Everglades National Park Guide : National Parks Navigator

Everglades

Everglades National Park

This Park is 1.5 million acres of wilderness that is mostly tropical wetland.

Whether you arrive by ferry, cruise ship, plane or car, Miami, Florida is huge seaport and vibrant city with nearby Miami Beach. Just to the South of Miami is the eastern entrance to Everglades National Park at Homestead (Coe). Take Highway (U.S.1) then turn on Palm Drive in Florida City and follow the signs to the park. You can also just drive South from Naples on the Gulf Coast of Florida on Highway 41 and then Highway 29 and reach Everglades City. Highway 41 will take you clear accross the Everglades appearing as a river of grass to Shark Valley Visitor Center or Miami at its end. This is not just a place to see Pink Flamingoes and Alligators. It is also Florida Bay, with numerous islands or Keys, home to many fish species, manatees and sea turtles. It is a vast subtropical wilderness unique in North America.

What to visit?

All visitors should start at the Visitor Centers: Coe, Flamingo, Gulf Coast, or Shark Valley. In the Everglades, the quantity and diversity of animal life is large. Birds, fish, dolphins, turtles, tortoises, pelicans, alligators, crocodiles, deer and raccoon are all around. Much of the place sits on the boundary between salt water and fresh water environments so it is inhabited by dual populations. Diversity of the plant life doesn't seem to exist in the Everglades. Everywhere you look you see mangroves, nothing but mangroves who love salt water. Of course a few other species exist, but they're obscure. Canoeists and kayakers find a vast arry of paddle routes in the Everglades with camping sites with many campsites along the way. Ranger led canoe and kayak trips are also available. Facilities include boat docking facilities and camping at Flamingo. Everglades City on the Gulf Coast has a Visitor Center, commercial boat tours of the Ten Thousand Islands region.

How to get around?

Concession Tours are available from the park Visitor Centers. Rangers also explain canoe and kayak trips that are available. The longest route is the Wilderness Waterway. You are also welcome to visit in your own boat.

Where to stay?

Find the best Hotels near this National Park such as Marriott Homestead Suites Hotel, Marriott Homestead Courtyard Hotel and the Hampton Inn Suites Homestead Hotel.

Where to Eat?

This is a bring your own food type of Park. Everglades City and Homestead offers a variety of restaurants and supermarkets. Water is only available at the Visitor Centers.

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How to get to the Park?

Access: If you arrive by car. The most direct route is off of US Route 1 in Homestead, then take 5336 to the Visitor Center. By Boat, the Intracoastal Waterway goes along the edge of Florida Bay. You can also just drive South from Naples on the Gulf Coast of Florida on Highway 41 and then Highway 29 and reach Everglades City. Highway 41 will take you clear accross the Everglades appearing as a river of grass to Shark Valley Visitor Center or Miami at its end. Biscayne National Park is also nearby in Homestead and Biscayne Bay.

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