Everglades National Park
A slow river of grass where alligators, wading birds and manatees share the water.
Photo: Everglades NPS from Homestead, Florida, United States · Public domain
Everglades guide: the Anhinga Trail, the Shark Valley tram and bike loop, Flamingo, canoe trails, airboats outside the park, mosquitoes and the dry season.
Everglades: what to expect
The Everglades is a vast, shallow sheet of water that flows slowly south across the tip of Florida, often called a river of grass. The national park protects the southern part of it, the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a refuge for rare species such as the Florida panther and the manatee.
Near the Homestead entrance, the short Anhinga Trail boardwalk is one of the best places in the country to see alligators, turtles and anhinga birds up close. At Shark Valley, off the Tamiami Trail, a paved loop of 24 kilometers leads to an observation tower; ride it on the tram tour or by bike. At the end of the 61-kilometer main road, Flamingo has boat tours and canoe rentals on Florida Bay.
Airboats are not allowed in most of the park, but licensed operators run rides just outside it along the Tamiami Trail. The park is so large that its Gulf Coast entrance at Everglades City is a separate trip, the gateway to the mangrove islands of the Ten Thousand Islands.
Everglades: top things to do
- 1Alligators along the Anhinga Trail
- 2The Shark Valley loop by bike or tram
- 3Sunset over Florida Bay at Flamingo
- 4Paddling the mangrove tunnels of the Nine Mile Pond canoe trail
Everglades: best time to visit
December to April, the dry season, when wildlife gathers at the water and mosquitoes are fewer.
Everglades: insider tips
- Bring strong insect repellent, especially from May to November.
- Stay at least 4.5 meters (15 ft) from alligators and never feed any wildlife.
- Fill up in Homestead or Florida City before driving to Flamingo; services in the park are very limited.
Fees, passes and parking
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $35 per vehicle, 7 days |
| Motorcycle | $30 per vehicle, 7 days |
| Per person (on foot or bike) | $20 per person, 7 days |
| Annual pass for this park | $70 per year |
- America the Beautiful pass accepted: $80 a year for US residents, $250 for others (also covers the $100 fee).
- Non-US residents aged 16+: $100 extra each, unless they hold an annual pass.
- US residents enter free on a few fee-free days.
Checked Oct 26, 2026. Official prices
Gas and fast charging nearby
1 gas stations within 40 km
- 16.2 km Gas station
No fast (DC) chargers within 40 km; plan to arrive with enough range.
OpenStreetMap data, Oct 28, 2026.
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