Want to see alligators, go on an airboat ride, and learn about natural and human life in a swamp? There is no better place to do it than Everglades National Park in Florida! In the Everglades, you’ll find fascinating and unique wildlife as you hike through swamps paying careful attention not to step on alligators. You’ll also sweat buckets… If this adventure is for, you then start planning your trip with this list of things to do in Everglades National Park today.
We visited the Everglades over the course of two days at the end of a Florida road trip. Many people visit as a short day trip from Miami or as an excursion after visiting theme parks in Orlando. Whenever you decide to visit, we have a few things to do in the Everglades that we highly recommend because they are such unique experiences, some educational things to do and some things that we’d recommend skipping. Plus, we’ve put all of our favorite activities together in a one day Everglades itinerary.
About Everglades National Park
Situated on the southernmost point of mainland Florida, Everglades National Park is the third largest National Park in the continental US, after Yellowstone and Death Valley. With so much area covered, you can bet there are plenty of things to do in Everglades National Park to make it worth a visit.
Everglades National Park is first and foremost a protected ecosystem. After water was diverted to nearby expanding Miami, many species within the Everglades were on the verge of extinction. Then, in 1947 the park was created to protect the ecosystem of migrating birds, panthers, crocodiles, alligators, manatees and more. Afterwards, in 1979 the park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The ecosystem of the Everglades revolves around the drainage of Lake Okeechobee. This drainage creates sloughs which are immense systems of slowly draining water. The water slowly makes it’s way to the sea through these sloughs, past hardwood hammocks (tree islands), through cypress and mangrove forests and on to the ocean. As you drive through the everglades you’ll also see pine forests and small inland lakes.
Getting There and Around
The Everglades National Park is a large park – the third largest in the lower 48 to be exact. So don’t underestimate the drive time between destinations. Also, keep in mind that there are three different entrances to the park and they are not interconnected. Our list of things to do in the Everglades focus on the Shark Valley and Homestead visitors centers. Both of these entrances are close to Miami and the east coast of Florida. The third entrance, the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, is closer to Florida’s west coast and the things to do there mainly focus on exploring the waterways of Everglades National Park. This would be a great place to start your backcountry exploration of the park but is not a great place to visit for the day.
Most people visit Everglades National Park as a side trip from Miami or on their way to a Key West road trip. For either of these options, flying into Miami makes the most sense. Flights into this international airport are frequent and tend to be inexpensive.
To explore the Everglades, you’ll need a rental car. Did we mention this park is huge? So, you’ll need a car if you want to explore it all. There are tours that operate out of Miami or even Orlando but we’ve focused this article on people planning their own self-drive Everglades itinerary.
Things to Do In Everglades National Park
Via the Homestead Entrance
Time: half day or more
The largest and most varied section of Everglades National Park, the Homestead to Flamingo drive will allow you to explore Everglades National Park on your own and in depth. The following are all things to do in the Everglades National Park along this drive.
Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo Trail
Time: 45 minutes
These two trails give you the best introduction to the Everglades at one of the most accessible stops in the Everglades.
The Anhinga trail takes you through the marshes along a wheelchair accessible elevated boardwalk. Plus, the boardwalk is filled with informational posters helping you to understand more of the ecology of the swamp. This is also one of the best places for spotting alligators in this section of the park. You can easily see alligator trails as they drag themselves overland from one body of water to another.
The Gumbo Limbo trail is a wooded trail through a forest of gumbo limbo trees. These trees with reddish coloring are common in the wooded hammocks of the Everglades.
This stop also has bathrooms. However, beware of the vultures, they like to rip the rubber off of tires and windshield wipers. The bathroom complex also has tarps to cover your car to prevent this damage.
Nike Missile Base
Time: 1.5 hours
The Nike Missile Base may be one of the most unusual sites that we’ve ever seen in a National Park. This abandoned missile base was built in response to the cuban missile crisis. The base is now decommissioned but still has missiles and barracks for you to see.
This site is only open from December-March during midday. First, stop at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor’s center for information and reservations for a free guided tour.
Long Pine Key Trail
Time: varies
This is a trail through a tall pine forest. It is a one way trail so make sure you have enough energy for the return walk. Honestly, this wasn’t great. We turned around after 10 minutes. It’s a thing to do in Everglades National Park but it doesn’t really stand out to us as quintessentially “everglades”.
Pa-hay-okee Overlook
Time: 10 minutes
The Pa-hay-okee overlook train is a short trail through the marsh. It’s REALLY short. We didn’t love this stop because it was so short. However, it’s a good stop for families or those with mobility issues because it is so short and is entirely accessible. If you pay careful attention here, you can also see the water in the slough moving on it’s slow journey to the sea.
Mahogany Hammock
Time: 20 minutes
The Mahogany Hammock trail explore a – go figure – mahogany hammock, which is basically an island of trees raised above the never ending grassy stretches of the Everglades. This short and accessible trail allows you to loop through this island and learn about this unique ecosystem.
Also, this was one of the worst spots in the Everglades for bugs. So make sure to wear bug spray and long pants/shirts.
Flamingo Marina
Time: 20 minutes
Stop at the Flamingo marina for your best chance of spotting manatees. These cloudy waters have runoff that the manatees like to drink so spotting one should be fairly easy. We spotted tons drinking from the runoff pipes. You also may see a tarpon jumping.
Near the marina you can choose to walk the coastal prairie trail. However, this trail was so overgrown when we visited that we couldn’t walk more than 10 feet in before we lost the trail.
Boat Tour
Time: 2 hours | Cost: $40/person
Two different boat tours are offered from the Flamingo Visitor Center. One tour goes up river and the other goes out in to the bay. You’ll see similar things on both tours. However, the bay tour is best for manatees and the river tour is best for alligators.
Via the Shark Valley Entrance
Time: 3 hours
If you only visit one area in the Everglades National Park, this should be it. This small area provides you with a virtual sampler platter of the entire park. Below are the things to do in Everglades National Park from the Shark Valley Entrance.
Train Trail and Tour
Time: 2 hours | Cost: $29/person
The 15-mile tram trail allows you to see everything the everglades has to offer. You’ll see sloughs, hammocks, and more. And while you can choose to bike this on your own, the best way to see it is via the guided tram tour. We think that this was the best thing to do in the Everglades National Park! The tour guides were so clearly passionate about the environment in which they lived and that made the tour extra enjoyable. We had no problem getting a last minute ticket in the off-season. However, reservations are encouraged during the dry season and busiest months in the park.
The first stretch of the tour/trail takes you through all of the different environments in the Everglades. Plus, the amazing tour guides explain how these environments are formed, how they have been used by native peoples in the past, and what threatens there survival today.
The midway point is the observation tower which gives you a birds eye view of the otherwise flat Everglades.
Next, the return journey is all about spotting alligators as the trail is bordered by a small waterway. We saw tons of gators here!
Bobcat Boardwalk
Time: 20 minutes
Just a short walk from the visitor center, this short and accessible trail will give you a better view of the environment of the Everglades. You’ll see similar things to those along the train trail and the informative signs will help you contextualize them. This is a good option for a walk as you wait for your tram tour.
Airboat Ride
Time: 1 hour | Cost: $39/person
If you are visiting the Everglades, chances are you have imagined yourself zooming through marsh grass on an airboat. And it is super fun. The boat riding experience is unique and exhilarating. However, it is short, loud and scary to wildlife. So if you’re imagining spotting hundreds of gators on an airboat – like an episode of swamp people – you will be disappointed. However, if you’re just looking for a fun way to experience the rivers of grass this is ideal.
Airboat usage in the Everglades can be controversial as some think it destroys the environment. However, there are three park authorized tour vendors operating inside the park. All three have similar pricing and tour offerings. We choose the Everglades Safari Park as they also have a short boardwalk through alligator territory that is included in their airboat ride pricing. I’ve been on two airboat rides in my life and saw a combined 1 alligator, so adjust expectations accordingly.
Via the Gulf Coast Entrance
Time: half day or more
This section of the park is best explored by water. So if you’re looking to get your feet wet, so to speak, this is the section for you.
Canoe or Kayak
Time: Varies | Cost: Varies
Whether your a serious paddler or a beginner, the Everglades has something for you. Join short guided ranger tours or start off a multi-day paddling adventure here. Either option does require some advanced planning. A multi-day trip requires camping permits and some forethought to equipment. A guided ranger tour does require a reservation.
Boat Tour
Time: 2 hours | Cost: $40/person
Much like the boat tours offered in Flamingo, the narrated tours at the gulf coast entrance are all about learning about the ecosystems of the Everglades. This tour explores the mangroves and nearby islands as you ride aboard a large catamaran (aka pontoon).
Nearby Things To Do
Big Cypress National Preserve
While we weren’t able to visit, as we ran out of time, a ranger highly recommended taking the Loop Road scenic drive through the Big Cypress National Preserve as we drove from the Shark Vally Visitor Center to the Gulf Coast Visitor Center. This dirt road goes through cypress forests and it is a scenic way to get from the Shark Valley section of the park to the Gulf Coast section.
Is The Everglades National Park Worth a Visit?
Honestly, this is not something we’d go out of our way to schedule a trip to. So basing an entire Florida vacation around this park may be a letdown. However, Florida is a popular vacation destination with lots of expensive citified activities. So if you’re already in Florida, adding the Everglades National Park into your Florida itinerary is a great idea, especially if you love nature.
The activities here are so unique and adventurous. So while we don’t think you should plan a vacation around this stop, we definitely think you should add a visit to Everglades National park to any Florida itinerary.
When To Visit The Everglades
Keep in mind that the Everglades are a subtropical climate. This means that they have two seasons: wet and dry.
The dry season, November-April, is typically the best time to visit Everglades National Park. During the dry season the weather will be slightly cooler and have less rain. Additionally, during this time of year, all of the park amenities will be open and ranger led programs will happen regularly.
Conversely, during the wet season, May-October, the humidity can be oppressive as temperatures rise. Also, frequent rainstorms throughout the day can ruin outdoor plans. We went to the Everglades in September and while we did have a few rainstorms, we were still able to have a good time. However, if you do visit in the wet season, know that many offerings in the park may be unavailable to you. There were a few hiking trails that were completely flooded and some tours that were unavailable to us in September.
Safety In the Everglades
Bring plenty of water and insect repellant. Avoid strenuous activities during the hottest times of day. Make sure to wear sun protection even when it is cloudy.
Wildlife should remain wild. Don’t try to feed things or get too close. You should remain at least 15 feet away from alligators and crocodiles. If you’re traveling with children, make sure to keep an eye on them at all times. The tram guides told us a terrifying story of a child who fell off a trail and onto an alligator.
Alligator Spotting Tips
On hot sunny days, alligators are harder to spot. Instead, try visiting during cooler months or when it is cloudy. This will bring the alligators out to sunbathe in the hopes of warming up. You can also try to spot them early in the morning or later in the evening when it is cooler.
February seems to be the best month to spot alligators according to the park rangers we talked with.
If you’d like to see baby alligators, considering visiting in September like we did. Baby alligators are small but actually easier to spot with bright coloring. Alligators mate in the summer and most eggs have hatched by the end of September.
The best advice we can give to spot an alligator is to go with a guide. Guides know where to look and where these slow-moving creatures are likely to be.
If you don’t go with a guide, keep an eye out for gator “tracks”. You can spot trampled down grass near bodies of water. These slide like trails or a mark of where gators enter or exit an area. So be extra observant when you spot these.
2 Day Everglades National Park Itinerary
Day 1 – Shark Valley and Gulf Coast
On day one of this Everglades itinerary, you can visit both the Gulf Coast and the Shark Valley sections of the park. We started our day in Miami and drove straight to the Shark Valley section of the park. First, stop for an airboat tour. There are three authorized vendors that you pass on the way to Shark Valley.
Next, visit Shark Valley and take the Tram tour. While waiting do the short walk along the Bobcat boardwalk.
It will be lunchtime about now, so consider stopping at the Miccosukee Cultural Center. That is the only area with food. Or you can pack a lunch.
Next, drive the scenic Loop Road through Big Cypress National Preserve. Check with the rangers at Shark Valley before driving this road as heavy rains can make it impassible.
Continue on to Everglades City and the Gulf Coast Visitor Center. Here rent a kayak or canoe and explore some of the waterways here. Consider calling ahead to see if you can join a ranger led kayak tour.
Drive back to Homestead and stay overnight. This drive is two hours so be prepared for that.
Day 2 – Homestead
On the second day of your Everglades itinerary, head to the Homestead entrance. On day two, we had time to do everything on the list of things to do via the Homestead entrance above. Very few things have a strict timeline in the National Parks. However, you should plan your day around your boat tour, making sure to be in Flamingo for the start of your tour. Spend the rest of the day exploring the short walks through the Everglades. Make sure to pack a lunch for this day as food options are limited to what we would consider snacks.
Stay overnight in Homestead once again. If you’re wondering about the timing of this day, we left Homestead at 8 AM and were back by 5 PM. You could probably even make it to Miami or the Florida keys if those on the next stops on your Florida road trip.
Want To Adjust the Everglades National Park Itinerary?
If you only have one day in the Everglades, we have such a hard time making a recommendation. So we recommend staying a day and a half 😉 One day is tricky because the obvious choice is visiting the Homestead to Flamingo section of the park as it fits nicely into one day. However, our top two favorite things (airboat and tram tour) were in the Shark Valley section of the park but they only take a half day. So you could visit Shark Valley early in the morning and then spend the rest of your day in the Flamingo area of the park. However, this would be a really long or rushed day.
If you have a day and a half in the Everglades, spend one day exploring the Homestead to Flamingo section of the park. Then spend your half day in the Shark Valley section of the park taking the tram tour and an airboat ride.
If you have more time in the park, consider loading up your days with ranger led programs. They have a ton in this park. You also could consider doing an overnight canoe or kayak trip in the park. There are some beautiful backcountry campsites that are really unique here.
Where to Stay
We think the best place to stay for our 2 day Everglades itinerary is the Homestead/Florida City area. We stayed at a motel in Homestead. Every major chain hotel is located in the area. While none of these hotels are high end and some of the neighborhoods seemed sketchy, they serve their purpose for Everglades visitors. We used Hotels.com to book our stay. We love Hotels.com because they have a loyalty program that is FREE; stay 10 nights and get the 11th free.
Camping is available in the park from the Homestead entrance area.
Home rentals in the area are available but the pricing on them was pretty high and the location poorer compared to the hotels.
What To Budget For Everglades National Park
Entrance fees are required in all areas of the park. Entrance is $30/vehicle and can be purchased at the Shark Valley or Homestead entrances. You can also purchase your pass online before visiting. Your pass is good for 7 days. However, consider purchasing an America the Beautiful parks pass instead – it’s what we did. This pass will get you in to all National Parks in the United States for a full year. So if you’re planning to visit the nearby Dry Tortugas National Park or another National Park within the year, this could be an economical option for you.
As much as we like to travel on the cheap, we really think you should budget for at least one guided tour; we would pick the shark valley tram. A guided tour will give you the opportunity to learn about the things that you are seeing and contextualizing the environment around you. So budget at least $40/person for a tour in the Everglades and this will cover at least one tour for you.
What To Pack For The Everglades
This park is hot and buggy. So dressing for that can be a challenge. We’d recommend long sleeves and pants that are breathable. This will protect you from both the sun and the bugs. Additionally, you should also pack sunscreen and bug repellant. The bug repellant will work on the mosquitos but doesn’t work so well on the biting flies.
Don’t forget to bring a refillable water bottle or a hydration pack. There are water refilling stations throughout the park but you should have a least 1 liter/person capacity.
We also think you should pack a lunch, especially if you’re following the two day itinerary above. The food vendors in the park are more like connivence store vendors.
We hope this list of things to do in Everglades National Park has helped you to plan your own Everglades vacation. While this park doesn’t make the top of our National Parks list, it is a really unique thing to do and it is very different from other Florida activities. Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions in the comments section below.
