Just a stone’s throw from the sprawling city of Miami, a unique wilderness covers more than a million acres of South Florida. As enchanting as it is vast, the Everglades is a tropical wetland, a vital ecosystem, and an American national treasure. The only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles live side by side, this is a place for wildlife lovers, nature enthusiasts, and adventure seekers.
When you visit the Everglades, you visit one of the planet’s most extraordinary playgrounds. Airboat rides, kayaking through mangroves, and swamp tours are just the start of things to do in the Everglades. Explore by hiking, biking, or even on a tram tour. Camp over the water on a thatched roof “chickee”, cruise along the Gulf Coast, or uncover 15,000 years of Indigenous history at the Miccosukee Indian Village.
The Everglades are home to magnificent predator reptiles, a birders’ paradise, and a sanctuary for endangered animals like Florida panthers and American black bears. They also host more than a dozen species of turtles, from loggerheads and leatherbacks to ferocious Florida snapping turtles. Choose the right tour, and you could even see playful dolphins and gentle giant manatees.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and an officially designated Wetland Area of Global Importance, the USA’s largest subtropical wilderness is a must-visit on any Florida holiday. In this guide, we’ll look at both exciting and relaxing ways to spend time in the Everglades.
Key Places to Visit
Far more than the slow-flowing sawgrass marshes, which earned it the nickname “River of Grass,” the Everglades is a diverse collection of destinations and attractions. Among almost 8,000 square miles, some of the key places to visit in the Everglades include:
Everglades National Park
Stretching roughly from the southern edge of Route 41 to the start of the Florida Keys, Everglades National Park is only one portion of the larger Everglades system. This federally protected area contains some of the most popular destinations, trails, and campgrounds, including Flamingo, Mahogany Hammock, Long Pine Key, and the Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook. Along Florida’s southwestern edge, where the Everglades meet the Gulf of Mexico, Ten Thousand Islands is a labyrinthian archipelago of brackish marshes and clear rivers, perfect for paddling, fishing, photography, and eco cruises. One of the best things to do in Everglades National Park is guided kayak and canoe tours for up-close encounters with alligators, manatees, and endemic fish, all under the watchful eyes of herons, egrets, and perhaps even soaring bald eagles.
Big Cypress National Preserve
Measuring 729,000 acres and the USA’s first official National Preserve, the natural reservoir of Big Cypress National Preserve is crucial to keeping the Everglades healthy by regulating its water flow. Without it, damage to the ecosystem would be devastating. Fortunately, this collection of cypress swamps, estuaries, hardwood hammocks, pinelands, and prairies is here and filled with adventures. Enjoy scenic nature drives on the Tamiami Trail and adjoining Loop Road. Hike along the Kirby Storter Boardwalk, Gator Hook Trail, and Fire Prairie Trail. Take a ranger-led “slough slog” (swamp walk). Or paddle through the preserve at Turner River, Halfway Creek, and Sandfly Island. When night falls, look up for some of the most unspoiled stargazing in Florida.
Shark Valley and Gulf Coast Visitor Centers
Two key access points to the Everglades are the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in the west and the Shark Valley Visitor Center, just an hour outside Miami. These welcome points open the Everglades to visitors with education, information, advice, equipment, and amenities. The Gulf Coast is the gateway to Ten Thousand Islands. Currently under renovation until fall 2025, this center is where you’ll book two-hour boat tours, arrange dining and accommodation in Everglades City, and collect wilderness camping permits. Fully operational, Shark Valley is the starting point for guided tram tours, short walking trails, and cycle rides on the 15-mile Everglades loop. Shark Valley Visitor Center also offers a unique perspective on the Everglades with panoramic views from its 70-foot observation tower.
Top Things to Do in the Everglades
Like joining a savannah safari in Africa or trekking through the rainforest in Borneo, visiting the Everglades is an unforgettable wildlife and nature adventure. How you make the most of it is up to you, but some of the most popular things to do in the Everglades include:
Airboat Rides and Tours
The iconic Everglades experience, airboat rides are the number one activity in this extraordinary marshland. These flat-bottomed boats, propelled at up to 40 mph by their enormous fans, are a thrilling way to explore the waterways. Not just an adrenaline ride, Everglades airboat tours feature expert guides to help you spot alligators, turtles, birds, and more as you learn about the history and ecology of this captivating region. Group tours depart every day from Everglades City, Coopertown, and Gator Park, often with transfers from Miami and no reservation needed. For a more exclusive experience, private tours can also be arranged. To catch the animals at their most active, sunrise and sunset tours are highly recommended.
Tram Tours and Nature Walks
If you’re more comfortable on dry land than zipping about on the water, that’s no problem in the Everglades. One of the most popular ways to explore is on the Shark Valley Tram Tour. Departing four times a day from the Shark Valley Visitor Center, this two-hour, 15-mile trip accompanied by a National Park-trained naturalist is the most relaxing way to uncover the secrets of the Everglades. The tram is ideal for families, those who prefer to be carried in comfort, or as an opportunity to get a different perspective on this fascinating destination. Another easy way to discover the Everglades is on Nature Walks. Almost 40 official trails around the parks encourage you to take a closer look at the diverse plant life as you enjoy the peace of slowing things down and going engine-free. Pine Island, Flamingo, Gulf Coast, and Shark Valley are all great starting points for walking in the Everglades.
Boat Tours along the Gulf Coast
A laidback alternative to zipping through swamps on a low-level airboat is a boat tour along the calm waters of the Gulf Coast. Departing from Everglades City, Gulf Coast Visitor Center, or Flamingo, these slower-paced, family-friendly tours navigate rivers, canals, and mangrove tunnels as you keep watch for dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and, if you’re lucky, small sharks. An excellent platform for photographers, Gulf Coast boat tours provide easy access to harder-to-reach sections of the Everglades, including Ten Thousand Islands, Florida Bay, and the Everglades backcountry. Slower moving boat tours will also take you into areas of the Everglades National Park where airboats are not permitted. If your priority is taking time to soak up the wonders of this unique wilderness and the creatures inhabiting it, these tranquil tours are for you.
Exploring Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
Just 20 miles long by five miles wide, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park is a hidden gem at the edge of the Big Cypress Swamp. Described today as the “Amazon of North America,” Fakahatchee Strand is a success story of once-exploited land being revived. This lesser-known paradise for hikers and nature enthusiasts has four key areas to enjoy. The Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk winds for 2,500 feet through towering forests to an alligator pond and observation deck at its end. The East River is a tidal creek passing through small lakes and mangrove canopies, perfect for canoe tours. Jones Grade lakes and trails are tucked away spots for fishing and kayaking. For hikers, the Janes Memorial Scenic Drive is a six-mile dirt road providing access to former tramways, which have become hiking and biking trails. Favored by botanists, Fakahatchee Strand is famous for its flora, including bald cypress trees and rare ghost orchids, among the largest diversity of native orchids in North America.
Drive along the Tamiami Trail
Starting on Brickell Avenue in Downtown Miami, Highway 41 cuts west through the heart of the Everglades on its way to Naples. This scenic stretch of road is better known as the Tamiami Trail, the perfect road trip route for exploring the swamplands by car. While the entire drive can be completed in under two hours, the best journeys happen when you take time to visit picturesque picnic spots, boardwalks, and lookouts along the way. Pause at Coopertown for an educational airboat tour. Explore Indigenous culture and history in Miccosukee Indian Village. Visit the gallery and information center at Big Cypress. Learn Everglades mysteries at the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters. See the Ochopee Post Office, the smallest in the US. If you have time, take a diversion around the Loop Road Scenic Drive and add a journey through more secluded areas of the Everglades.
Tips for Visitors
The Everglades isn’t your everyday holiday, and that’s a big part of the appeal. Although you might visit as part of a multi-center Florida holiday, which also includes the parks of Orlando, the city beaches of Miami, and the tropical cays of the Florida Keys, there are still some things you should know before traveling. Our top tips for visiting the Everglades include:
When to Visit
Florida is an all-year destination with warm temperatures and low rain. The Caribbean’s hurricane season can impact southern regions in summer, usually between June and October, but this isn’t always the case. For the Everglades, the best time to visit is during the dry season. November to April is when you can expect the finest weather. Wildlife spotting is easier, too, as water levels are lower and land animals congregate in fewer areas. The mosquito population is also reduced during this time. May to October sees more changeable weather with higher humidity and rainfall, but it is also the time when the landscape is most colorful and abundant. Boat tours operate all year round, so whenever you travel, you’ll always be able to explore.
What to Bring
When you pack for the Everglades, remember you’re going on an outdoor adventure. You’ll need a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for the brighter days. You should also have light and comfortable moisture-wicking layers to handle the dampness and humidity – and in case of showers or splashes. You’ll always be grateful for having insect repellents, and a refillable water bottle will keep you hydrated on hikes and tours. Binoculars and a high-quality camera are also recommended for capturing the amazing sights you encounter.
Safety Tips
Over a million people visit the Everglades every year, and it’s a perfectly safe destination, but it’s still the wilderness. Make sure you enjoy your trip without incident by keeping a safe distance from wildlife, particularly alligators, crocodiles, and snakes. Never attempt to feed animals, no matter how friendly they seem. Stay on marked trails, wear life jackets on the water, stay hydrated, and protect yourself from the sun. Keep these simple rules, and always follow the instructions of your tour guides or any other officials, and you’ll have nothing to worry about on your Everglades adventures.
Conclusion
Florida is spoiled for amazing attractions, and the Everglades are some of the best. One of America’s most unique and captivating environments, this UNESCO-listed ecosystem is a spectacular destination. Choose fast-paced thrills like airboat rides and alligator encounters. Get active on hiking trails, cycle routes, or kayak and canoe tours through the mangroves. Relax and explore a little slower by boat, tram, or car. Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with the family, or solo, there are plenty of amazing Everglades experiences for everyone.
The Everglades is easy to visit in a day from Miami or to pass through on a Tamiami Trail journey. To make the most of your trip, we recommend at least three days to get around as much of the park as possible. From Ten Thousand Islands and the Gulf Coast to Big Cypress National Preserve, Shark Valley, and the Everglades National Park, there’s so much to see and do in the Everglades; you’ll always wish you had more time.