Visiting Everglades National Park
Visiting Everglades National Park is an experience unlike anything else on the planet. It’s a vast expanse of nature, rare ecosystems and sprawling wilderness teeming with life and adventure.
The national park system has made this vast region easy to enjoy for most anyone, starting in Miami at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. Here’s what to expect, and how to make your visit to the Everglades smooth and enjoyable.
Distance Miami to Everglades National Park
Depending on traffic conditions and your starting point in Miami, the drive typically takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to arrive at the entrance to Everglades National Park.
Your final destination is past Homestead and Florida City, the southernmost cities of Miami.
Tip: once you’re in Homestead (southern tip of Miami) make sure you fill your car with gas. There are many gas stations, restaurants and convenience stores at the end of the turnpike and US1. Take advantage of this area to stock up on what you need.
Once you enter the national park there won’t be a gas station for another 38 miles, at Flamingo, the very end of the Florida peninsula.
Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center in Miami
The main visitor center, open every day of the year, is located in the south end of Miami-Dade county in Homestead at 40001 State Hwy 9336, Homestead, FL 33034.
This visitor center is located just before the national park entrance. Even if you don’t go inside the national park, the visitor center is a great place to visit. You don’t have to pay the entrance fee to go inside this Visitor Center. There’s plenty of parking here, and friendly to large RVs.
What’s here:
- exhibits to learn about the park’s ecology, wildlife, history
- short video presentation about the park
- gift shop
- restrooms, normally very clean
- back patio overlooking swamp (where there are often alligators and other wildlife to see up close)
The entrance to Everglades National Park is just beyond this Visitor Center.
It’s a good idea to pick up a printed map. Why?
Wifi for GPS on your phone can get a little spotty in some areas of the park. Having a printed map of where each of the visitor centers, trails and restrooms are is a good idea, so you don’t miss any.
The building itself is very nice with a gift shop and museum-quality displays representing all the various wildlife and ecosystems that live inside Everglades National Park. There’s a short video presentation available to watch, maps and even a porch out back where you can often see alligators swimming around or basking in the sun.
Entrance Everglades National Park
Once you drive past the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, you’ll come to the park entrance where they’ll collect the entrance fee. As of the time of typing these words, the entrance fee is $35 per vehicle.
However, there are discounts and passes and free days in the year so check the official Everglades National Park entrance fees page here, where you can also purchase a digital pass.
If you served in the military, or are active, plan your visit ahead of time and you could get in for free or for $10. Check the entrance fee site above for details.
First Stop: Royal Palm Visitor Center
After entering the park, just a short approximate 4 miles brings you to the Royal Palm Visitor Center (will be on your left, watch for the small sign on your right).
This is the most popular visitor center in the park because it’s close to the entrance but also offers a chance to see quite a number of alligators as well as other wildlife.
What’s here:
- small store with snacks and gifts
- vending machines
- restrooms
- covered picnic tables
- Anhinga Boardwalk Loop
- Gumbo Limbo Trail
There are also park rangers who give presentations throughout most days, providing tips and information on the wildlife to look for, some history of the park and other interesting things to make your experience even better.
You are GUARANTEED lots of great photo taking opportunities here, so be ready! We ran into an alligator right on the walkway… did we get too close?! : )
Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm
Anhinga Trail starts here and is a paved .8 mile loop into the sawgrass marsh. You’re almost guaranteed to see alligators here (sometimes lots, up close and even on the trail!).
The paved trail extends into a long circular boardwalk which extends even further over the water and marsh for even more wildlife viewing up close. You’ll also see turtles and birds, water lilies and fish.
Gumbo Limbo Trail at Royal Palm
The second trail (less popular than Anhinga) in Royal Palm is the Gumbo Limbo Trail. It’s also self-guided. It’s shaded and winds through a jungle-like hardwood hammock ecosystem so you aren’t likely to encounter gators on this trail, though anything’s possible in the Everglades! There’s lots of plant life and birds, including owls.
At this point, you’ve walked a lot and seen alligators. Do you still want to venture further into Everglades National Park?
Most people visit Royal Palm, walk the Anhinga Trail, see a couple of alligators and are happy and ready to leave Everglades National Park. What about you?
If you want to keep going, there are plenty of viewpoints (scenic stops), more boardwalk trails plus ponds, lakes and campsites.
Mahogany Hammock Trail
Our second favorite spot for finding alligators is Mahogany Hammock Trail. It’s the next main stop after Royal Palm.
It’s a boardwalk, some shade but most is wide open. It’s an amazing spot of the Everglades to see alligators up close and lots of other wildlife, depending on the time of day, time of year and weather.
The boardwalk hovers just above the swamp, offering unparalleled views of the iconic River of Grass and yes, alligators too!
Heading all the Way through to Flamingo
If you decide to keep going, there are lots more scenic stops and small boardwalks you can enjoy.
And at the very end of the main road, 38 miles from the entrance in Miami, is the very end of the continental United States: Flamingo Village.
Here you’ll find the Flamingo (Guy Bradley) Visitor Center. And it’s here where you have a great chance of seeing manatees, alligators, saltwater crocodiles, raccoons, iguanas and lots of types of birds.
It’s remote, but they’ve been busy creating some great accommodations for the adventure seekers who want to experience the real Everglades for more than a few hours.
What’s here:
- Full-service Marina and store
- Flamingo Lodge (new 2023, 24 rooms available)
- Flamingo Restaurant
- Flamingo Houseboats (sleeps up to 4)
- Campgrounds (tents, RVs)
- Glamping Tents (summer, winter)
- Boat Tours
- Boat Rentals
- Kayak/Canoe Rentals
- Bike Rentals
Tip: this is the only gas station for your car (and boat) inside Everglades National Park. Fill it up!
If you want to fish, you can get fishing permits here as well.
Flamingo and the surrounding area is often regarded as one of the very best spots on planet earth. Not many people venture here, or can handle the heat and mosquitoes.
But there’s some of the most incredible stargazing you’ll ever experience here.
Visit Flamingo Adventures at Everglades National Park to plan your trip and make your reservations!
