Park Details
Maps!
Trails Illustrated Map2 - Everglades NP
Go to Park Details
Park Details
Location Information
Address and Telephone:
Everglades National Park
4000l State Road 9336
Homestead, FL 33034-6733
(305) 242-7700
Directions:
Transportation:
Miami and Fort Meyers are serviced by international airports, buses, and
numerous car rental agencies. Miami has an Amtrak station.The park may be
explored by personal vehicle, commercial tour bus, bicycle, motor boat, or
canoe. There is NO public transportation in the park.
Operating Hours/Seasons
Reservations/Permits/Fees
Admission fees are ten dollars ($10) per car or five dollars ($5) per pedestrian/cyclist at the main entrance; eight dollars ($8) per car or four dollars ($4) per pedestrian or cyclist at Shark Valley and Chekika. An Annual Pass may be purchased for Everglades National Park for twenty dollars ($20), and a Golden Eagle pass, good for entrance to any U.S. National Park for one year, may be purchased for fifty dollars ($50).Golden Age and Golden Access Passes are also available.
Entrance fees are not charged at Gulf Coast.
Reservations can be made for campsites at Flamingo and Long Pine Key Campgrounds through Destinet at 1-800-365-2267, from November through April. Permits are required for backcountry camping. Film permits and special use permits are handled on an individual basis; call 305-242-7700. For research and collection permits, call 305-242-7800.
Climate, Recommended Clothing
Weather
The Everglades is mild and pleasant from December through April, though rare
cold fronts may create near freezing conditions. Summers are hot and humid,
with temperatures around 90 degrees (32°C) and humidity over 90%. Afternoon
thunderstorms are common and mosquitoes are abundant. Wear comfortable sportswear
in winter; loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants, and insect repellent,
are recommended in the summer.
For a 24-hour weather service recording out of Miami, call 305-661-5065
Sun and Mosquitoes:
Visitors are advised to bring drinking water and snacks since these items
are sparsely located. (However, snacks are not permitted on interpretive
trails.) Since sun and insects are likely to be abundant, sun screen, protective
clothing and insect repellent are advised. Insects can make a visit unbearable
during the summer months if you are not prepared. Information on mosquito
levels during the summer is available at (305) 242-7700 (8:30 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. EST).
Facilities and Opportunities
Visitor Centers:
Visitor centers are located at the main entrance (west
of Homestead), Royal Palm, Flamingo, Shark Valley, and Gulf Coast (south
of Everglades City).
Programs and Activities:
Hiking and biking trails are located at various points along the main park road and at Shark Valley.
Canoe trails are popular in the Flamingo area and at Gulf Coast. In addition, a 99-mile canoe trail, known as the Wilderness Waterway, connects Gulf Coast to the Flamingo area.
Lodging and Camping Facilities:
The Flamingo Lodge is the only lodging available
in the park. It is open year-round, with 103 rooms, and 24 cottages with
kitchen facilities. A restaurant and cafe are open during the winter. For
further information and reservations, contact Flamingo Lodge, Marina, and
Outpost Resort at 1-800-600-3813 or 941-695-3101.
Campgrounds are located at three places in the park, with tent and RV sites, restrooms, and water. There are no hookups in the park. All three campgrounds are open year round. At present, reservations may be made in advance for Flamingo and Long Pine Key Campgrounds during the winter months (November through April), by calling Destinet at 1-800-365-2267.
Backcountry camping is also available. Reservations for designated campsites may be made in person up to 24 hours before entering the backcountry. There are three sites accessible by foot and 43 additional sites available in Florida Bay, along the Gulf Coast, and inland, accessible by canoe or boat. All supplies must be carried in and out of the backcountry, including water. Fees for backcountry camping are $10 for 1-6 people, $20 for 7-12 people, and $30 for 13 or more people.
Boating and Fishing:
Boating is popular in the Everglades, as many parts
of the park are only accessible from the water. There is a marina at
Flamingo. A boat launch fee of $5 for a 7-day pass or $60 for an annual pass
is charged. The 7-day pass fee for a non-motorized boat is $3.
Fishing, in the inland and coastal waters of the Everglades, is also excellent and can be enjoyed year-round. Freshwater and saltwater fishing require separate Florida fishing licenses.
Food and Supplies:
There is a restaurant and store at Flamingo. The restaurant may be closed
during the summer; however, food is always available at the marina store.
Local restaurants and grocery stores are available in Homestead, Florida
City, Everglades City, and Miami. There are no banks or automatic teller
machines in the park. Gasoline may be obtained at the Flamingo Marina, and
in communities adjacent to the park.
Other Concessions and Visitor Facilities:
The Florida National Parks and Monuments Association
manages bookstores at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, Royal Palm Visitor
Center and Shark Valley Visitor Center. TW Services operates a gift shop
at the Flamingo Visitor Center during the winter months. Everglades National
Park Boat Tours operates a gift store in the Gulf Coast Visitor Center
year-round.
Accessibility:
Accessible facilities and trails may be found throughout
the park. All of the park's visitor centers, most interpretive trails, some
of the Flamingo boat tours, and the Shark Valley tram tours are wheelchair
accessible. There are accessible campsites at all three campgrounds in the
park, and one primitive backcountry campsite, at Pearl Bay, is accessible
to people with mobility impairments. Audio programs and captioned movies
are available at most visitor centers.
Recommended Activities/Park Use
Walking and canoe trails, boat tours and tram tours are excellent for viewing wildlife, including alligators and a multitude of tropical and temperate birds. Camping, whether in the backcountry or at established campgrounds, offers the opportunity to enjoy what the park offers firsthand. Ranger-led activities, offered throughout the park, may help you to enjoy your visit even more.
Everglades National Park is the third largest park in the United States, outside Alaska. Plan on staying at least one day and perhaps several to get a good feel for what the park offers.
Visitation
Highest from December through April; lowest May through November.
Adjacent Visitor Attractions
Additional Information
Write:
Information
Everglades National Park
40001 State Road 9336
Homestead,
FL 33034-6733
Or call:
305-242-7700, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST.
Back to Park Details List
Top of Page
National Parks Home