We have some easy but helpful tips for your Everglades trip.
Spanning 1.5 million acres across southern Florida, the Everglades National Park is a vast and vibrant ecosystem unlike anywhere else. This expansive wetland prairie is home to the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere and serves as the liquid heart storing fresh water for over 8 million Floridians. From wading birds and alligators to sawgrass marshes and hardwood hammocks, the Everglades offers an immersive journey into an untamed national treasure. With a little planning, you can experience the park’s diverse ecology and natural splendor in unforgettable ways.
Planning Your Visit
The Best Times to Visit
The dry winter season from December through April is considered the prime time to explore the Everglades as water levels are lower. However, summer also offers its own stark beauty, with higher waterways ideal for kayaking and canoeing. Avoid the hot, humid months of August and September if you can.
Where to Stay
- Inside the park: You can camp at the Flamingo Campground or explore eco-tents and RV sites.
- Just outside the park boundaries: Look into inns, cottages, and chain hotels around the gateway towns of Everglades City, Homestead, and Florida City, putting you within easy driving distance.
Guided Tours vs. Self-Guided
While self-guided hikes and drives are possible, a guided tour is highly recommended for your first Everglades experience. From boat tours to tram rides to walking tours with park rangers, guides can help you get oriented and point out wildlife in ways you’d likely miss on your own.
Top Attractions and Activities
Anhinga Trail
This classic 0.8 mile boardwalk trail is considered the most popular and wildlife-dense spot in the park to see alligators, turtles, herons, egrets, and anhingas up close.
Shark Valley
Take the 15-mile loop tram tour or rent a bike to explore this iconic slough and sawgrass prairie, regularly seeing alligators and other wildlife along the way.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Paddle your way through mangrove tunnels and waterways like the Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail for an intimate on-the-water experience. Several tours and rentals available.
Airboat Tours
No Everglades adventure is complete without an exhilarating airboat tour over the “river of grass“. Experienced captains get you up-close to gators and exotic birds.
Scenic Drives
While hiking and boating are prime, driving along roads like the 38-mile Tamiami Trail also offer sweeping wetland vistas and pullouts for wildlife viewing.
Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
The Everglades is world-famous for its incredible biodiversity. Be on the lookout for:
- Alligators – The Everglades boasts the highest concentration of these reptiles in the U.S. Bring your zoom lens!
- Wading Birds – Spot pink roseate spoonbills, great blue herons, snowy egrets, and the endangered Everglades snail kite.
- Unique Species – The Florida panther, manatee, black bear, and even the elusive ghost orchid call these wetlands home.
Tips for an Unforgettable Visit
What to Pack
- Sun protection
- Insect repellent
- Water shoes
- Camera
- Snacks and water
- Dress in lightweight layers
- A small flashlight can help navigate night hikes
Safety Precautions
- Don’t feed wildlife!
- Maintain distance from all animals
- Tell a ranger your hiking plans
- Beware of venomous snakes
Be a Responsible Visitor
- Stay on marked trails
- Don’t litter
- Follow all park rules to protect this fragile ecosystem
Nearby Attractions
Make the most of your South Florida trip!
Within an hour of the Everglades, visit:
- Miami – Museums, cafe culture, beaches
- Florida Keys – Snorkeling, Hemingway’s home, Key lime pie
- Dry Tortugas National Park
- Biscayne National Park
Between its mangrove tunnels, alligator-filled wetlands, rare species, and sublime natural vistas, the Everglades is an unmissable eco-tourism destination. With this guide, you’re ready to seek out the park’s most immersive sights and experiences.
So start planning your own wetland adventure and come face-to-face with the wild, watery soul of South Florida. The Everglades await!