General information about the National Park
The Everglades protect a vast, tropical swampland with many rare species of animals and plants.
Number of visitors
In 2023, Everglades NP ranked 27th in the visitor statistics of the most visited national parks.
Best time to visit: The winter months are the least humid.
Our visits:
So far 2 Besuch: März 1997, November 2022
Entrance fees and opening hours
- 30$/car and all passengers valid for 7 days
- Covered by the Anual Pass*
- Open 24h all year round
*The Anual Pass is so to speak the "flat rate" for all Parks managed by the National Park Service. The pass costs a one-time fee of $80 and can be purchased at the entrance to each National Park, National Monument, etc. The pass is valid for 13 months.
Northern part of the National Park
Shark Valley VC
Description: Shark Valley is located in the northern part of the Everglades NP, about 22mi east of Miami, directly on the Tamiami Trail. Starting from the small visitor center, you can explore the national park either on foot, by bike or on a tramtour.
Our rating: We visited the Shark Valley in November 2022. The Visitor Center offers a contact point for visitors, where you get all the necessary information for your visit.
Shark Valley - Tram Tour
Description: The road through Shark Valley is a 15mi paved loop that leads through the swampy Everglades landscape. Halfway you will reach an observation tower which offers a good overview. If you are lucky, you can see the national park's inhabitants.
During our visit in November 2022, we took the 2-hour tram tour. To secure a seat, you should book the tour online in advance. If you decide to take a tour on short notice, you can also buy tickets at the Visitor Center. Even if the tours are often fully booked, you can get tickets here from time to time.
Entrance fees and opening hours
- 29$/person
- Sun-Wed every two hours; Thu-Sat hourly
Our rating: We took the tram tour in November 2022. Our guide told us a lot of interesting things about the Everglades and its inhabitants. Whenever an animal was to be seen somewhere along the way, the small train stopped so that everyone had time to see the animals properly. During our trip we saw a lot of birds and even a few baby alligators. After half of the way we could get off at the viewpoint and enjoy the view extensively. We really enjoyed the ride and can definitely recommend this tour.
Everglades City
Description: Everglades City is located in the very northwest of the national park. Florida City offers several recreational opportunities to explore the marshes, islands and bays. You can rent canoes or take a guided boat tour to Chokoloskee Bay.
During our visit in March 1997, we joined the 90-minute Ten Thousand Island Cruise. This cruise leads along the Indian Creek Pass through countless mangrove forests out into Chokoloskee Bay. The tour currently (January 2020) costs $40/person and takes place 4 times a day. Everything you need to know about this tour can be found here.
Our rating: We liked this tour very much. It was interesting to pass through the mangroves, because we knew them before only from television. But the true highlights were the many animals that we have seen on the tour. Especially the dolphins were really great. Particularly if you only know the animals from dolphinariums, it is an eye opener to observe these magnificent marine mammals in their natural environment.
Eastern part of the national park
Ernest F. Coe VC
Description: The visitor center is located in the southern part of the national park. Also this visitor center is very nicely designed and you learn a lot about the national park. Like nearly everywhere you can watch a movie about the park and get a nice introduction to what you can expect during your visit.
Our rating: The visitor centers are always the first point of interest for us in a national park. We liked this one as well. We can recommend to everyone to make a first stop here when visiting the national park.
Pinelands Trail
Description: The trailhead is located about 11mi beyond the park entrance. The flat trail leads through a forest with pines, palms and wildflowers. You can experience the typical landscape of the Everglades.
Trail length: 0,4mi roundtrip
Altitude difference: –
Time needed: 1/2 hour
Difficulty level: easy
Our rating: A very nice, easy trail which in our opinion is not an absolute must.
Nine Mile Pond
Description: The Nine Mile Pond Paddle Trail is a 5.5mi loop that leads through mangrove tunnels, across lakes and open landscapes, through a very interesting part of the Everglades. With a little luck, you'll encounter plenty of wildlife along the way. For the trail you need a canoe. If you don't have your own, you can rent one at Flamingo Marina. Everything you need to know can be found here.
Tipp: Since the Everglades are connected to the ocean, there is also high and low tide. This should be kept in mind in any case, because the waters here are very shallow and at low tide it can be very difficult and exhausting to get back to the starting point.
For the GPS: 40001 State Hwy 9336, Homestead, FL 33034 (Trailhead)
Our rating: Paddling a canoe through the Everglades is a real experience. Even if it can be a little queasy when you pass alligators on the left and right. Not only do you pass very close to all kinds of animals, but you are in the middle of the mangroves, which sometimes got so narrow that it almost felt like you were in a tunnel. A nice tour that we can really recommend.
Anhinga Trail
Description: The Anhinga Trail starts directly at the Royal Palm Visitor Center and leads a little over one km along and over a freshwater grass swamp. The trail is partially paved and leads over wooden planks in the swampy part but is easy to walk everywhere. There are no altitude meters to overcome. With a little luck, there is plenty of wildlife to spot along the way.
Trail length: 0.7mi
Höhenmeter: –
Time needed: 1 hour
Difficulty level: easy
Our rating: Out of all the trails we hiked in Everglades NP, this was by far our favorite. Certainly this was due to the fact that we were lucky enough to observe numerous animals. Especially the alligators were really great. Who ever gets the opportunity to observe these animals so close in their natural habitat. We can definitely recommend this trail.
Pahayokee Overlook
Description: The Pahayokee Overlook leads via a boardwalk to an overview of the River of Grass.
Trail length: 984ft
Altitude difference: –
Time needed: 1/2 hour
Difficulty level: easy
Our rating: The name really says it all. Here you get to see a river of grass. There is nothing but grass as far as the eye can see. Since this belongs to the landscape of the Everglades, a look at it belonged also to our visit. Quite nice, in our opinion, the half hour can be invested for it.
Maheganey Hammmock Trail
Description: The Maheganey Hammock Trail meanders over a boardwalk through a dense jungle landscape. There are palm trees, all sorts of aquatic plants, and a swamp beneath your feet.
Trail length: 2625ft
Altitude difference: –
Time needed: 1/2 hour
Difficulty level: easy
Our rating: Along this trail we had the only experience with really annoying mosquitoes and insects in March 1997. The swamp was quite humid, so we hiked the half-mile rather rapidly. When the mosquitoes bug you, a trail is not really that much fun. Purely from the environment it was already interesting and probably we would have stayed longer without the bugs.
