things-to-do-at-everglades-national-park

20 Of The Best Things To Do At Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park, Florida is such a large park. Plan your visit with 20 of the best things to do at Everglades National Park below. There is something at this park for everyone to enjoy!

things-to-do-at-everglades-national-park

Everglades National Park Facts

Here are 10 fun facts about Everglades National Park to help you plan your trip.

  • The Everglades is home to many plants & animals that are not found in any other parts of the world
  • It’s the 10th largest park in the U.S.
  • Averages 60+ inches of rain each year
  • It’s the only subtropical preserve in North America
  • The Everglades is the only place on earth where Alligators & Crocodiles co-exist
  • It’s actually a River!
  • The water from the Everglades provides many people in Florida with water
  • The Everglades is less than a quarter of the size it used to be
  • There are 350+ species of birds in the park
  • On average the Everglades is on 4-5 feet deep
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20 Of The Best Things To Do At Everglades National Park

1. Take the Tram or Ride Bike through Shark Valley Road

Taking the tram or biking through Shark Valley Road rightfully earns #1 of 20 of the best things to do at Everglades National Park for many reasons. This is by far the best way to see wildlife– especially alligators & birds. The tram takes about # & biking Shark Valley Road can take #-# hours.

2. Take an Everglades Airboat Tour

When visiting the Everglades National Park, you can’t miss the opportunity to take an airboat tour! The best Airboat tour to take is with Coopertown Air Boat. They have been the original Coopertown Airboats since 1945. Coopertown offers regular & private tours, not to mention tickets are under $30.00 a person!

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3. Visit Big Cypress National Preserve

Looking for free things to do in Everglades National Park? Big Cypress National Preserve is for you. This Preserve has great educational information along with a boardwalk that typically has gators & other wildlife in the waters below. They can come & go as they please but you will also find them along the ditches near Big Cypress National Preserve.

4. Walk the Anhinga Trail

The Anhinga Trail is one of the most popular trails at Everglades National Park & is less than 1 mile roundtrip. The reason it is so popular is because it’s a great trail to view a variety of wildlife such as birds, alligators. & turtles. You won’t want to miss this trail when visiting!

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5. Stop at Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center

The address to Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center: 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034. This visitor center is known for it’s educational displays, informational brochures, small walking trails around the visitor center, bookstore, & giftshop. This is also a great place to stop & go to the bathroom & fill up your water bottle.

6. Go to the Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook

This overlook is about 0.16 miles round trip & is another fan favorite of park visitors. It is known for it’s boardwalk like platform providing visitors with a vast overview of the grasslands. Fun fact: Pa-Hay-Okee means River of Grass in Seminole.

7. Kayak or Canoe Nine Mile Pond

Another one of the best things to at Everglades National Park is to kayak or canoe at Nine Mile Pond is a 5 mile loop through the Everglades. During your paddle you may see alligators, wading birds & maybe even crocodiles. You can rent a canoe or kayak from the Flamingo Visitor Center.

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8. Explore the Shark Valley Observation Tower

Shark Valley Observation Tower is located midway through Shark Valley Road. It’s the perfect halfway point to fill up your water bottle and/or go to the bathroom. The observation tower is well paved & overlooks the entire park while alligators swim below you!

9. Walk the Mahogany Hammock Trail

This unique jungle-like trail is a 0.5 loop & the entire trail is boardwalk. It will lead you through the the hardwood hammock where you will find gumbo-limbo trees, air plants, root balls & Swietenia mahogani– the largest living mahogany tree in the U.S.!

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10. Eat at the Everglades Gator Grill

Known for all things alligator if you want to try some. From grilled alligator, gator bites, gator tacos, gator kabob, gator stir fry & more. Don’t worry if you aren’t interested in trying gator as they have other items on the menu as well. To find the address & additional info you can visit Gator Grills website.

11. Visit Flamingo Visitor Center

The Flamingo Visitor Center is a unique stop along your way through the Everglades. It’s a great spot for informational brochures, getting wilderness camping permits, or sign up for a boat tour. You can also rent kayaks, canoes, & bicycles & there is a marina on site.

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12. Drive the Tamiami Trail

The Tamiami Trail is also known as U.S. 41. This two-lane highway is great places to see alligators while driving through the Everglades. They will be all along the sides of the roads– soaking in the sun.

13. Camp in the Everglades

Inside Everglades National Park there are only two types of camping: Frontcountry camping & wilderness camping. You can frontcountry camp at Lone Pine Key Campground & Flamingo Campground. Wilderness camping requires a permit & has several beach, ground, & platform sites. Learn more about your options here: Wilderness Camping Planner & Guide.

14. Hike the Snake Bight Trail

Another one of the best things to at Everglades National Park This trail is to hike Snake Bight Trail. This 1.6 mile, one way, trail offers great views of the bay. Along the way you will see hardwood hammocks & birds that will lead you to the boardwalk overlooking the bay.

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15. Enjoy Gumbo Limbo Trail

Gumbo Limbo Trail is less than 0.5 round-trip & paved. On this trail you will find the Gumbo Limbo Trees along with royal palms, ferns & even air plants!

16. Go Slough Slogging

Slough slogging is essentially a wet hike. Everglades National Park offers slough slogging tours & it’s suggested to bring water, close toe shoes, & long pants as you will be guided through some of the Everglades that many do not get to experience.

17. Attend a Ranger-Led Program

The Everglades National Park offers ranger-led programs & activities at all of it’s visitors centers. To check out the calendar for this month you can take a look at the Ranger-Led Program Overview.

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18. Visit Smallwood Store Boat Tours & Historic Museum

Smallwood Store was established back in 1906 & is said to be one of Florida’s last frontiers. This historic museum also offers boat tours for you to check out Chokoloskee Island where you may see dolphins, manatees, gators & birds.

19. Go Bird Watching

Considering there are 300+ bird species in Everglades National Park keep your eye out for all the different birds while you are driving, hiking, or checking out some of the trails.

20. Stop at Robert is Here Fruit Stand

Robert Is Here Fruit Stand is the perfect stop on your way in or out of the Everglades National Park. This Fruit Stand has fresh produce, fruit, & locally made goods. You can’t leave without trying one of their smoothies!

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Things To Do At Everglades National Park: Overview

There is so much to do & see at Everglades National Park. Visiting Shark Valley & taking an air boat tour are at the top of list because they are such great ways to see the park & to see alligators. With 20 Things To Do At Everglades National Park – there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Are you exploring more of Florida? Check out my other Florida Guides.