Touring Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness area in the United States, is situated on the southern tip of Florida. The park covers 1.5 million acres of wetland, so planning your visit ahead of time is a must.

There are three separate entrances to the park in three separate areas of southern Florida. The northern part is accessible via Miami or Everglades City and the southern part via Homestead. The Everglades has distinct dry (November–March) and wet (April–November) seasons, the former of which tends to be busiest as it attracts the largest variety of wildlife. Several ecosystems exist in the Everglades: freshwater sloughs, marl prairies, tropical hammocks, pineland, cypress, mangrove, coastal lowlands, marine and estuarine. Wildlife is abundant, so expect to see turtles, herons, alligators, crocodiles and manatees.

The park is also a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, Wetland of International Importance and protected area under the Cartagena Treaty. There are plenty of things to do on your visit, depending on the season, so be sure to check the website for a full listing.

Park fees vary: A private vehicle costs $25; a motorcycle costs $20; and a pedestrian or cyclist pass costs $8. Each of these passes is good for seven consecutive days at all park entrances and the park waives entrance fees on select days throughout the year.

For the latest news, follow the official accounts for the Everglades National Park on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.