The 'River of Grass' — a vast subtropical wetland where alligators rule.
Photo: Everglades NPS from Homestead, Florida, United States · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons
The Everglades isn't a swamp so much as a river — a sheet of fresh water sixty miles wide and inches deep, sliding almost imperceptibly south across a sea of sawgrass to Florida Bay. It protects 1.5 million acres of this 'River of Grass,' a subtropical wilderness so significant it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance all at once — and the only place on Earth where American alligators and American crocodiles live side by side.
What makes it a great visit is how close the wildlife comes. The Anhinga Trail, an easy paved-and-boardwalk loop near the main entrance, puts you within feet of basking alligators, anhingas drying their wings, herons, and turtles — especially in winter, when the marshes dry down and animals crowd the remaining ponds. Up north, the Shark Valley tram and bike loop runs out to a 65-foot observation tower over the endless grass; at the south end of the main road, Flamingo on Florida Bay is the place for crocodiles, manatees, and roseate spoonbills.
Timing matters more here than almost anywhere. The dry season, November through April, is the season to come: comfortable, low-humidity days, far fewer mosquitoes, and the year's best wildlife concentration. The wet season (mid-May through October) is hot, buggy, storm-soaked, and overlaps hurricane season. And the park's three entrances are far apart with no road connecting them inside — so pick your corner. (One note: airboats run only outside the park.)
The best easy wildlife walk in the park — a short paved-and-boardwalk loop where alligators, anhingas, herons, and turtles are visible up close, often just feet away.
Insider tipGo early morning or late afternoon in the dry season for the densest wildlife and best light. It's wheelchair- and stroller-friendly.
Plan a trip to this spot →A 65-foot spiral tower at the far end of a 15-mile loop, giving a rare elevated panorama over the River of Grass — reached by narrated tram or by bike.
Insider tipBook the tram ahead in peak season, or bike the flat paved loop early to beat the heat; it's lined with gators in winter.
Plan a trip to this spot →The end of the 38-mile main road, on Florida Bay — the prime spot for American crocodiles, manatees, and roseate spoonbills, and the launch for boat and kayak trips.
Insider tipWatch the marina for crocs and manatees. This is the rare place you might see both crocodiles and alligators in one park.
Plan a trip to this spot →A short elevated boardwalk to a sweeping view across the open sawgrass prairie — the classic 'River of Grass' vista.
Insider tipBeautiful at sunrise and sunset, and a good spot for raptors over the marsh.
Plan a trip to this spot →A short boardwalk loop into a jungle-like tree island — a tropical hardwood 'oasis' with the largest living mahogany tree in the country.
Insider tipBring bug spray even in the dry season; the shaded hammock holds mosquitoes.
Plan a trip to this spot →The park's northwest corner — a maze of mangrove islands along the Gulf, explored by boat tour or kayak from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.
Insider tipThis is a different entrance, far from the others — base in Everglades City to explore it by water.
Plan a trip to this spot →Subtropical, with two seasons that define a visit. The dry season (November–April) is warm and comfortable — highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s, low humidity, few mosquitoes — and only about a quarter of the year's rain falls then. The wet season (mid-May–October) is hot and humid with highs near 90°F, daily afternoon thunderstorms, intense mosquitoes, and most of the ~55 inches of annual rain. Hurricane season runs June through November.
Three entrances, far apart and NOT connected by any road inside the park — driving between them means public highways and 2–4 hours, so pick your corner.
The classic first visit, near Miami/Homestead — the gateway to the Anhinga Trail, Pa-hay-okee, Mahogany Hammock, and the 38-mile road to Flamingo.
On the Tamiami Trail in the north — home of the tram-and-bike loop out to the observation tower.
The base for boating and kayaking the Ten Thousand Islands along the Gulf — far from the other two entrances.
There's lodging and camping at Flamingo inside the park, plus towns near each entrance.
The rebuilt Flamingo Lodge (reopened in late 2023, elevated and hurricane-hardened), glamping eco-tents, and the Flamingo and Long Pine Key campgrounds — all on the south end, reservable on Recreation.gov.
Booking tipFlamingo is run by a concessioner — confirm rooms and rates before booking; it's the only in-park roof and books up in the dry season.
Homestead and Florida City sit about 10–15 minutes from the main entrance with the full range of chain hotels; Miami (about an hour) adds far more.
Booking tipBase in Homestead for an easy run to the Anhinga Trail and the road to Flamingo.
The small gateway town for the Gulf Coast entrance and the Ten Thousand Islands.
Booking tipStay here only if the Gulf Coast / boating is your focus — it's far from the other entrances.
What does it cost?
$35 per vehicle (good for 7 days at all entrances), $30 motorcycle, $20 per person; the $80 America the Beautiful pass works. There's no timed entry. (Non-U.S. residents pay a $100-per-person surcharge in 2026 without an annual pass.)
When should I go?
The dry season, November through April — comfortable temperatures, low humidity, far fewer mosquitoes, and the best wildlife viewing as animals concentrate at drying gator holes. The summer wet season is hot, buggy, and stormy.
How bad are the mosquitoes?
In the wet season (mid-May–October), genuinely miserable — they can make outdoor walks unbearable. Bring strong repellent year-round (the shaded hammocks hold bugs even in winter), and expect some reduced services in summer.
Three entrances — which do I choose, and can I drive between them?
They're far apart and not connected inside the park (2–4 hours between by highway). Choose Homestead/Royal Palm for a classic first visit, Shark Valley for the tram-and-tower loop, and Gulf Coast/Everglades City for boating the Ten Thousand Islands.
Are airboats allowed in the park?
No — airboats aren't permitted inside the national park. Airboat tours operate only on private or preserve land outside the boundary, mostly along US-41 near Everglades City.
How do I stay safe around the wildlife?
Never feed alligators (it's illegal and dangerous) and keep your distance — stay back at least 15 feet and on the boardwalks. Be aware of hurricane season (June–November) and heed any closure or evacuation advisories.
Pick your vehicle, line up the stops on the way in and out, and carry the whole route in your pocket.
