How to Spend Two Days in Everglades National Park

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Everglades National Park is an exotic and complex system of wetlands spanning a million and a half acres and providing the only place on earth where both alligators and crocodiles live together. I can’t think of why you would need more reasons than that to visit, but just in case, here are a few more:

• You can boat through rivers and mangrove forests that are inaccessible any other way
• You WILL get up close and personal with wildlife, and not just from your car. Alligators hang out on the sides of walking paths. Great Blue Herons, Ibises and other water birds walk around like they own the place (they kind of do) and might just join you for a stroll!
• I know people think puppies and kittens are the cutest things on earth, but I think that’s because they’ve never been face to face with a manatee!
• Accessibility: our family has been to over 25 National Parks and, in my opinion, Everglades is one of the most accessible for people with disabilities.

Quick Tips

• You need a car. It’s very big and spread out. In fact, it’s about an hour’s drive between the different Visitors Centers and sections of the park.
• If possible, spend more than one day so you can visit different parts of the park. Two days was perfect for us.
• Pay attention to the signs and rules regarding wildlife: you really WILL stumble upon alligators and there are no barriers between you and most of the animals.
• Try to go during dry season (November to March) when it’s less humid and less buggy.
• Stay somewhere on the east side of the park, you’ll be closer to everything.
• Park entrance is $30 per vehicle, with lower prices for seniors and military.
• Learn more about how to make the most of your national park visit here.

Basic Information

Everglades National Park has four entrances and four Visitors Centers. They are a considerable distance apart, so you should research and decide what you want to see and do, then decide which entrance(s) will best suit your itinerary.

• The Gulf Shores Visitors Center, the westernmost entrance, is the farthest from everything else. It was also destroyed in Hurricane Irma and, as of this writing, there are very limited resources at that entrance. There are no rentals or trails.
• Shark Valley in on the north side of the park. There’s a lot to do in the area (see below) and it’s easily accessible from Highway 41/Tamiami Trail.
• The Ernest F. Coe entrance and Visitors Center is the main entrance and is closest to Homestead. There’s also a lot to do and see here and I recommend staying close to here, as it’s the most centrally located.
• Flamingo is the southernmost entrance. There’s great wildlife viewing here – it’s where the fresh and salt waters come together, and where the alligators and crocodiles live in close proximity to each other. It’s also where you’re most likely to see Manatees! However, this Visitors Center was also damaged in Hurricane Irma and the original building is still (as of May 2019) unopened. There’s a temporary center and restrooms. You can rent kayaks or take boat tours from Flamingo Adventures here.

What to do in Everglades NP

Take a Walk/Hike:

There are numerous trails in the Everglades. Many of them are flat and paved, so they are accessible for strollers, wheelchairs and visitors of all ages. And Wildlife is in abundance! This isn’t one of the National Parks where you have to seek out the wildlife or go away from the main roads. Many trails are right near the Visitors Centers and feature a wealth of wildlife. Most of the trails are shorter, interpretive trails, but there are some longer trails available, such as the 15-mile Tram Trail in Shark Valley.

We chose to walk part of the Tram Trail and included the Bobcat Boardwalk and Otter Cave Trail. We saw plenty of wildlife (but no otters!). The alligators were just feet away from the trail, but they paid us no attention. And a Great Blue Heron decided to join us for part of the walk!

We also took the Anhinga Trail near the Ernest F. Coe entrance. That’s a great interpretive trail that includes some boardwalk over the water and some paved areas. We had to pay close attention because the alligators are right off the trail!

Take a Tram Tour:

From the Shark Valley Visitors Center you can catch the narrated 2 -hour tram tour that will take you through the Tram Trail and past endless wildlife! It also includes a stop at an observation deck that gives you an incredible view. The tour costs $25 for adults and $12.75 for kids.

Rent Bikes:

Also in Shark Valley you can rent bikes and ride the Tram Trail. (You can also bring your own bikes.) It’s about 15 miles and takes you on the same trail as the tram. The trail is wide and paved, so it’s suitable with children, too. Bike rentals are only $9 an hour.

Attend a Ranger Program:

There are Ranger tours and Ranger talks near both the Shark Valley and Ernest F. Coe Visitors Center. Walk the Anhinga trail with a ranger and learn about the flora and fauna. Or attend a Ranger talk and discover the secrets of the Everglades. The rangers have a wealth of information about the park!

(For Kids) Become a Junior Ranger!

This is one of my kids’ favorite things to do in any National Park. At the beginning of your visit, pick up a Junior Ranger booklet – they have them for every age level. Do the activities throughout your visit and, before you leave, stop back at the center and a Ranger will “swear in” your child and give them a badge. It’s a super fun program and a great way to keep kids engaged during the visit.

Take an airboat tour:

There are airboat companies all over the Everglades, but only 3 companies that are authorized to operate inside the National Park. They are only allowed to operate on a small portion of the park, and there are mixed feelings amongst the public about the safety and environmental concerns regarding airboats. That being said, we took a tour through Everglades Safari Park, one of the NPS authorized services, and had a great time. I’m not sure if I would do the tour with a child under 5 years old due to the noise (they give you earplugs), and the speed of the boat. However, we were able to see wildlife that we didn’t see anywhere else, since we could go way out into the “River of Grass”.

Rent a kayak or canoe:

If you’d like to explore on the water in a quieter, slower way, try renting kayaks or canoes. Rentals are available at the Flamingo Marina. You can also book a guided kayak tour through one of the park’s recommended tour groups.

Get a City Pass:

If you’re staying near the Miami area, the Go Miami pass offers entrance to many different attractions and tours at one discounted price:

Where to Stay in Everglades National Park

We stayed closest to the Ernest F. Coe entrance because it is the main entrance. We also found that we were in a great position to visit Miami and even take a day trip down to the Keys from that area. From there we were able to drive up to Shark Valley and down to Flamingo.

Camping:

There is some camping inside the park. There are limited RV spots, so you should reserve well in advance. Outside the park are several campgrounds near the Ernest F. Coe entrance. We stayed at the Miami Everglades RV Resort and loved it. There are also a few campgrounds along highway 41, but it’s a little farther away.

Hotels:

There are many budget hotels close to the entrance to the park. Your best bet is to stay in the Homestead or Florida City area. If you prefer a more luxury hotel, you’ll have to stay closer to Miami or closer to Key Largo. Both are nice choices, particularly if you’re planning to do other things in the area. Miami is about an hour from the Shark Valley entrance and about 1.5 hours from Ernest F. Coe. Key Largo is about 45-60 minutes from the park, depending on where you’re staying.

Two-Day Itinerary:

Day 1

• Start with an airboat tour (we liked Everglades Safari Park)
• Go to Shark Valley, see the Visitor Center exhibits
• Rent bikes or take a tram tour along the 15-mile Tram Trail
• Walk the .5-mile Bobcat Boardwalk and Otter Cave Trails

Day 2

• Start at the Ernest F. Coe Visitors Center, check out the exhibits.
• Walk the Anhinga Trail, on your own or with a Ranger Tour
• Pick another trail or two to walk – like the Gumbo Limbo Trail or the Mahogany Hammock Trail
• Drive to Flamingo, stop at incredible photo spots along the drive
• Rent kayaks and explore for a few hours
• Find the manatees either in the bay or in the marina near the boats (they are easier to find in the late afternoon, early evening)

Our experience at Everglades National Park was incredible! Compared with other National Parks I’ve been to, the Everglades feels a little wilder. It’s unlike any other ecosystem in the U.S. and the wildlife is in abundance. There’s no waiting and hoping you see something; the alligators and water birds are everywhere! Enjoy your trip, and please feel free leave a comment or a question. All social shares will be greatly appreciated!