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Everglades National Park - Florida

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Everglades National Park is the largest remaining sub-tropical wilderness in the continental United States and has extensive fresh and saltwater areas, open Everglades prairies, and mangrove forests. Abundant wildlife includes rare and colorful birds, and this is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side. The park is 1,506,539 acres (606,688 hectacres) in size. It is a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Significance.

Park Details

Location Information
Operating Hours/Seasons
Reservations/Permits/Fees
Climate, Recommended
Clothing
Facilities and Opportunities
(including trails, camping, concessions)
Recommended Activities
Visitation
Adjacent Visitor Attractions
Additional Information



Location Information

Address and Telephone:
Everglades National Park
4000l State Road 9336
Homestead, FL 33034-6733
(305) 242-7700

Directions:

Transportation:
Miami and Fort Meyers are serviced by international airports, buses, and numerous car rental agencies. Miami has an Amtrak station.The park may be explored by personal vehicle, commercial tour bus, bicycle, motor boat, or canoe. There is NO public transportation in the park.

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Operating Hours/Seasons

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Reservations/Permits/Fees

Admission fees are ten dollars ($10) per car or five dollars ($5) per pedestrian/cyclist at the main entrance; eight dollars ($8) per car or four dollars ($4) per pedestrian or cyclist at Shark Valley and Chekika. An Annual Pass may be purchased for Everglades National Park for twenty dollars ($20), and a Golden Eagle pass, good for entrance to any U.S. National Park for one year, may be purchased for fifty dollars ($50).Golden Age and Golden Access Passes are also available.

Entrance fees are not charged at Gulf Coast.

Reservations can be made for campsites at Flamingo and Long Pine Key Campgrounds through Destinet at 1-800-365-2267, from November through April. Permits are required for backcountry camping. Film permits and special use permits are handled on an individual basis; call 305-242-7700.  For research and collection permits, call 305-242-7800.

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Climate, Recommended Clothing

Weather
The Everglades is mild and pleasant from December through April, though rare cold fronts may create near freezing conditions. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures around 90 degrees (32°C) and humidity over 90%. Afternoon thunderstorms are common and mosquitoes are abundant. Wear comfortable sportswear in winter; loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants, and insect repellent, are recommended in the summer.

For a 24-hour weather service recording out of Miami, call 305-661-5065

Sun and Mosquitoes:
Visitors are advised to bring drinking water and snacks since these items are sparsely located. (However, snacks are not permitted on interpretive trails.) Since sun and insects are likely to be abundant, sun screen, protective clothing and insect repellent are advised. Insects can make a visit unbearable during the summer months if you are not prepared. Information on mosquito levels during the summer is available at (305) 242-7700 (8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST).

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Facilities and Opportunities

Visitor Centers:
Visitor centers are located at the main entrance (west of Homestead), Royal Palm, Flamingo, Shark Valley, and Gulf Coast (south of Everglades City).

Programs and Activities:

Trails and Roads:
The main park road winds 38 miles from the main entrance to Flamingo. U.S. 41 leads to the Shark Valley entrance, and U.S. 29 leads to the Gulf Coast Visitor Center. Parking is available for buses at all visitor centers. Visitor parking is available at all visitor centers and most trailheads.

Hiking and biking trails are located at various points along the main park road and at Shark Valley.

Canoe trails are popular in the Flamingo area and at Gulf Coast. In addition, a 99-mile canoe trail, known as the Wilderness Waterway, connects Gulf Coast to the Flamingo area.

Lodging and Camping Facilities:
The Flamingo Lodge is the only lodging available in the park. It is open year-round, with 103 rooms, and 24 cottages with kitchen facilities. A restaurant and cafe are open during the winter. For further information and reservations, contact Flamingo Lodge, Marina, and Outpost Resort at 1-800-600-3813 or 941-695-3101.

Campgrounds are located at three places in the park, with tent and RV sites, restrooms, and water. There are no hookups in the park. All three campgrounds are open year round. At present, reservations may be made in advance for Flamingo and Long Pine Key Campgrounds during the winter months (November through April), by calling Destinet at 1-800-365-2267.

Backcountry camping is also available. Reservations for designated campsites may be made in person up to 24 hours before entering the backcountry. There are three sites accessible by foot and 43 additional sites available in Florida Bay, along the Gulf Coast, and inland, accessible by canoe or boat. All supplies must be carried in and out of the backcountry, including water. Fees for backcountry camping are $10 for 1-6 people, $20 for 7-12 people, and $30 for 13 or more people.

Boating and Fishing:
Boating is popular in the Everglades, as many parts of the park are only accessible from the water. There is a marina at Flamingo. A boat launch fee of $5 for a 7-day pass or $60 for an annual pass is charged. The 7-day pass fee for a non-motorized boat is $3.

Fishing, in the inland and coastal waters of the Everglades, is also excellent and can be enjoyed year-round. Freshwater and saltwater fishing require separate Florida fishing licenses.

Food and Supplies:
There is a restaurant and store at Flamingo. The restaurant may be closed during the summer; however, food is always available at the marina store. Local restaurants and grocery stores are available in Homestead, Florida City, Everglades City, and Miami. There are no banks or automatic teller machines in the park. Gasoline may be obtained at the Flamingo Marina, and in communities adjacent to the park.

Other Concessions and Visitor Facilities:
The Florida National Parks and Monuments Association manages bookstores at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, Royal Palm Visitor Center and Shark Valley Visitor Center. TW Services operates a gift shop at the Flamingo Visitor Center during the winter months. Everglades National Park Boat Tours operates a gift store in the Gulf Coast Visitor Center year-round.

Accessibility:
Accessible facilities and trails may be found throughout the park. All of the park's visitor centers, most interpretive trails, some of the Flamingo boat tours, and the Shark Valley tram tours are wheelchair accessible. There are accessible campsites at all three campgrounds in the park, and one primitive backcountry campsite, at Pearl Bay, is accessible to people with mobility impairments. Audio programs and captioned movies are available at most visitor centers.

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Recommended Activities/Park Use

Walking and canoe trails, boat tours and tram tours are excellent for viewing wildlife, including alligators and a multitude of tropical and temperate birds. Camping, whether in the backcountry or at established campgrounds, offers the opportunity to enjoy what the park offers firsthand. Ranger-led activities, offered throughout the park, may help you to enjoy your visit even more.

Everglades National Park is the third largest park in the United States, outside Alaska. Plan on staying at least one day and perhaps several to get a good feel for what the park offers.

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Visitation

Highest from December through April; lowest May through November.

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Adjacent Visitor Attractions

Various National Wildlife Refuges are all in the south Florida area. Several State Parks are in the area as well. Miami, the Florida Keys, and Naples offer a wide variety of attractions. For information on the facilities outside the park, please contact the Chamber of Commerce or Visitor Bureau in the area of interest.

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Additional Information


Write:

Information
Everglades National Park
40001 State Road 9336 Homestead, FL 33034-6733

Or call:
305-242-7700, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST.

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