Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park protects the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States — a vast, slow-moving ‘River of Grass’ of sawgrass marsh, mangrove forests, cypress swamps, pine rocklands and coastal estuaries spreading across the southern tip of Florida. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve, it is unlike any other national park, a watery wilderness teeming with life.

The Everglades is the only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles coexist, and it shelters manatees, dolphins, roseate spoonbills, wood storks, and the rare and elusive Florida panther. Visitors explore by boardwalk, tram, canoe and boat, watching wildlife along the famous Anhinga Trail, paddling mangrove creeks, and taking in the immense, watery horizon. A globally important wetland wilderness, Everglades National Park is a treasured natural icon of Florida.

The Everglades is explored by boardwalk and short trails (the wildlife-packed Anhinga Trail is famous), tram tours (Shark Valley), canoeing and kayaking the mangrove creeks and the Wilderness Waterway, boat tours from the Gulf Coast, fishing, ranger programs, and birding and wildlife watching across the vast wetland. Camping (including backcountry ‘chickee’ platforms) and stargazing add to the draw. Walking the Anhinga Trail, paddling the mangroves and watching the abundant wildlife are the signature experiences. The combination of a vast watery wilderness and astonishing wildlife makes the Everglades unique.

The dry season (roughly December through April) is by far the best time, when temperatures and humidity are lower, mosquitoes are fewer, and wildlife concentrates around shrinking water holes for spectacular viewing. The wet season (summer/fall) brings intense heat, heavy rain, swarming mosquitoes and the risk of hurricanes, with most services reduced. The dry winter season is the highlight — come December to April for comfortable weather and the best wildlife viewing, and visit early or late in the day when animals are most active.

The Everglades is the ancestral land of the Calusa, Tequesta and later the Seminole and Miccosukee peoples, who still live in and around it. Long dismissed as a worthless swamp and drained for development and agriculture, the Everglades was championed by Marjory Stoneman Douglas, whose 1947 book ‘The Everglades: River of Grass’ reframed it as a vital living river; the park was established that same year. Restoration of its damaged water flow is now one of the largest such efforts on Earth. The park preserves this imperiled wilderness, a treasured icon of Florida.

The Everglades sits on a vast, nearly flat limestone shelf, formed from ancient seabeds, over which a broad, shallow sheet of water flows slowly southward from Lake Okeechobee to the sea — the ‘River of Grass.’ The porous limestone holds the Biscayne Aquifer (the region’s water supply), and slight differences in elevation of just inches create the patchwork of sawgrass marsh, tree islands (hammocks), cypress, pineland and mangrove. The flat limestone, the slow sheet flow of water and the subtle elevations created this unique wetland landscape.

The Everglades teems with wildlife — American alligators and the rare American crocodile (coexisting nowhere else), manatees and dolphins in the coastal waters, the endangered Florida panther, bobcats, deer, river otters, and a spectacular birdlife of herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, wood storks, anhingas and ospreys, plus turtles, snakes and fish. Invasive Burmese pythons are a serious threat. The vast wetland is one of the great wildlife-watching destinations in America, with alligators, wading birds and (rarely) the elusive panther among the highlights.

The Everglades is a globally important wetland ecosystem — a mosaic of sawgrass marsh, mangrove forests (the largest in the hemisphere), cypress swamps, pine rocklands, hardwood hammocks and marine estuaries — supporting extraordinary biodiversity and serving as a vital nursery for fish and wildlife and a recharge for the region’s drinking-water aquifer. It is deeply threatened by altered water flow, development, pollution, invasive species and sea-level rise, and is the focus of a massive restoration. Protecting the water flow, the habitats and the wildlife sustains both the ecology and the survival of this irreplaceable wilderness.

Everglades National Park holds a treasured place among the icons of Florida and the nation — the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S., a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a global symbol of wetland conservation, the ‘River of Grass’ immortalized by Marjory Stoneman Douglas and home to the Seminole and Miccosukee peoples. Its alligators, wading birds and watery vistas embody wild Florida. The Everglades is a cherished natural icon of Florida and one of the most important national parks in the world.

Everglades National Park spans the southern tip of Florida, with three main entrances: the main (Ernest Coe/Royal Palm) entrance near Homestead and Florida City (southwest of Miami, with the Anhinga Trail and the road to Flamingo on Florida Bay), Shark Valley on the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41, with the tram and tower), and the Gulf Coast at Everglades City (for the Ten Thousand Islands). An entrance fee applies. Visitor centers, boardwalks, campgrounds and boat/canoe access serve each area. Check the National Park Service for fees, hours, the season and conditions before visiting.

The National Park Service and partners protect and work to restore the Everglades. Visitors help by keeping a safe distance from alligators, crocodiles and all wildlife (never feed them), staying on trails and boardwalks, not disturbing the fragile wetland or introducing or spreading invasive species (clean gear), protecting water quality, packing out everything, and following all rules. The altered water flow, the invasive pythons and the wildlife are critical concerns. Protecting the water, the habitats and the wildlife sustains both the ecology and the survival of this globally important wilderness.

Keep a safe distance from alligators and crocodiles (never approach or feed them) and watch children and pets near water. In the wet season, mosquitoes can be overwhelming (bring strong repellent), heat and humidity are intense (carry water and sun protection), and afternoon thunderstorms and hurricanes are hazards. On the water, watch the weather, tides and your navigation in the vast mangroves (it’s easy to get lost; carry a map/GPS). Venomous snakes are present. Respect the wildlife, the heat, the mosquitoes, the storms and the easy-to-get-lost wilderness.

An entrance fee applies. Keep a safe distance from and never feed alligators, crocodiles or any wildlife. Stay on trails and boardwalks; do not disturb the wetland. Backcountry camping and the Wilderness Waterway require permits. Clean gear to prevent spreading invasive species. Pets are restricted to developed areas. Drones are prohibited. Fishing requires a license and follows park rules. Pack out all trash. Check the National Park Service for fees, permits, the season and current rules before visiting.

The cities of Homestead, Florida City and Miami to the east, the Florida Keys to the south, Big Cypress National Preserve and the Miccosukee and Seminole lands along the Tamiami Trail, and Biscayne National Park (mostly underwater) nearby lie around the Everglades. South Florida and the Gulf and Atlantic coasts define the region. Everglades National Park anchors wild South Florida, a centerpiece of a Florida adventure, easily combined with the Keys, Big Cypress, Biscayne National Park and the city of Miami.

Come in the dry season (December to April) for comfortable weather, fewer mosquitoes and concentrated wildlife — walk the famous Anhinga Trail near the main entrance for close-up alligators and wading birds, take the Shark Valley tram or bike to the observation tower, and paddle the mangroves or take a Gulf Coast boat tour. Keep your distance from alligators, bring strong insect repellent, water and sun protection, watch for afternoon storms, and combine your visit with the Florida Keys, Big Cypress and Miami.