Loading...
Loading

Everglades National Park

The Everglades National Park is the second largest in the country after Yellowstone and the largest subtropical wilderness in the continental U.S. It is a 1.5 million-acre tract of marshy land and swamp and an important and fragile ecosystem.

The first inhabitants of this region were Calusa Indians who lived mainly along the estuaries, fishing and collecting shellfish.

Must-see attractions nearby:
During the Seminole Wars of the 1830's, Seminole Indians also retreated here to avoid capture by the army. The Indians called the everglades "Pa-hay-okee", or grassy water. Later, environmentalist Marjory Stone Douglas gave it the moniker "River of Grass." The later is an appropriate name because it reflects the true nature of the Everglades.

The whole area is composed of a wide, shallow river that flows from Lake Okeechobee to the Bay of Florida. The bottom of this river is porous limestone over top of a bedrock base called the Tamiani Formation. It catches rainfall and acts as southern Florida's main water reservoir.

The park was created in 1947 after environmentalists finally convinced the government that the Everglades were vitally important to the balance of nature. Originally, the politicians, notably Governor Napoleon Broward, wanted to drain the Everglades for more farmland. He commissioned the construction of hundreds of canals to divert the water for irrigation and drinking water. These early development projects were just the first of many threats to this delicate environment, some of which still continue today.

The Everglades region is home to thousands of plant species and a wide variety of animal and bird life. Examples include alligators, deer, sea turtle, egrets, manatees, and river otters.
Address
Everglades National Park
40001 State Route 9336
Homestead, FL 33034
United States
Phone 1 (305) 242-7700
Fax 1 (305) 242-7711
Cost
Vehicle plus all occupants$ 10.00
Admission Cost$ 5.00
All values are in United States Dollars
Tips
To avoid the numerous mosquitoes, it is best to go in the dry season from November to May.
Parking
Free
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Typical Visit
6 hours

Related Attractions

Anhinga Trail
The Anhinga Trail begins at the Royal Palm visitor center and follows an elevated boardwalk. Alligators, snowy egrets, water turkeys and garfish can be seen during the winter months.
Chekika
Hardwood hammocks, wetlands and over 100 species of birds can be found throughout this 640 acre area.
Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
Interactive exhibits and films about Everglades National Park are available in Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center.
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open8:008:008:008:008:008:008:00
Close17:0017:0017:0017:0017:0017:0017:00
Tips
305-242-7700 ask for the visitor center.
Flamingo Visitor Center
The Flamingo Visitor Center is located at the southern end of Everglades National Park. Within the center are natural history exhibits and information. Boat tours are available at the nearby marina that opens onto Florida Bay. Several hiking and canoeing trails begin at Flamingo as well.
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open9:309:309:309:309:309:309:30
Close16:3016:3016:3016:3016:3016:3016:30
Gulf Coast Visitor Center
The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is located in the northwest corner of the park and features natural history exhibits, park information, and issues regarding permits and park passes.
Hours
April 17 to October 31
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open9:009:009:009:009:009:009:00
Close16:3016:3016:3016:3016:3016:3016:30
November 1 to April 16
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open8:308:308:308:308:308:308:30
Close16:3016:3016:3016:3016:3016:3016:30
Gumbo Limbo Trail
The Gumbo Limbo Trail begins at the Royal Palm visitor center and travels through Paradise Key hammock on a paved trail. A variety of native plants can be found here such as gumbo limbo trees, royal palms, and ferns.
Long Pine Key
Long Pine Key has camping and picnicking facilities, and nature and hiking trails. The Long Pine Key Nature Trail runs 7 miles west from the campground to Pine Glades Lake and is also open to bicycles.
Mahogany Hammock
Mahogany Hammock features mahogany trees and other sub-tropical plants that are labelled as well as an elevated boardwalk through the forest.
Mangrove Trail
Mangrove Trail is an elevated boardwalk the leads through an area that was badly damaged by a hurricane in 1960. This area shows the damage that can be sustained by such a storm.
Miami - Miccosukee Indian Village & Airboat Rides
Located 25 miles west of Miami, the Miccosukee Indian replica village allows visitors to glimpse the past and present culture and lifestyles. Craft demonstrations include sewing, basket weaving, beadwork and woodcarving. A cultural museum, airboat rides to a hammock village and alligator exhibits are other highlights.
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open9:009:009:009:009:009:009:00
Close17:0017:0017:0017:0017:0017:0017:00
Cost
Admission Cost$ 5.00
Child 5 & underFREE
All values are in United States Dollars
Tips
Airboat rides are $10.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Typical Visit
2 hours 30 minutes
Pa-hay-Okee Overlook
Pa-hay-Okee Overlook is a 12 foot tower at Shark River Basin which offers a view of the vast wilderness.
Pinelands Trail
From the park entrance, Pinelands Trail leads through southern pines, scrub palmetto and other related plants.
Royal Palm Visitor Center
The Royal Palm Visitor Center features park information and nature led walks and talks during the winter.
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open8:008:008:008:008:008:008:00
Close16:1516:1516:1516:1516:1516:1516:15
Shark Valley Visitor Center
The Shark Valley Visitor Center is open daily with self-guiding trails that begin at the center. An observation tower provides a spectacular view into the sawgrass marsh.
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open9:159:159:159:159:159:159:15
Close17:1517:1517:1517:1517:1517:1517:15
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Tram Tour
The Tram Tour of Everglades National Park departs from Shark Valley to explore the sawgrass marsh, experience diverse wildlife and visit the observation tower.
More Florida Resources
Swamp land in Everglades National Park.
Man and dog getting into the Christmas spirit in Key West.
An egret in the grasslands of Everglades National Park.
False charial crocodile in the Everglades National Park.
Great Egret in the Everglades National Park.
Suggest Correction  Suggest an Attraction
©Copyright 1995-2012 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved.
Unauthorized duplication in part or whole without prior written consent prohibited by international laws.