Everglades National Park

Visitor Centers:
Everglades National Park has four visitor centers. The hours of operation vary by season and are subject to change. Check the park's website for current hours of operation.

• Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center: Open 8 am to 5 pm mid-December to mid-April. Open 9 am to 5 pm mid-April to mid-December.
• Flamingo Visitor Center: Open 8 am to 4:30 pm mid-November to mid-April. Off-season hours vary based on staffing.
• Shark Valley Visitor Center: Open 8:30 am to 5 pm mid-December to mid-April. Open 9 am to 5 pm mid-April to mid-December.
• Gulf Coast Visitor Center: Open 8 am to 4:30 pm mid-November to mid-April. Open 9 am to 4:30 mid-April to mid-November.

Everglades National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, however some entrances are closed in the evening or seasonally. To see current conditions and hours of operation, visit the park's website. Visitors should also be aware that the services offered by the park vary by season. During the busy, dry winter season, most facilities are open and a full range of tours and programs are available. During the slow, wet summer season, facilities may have reduced hours or closures, and recreational opportunities may be at a minimum.

Fees & Passes:
To learn more about park fees, click here.

• Purchase an annual pass for all national parks sites, $80

Camping:
There are two drive-in campgrounds accessible from the Homestead entrance of the park. Both accommodate tents and RV's with a limited number of group sites. Camping is available year-round, although if visiting during the wet season (June through November) visitors should come prepared for the conditions. For more information on camping in the park, click here.

• Long Pine Key Campground: 108 sites available on a first come, first served basis. 1 group site that can be reserved by calling (305) 242-7700. Open seasonally November through May.
• Flamingo Campground: 234 sites. Reservations can be made online or by calling 1 (877) 444-6777.

Additionally, there are a number of backcountry camping sites in the park ranging from ground sites, beach sites, and elevated camping platforms. A backcountry permit is required for all wilderness campsites and must be issued the day before at either the Flamingo or Gulf Coast Visitor Center or the fee station at the main park entrance in Homestead. For more information on backcountry camping, click here.

Lodging:
There is no lodging located in the park, but visitors can find a variety of accommodations in the nearby towns of Homestead or Miami.

There are no restaurants or stores located within Everglades National Park. Snacks and soft drinks are available from Shark Valley Tram Tours. Buttonwood Cafe and the Flamingo Marina, located adjacent to the Flamingo Visitor Center, offer sandwiches, beverages, and basic camping and fishings supplies. There are a variety of restaurant options located outside of the park in the nearby towns.

Everglades National Park offers a variety of ranger-led programs that vary by season. All programs, unless otherwise specified, are free and open to the public. To learn more about these ranger-led programs and to see the current events calendar, click here.

In addition to ranger-led activities, there are several other guided tours through the park. To learn more about boat tours along the mangrove coast at both Flamingo and the Gulf Coast or tram tours of the Shark River Slough, click here.

When not exploring the trails of the Everglades, visitors have plenty of other outdoor activities to choose from. When not camping, hiking, biking, bird watching, or wildlife viewing, visitors can enjoy exploring the Everglades by boat, kayak, or canoe. For those looking to extend their adventure in the area, Biscayne National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, and Dry Tortugas National Park are located nearby and feature many of the same great outdoor activities available in Everglades National Park.

To download a variety of free brochures to help plan your visit, click here.