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Everglades National Park – ever heard of it? It’s an expansive wetland, a vibrant landscape, and a Biosphere Reserve in Florida, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Essentially, a giant swamp teeming with alligators, a haven for exotic birds, and a diverse ecosystem bursting with wildlife like crocodiles, snakes, manatees, and the endangered Florida panther.

The park is often called the “River of Grass” for its slow-moving river of grass, which flows from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay. This natural wonderland is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, and the largest wilderness of any kind east of the Mississippi River spanning over 1.5 million acres in southern Florida. The park is home to a variety of ecosystems, including sawgrass marshes, mangrove forests, hardwood hammocks, and coastal lowlands. Each of these habitats supports a rich array of plant and animal life, making the Everglades unique and special.

Whether you are an avid adventurer or a casual nature lover, the Everglades offers something for everyone. From thrilling airboat rides and serene kayaking trips, to guided ranger tours and scenic hiking trails, there are no shortage of ways to explore this incredible park. 

On our way back from Key West to Miami, we had a few hours to spare before our flight. We took this opportunity to explore Everglades National Park. These photos capture the essence of our brief yet delightful adventure on April 23, 2024, along the Pa-hay-okee and Anhinga Trails.

Quick Facts and Tips

• Best Time To Visit: December to April
  • Dry Season (December – April): Comfortable temperatures, lower humidity, less rain, fewer mosquitos, excellent wildlife viewing, more crowds, higher hotel rates.
  • Wet Season (May – November): Hot and humid with higher chances of rain, fewer crowds, more affordable accommodations. May offers a potential sweet spot with pleasant weather and fewer crowds (shoulder season).
• Fly Into
  • Miami International Airport (MIA): The closest major airport, located approximately 45 miles northeast of Everglades National Park. It offers a wide range of domestic and international flights.
  • Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL): Another convenient option,located about 70 miles northeast of the park. It provides an alternative for travelers, with various airlines and flights available.
  • Palm Beach International Airport (PBI): Located about 90 miles north of the park, consider this option if you don’t mind a longer drive for potentially better deals on flights.
• Clothing:
  • Casual t-shirts, shorts, tank tops, capris, rain jackets, swimsuit and cover-up, comfortable hiking shoes, light jackets or long sleeves for the cool morning and evenings. 
  • The park is 95% water, so many activities will involve being on or in the water, so pack accordingly. Sunblock, Sunglasses and a Hat, Bug Spray, Microfiber Towels, Phone Protection, Backpack or Waterproof Bag, Umbrella, Rain gears
• Accommodations:
  • No hotels or lodges located inside the park.
  • A variety of hotel chains and independent hotels are available in nearby towns like Homestead and Florida City, Key Biscayne, barrier island offers a resort-style atmosphere with beautiful beaches, and Miami is a bit further but offers the most variety in terms of hotels, dining, and nightlife.
  • The park offers campgrounds with basic amenities like restrooms and showers, overnight stays are limited to camping options.
• What to expect
  • Vast and unique wetland ecosystem with diverse habitats, including freshwater marshes, mangrove swamps, and sawgrass prairies. Wildlife includes alligators, crocodiles, manatees, and over 350 species of birds.
• How many days: One to three days to explore the main sections of the park, including Shark Valley, Flamingo, and Everglades City and various trails, such as the Anhinga Trail and Pa-hay-okee Trail, and even take a boat tour or ranger-led program.
• Check the Park Website for current information on closures, alerts, and weather forecasts. Be aware of potential thunderstorms.
• Entrance fees: $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, $20 per person on foot/bike/paddle-craft, valid for 7 consecutive days, or $70 for an annual pass. 
• The Park has three visitor centers: Ernest F. Coe, Shark Valley, and Flamingo, offer restrooms, gift shops, exhibits on natural history and culture, and ranger-led program information.
• Starting early not only helps you beat the traffic but also provides the best lighting, more space, a higher chance of seeing wildlife, and allows you to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
• Be aware of the tides if you are planning on doing any kayaking or canoeing
• If you are going on a guided airboat tour, be sure to dress in layers, as it can get quite windy.
• Always stay on designated trails and boardwalks. Wildlife can be dangerous if approached.
• Bring plenty of water, especially if you are going to be hiking or biking.
• There are a limited number of food stations inside the park, so pack a picnic lunch or snacks.
• There are no gas stations inside the park, fill up your gas tank before entering the park.
• Keep some extra time for stopping for photos, sights, unexpected wildlife encounters, detours, and for unplanned delays
• Weak/no cell phone signals, highly recommend to have maps downloaded or printed. Additionally, inform someone of your plans and your expected return time before you head out.
• There is a lot to capture, so keep your camera ready. Make sure that the camera is fully charged and also keep a backup battery and memory cards.
• Places to Visit: Royal Palm, Shark Valley, Pa-hay-okee Overlook, Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, Flamingo, Gulf Coast Visitor Center, Long Pine Key
• Best Things To Do
  • Go hiking or biking: Take a stroll or bike on popular trails throughout the park that offer stunning views of the Everglades ecosystem, such as the Anhinga Trail, Pa-hay-Okee Trail, Shark Valley Trail, and the Long Pine Key Trail. Anhinga Trail is a short 0.8 mile round trip and easily accessible trail offering excellent opportunities to see alligators, turtles, and a variety of bird species up close. The Pa-hay-okee Overlook Trail is again a short, less than a half mile, elevated boardwalk leading to an observation platform, offering sweeping vistas of the ‘river of grass’ and excellent bird watching. The Shark Valley Trail is a 15-mile paved loop trail offering opportunities to see alligators, herons, and other wildlife, with a 70-foot observation tower providing panoramic views of the sawgrass marsh. Long Pine Key Trail is a wide and long 22 mile, rocky trail winding through the pine rockland habitat, perfect for biking and hiking, with abundant birdlife, wildflowers, and scenic views of Pine Glades Lake.
  • Go canoeing or kayaking: Explore the Everglades at your own pace and get into some of the more remote areas by canoeing or kayaking. Be aware of the tides and weather conditions before you head out.
  • Take an airboat tour: Take a thrilled airboat tour to see the Everglades and get up close to the alligators, crocodiles, and other wildlife. Boat tours like the Ten Thousand Islands and Flamingo tours, cost around $48–54 for adults and can be booked online or at the marina. These tours typically last 90 minutes to 2 hours and depart from Everglades City or the Flamingo Marina
  • Go camping: Go camping to experience the Everglades and immerse yourself in nature. There are several campgrounds located throughout the park, including the Flamingo and Long Pine Key campgrounds, with rates ranging from $33 to $60 per night. Be sure to make reservations in advance, especially during the dry season.
  • Go fishing: Have fun and try your luck with fishing at the Everglades, a world-class fishing destination. You can fish in designated freshwater areas like Nine Mile Pond for species such as bass and catfish, or in saltwater areas like Florida Bay and Flamingo for snook and tarpon. A fishing license is required.
• Other Attractions
  • Biscayne National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
  • Bahia Honda State Park – Florida State Parks
  • Cape Lighthouse Florida – Florida State Parks
  • Miami, Florida
  • Key West, Florida
  • Dry Tortugas National Park – U.S. National Park Service
  • Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park – Florida State Parks