Everglades National Park

Overview

About

Everglades National Park is in Florida. It became a US national park in 1947, and in 1979 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as a natural site.

Travel tips

Getting there: the park is at the southern tip of Florida; from Miami International Airport to the southeast entrance at Homestead is about an hour's drive. The three main entrances are far apart, so a car is needed.

Homestead entrance: the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is here, and the park road runs about 38 miles to Flamingo, passing the Anhinga Trail and other short walks.

Anhinga Trail: a boardwalk of about 0.8 miles, where in the dry season alligators and wading birds can be seen at close range; it suits families and is the easiest place for wildlife.

Shark Valley: to the north, near Miami, a 15-mile loop that can be done by tram or bicycle, with an observation tower halfway.

Gulf Coast: the northwest entrance is at Everglades City, from which boats go into the mangroves of the Ten Thousand Islands.

Season: December to April is the dry season, when animals gather at the remaining pools and viewing is best; summer is hot, wet and full of mosquitoes, and many trails are muddy.

Time: one day covers the Anhinga Trail and part of the Shark Valley loop; all three entrances take two or three days.

Where to stay: Flamingo has a campground and basic lodging; most visitors stay in Homestead, Florida City or Miami.

Caution: mosquitoes are heavy in the wet season, so bring repellent; do not approach or feed alligators.

More photos

Photo credits: Everglades National Park: Everglades NPS from Homestead, Florida, United States (public domain)