways
24-Hour Kayak & Canoe Rental in Everglades National Park
Paddle Everglades waterways in a kayak or canoe sized for your group
Everglades National Park 17' Skiff Rental
Navigate Everglades waters in a 40HP skiff with GPS and fishing-ready rod holders