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Accessibility
Many wonders may be seen from a car window, but the Everglades reveals its greatest treasures to those who take the time to get out into it and experience its beauty firsthand. Each of us has different abilities and needs. This page should help you find and take full advantage of the facilities and resources available to you in the park.
Camping: There are three campgrounds in the park. All three have accessible campsites. Each has wheelchair accessible restrooms.
There is one backcountry site that is accessible to people with mobility impairments. It is the Pearl Bay Chickee, which is about a four hour canoe trip from the main road. It features handrails, a canoe dock, and an accessible chemical toilet.
Lodging: The Flamingo Lodge has two accessible rooms. A second floor restaurant is accessible by a steep ramp.
Boat and Tram Tours: Many of the boat tours from Flamingo are accessible. Other tours on smaller, privately owned boats may not be. Ask when making reservations. The Shark Valley tram tour is accessible; call ahead to make arrangements. This tour includes a stop at an observation tower which is reached by a 10% ramp.
Visitor Centers Accessibility
The Ernest Coe Visitor Center at the park entrance near Homestead is fully accessible to wheelchairs. There are audio programs available, as well as a captioned film. The Coe Visitor Center is a good place to get oriented to all the park has to offer.
The Royal Palm Visitor Center is also fully accessible and has a wheelchair available for loan on a first come, first served basis. This is an excellent place to view alligators on nearby boardwalks.
The Flamingo Visitor Center is accessible by a steep ramp from the parking area. It contains a museum exhibit with both print and audio displays. A free wheelchair is available for loan on a first come, first served basis. The Eco Pond Trail is nearby and accessible to wheelchairs.
The Shark Valley Visitor Center is fully accessible and has a wheelchair available for loan on a first come, first served basis.
The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is accessible by elevator from the parking area. It contains a museum exhibit with print and captioned video displays.
Ranger-Led Activities: Throughout the winter numerous activities from slide shows to canoe trips are offered by rangers in various areas of the park. At least half of these are accessible by wheelchair. Check the list of current ranger-led activities, or at a visitor center, for information on programs and accessibility. In the summer, fewer programs are offered.
Trails: The best way to experience the Everglades is on one of the many trails, many of which are paved or wooden boardwalks. All of the following are wheelchair accessible and less than 3/4 mile long:
Anhinga Trail - At Royal Palm Visitor Center is possibly the best place to look for alligators, birds, and other wildlife. A narrated audio tape is available for loan. Paved with a wooden boardwalk.
Gumbo-Limbo Trail - Also at Royal Palm is a hardwood hammock trail illustrating the tropical forest trees reminiscent of Central America. Paved.
Pinelands Trail - An often missed by truly fascinating trail through the original "fire forests" of Florida. Watch for holes along the sides! Paved, though often narrow and uneven.
Pahayokee Overlook - This is a good place to see the vast stretches of saw grass sweeping to the horizon and islands of cypress trees. A short observation tower is accessible by ramp. Boardwalk.
Mahogany Hammock Trail - This trail leads through a tropical mahogany jungle, including the largest mahogany in the U.S. Following the trail counter-clockwise will make two small inclines easier. Boardwalk.
West Lake Trail - Leads through the fascinating mangrove forest to West Lake. An accessible restroom is located at the parking area of this trail. Boardwalk.
Bobcat Hammock - Located at Shark Valley, this trail goes through both hammock and open saw grass environments. Boardwalk.
Others - There are other trails at Long Pine Key and Flamingo that used to be dirt roads. Depending on the season, these may be muddy or passable. Check with rangers for the latest trail conditions and maps.
Backcountry Camping and Hiking
Everglades National Park has three kinds of backcountry campsites: Chickees, Ground Sites, and Beach Sites. There are 49 backcountry sites. Pets are not permitted at backcountry campsites, beaches, or ashore anywhere in the backcountry. Pets can disrupt feeding, nesting, and mating activities of wildlife.
For more information see the Camping and Hiking pages.
Biking
Bicycling is permitted along the main park roads, on the Shark Valley tram road, on the Old Ingraham Highway, on Long Pine Key Nature Trail, and on the Snake Bight and Rowdy Bend trails at Flamingo.
Bicycling at Shark Valley is a great way to experience the quiet beauty of the Everglades. As the saw grass prairie slowly unfolds before your eyes, stop and take a moment to enjoy the life that abounds.
For more information, see the Hiking and Biking Page.
Boating
The park's inland and coastal waters lead to the remote Everglade spots. Rent boats and slips at Flamingo. Buy navigational charts at Flamingo marina, Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, and Everglades City.
For more information, see the Boating Page.
Camping
There are three campgrounds inside the park; Long Pine Key, Flamingo, and Chekika. All campgrounds are open year round. Camping from May through October will be by self-registration at all campgrounds. Fees are not charged from June to August. If you have a Golden Age Pass (U.S. citizen 62 or older) or Golden Access Pass (permanently disabled), camping is half price. This does not apply toward group sites.
For more information, see the Camping Page.
Canoeing
Canoeing is an excellent way to explore the Everglades, because more than one third of the park is made up of marine areas and shallow estuaries. Check at the Flamingo or Gulf Coast Visitor Centers for maps and directions. Canoes may be rented at Flamingo and Gulf Coast.
For more information, see the Boating Page.
| Private Non-commercial Vehicle | $ 10.00 (Seven Day Pass) |
| Individual Entry (Bike, Foot) | $ 5.00 (Seven Day Pass) |
| Annual Everglades Pass | $ 25.00 (Season) |
| Gold Access Pass (Blind or permanently disabled individuals) | Free (Lifetime - good in all natl parks) |
| Golden Age Pass (1 time fee - for those 62+ years young) | $ 10.00 (Lifetime - good in all natl parks) |
| National Park Pass (good 1 year from date of purchase) | $ 50.00 (good in all natl parks) |
Golden Access Pass
The Golden Access Pass is a free pass available to all permanent US residents who are eligible to receive federal benefits based on disability, whether or not you are actually receiving them or not. This pass entitles the bearer, and immediate family or accompanying passengers in a private vehicle, to free admission to all US National Parks, Monuments, Forests, and Historic Sites, as well as half price camping. Apply in person at any National Park Service or US Forest Service area.
Fishing
All waters from, and including, Nine Mile Pond northward along the Main Park Road are considered fresh water. Interior rivers in the northern part of the park, such as the Turner River, are fresh water. Contact the Visitor Center and get up to date information on your catch limit. You are responsible to know your catch limit.
For more information, see the Fishing Page.
Food and Supplies
There is a restaurant and store at Flamingo. The restaurant may be closed during the summer; however, food is always available at the marina store. Local restaurants and grocery stores are available in Homestead, Florida City, Everglades City, and Miami. There are no banks or automatic teller machines in the park. Gasoline may obtained at the Flamingo Marina, and in communities adjacent to the park.
Hiking
Everglades National Park has many miles of hiking and biking trails. Choose the area of the park you are interested in exploring. Information on Royal Palm/Long Pine Key, Flamingo, Shark Valley, Biking the Shark Valley Tram Road and the Gulf Coast and on the Hiking Page.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding in the park requires a special use permit. Contact the chief ranger's office at 305-242- 7700 for more information.
Lodging
The Flamingo Hotel is the only lodging available in the park:
Amfac Park & Resorts
Flamingo, FL 33034
There is lodging and services available in the local communities of:
Homestead
Florida City
Miami
Everglades City
Chokoloskee
For more information, see the Lodging Page.
Permits and Fees
Permits are required for backcountry camping. Film permits and special use permits are handled on an individual basis; call: 305-242-7700. For research and collection permits, call: 305-242-7800.
Backcountry Fees
This fee, for the issuance of the required backcountry permit, will be a single charge per group.
See the Camping Page.
Regular Sites: $ 14.00 - maximum of 8 persons
Group Sites: $ 28.00 - maximum of 15 persons at Flamingo and Lone Pine Key
Group Sites: $ 28.00 - maximum of 20 persons at Chekika
Freshwater and saltwater fishing require separate Florida fishing licenses. See the Fishing Page for details.
Park regulations require that any group of more than 20 bicyclists obtain a Special Use Permit prior to their planned ride. Groups who wish to bicycle after park hours are also required to have a permit and are limited to no more than 25 persons. See the Hiking and Biking Page for details.
Applications for Special Use Permits can be obtained by calling: 305-225-3004 or 305-221-8776. To request an application in writing, contact:
Pet Information
Pets must be physically restrained and are not allowed on trails or in the amphitheaters.
Programs and Activities
Activities
Walking and canoe trails, boat tours and tram tours are excellent for viewing wildlife, including alligators and a multitude of tropical and temperate birds. Camping, whether in the backcountry or at established campgrounds, offers the opportunity to enjoy what the park offers firsthand. Ranger Led activities, offered throughout the park, may help you to enjoy your visit even more.
For a detailed list of Ranger-led activities, please see the Calendar Page.
Visitor Centers
Visitor centers are located at the main entrance (west of Homestead), Royal Palm, Flamingo, Shark Valley, and Gulf Coast (south of Everglades City).
Main Entrance (near Homestead and Florida City) is open daily: 24 hours a day
The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is open all year from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily
The Royal Palm Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:15 pm
The Flamingo Visitor Center is open from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm - Nov through Apr
Shark Valley is open daily, 8:30 am to 6:00 pm while the Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 am to 5:15 pm
Gulf Coast Visitor Center is open daily - Nov to Apr 7:30 am to 5:00 pm and - May to Nov 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
Phone: 305-242-7700
Located at the main park entrance west of Homestead and Florida City, the Coe Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Educational displays, orientation films, brochures, and information are available. Books, film, postcards, and insect repellent may be purchased in the bookstore. No trails start from this visitor center. The Long Pine Key Campground and Picnic Area is six miles further west, and is surrounded by an abundance of hiking trails.
In December, 1996, this new visitor center was opened and dedicated in honor of Ernest F. Coe, whose efforts over twenty years led to the Park's establishment. The new center replaces one destroyed in 1992's Hurricane Andrew. It employs state of the art technology to orient visitors to the Park and the issues confronting the South Florida ecosystem.
Royal Palm Visitor Center
Phone: 305-242-7700
Located four miles west of the main entrance station, the Royal Palm Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:15 pm. It has displays with recorded messages that interpret the park's unique ecosystems. Books, film, postcards, and insect repellent are available for sale, and vending machines dispense snacks and soft drinks. (No food or drink are permitted on the interpretive trails.) The Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo trails begin here.
Flamingo Visitor Center
Phone: 941-695-2945
Flamingo is 38 miles (61 km) southwest from the main entrance at the southern end of the park. The visitor center, open November through April from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, offers natural history exhibits and information. A restaurant, gift shop, lodge, and campground are nearby. Boat tours and canoe rentals are available at the marina. The marina also sells gas and general supplies. A post office is located in the lobby of the lodge. Several hiking and canoeing trails begin at Flamingo or nearby, including the south end of the Wilderness Waterway. Abundant wildlife may be found here year-round.
Gulf Coast Visitor Center
Phone: 941-695-3311
The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is located in Everglades City, in the northwest corner of the park. The visitor center has natural history exhibits, and information, and issues backcountry permits and park passes. It is open daily from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm November to April, and 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. May to November.
Gulf Coast is the gateway for exploring the Ten Thousand Islands, a maze of mangrove islands and waterways that extends south to Flamingo and Florida Bay. Manatees (Trichechus manatus), dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and osprey (Pandion haliaetus) coexist in this saltwater portion of the Everglades. A 1 hour 45 minute narrated boat trip provides an overall description of this saltwater ecosystem. Canoes may be rented to explore Chokoloskee Bay and the Turner River. For the more adventurous, the 99 mile (159 km) Wilderness Waterway, accessible by canoe, kayak, or small motorboat, winds through the mangrove islands all the way to Flamingo. Nautical charts are recommended, and backcountry permits are required for camping.
Shark Valley Visitor Center
Phone: 305-221-8776
Shark Valley is located along U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) on the northern border of the park. The visitor center is open daily from 8:30 am to 5:15 pm, and features exhibits, information, and book sales.
Shark Valley lies in the heart of the "river of grass" that stretches 100 miles (160 km) from Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico. Wildlife abounds here in a freshwater ecosystem of saw grass marsh and tree islands. A fifteen mile (24 km) tram road (not open to private motorized vehicles) extends into the marsh, offering one of the best opportunities to view alligators and the endangered snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus) in Everglades National Park. A two hour narrated tram ride provides an overview of the freshwater Everglades, and bicycles are available to rent. Those wishing to explore alone can walk the short trails and portions of the tram road, or bike. An observation tower located halfway around the tram road provides a spectacular view into the saw grass marsh.
Please see the Activities and Calendar Page for more information.
Weather
The Everglades is mild and pleasant from December through April, though rare cold fronts may create near freezing conditions. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures around 90° F / 32°C and humidity over 90%. Afternoon thunderstorms are common and mosquitoes are abundant.
See the Weather Page for current weather and other weather information.
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