Everglades National Park

Year Established: 1947
Annual Visitors: 942,000
Size: 1.4 Million Acres
State: Florida

Best Time to Visit Everglades National Park

December to February

The Everglades have two very different seasons: the dry season and the wet season.

Even though it changes from year to year, the dry season usually lasts from December to April and the wet season from May to November.

If you are planning to visit more national parks, check out our complete list of all US National Parks.

Best Experiences in Everglades National Park

• Take an airboat tour to see the alligators
• Spot 300+ bird species at the birdwatching sites
• Enjoy a scenic bike ride around Shark Valley Trail

A Brief History

The Seminole Indians called this area “River of Grass” because of the saw grass that grew out of the slow-moving water from Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico.

It is home to animals like the scary Florida alligator and the slow-moving West Indian manatee. It also has 300 species of fish, including the Gulf toadfish, which looks like it came from the prehistoric era. Along with the marshes, there are thick pinelands, tangled mangroves, and hardwood hammocks.

There are many different kinds of orchids all over the park, which is also a paradise for birds like the pink-faced white ibis and the roseate spoonbill. People come to the lower parts of Florida to motorboat, kayak, and fish, and its famous fan-driven airboats are a big draw for tourists.

But nearby construction and pollution have been a threat to the Everglades for a long time. In order to protect the area, a group of governments has been working together to restore the park’s ecosystem and get rid of invasive species like the Burmese python.

About Everglades National Park

The Everglades is a delicate ecosystem because of it’s tropical wilderness status. It is a national park protected for almost 90 years and a World Heritage Site.

The Evolution of the Everglades

Over millions of years of continental drift, Florida separated from Africa and moved west. Until around 125,000 years ago, the area that is now the peninsula was covered by water previously.

After decades of deposition, the flat, porous environment which was created by shells, sand, and animal bones, helped the land retain much more water. Before this, the area had likely been underwater for at least the past five thousand years.

There are 750 distinct species found here, including 36 that are endangered. Life in the Everglades would not have been possible without its animal inhabitants though. Migratory birds were primarily responsible for spreading the seeds of tropical plants thousands of years ago.

The Everglades since saw an explosion of biodiversity as new flora sprang through the rich soil. Nearly a thousand plant species now thrive in the park, which draws over a million visitors annually. River flow and regular thunderstorms provide the necessary moisture for the ecosystem’s animals and plants to fulfill their thirst.

Things To Do at Everglades National Park

In order to appreciate the Everglades, a boat trip is highly recommended. Take a tour boat out on the water or obtain a boat rental and explore the area in style. It is typical for wading birds and massive alligators to gather near tourists.

Keep your distance from the enormous reptiles since their bites can cause severe injury, and their tails are so solid and nimble that they can break bones.

At the park’s coastline, certified SCUBA divers may enjoy underwater exploration. Sharks and other ocean fish move upstream to have their offspring in the protection of interior waterways, and these mangrove swamps provide nurseries for a wide variety of creatures. The young animals experience the behaviors they’ll rely on as adults before going back into the wide ocean.

More than 40 varieties of coral and 600 species of reef fish may be found off Florida’s coast; however, divers should be aware of the presence of marine predators.

Visitors may walk to all parts of the Everglades because of the extensive road system that winds across the park. There are boardwalks at the water’s edge and hiking routes that wind across the arid landscape.

People afraid of spiders should watch out for webs that reach across the path near the water. Some coastal trails also require hikers to paddle through underwater areas, so be ready to get your feet wet.

Pythons in the Park

Contrary to what you may believe, pythons are a big problem in the Everglades. The Everglades are home to thousands of enormous Burmese pythons that have escaped captivity or been released in the area.

Since the 1970s, when thousands of non-native snakes were brought in for the pet trade, this issue has continued. They prey on whatever they can ingest; hence they are considered generalist feeders. Since Burmese pythons are among the biggest snakes on the planet, their diet is quite diverse. The park visitors are safe from harm from these intruders.

Even though this area has received much media attention, you probably won’t see a python. Visitors are more likely to experience lightning than a deadly snake attack.

Everglades RV Camping

If you are looking for nearby RV camping options for Everglades National Park or in Florida, consider checking out our other post:

• Best RV Parks in Florida
• Best RV Resorts in Florida

Visitor Information

Fees

Weekly Park Passes

$15.00 per person/cyclist

When someone walks or rides a bike to the main entrance station of Everglades National Park, they have to pay an entrance fee. The entrance fee is good for 7 days, starting with the day it was bought. People who are 16 years old or younger can get in for free.

$30.00 per vehicle

$15.00 per motorcycle

Valid for up to 7 days

Annual Parking Pass

Everglades National Park Annual Pass – $55.00

Contacting Everglades National Park

Phone Number

305 242-7700

Visitor Centers

Flamingo Visitor Center

The Flamingo Visitor Center has displays that teach, brochures with information, and wilderness permits. Near the visitor center, you can find a campground, a public boat ramp, a marina store, and other hiking and canoeing trails. Plan ahead for food and other needs, because there aren’t many places to get them. People who go to Flamingo through the main entrance or by boat need to bring enough food and water unless they plan to eat at the Buttonwood Cafe or get basic supplies at the marina.

Ernest Coe Visitor Center

Every day of the year, the Ernest Coe Visitor Center is open. It has educational displays, orientation movies, and brochures with information. Often, special collections made by local artists are shown. In the bookstore next door, you can buy books, movies, postcards, and bug spray. Only a short drive away from the visitor center is a group of popular walking trails. Restrooms are available.

Shark Valley Visitor Center

The Shark Valley Visitor Center has educational displays, a video about the park, and brochures with information about the area. In the gift shop, you can buy books, postcards, and other things to remember your trip by. Shark Valley Tram Tours, Inc. offers guided tram tours, bicycle rentals, snacks, and soft drinks. Off the main trail, you can enjoy two short walking paths, one of which is accessible. Restrooms are available.

Gulf Coast Visitor Center

The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is the starting point for exploring the Ten Thousand Islands, which are a confusing network of mangrove islands and waterways that stretch from Flamingo Bay to Florida Bay and can only be reached by boat in this area. The visitor center has educational displays, orientation films, brochures with information, and permits for camping in the wilderness. The park’s authorized concessioner can give boat tours and rent out boats. Visit our Permitted Tours Page to find out about other businesses that are approved by the National Park Service to run tours in the Gulf Coast and Ten Thousand Islands area. Restrooms are available. Nearby are restaurants, stores, places to stay, and campgrounds.