Everglades National Park is a World Heritage nature reserve located in southern Florida. It is popular for hosting a great variety of fauna and flora in more than 6,000 square kilometers.
This park is considered one of the most important natural spaces in the United States due to its swamps, mangroves, and ecosystems. If you are a nature lover or you like outdoor adventures, this place is for you. Keep reading to find out how to get to the Everglades from Miami, the activities you can do there, the best time to visit, and everything you should consider before your visit. Let’s get started!
How to get to Everglades National Park from Miami?
If you want to visit the Everglades National Park from Miami, you should know that it is approximately 1 hour away. The distance between the park and the city is 59 miles. Certainly, a car is necessary to get there. There’s no public transportation available to visit the park, and due to its remote location, if you want to go in an Uber or cab you need to arrange it in advance. The park is so large that it has three vehicular entrances; to get there from Miami you will have to take the Dolphin Expressway (Toll Road) from Brickell Avenue.
You’ll have to continue straight for most of the trip on Dolphin Expy until the highway signs indicate the exit to Shark Valley. The entrance to the park is located on the left, once you turn you will be in the Everglades National Park.
Here’s a map for you to know exactly how to get to the Everglades. The adventure has begun!
What is the best time to visit the Everglades National Park?
The Everglades National Park is open to the public all year long. This means that you can enjoy this natural and wild adventure at any time. However, you should keep in mind that there are two main seasons: one that is mainly dry and one that tends to be wet.
If you want to participate in more activities and see a greater number of animals, we recommend visiting the park during the dry season, which runs from November to March. During the remaining months of the year (wet season), fewer species can be observed. However, this place is always offering unique experiences full of adventure and natural connection, no matter the season. Have you decided on your ideal season yet?
Things to do in the Everglades National Park
If you’re looking for things to do and see in the Everglades, there are plenty of options! Some of the activities range from exploring the shallow waters on an airboat in search of alligators and crocodiles to strolling along the trails surrounded by all kinds of birds native to Florida. Here are three unmissable plans inside the park for you to have the best experience in this important natural reserve.
Take a guided airboat tour on the park’s marshes
Alligators and crocodiles are the most emblematic animals in the park. They are constantly seen throughout the park and the experience of being in their natural habitat is unique. The best way to spot them is by taking a guided tour on an airboat through the swamps. These excursions are guided by professionals who drive the boat and feed the reptiles. Being close to such an imposing animal and contemplating it in the wild will certainly be something you will never forget.
Hike through Shark Valley
If you like hiking, this 15-mile (24-kilometers) trail is perfect for you. Shark Valley is located very close to the main entrance of the park, if you are coming from Miami. The trail will allow you to hike along the meadows and mangroves, spotting all kinds of exotic birds, like egrets and cormorants.
Of course, the emblematic alligators and crocodiles will also be part of your journey. If you prefer, you can bike your way through this trail. You can rent a bike before starting the journey. Are you up for a tour of this wild place? If so, always carry a bottle of water with you!
Navigate the rivers, lakes, and mangroves on a canoe, boat, or kayak
One of the best activities for visitors of the park is touring its extensive waterways by kayak, boat, or canoe. Within the Everglades, there are countless mangroves, rivers, and lakes that you can navigate according to your sporting level. There are routes specifically for beginners and challenging trails for experts.
Beyond the physical activity and sport, this experience will also allow you to have a special connection with nature and the species of the site, since you will be able to observe different animals such as alligators, snakes, and birds in their natural habitat. Canoes or kayaks can be rented at the park with a guide supervising your tour. Are you up for this excursion over water in the Everglades?
How much does it cost to visit Everglades National Park?
Here’s how much it costs to visit Everglades National Park, from admission prices to activity fees. The entrance ticket has several rates, for example, if you go by car it will cost you USD 30$; if you decide to visit it by motorcycle, it will cost you USD 25$ and if you want to enter by bike, the price will be USD 15$. All these rates include the stay in the park for seven days, in case you need more than one day to enjoy it. Also, keep in mind that the park is open 24 hours a day.
As for activities, an airboat ride through the mangroves will cost you approximately USD $28 if you are 11 years old or older, and about USD $19 for children between 6 and 11 years old. Renting a bike at Shark Valley or at any other authorized location costs between USD $7 and USD $8. Remember to return it before 4:00 PM to avoid getting fined USD $10.
If you want to rent a kayak, boat, or canoe and have an expert guide lead your expedition through the Everglades, a two-hour tour will cost between USD $55 and USD $60. A boat to fish for snook in the park’s rivers will cost approximately USD $150. There is no doubt that the prices for admission and activities are quite fair, considering the unique experiences you will live there. Are you ready for this natural journey?
Tips for visiting Everglades National Park
Here are some things you should know before visiting the Everglades National Park. First of all, The Everglades is a swampy, humid, and hot terrain with high temperatures, so it is essential to take sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and tons of water. You should take with you lots of snacks, especially if you plan to do physical activities, such as walking along the trails.
There’s one more thing you must keep in mind: Do NOT feed the animals. All the species of the place are strictly monitored, in order to preserve and care for them. That’s why you’ll see signs along the trails prohibiting this activity. For their safety, animals should only eat their natural foods, nothing else. Besides, given the wild nature of these animals, it es extremely dangerous (and illegal) to feed and harass wildlife in the park. Avoid risks!
Last but not least, always pick up your trash. The park is a World Heritage Site since 1979 and it is the duty of all visitors to take care of it and protect it from any kind of contamination. Enjoy your visit while being responsible. Contribute to the protection of this space so you can continue living wild and natural adventures; crocodiles, alligators, turtles, pumas, snakes, birds, and many other species will thank you for it!
Why should you visit Everglades National Park?
Everglades National Park is a unique space for natural preservation and the wildest place in the United States. Visiting this place is a luxury that all visitors to Florida should indulge in, considering that you can hardly have a similar experience anywhere else. In 1976 it was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, and later in 1979, it was declared a World Heritage Site. In addition, in 1987 it was awarded Wetlands of International Importance.
All the species that have made this place their natural habitat are constantly maintaining a balance in the ecosystems of South Florida. Additionally, there are few places in the world where you can interact so closely with such important and impressive creatures as the mighty alligators and crocodiles, the Florida cougars, and the wonderful bald eagles. Remember, have fun, enjoy, and always respect nature during your visit to the Everglades!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to enter the Everglades?
The entrance fee to Everglades National Park is calculated according to the type of transportation used to enter. These are the prices:
- Car up to 6 passengers: USD $30
- Motorcycle: USD $25
- Bicycle or pedestrian: USD $15
Please note that once you pay the entrance fee, your ticket is valid for the next seven days.
What is so special about Everglades National Park?
The Everglades National Park is a space for the preservation of Florida’s fauna and flora. It is also the natural habitat of many species, such as alligators, crocodiles, manatees, Florida panthers, and a huge variety of bird species. Observing and interacting with the park’s wildlife makes it a unique, magical, and very special experience for all its visitors.
If you made it this far, you now have all the information you need to plan your visit to the Everglades National Park. We hope you found the answer to many of your questions in this post! Follow our recommendations and have fun with this natural experience that will stay engraved in your memory. Thanks for reading!
