Everglades National Park protects the southern end of the Everglades, a vast, slow-moving “river of grass” that flows from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay and the Gulf. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a place of sawgrass prairies, cypress domes, hardwood hammocks and mangrove coasts, home to alligators, crocodiles, manatees, the Florida panther and huge flocks of wading birds. The park has three separate entrances that do not connect inside it: near Homestead for the Anhinga Trail and Flamingo, Shark Valley on the Tamiami Trail west of Miami, and Everglades City on the Gulf coast. Visit in the dry season, from November to April, when wildlife gathers at the water and the mosquitoes ease.
Right now in Everglades National Park (Royal Palm)
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Everglades National Park at a glance
- Best for: alligators and birdlife at close range, boardwalk walks, cycling or a tram ride at Shark Valley, paddling and boat tours in the mangroves, and wilderness camping.
- How long: one full day for one entrance; two or three days to see Shark Valley, the Homestead side and Flamingo, or the Gulf Coast.
- Best time: the dry season, November to April, with highs of 78–86 °F (26–30 °C), fewer mosquitoes and the most wildlife. May to October is hot, wet and buggy.
- Entry: as of October 2026, $35 per private vehicle for 7 days, plus $100 per person for non-US residents aged 16 and over without an annual or America the Beautiful pass.
- Getting there: by car from Miami (about an hour to Shark Valley or the main entrance) or Naples. There is no regular public transport.
- Before you go: entry rules, money, driving and general safety are on our United States travel guide.
How the Everglades work: wet season and dry season
The Everglades is a shallow sheet of fresh water, often only ankle- to knee-deep, moving south through tall sawgrass at a snail’s pace, broken by tree islands of hardwood hammock and domes of cypress. Where it meets the salt water of Florida Bay and the Gulf, it turns into a maze of mangrove creeks and islands. Everything here follows the rain. In the wet season, roughly May to October, storms flood the prairies, animals spread out across the marsh and insects thrive. In the dry season, November to April, the water shrinks back into ponds, sloughs and canals, and alligators, turtles and fish concentrate there, followed by herons, egrets, wood storks and anhingas. That is why winter is the best time for wildlife watching.
Entrance fees and passes (as of October 2026)
Every visitor needs an entrance pass. According to the National Park Service, the standard passes, all valid for 7 consecutive days at every park entrance, cost:
| Pass | Price | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $35 | The driver and all passengers of one non-commercial vehicle |
| Motorcycle | $30 | Up to 2 private motorcycles with up to 4 people |
| Per person | $20 | One hiker, cyclist, pedestrian or paddler not arriving by vehicle; under-16s free |
| Everglades annual pass | $70 | 12 months at this park, for US citizens and residents |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | $80 for US residents; $250 for non-US residents | Entrance fees at all national parks and federal recreation lands for a year |
Non-US residents aged 16 and over must also pay a $100 per person nonresident fee on top of the standard pass, including on commercial and concessioner tours, unless they enter with an annual or America the Beautiful pass. The park’s tram concessioner notes that this new fee schedule took effect on 1 January 2026. For an international family spending more than a day or two in US national parks, the $250 non-resident America the Beautiful pass usually works out cheaper. Discounted passes exist for US seniors, military and people with disabilities. US citizens and residents get free entry on fee-free days, which in the rest of 2026 are 27 October and 11 November. Buy passes online in advance, or at the Homestead and Shark Valley entrances; they cannot be bought at the Gulf Coast visitor center.
Which entrance? Homestead, Shark Valley or Everglades City
The park’s entrances do not connect: you cannot drive from one to another inside the park, and Shark Valley is about 50 miles (80 km) from the main visitor center by road. Pick the one that matches your time and interests. Cell service is limited, so download maps before you go.
Homestead: Ernest F. Coe, Royal Palm and Flamingo
The main entrance, on State Road 9336 west of Florida City, is open 24 hours. The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center opens daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April to mid-December and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from mid-December to March. From here the Main Park Road runs about 38 miles (61 km) to Flamingo on Florida Bay, past Royal Palm and the Anhinga Trail, the Pa-hay-okee Overlook and Mahogany Hammock. This is the best choice for a full day and for seeing several habitats.
Shark Valley (Tamiami Trail)
On US 41 (the Tamiami Trail), 25 miles (40 km) west of Florida’s Turnpike, in the heart of the freshwater marsh. The entrance gate is open to vehicles from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The visitor center opens 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from mid-December to mid-April and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the rest of the year. Shark Valley is the closest part of the park to Miami and the easiest place to see alligators, but it is also the busiest: the park warns of long waits between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and of a full car park operating “one car in, one car out”.
Gulf Coast (Everglades City)
The western gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands, a maze of mangrove islands reachable only by boat, about 35 miles (56 km) south-east of Naples. The original visitor center was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and its temporary replacement by Hurricane Ian in 2022; the new Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center opened in 2026 and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a kayak launch, wildlife watching and a picnic area. The area itself is open 24 hours.
Top things to see in Everglades National Park
The Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm
A short paved path and boardwalk over Taylor Slough, about 4 miles (6 km) from the main entrance, and one of the best wildlife walks in North America. In winter you will almost certainly see alligators basking beside the path, turtles, and anhingas drying their wings, with herons and egrets fishing in the clear water. Next to it, the Gumbo Limbo Trail loops through a shady tropical hammock. Come early in the morning for the best light and fewer people.
Shark Valley: tram, bike or walk
A flat, paved 15-mile (24 km) loop road runs into Shark River Slough, closed to private cars. Halfway round, a 70-foot (21 m) observation tower gives a sweeping view of the sawgrass. Ride the narrated two-hour tram run by the park’s concessioner, Shark Valley Tram Tours: as of October 2026, $34 for adults (13–61), $26 for seniors (62+) and $18 for children (3–12), plus the park entrance fee. From May to 18 December 2026 trams leave at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., with an extra 4 p.m. tour at weekends and in holiday weeks; in winter they run about hourly. Book ahead from late December to April, pick up tickets 30 minutes early, and the park advises arriving 1.5 to 2 hours before your tour in busy months. You can also rent a bike on site or bring your own (e-bikes are allowed; helmets are required for under-16s). There is little shade and the only water fountain is at the tower, 7 miles (11 km) out.
Pa-hay-okee and Mahogany Hammock
Along the Main Park Road, the Pa-hay-okee Overlook is a raised boardwalk with a view over an endless “river of grass”, and Mahogany Hammock is a boardwalk loop through a dense tree island with the largest living mahogany tree in the United States. Both take 20 to 30 minutes and are good stops on the drive to Flamingo.
Flamingo and Florida Bay
At the end of the road, Flamingo looks out over Florida Bay, with manatees, American crocodiles and tarpon often seen from the marina docks. The Guy Bradley Visitor Center opens daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. between 16 November and 30 April; from 1 May to 15 November it opens 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closes on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Two 90-minute boat tours with a naturalist leave from the marina: the Backcountry Tour up the Buttonwood Canal to Whitewater Bay, daily at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. all year, and the Florida Bay tour, from 1 November to 30 April at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The activities booth rents bikes, canoes, kayaks, motorboats and houseboats from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anyone driving a motorboat in the park must first take the park’s free online boater education course.
The Ten Thousand Islands
From Everglades City, the National Park Service has authorized Everglades National Park Adventures to run boat tours on a 49-passenger pontoon boat through the mangrove islands, where dolphins, manatees and ospreys are common; the company also rents kayaks, canoes and bikes. Check the departure point and times when you book. Experienced paddlers can follow the 99-mile (159 km) Wilderness Waterway all the way to Flamingo.
Other sights
- Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
- Royal Palm
Nature
- Florida Bay
- Mahogany Hammock
- Pa-hay-okee Trail
- Shark Valley
- Ten Thousand Islands
Paddling, airboats and camping
Paddling: marked canoe and kayak trails wind through mangroves and marsh around Flamingo, such as Nine Mile Pond, and through the Ten Thousand Islands; winter is the season, as summer brings heat, storms and insects. Airboats: there are no airboat tours at Shark Valley, the main entrance or Flamingo. The park lists three authorized airboat concessions on the Tamiami Trail a few minutes east of Shark Valley: Coopertown Airboats, Gator Park and Everglades Safari Park. Camping: Flamingo has a large seaside campground with bathhouses, electric sites and eco-tents, and reservations are strongly recommended in winter. Wilderness sites, including raised platforms called chickees, need an advance permit through Recreation.gov: a $21 administration fee plus $2 per person per night. Some backcountry sites close for maintenance, so check the park’s current conditions page.
Wildlife rules, mosquitoes and staying safe
- Keep your distance: stay at least 15 feet (5 m) from all wildlife, including alligators beside the path. Touching, harassing or feeding wildlife is illegal.
- Pets: allowed on a leash of up to 6 feet (1.8 m) on roads, in roadside campgrounds and picnic areas, but not on any trail or boardwalk, nor on the Shark Valley tram road.
- Mosquitoes: the park warns that mosquitoes and biting flies can be “profuse” in the wet season and still appear at dawn and dusk in winter. Bring repellent, and a head net or bug jacket for Flamingo and the mangroves.
- Heat: wet season highs average about 90 °F (32 °C) with humidity over 90%, according to the park. Drink plenty of water and avoid midday walks.
- Storms: afternoon thunderstorms are almost daily in summer. Leave open areas and the water when you hear thunder.
- Do not swim: these waters are home to alligators and crocodiles.
Getting there and getting around
By car
For the main entrance, take Florida’s Turnpike south to its end at Florida City, turn right on Palm Drive (SW 344th Street) and follow the signs to 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead; from the Florida Keys, turn left off US 1 onto Palm Drive. For Shark Valley, take the Tamiami Trail (SW 8th Street) west from Miami to 36000 SW 8th Street, or drive about 70 miles (113 km) east from the Naples area. For the Gulf Coast, follow US 41 to State Road 29 and south to Everglades City. The Turnpike is cashless: tolls go to a SunPass or a compatible transponder, or by TOLL-BY-PLATE, which is not available for rental cars, so check your rental company’s toll program. Fill up before you go: inside the park, fuel is sold at the Flamingo marina, at the far end of the road.
Without a car
There is no regular public transport to any entrance. The park warns that visitors arriving by Uber, Lyft or taxi often cannot get a ride back, so arrange your return before you set off. Guided tours run from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. In winter, the City of Homestead runs a free guided trolley from downtown Homestead to the park on weekends (January to early April in 2026), with park entry included; check the city’s website for the 2026–27 season and reservations.
Around the Everglades: Homestead, Biscayne and the Keys
Homestead and Florida City, outside the main entrance, have motels, restaurants, farm stands selling tropical fruit and milkshakes, and the last supermarkets before the park. Biscayne National Park, mostly underwater, protects coral reefs and islands just east of Homestead. Big Cypress National Preserve borders the park along the Tamiami Trail, with cypress swamps and scenic drives. Key Largo, at the top of the Florida Keys, is about 30 minutes south of Florida City; see our Florida Keys, Miami and Key West guides.
Nearby destinations
- Miami71 km
- Miami Beach79 km
- Fort Lauderdale107 km
- Florida Keys115 km
- Key West139 km
- Naples145 km
- Varadero249 km
- Sarasota291 km
When to go and how long to stay
The table uses NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals for the Royal Palm Ranger Station weather station, near the main entrance: average daily highs and lows, and days with at least 0.10 in (2.5 mm) of rain. Flamingo, on the coast, has slightly cooler summer days and milder winter nights.
| Season | Average high / low | Rainy days per month | What it’s like | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 78–81 °F (26–27 °C) / 55–59 °F (13–15 °C) | 3 | Dry, sunny and mild; cool nights | The best wildlife, ranger programs, trams, boat tours; busiest |
| Spring (Mar–May) | 83–89 °F (28–32 °C) / 58–67 °F (14–19 °C) | 3–7 | Getting hot; driest in March and April, rains start in May | Wildlife at shrinking water holes, paddling |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 91–93 °F (33–34 °C) / 72–74 °F (22–24 °C) | 10–12 | Hot, humid, daily thunderstorms, many mosquitoes | Short visits, Shark Valley tram, quiet trails |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 91 °F falling to 83 °F (33 to 28 °C) / 74 °F falling to 64 °F (23 to 18 °C) | 12 in September, 4 in November | Wet and stormy, then drying out in November | Late-autumn visits as the dry season begins |
Royal Palm averages about 57 in (1,457 mm) of rain a year, with June and September the wettest months. The park says visitor centers generally open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the dry season and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the wet season, with fewer ranger programs in summer.
Hurricane season: according to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC), the Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, with most activity between mid-August and mid-October. Hurricanes have repeatedly damaged park facilities, and areas may close when a storm threatens. Follow forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service, check the park’s alerts page, obey evacuation orders from Miami-Dade, Monroe or Collier counties, and consider travel insurance.
Weather month by month
The Everglades in one day
From Miami, choose one side. Shark Valley: arrive early, take the morning tram or cycle the loop, then add an airboat ride on the Tamiami Trail in the afternoon. Homestead side: the Anhinga Trail at opening time, then drive to Flamingo with stops at Pa-hay-okee and Mahogany Hammock, take the afternoon Backcountry boat tour and drive back before dark.
Two or three days
Day one at Shark Valley; day two on the Homestead side with a night at Flamingo, to see sunrise over Florida Bay and paddle Nine Mile Pond. With a third day, drive across to Everglades City for a boat tour or kayak trip in the Ten Thousand Islands, then continue to Naples.
Where to stay near the Everglades and lodging taxes
- Flamingo: the new Flamingo Lodge inside the park, plus the campground and eco-tents; book the lodge on its own website and the campground online or by phone.
- Homestead and Florida City: chain motels and hotels 15–20 minutes from the main entrance, and a good base for the Keys too.
- Miami: an hour from Shark Valley or the main entrance, with far more choice.
- Everglades City and Chokoloskee: small inns, fishing lodges and campgrounds for the Gulf Coast side.
Florida prices are shown before tax, and the park spans three counties. As of October 2026, a room in Homestead or Florida City (Miami-Dade County) carries 13% tax: 7% sales tax plus Miami-Dade’s 6% tourist taxes. Flamingo lies in mainland Monroe County, where the total is 12.5% (7.5% sales tax plus a 5% tourist development tax), and Everglades City is in Collier County, where it is 11% (6% sales tax plus a 5% tourist development tax). Compare total prices: under the Federal Trade Commission’s fees rule in force since May 2025, mandatory resort or service fees must be included in the advertised total.
Practical tips for Everglades National Park
- Buy your pass online: it saves time at the gate and is the only option for the Gulf Coast side; show it on your phone or printed.
- Go early: wildlife is most active and the car parks are emptiest in the first hours after opening.
- Bring food and water: Shark Valley sells only snacks, and there are no restaurants on the road to Flamingo.
- Expect no signal: at Flamingo, the park says only AT&T usually works west of Nine Mile Pond; the visitor center has Wi-Fi in opening hours.
- Check alerts: the park’s “Alerts & Conditions” page lists closures, such as the East Everglades day-use area closed for construction in 2026.
- Park information: call 305-242-7700; in an emergency, call 911.
What to pack for Everglades National Park
Insect repellent is the single most important item, along with a head net from May to November. Wear light, long-sleeved clothes and long trousers in pale colors, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and bring sunscreen, plenty of water and snacks. Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens make the birdlife far more rewarding. Pack a rain jacket in summer, and a fleece for chilly winter mornings and boat tours. Paddlers need a dry bag, and campers a mosquito-proof tent.
Everglades National Park travel FAQ
How much does it cost to enter Everglades National Park in 2026?
As of October 2026, $35 per private vehicle, $30 per motorcycle or $20 per person on foot or bike, valid for 7 days at all entrances. Non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 each unless they have an annual or America the Beautiful pass.
Do international visitors pay more at the Everglades?
Yes. Since 1 January 2026 each non-US resident aged 16 or over pays a $100 nonresident fee in addition to the entrance pass, even on tours. The $250 non-resident America the Beautiful annual pass covers it.
Which Everglades entrance is best?
For a short visit from Miami, Shark Valley, for alligators and the tram. For a full day and the widest variety, the main entrance near Homestead, with the Anhinga Trail and the road to Flamingo. For mangroves and boat tours, Everglades City.
How much is the Shark Valley tram?
As of October 2026, $34 for adults, $26 for seniors and $18 for children aged 3–12, plus the park entrance fee. The tour lasts two hours; book ahead in winter.
Can you do an airboat ride in Everglades National Park?
Not at the main visitor areas. The park lists three authorized airboat companies on the Tamiami Trail east of Shark Valley: Coopertown Airboats, Gator Park and Everglades Safari Park.
When is the best time to visit the Everglades?
The dry season, November to April, when temperatures are mild, mosquitoes are fewer and wildlife gathers around the remaining water. Summer is hot, wet and buggy.
Are the mosquitoes bad in the Everglades?
From May to November they can be intense, especially at Flamingo and in the mangroves. Even in winter they appear at dawn and dusk. Bring strong repellent and a head net.
Can I visit the Everglades without a car?
Only on a guided tour or, on winter weekends, the free Homestead trolley. There is no public transport, and ride-app drivers are hard to find for the return trip.
Is Flamingo Lodge open?
Yes. The National Park Service says the new Flamingo Lodge is open, alongside the campground, eco-tents, marina store and boat tours.
Can I bring my dog to the Everglades?
Only on roads, in roadside campgrounds and picnic areas, on a leash of up to 6 feet. Pets are not allowed on any trail or boardwalk, or on the Shark Valley tram road.
How long do you need in the Everglades?
One full day for one entrance. Two or three days let you see Shark Valley, the Homestead side and Flamingo, or the Gulf Coast.
Plan your trip
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Sources · last reviewed 4 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Entrance fees, passes, entrances, hours, visitor centers, Flamingo services and boat tours, Shark Valley rules, airboat concessions, pets, wilderness permits, seasons and alerts: Everglades National Park (National Park Service); tram prices and times: Shark Valley Tram Tours, the park’s authorized concessioner; lodging taxes: the Florida Department of Revenue, Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County Tax Collector; tolls: Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise; hurricane season: NOAA’s National Hurricane Center; resort fees: Federal Trade Commission; climate: NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for the Royal Palm Ranger Station. The Homestead trolley season, distances and drive times are general references and flagged for checking. Prices, hours and timetables change, so check the official sites before you go. For entry rules, money and general safety, see our United States travel guide.
Also: NOAA NCEI normals 1991–2020, Royal Palm Ranger Station (climate)
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Rates: ECB · Holidays: Nager.Date · Costs: World Bank ICP and price levels · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODBL) · Wikidata (CC0)