When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park?

If you want fewer people, go in May, the quietest shoulder-season month. February is the busiest month on average, and October the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.

How much does it cost to visit Everglades National Park?

$35 / vehicle. Also: $100 nonresident fee (16+). An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park, and waives the nonresident fee.

What are some things to do in Everglades National Park?

The National Park Service lists 10 things to do in Everglades National Park, including Birding Along the Anhinga Trail, Birding at Flamingo, Birding Snake Bight Trail, Walk the Anhinga Trail, Flamingo Boat Tours. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.

When did Everglades National Park become a national park?

Everglades National Park was established as a national park on May 30, 1934.

What is the closest national park to Everglades?

Biscayne National Park, about 43 miles away in a straight line (roughly 1 hours' drive, estimated).

Florida · Est. 1934

Everglades National Park

Last verified October 1, 2026$35 / vehicle

Established in 1947 as the first national park created for its biodiversity, Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest, and marine habitats and the native plants and animals that call it home. With several international designations, the park provides a major source of drinking water for local residents of South Florida and recreational opportunities for all. — nps.gov

A sunset creates a silhouette of a cypress tree with needle-like leaves that is shaped like an 'N'. — Photo: NPS Photo by Miguel Salas

State: Florida
Established: May 30, 1934
Size: 1,508,939 acres
2025 visits: 778,198
Busiest-park rank: #31 of 63
Entrance: $35 / vehicle

Best time to visit

When is Everglades quiet?

Everglades is busiest in February and quietest in October. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, May is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.

In 2025 the park logged 778,198 recreation visits, the #31 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.

Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Everglades open right now? →

Average visits by month

2021–2025 · NPS IRMA

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Quietest: OctoberBusiest: February

Fees & passes

What it costs to visit Everglades

Private vehicle$35

Motorcycle$30

Per person (on foot / bike)$20

Nonresident fee, per person 16+$100

Everglades annual pass$70

From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026.

Visiting several parks this year? The pass calculator shows whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off.

Reservations · 2026

No park-wide reservation

The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Everglades National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.

Every park that needs a reservation in 2026 →

Things to do

Things to do in Everglades

The National Park Service lists 10 things to do in Everglades National Park, from quick stops to full-day outings. The shortest come first.

All activities →

Birding Along the Anhinga Trail1-2 Hours · All year
The Anhinga Trail is a popular place to start your exploration at Everglades National Park, providing a ready sample of wetland wildlife including alligators, turtles, fish, plants, and birds, all along a short,…
Birding at Flamingo1-4 Hours · All year
Flamingo offers ample birding opportunities along its many trail areas as well as around the visitor center and marina. The mix of mangrove and coastal prairie habitats host a bounty of wading birds, shorebirds and…
Pets OK
Birding Snake Bight Trail1-4 Hours · All year
Snake Bight Trail can be walked any time of year, but is easiest to walk in the winter when mosquitoes are not abundant. This trail offers the opportunity to see birds restricted to coastal habitats, including Reddish…
Walk the Anhinga Trail1-2 Hours · All year
The famous Anhinga Trail is a self-guided pavement and boardwalk trail winding through and over sawgrass marsh and freshwater slough. A paved path leads you along the water and to a looping boardwalk, providing views…
Flamingo Boat Tours90 Minutes · All year
Flamingo is the launching point for water excursions into Everglades National Park. Whitewater Bay and Florida Bay offer abundant wildlife and a chance to visit the parts of the Everglades only accessible by boat.
Reservation/permitFee
Ten Thousand Islands Boat Tour90 Minutes · All year
Experience the natural beauty of Everglades National Park's Ten Thousand Islands with a boat tour on Chokoloskee Bay.
Reservation/permitFeePets OK
Biking at Shark Valley2-6 Hours · All year
Explore the everglades by biking the 15-mile (24 km) Shark Valley Tram Road. Along the way you can experience the wide array of wildlife, diverse freshwater ecosystems, and get a unique view of the Everglades!
Shark Valley Tram Tour2 Hours · All year
Exploring the Shark Valley area by tram is a great way to see and learn about the wildlife and hisotry of Everglades National Park. Guided two-hour tram tours are offered along a fifteen-mile loop trail into the "River…
Reservation/permitFee

Show all 10 things to do

Become an Everglades Jr RangerAll year
Fishing in the EvergladesAll year
Fee

From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.

By activity

The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.

Weather

Weather at Everglades

The climate in Florida is known to be mild and sunny.The average annual temperatures for South Florida and the Keys range from 74° to 77°F (23° to 25°C). There are two seasons at the Everglades National Park: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season runs from Mid-May to November and the dry season runs from December to mid-May.

From the National Park Service.

Getting there

Getting to Everglades

Directions to Ernest Coe Visitor Center 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034 Visitors coming from the Miami area and points north should take the Florida Turnpike (Route 821) south until it ends merging with U.S. 1 at Florida City. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Palm Drive (State Road 9336/SW 344th St.) and follow the signs to the park.

Visitors driving north from the Florida Keys should turn left on Palm Drive in Florida City and follow the signs to the park.

40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL, 33034 · Directions on nps.gov

Nearby

National parks near Everglades

Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.

Closest big cities: Miami (50 mi) · Tampa (205 mi) · Jacksonville (346 mi)

Road trip

Biscayne & Everglades

2 parks, about 43 miles between them (~1 h of driving, estimated).

Everglades is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.

Two canoes at Nine Mile Pond during sunset. — Photo: NPS Photo

An American Alligator high walks the Anhinga Trail. — Photo: NPS Photo

FAQ

Everglades, quickly

When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park?: If you want fewer people, go in May, the quietest shoulder-season month. February is the busiest month on average, and October the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
How much does it cost to visit Everglades National Park?: $35 / vehicle. Also: $100 nonresident fee (16+). An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park, and waives the nonresident fee.
Do you need a reservation for Everglades National Park in 2026?: The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Everglades National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
What are some things to do in Everglades National Park?: The National Park Service lists 10 things to do in Everglades National Park, including Birding Along the Anhinga Trail, Birding at Flamingo, Birding Snake Bight Trail, Walk the Anhinga Trail, Flamingo Boat Tours. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
When did Everglades National Park become a national park?: Everglades National Park was established as a national park on May 30, 1934.
What is the closest national park to Everglades?: Biscayne National Park, about 43 miles away in a straight line (roughly 1 hours' drive, estimated).

Sources · 3

1.Everglades National Park — official site · National Park Service
2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
3.Everglades National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)

About this page

Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/ever.

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Everglades National Park