When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park?

The park's official site calls the dry season, December through April, the most popular time to visit. Park alerts and conditions change through the year, so check the official alerts page before you go.

Is Everglades National Park open every day?

Yes. The park is open every day, and ranger-led programs are offered year-round. Check the park calendar for the schedule on your travel dates.

Is Everglades National Park good for kids?

Yes. The park is listed as good for kids, with kid-friendly hikes and a playground. The Anhinga Trail is a popular choice because wildlife is easy to see along it.

Is Everglades National Park wheelchair accessible?

The park lists wheelchair accessible entrances, parking, restrooms and seating. The official site has an accessibility page covering facilities, services and programs.

Is there parking at Everglades National Park?

Yes. Free and paid parking lots and street parking are listed for the park, depending on the area you visit.

Can I bring my dog to Everglades National Park?

Dogs are listed as allowed. Check the park's official site for where pets are permitted before you bring one.

Are there guided tours in Everglades National Park?

Yes. Rangers lead programs year-round, and park partners and concessions offer guided tours. The Shark Valley area has a 2-hour tram tour, and the Everglades National Park Institute runs immersive ecology and history programs.

Where can I get tickets or tours for the Everglades?

Guided tours and airboat experiences near the park are sold through platforms such as Viator and GetYourGuide. A self-guided driving audio tour is listed from $17 and an airboat tour with Wild Florida admission from $37.

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Everglades National Park

8.2

Florida, USA

Open 24 hoursPaid Admission$$

The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, with alligators, manatees and 1.5 million acres of wetland to explore

Nature ReserveOutdoorHomesteadTravelers' Choice 2025

Get Tickets

About Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest and marine habitat, and was established in 1947 as the first national park created for its biodiversity.

The main entrance sits near Homestead on the southern edge of Miami-Dade County, about an hour from the city. Visitors come for alligators, crocodiles, manatees and wading birds, most often along the Anhinga Trail, where wildlife is easy to spot from a boardwalk.

The Shark Valley Observation Tower and its tram tour, the mangrove-lined marina at Flamingo, and the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center are the other common stops.

Ranger-led programs run year-round, and park partners offer guided tours and airboat rides near the park. Kid-friendly hikes, picnic tables and wheelchair-accessible boardwalks make it workable for families, and the dry season from December to April is the most popular time to go.

Entry is paid at the gate, with free and paid parking options listed across the park.

Highlights

First-Time Visitor

Instagram-Worthy

Nature Lover

Audio Guide

Group Tours Available

Photography Allowed

Kid-Friendly

Admission & Visit Info

Admission

Paid Admission

Price

$35 per vehicle (7-day pass), $20 per pedestrian or cyclist, $80 annual America the Beautiful Pass

Duration

3-5 hours

Best Season

December to April (dry season)

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Verified

8.2

/10

Experience

9.0

Value for Money

8.0

Facilities

7.0

Crowd Management

8.0

Accessibility

8.0

Score derived from 13,200+ public reviews

Scored on published criteria from real guest data. Ranks are never for sale. How we rank →

Buzzing

DaysSaturday

TimesPeak hours

Relaxed

DaysWeekday

TimesOff-peak hours

Crowd levels run lowest on early weekday mornings, with Thursday around 4am to 5am and Wednesday afternoons around 1pm among the quietest windows.

Open

Mon12:00 AM – 11:59 PM

Tue12:00 AM – 11:59 PM

Wed12:00 AM – 11:59 PM

Thu12:00 AM – 11:59 PM

Fri12:00 AM – 11:59 PM

Sat12:00 AM – 11:59 PM

Sun12:00 AM – 11:59 PM

Reviews

Reviewers rate the park very highly across more than 13,000 reviews, praising close wildlife encounters, the trails and the scale of the wetlands. Negative feedback is limited and centers on practical issues rather than the park itself.

WildlifeTrails & ToursVisitor Center & Education

The Experience

Attraction Type

Nature Reserve Park Wildlife Sanctuary Airboat & Eco Tours

parking

Free ParkingPaid ParkingStreet Parking

access

Audio GuideGroup Tours AvailableGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours

facilities

RestroomsPicnic Area

accessibility

Wheelchair AccessibleAccessible Restrooms

policies

Photography AllowedPet-Friendly

family

Kid-FriendlyEducational ProgramsPlayground

environment

Outdoor

Ticket Types

Annual PassGeneral Admission

Perfect For

First-Time Visitor Instagram-Worthy Nature Lover Family Outing Tourist Must-Visit

Location Homestead

Florida, USA

Reserve parking nearby Get a ride there

www.nps.gov

+1 (305) 242-7700

What People Love

Wildlife: Guests repeatedly mention alligators, crocodiles and manatees, often spotted from the Anhinga Trail and the Flamingo marina.

Trails & Tours: The Anhinga Trail, the Shark Valley tram tour and airboat rides come up often as highlights of a visit.

Visitor Center & Education: Guests mention the visitor center and guided options as helpful for understanding the park's history and ecology.

Know Before You Go

Check the park's alerts page before you go: closures and cautions change with the season.
Plan for heat and mosquitoes, and pack sun protection and water, since most of the park is outdoors.
Dry season (December to April) is the most popular time, so start early to avoid the busiest hours.
Park partners and concessions run guided tours if you prefer not to explore on your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Shark Valley Visitor Center

7.9

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Listing details verified March 2026.Report a closure or change

1 / 37

Go Park

37 photos

Go Park

Everglades National Park

8.2

Florida, USA

Open 24 hoursPaid Admission$$

The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, with alligators, manatees and 1.5 million acres of wetland to explore

Nature ReserveOutdoorHomesteadTravelers' Choice 2025

Get Tickets

About Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest and marine habitat, and was established in 1947 as the first national park created for its biodiversity.

The Shark Valley Observation Tower and its tram tour, the mangrove-lined marina at Flamingo, and the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center are the other common stops.

Entry is paid at the gate, with free and paid parking options listed across the park.