The third-largest nationwide park within the US, a go to to Everglades Nationwide Park with youngsters can be one of many best to suit into your journey to Florida.
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Whether or not you’re planning a day journey from Miami, including the Florida Everglades right into a street journey to the Florida Keys, or combining it with one other a part of the Sunshine State, together with elsewhere in South Florida, Tampa and Orlando, this tropical wilderness is ideal for households with its fabulous wildlife and loads of outside adventures.
You possibly can observe alligators roaming of their pure habitat from the mountaineering trails or fly by means of the nationwide park on an exhilarating airboat tour, plus kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and birdwatching as a couple of different fashionable must-do actions. Residence to the American crocodile, turtles, snakes, and lizards, in addition to the endangered and elusive Florida panther, the half covers an enormous 1.5 million acres of wetlands in southern Florida.
So when you’re planning to go to Everglades Nationwide Park with youngsters and are feeling overwhelmed, this information highlights one of the best issues to do, together with high family-friendly actions to your journey, insider recommendations on one of the best hikes for households, one of the best time of 12 months to go, and learn how to get there.
Finest Time To Go to The Everglades
There are usually two fundamental seasons within the Everglades: moist and dry. Visiting the park between Might and October through the moist season is dangerous, because the summer season months in South Florida are typically extremely scorching and humid, making even quick excursions exhausting.
The dry season within the Everglades usually runs from November by means of April. This time of 12 months is nice and has decrease humidity, however the trails and guided excursions can get extra crowded with guests. Wildlife is simpler to identify throughout this time.
Needless to say hurricane season is at all times one thing to think about when planning a visit to Everglades Nationwide Park. Whereas hurricane season begins on June 1st and ends on November thirtieth, peak exercise is often August by means of October, so in case you are visiting Florida presently of 12 months, ensure to take precautions.
Getting To The Everglades
Miami and the Miami Worldwide Airport (MIA) are the closest main locations to the nationwide park (about two hours away by automotive). Nonetheless, it’s also possible to attain the park from different high Florida locations similar to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, and Key West.
You do want a automotive to discover Everglades Nationwide Park, because the distances from websites are removed from one another and there’s no public transportation obtainable.
In the event you’re planning a US street journey with youngsters, take a look at my information to planning a street journey with youngsters, my important street journey packing listing, street journey actions and one of the best street journey snacks
Park Entrances And Customer Facilities
Everglades Nationwide Park has three fundamental entrances and 4 customer facilities. Needless to say these entrances are hours aside and you can not drive by means of from one to the opposite, so be sure you plan your route forward.
In case you are making an attempt to get from the west to east coast of Florida (or vice versa), the Tamiami Path does take you near the Shark Valley entrance.
Gulf Coast Customer Heart
Situated in Everglades Metropolis, the southernmost metropolis of Florida’s west coast, the Gulf Coast Customer Heart is a short lived construction after the unique was destroyed by a hurricane – the brand new constructing is because of open in winter 2025.
That is additionally the entry level for Ten Thousand Islands, which is a community of gorgeous mangrove islands. Boat rides from the customer middle give you an opportunity to watch wading birds, dolphins, and when you’re fortunate, West Indian manatees.
You aren’t very prone to see alligators on this aspect of the park although.
Shark Valley Customer Heart
Situated on the northern fringe of the “River Of Grass,” an enormous freshwater prairie, you’ll discover the Shark Valley Customer Heart.
It’s about 73 miles from Naples and 40 miles from Miami and is by far the park’s hottest entry level and a simple day journey from Miami.
It’s also possible to stroll or bike the 15-mile loop street immediately from the customer middle when you solely have time for a brief go to in your technique to one other a part of Florida.
Ernest F. Coe Customer Heart
Ernest Coe Customer Heart is the biggest and most complete customer middle at Everglades Nationwide Park and is positioned about 50 miles south of Miami.
That is additionally the park’s headquarters, and the world is surrounded by dense forest and moist prairies, making it a fantastic spot for recognizing wildlife.
There are a number of strolling trails from this customer middle, in addition to the close by Royal Palm Nature Heart.
Man Bradley Customer Heart
In Flamingo, the Man Bradley Customer Heart is a newly opened facility sitting on the fringe of the Everglades at Florida Bay.
On the fringe of the water, you possibly can spot dolphins, manatees and wild flamingos. You’ll discover a assortment of fascinating displays to grasp the ecology and wildlife of the Everglades, whereas the mid-century pink constructing’s giant home windows have unimaginable views overlooking the bay itself.
Issues To Do At Everglades Nationwide Park
Whereas many guests spend lower than a day within the Nationwide Park, typically only a fast airboat tour and a present, there’s a lot to find at Everglades with youngsters.
A World Heritage website and Worldwide Biosphere Reserve, it has the biggest mangrove ecosystem within the western hemisphere, the biggest steady stand of sawgrass prairie and is the biggest subtropical wilderness within the nation.
Mountain climbing
Whereas mountaineering in Florida is extra of a flat journey (as a result of there aren’t any mountains within the Sunshine State), it’s nicely price following one of many trails within the Everglades Nationwide Park with youngsters. For a scenic journey, comply with considered one of these quick and simple trails that are nice for households.
Gumbo Limbo Path – A 0.4-mile simple path that passes by means of the shade palm and gumbo limbo hammock. This path is accessible from the Ernest F. Coe Customer Heart.
Anhinga Path – Thought-about a must-do within the Everglades, this 0.8-mile simple loop path can be accessible from the Ernest F. Coe Customer Heart. With a fantastic likelihood of recognizing a lot of wildlife, it’s one of the fashionable trails within the park.
It’s also possible to take a starlight stroll on the Anhinga Path. Alligators feed at evening, so one of the best ways to catch one in motion is to go to the Anhinga Path as soon as it will get darkish, convey your flashlight, and take a stroll – for sure, that is higher with older youngsters than toddlers!
You possibly can go to any or all the platformed areas above the water the place the alligators feed on the fish, shine your flashlight into the water and also you’re in for fairly a sight!
Or simply hear for a couple of minutes to the alligators splash whereas they’re catching their fish and watch them glide by means of the water, silently stalking their meal.
Mahogany Hammock Path – A 0.5-mile simple boardwalk path, this takes you previous the biggest residing mahogany tree in the USA, in addition to gumbo-limbo bushes. It’s 20 miles from the primary park entrance to the park and Ernest Coe Customer Heart.
Not removed from this path, it’s also possible to uncover the Pahayokee Overlook, which seems to be out over the Rivers of Grass
West Lake Path – A 0.5-mile simple path with a boardwalk that suspends you over a gorgeous mangrove swamp. This path is accessible from the Man Bradley Customer Heart.
Snake Bight Path – This unpaved 1.6-mile simple path is prime terrain for wildlife recognizing and is accessible from the Man Bradley Customer Heart.
Bobcat Boardwalk – A 0.5-mile simple raised boardwalk that crosses over a sawgrass slough and is accessible from the Shark Valley Customer Heart.
Park Loop Path – Often known as the centerpiece of the Shark Valley, this path is accessible from the Shark Valley Customer Heart. This 15-mile paved loop can be wealthy in wildlife and might be explored on foot or bike.
Eco Pond – A 0.5-mile simple path across the freshwater pond, the place you possibly can see birdlife galore, in addition to typically recognizing alligators and Florida softshell turtles. Accessible from the Flamingo Customer Heart.
It’s price figuring out that the ramped viewing platform was broken by hurricanes and has been eliminated.
Spot alligators
If you wish to spot alligators, head to Shark Valley. Though this space doesn’t have a lot by way of actions, you’ll be blown away by the sheer variety of alligators and spectacular nature views.
Observe the 15-mile loop from the customer middle and no matter you do, don’t skip the Shark Valley Commentary Tower for unimaginable vistas overlooking the park.
Canoeing/kayaking
There are various alternatives to get out and paddle at Everglades Nationwide Park, with the choice to launch your canoe and kayak at both the Man Bradley or Gulf Coast Customer Facilities.
From right here, you are able to do day journeys, or there’s additionally a full two-week tour with 100 miles of interconnected backcountry campsites between the 2 factors when you’re planning an extended household journey with older youngsters.
A favourite for day trippers is the 9 Mile Pond, which takes you thru 5.2 miles of grass marsh and mangrove islands. Tour The Glades is extremely advisable when you’re on the lookout for guided boat excursions of the world (they usually even have bike leases too).
It’s also possible to canoe down the Buttonwood Canal, which is a part of the longer Mud Lake canoe path (the entire path stretches round seven miles).
Birdwatching
The Everglades is house to greater than 300 species of birds, together with pelicans and wild flamingos.
You possibly can get pleasure from fowl watching from wherever within the park, however there are a couple of fashionable spots to see particular fowl species.
If you wish to spot bigger birds, one of the best locations are the ponds. A number of favorites embrace Paurotis Pond, Mrazek Pond, Eco Pond and 9 Mile Pond.
Fishing
Fishing within the Everglades is feasible at Gulf Coast, Man Bradley and Ernest F Coe Customer Facilities. You’ll want a Florida fishing license, however in case you are simply visiting you possibly can seize a non-resident or one-day license.
There are greater than 70 varieties of fish within the Everglades waterways, together with blackline snooks, sheephead and snapper. You possibly can even land a tarpon whereas within the Everglades!
Everglades Metropolis is named the fishing paradise of the world, and there are a number of fishing information companies obtainable there.
Ranger-Led Packages
The Everglades has some unimaginable ranger applications, and they’re simply probably the greatest methods to totally expertise this distinctive space of Florida.
You’ll have the chance to slog by means of wetlands, bike, kayak or boat with a educated Park Ranger, and there are family-friendly actions too.
Most of the ranger-led applications on the Everglades do require reservations prematurely so test forward.
Among the greatest applications embrace the Royal Palms and Gulf Coast areas of the park, however there’s loads of alternative for various ages, whether or not you favor a ranger discuss or one thing extra lively.
The ranger-led seven-mile bike trip on the Lengthy Pine Key trails, a couple of miles from Flamingo, is a good free tour. The primary 10 folks to affix the tour are supplied with bikes and helmets (non-compulsory). All tour members are supplied with water as nicely.
It’s one of the advisable excursions as a result of the ranger factors out most of the belongings you would by no means usually discover when you have been simply biking the path by your self. Alongside the way in which, the ranger explains the several types of terrains that make up the Everglades and introduces among the distinctive wildlife.
The Shark Valley ranger excursions embrace the Shark Valley tram tour, that’s enjoyable for youthful youngsters, whereas the Flamingo excursions embrace an animal-themed stroll.
And take a look at the Junior Ranger program and actions whilst you’re visiting Everglades Nationwide Park with youngsters.
Airboat Excursions
In the event you’re visiting the Everglades Nationwide Park with youngsters, you’ve in all probability already imagined your self using in an airboat – and it’s positively an journey to recollect!
That is an immersive technique to see all that the Everglades has to supply, as you’ll be capable to keep secure and cozy as you enterprise deep into the park and see alligators and different animals up shut. Airboat rides are extremely fashionable and are a novel and enjoyable technique to expertise the park.
In the event you select to take an airboat tour, it’s greatest to go together with an organization that’s licensed by the Nationwide Park Service. There are 3: Everglades Safari Park, Coopertown and Gator Park.
This tour from Everglades Safari Park features a 40-minute airboat trip in addition to a Wildlife Nature present, whereas this related tour from Gator Park additionally takes you thru the River of Grass, plus one other related tour from Coopertown Everglades airboat excursions features a assembly with a 14ft alligator!
Go to Everglades Marvel Gardens
Everglades Marvel Gardens is positioned in Bonita Springs, Florida, and opened in 1936 as a refuge for injured animals – right now the gardens are thought of a roadside attraction.
The animals within the gardens are saved of their pure habitat, however it could be unlikely so that you can see them within the wild. This isn’t strictly a petting zoo, though you could need to fill up on some quarters as a result of you possibly can feed a couple of of the animals.
It’s price figuring out that there’s one room that options taxidermy from many alternative animals – one thing that tends to fascinate or freak out youngsters. There are additionally articles, information clippings and outdated footage hanging on the partitions displaying the historical past of Everglades Marvel Gardens to be taught extra about this attraction.
Ideas For Your Go to To Everglades Nationwide Park
Everglades Nationwide Park has an entrance price of $35 per automotive. In case you are arriving with out a automotive (for instance, to affix one of many guided excursions), there’s a price of $20 – youngsters aged 15 and below are free.
It doesn’t matter what time of 12 months you go to, be sure you pack insect repellent (bug spray is much more important at evening), sunblock, a hat and water. Cameras and light-weight binoculars are additionally extremely advisable for wildlife viewing.
Whereas exploring, do NOT get near the wildlife, particularly the alligators. Though they might appear torpid, they’ll transfer in a short time when provoked so at all times keep at a secure distance.
Don’t feed or contact any wildlife within the park.
Leashed pets are solely allowed on paved areas within the park, so it’s a good suggestion to go away your furry buddies at house to your Everglades go to.
Everglades Nationwide Park is the proper mix of gorgeous wilderness and wildlife viewing. It’s a wonderful vacation spot for households who need to expertise Florida’s distinctive landscapes totally whereas mountaineering, biking, fishing and paddling by means of considered one of America’s most beautiful nationwide parks.
The place to remain when visiting Everglades Nationwide Park
Do think about tenting within the park you probably have time, fairly than a single day go to. Getting a really feel of the character provides an entire completely different really feel to a go to to Everglades Nationwide Park with youngsters.
There are two drive-in campgrounds, each accessible from the Homestead entrance, in addition to choices to camp (safely) within the wilderness when you’re feeling adventurous. For sure, you possibly can’t simply pitch up with a tent and arrange camp wherever you fancy…
For extra concepts of issues to do in Florida with youngsters, take a look at my Florida Keys itinerary, in addition to concepts for issues to do in Miami with youngsters, Tampa with youngsters, Orlando with youngsters and one of the best Florida seashores
Disclosure: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
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