Top 10 Things to do in Everglades National Park
Written by Caly Behymer
Spanning over 1.5 million acres of wetlands in Southern Florida, Everglades National Park is a one-of-a-kind ecosystem teeming with wildlife, from alligators and manatees to rare birds and lush mangroves. Whether you’re paddling through the backwaters or spotting gators along the trails, the Everglades offers a wild, unforgettable adventure. Here’s a list of the top 10 things to do while exploring this unique and untamed landscape.
Be sure to download your free PDF copy of Top 10 Things to do in Everglades National Park by clicking here. Join in on the fun as Randy, Caly and Ranger Daniel Blankenship talk about the Everglades on the RVD Podcast by clicking here!
10. Take a Tour – A great way to experience Everglades National Park is by taking a tour. With a wide range of tours available, both park-led and guided by authorized outfitters, visitors can explore the park’s unique ecosystems. Park-led programs include ranger-guided hikes, bike rides, canoe trips, and swamp walks, providing an immersive way to experience the wetlands with expert insights into the flora and fauna. Additionally, the park offers tram tours at Shark Valley, boat tours at the Gulf Coast, and special astronomy programs. For a more specialized experience, outfitters offer guided kayaking and canoeing tours, airboat rides in surrounding areas, and photography or birdwatching tours.
9. Fun Ways to Stay – Want to try a new way to stay in Everglades outside of your RV? The Flamingo Lodge offers 24 modern rooms constructed from repurposed shipping containers, each elevated to provide stunning views of Florida Bay. For a unique experience on the water, guests can rent 42-foot houseboats equipped with essential amenities, comfortably accommodating up to six people. And for those wanting to rough it a little more gracefully, the glamping tents provide a blend of comfort and nature, featuring safari-style accommodations with fans and electricity.
8. Get on the Water – Canoeing and kayaking in the park offer an unforgettable way to explore the park’s winding mangrove tunnels, open bays and peaceful freshwater marshes. Visitors can bring their own vessels or rent canoes and kayaks on-site at Flamingo or Gulf Coast, with access to marked water trails ranging from short paddles to multi-day adventures. It’s one of the best ways to experience the park’s quiet beauty and get up close to its incredible wildlife.
7. Stay on the Land – With over 40-miles of trails, the park offers a variety of hiking and walking opportunities that showcase the park’s diverse ecosystems—from sawgrass prairies to dense cypress swamps. Many of the trails are short, flat, and easily accessible, like the Anhinga Trail, located near the Royal Palm Visitor Center. This easy, 0.8-mile loop features paved paths and boardwalks that wind through a sawgrass marsh, offering excellent opportunities to spot alligators, turtles, herons, and the trail’s namesake bird, the anhinga. For those seeking a more immersive wilderness experience, the park offers several longer, backcountry trails that take you deep into remote and wild parts of the park.
6. Stop by a Visitor Center – Everglades National Park has several visitor centers, each offering unique insights and access points to the park’s diverse ecosystems. The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, located near Homestead at the park’s southeast entrance, serves as the main hub with exhibits, maps, and ranger-led programs. The Flamingo Visitor Center, farther south, is great for exploring Florida Bay and offers access to boat rentals and trails. On the park’s west side, the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City is the gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands, perfect for kayaking and boat tours. The Shark Valley Visitor Center, off Tamiami Trail (US 41), features a popular tram tour and a 15-mile paved loop ideal for biking and wildlife viewing.
5. Take a Bike Ride – Biking is a great way to explore the park, offering a unique perspective on its vast landscapes and abundant wildlife. One of the most popular routes is the Shark Valley Loop, a 15-mile paved trail that winds through sawgrass prairies and offers frequent wildlife sightings—plus a scenic observation tower at the halfway point. Cyclists can bring their own bikes or rent them at the Shark Valley Visitor Center. Other bike-friendly areas include the Long Pine Key trails and parts of the Old Ingraham Highway near Royal Palm, ideal for more adventurous riders.
4. Go Watch Some Birds – Everglades National Park is a world-renowned destination for bird watching, home to over 360 species of birds throughout the year. From wading birds like roseate spoonbills and great egrets to raptors, owls, and colorful migrants, the park offers incredible viewing opportunities in every season. Top spots include the Anhinga Trail, Shark Valley, and the Coastal Prairie, where patient observers can spot everything from rare snail kites to flocks of ibis and herons. Early mornings and winter months are especially rewarding for birders.
3. Catch a Fish – Fishing in the park is a popular activity, offering both freshwater and saltwater opportunities across its vast ecosystems. Anglers can fish from boats, the shore, or designated areas like Flamingo, Gulf Coast and along canals near Shark Valley. The waters are home to snook, redfish, tarpon, sea trout, largemouth bass, bluegill and bowfin. A valid Florida fishing license is required, and anglers must follow both state and park regulations regarding seasons, limits, and gear.
2. Back Country Camping – Backcountry camping in the park provides a unique opportunity to stay in remote, tranquil settings, with some campsites even perched on decks over the water. These waterfront campsites, such as those in the Ten Thousand Islands, offer stunning views and the chance to wake up right on the water’s edge. Access to these sites is typically via boat, kayak, or canoe, making it a true wilderness experience. While some sites have basic amenities like a small dock or platform, most are primitive and require campers to bring all their gear, water, and food. To camp at these sites, a backcountry permit is required, and reservations can be made in advance through the park’s website.
1. Walk Through a Swamp – Swamp walks the park offer a way to experience the park’s wetlands up close. These guided excursions allow visitors to trek through the sawgrass marshes, cypress swamps, and shallow waters of the Everglades, offering a chance to see wildlife and ecosystems that are inaccessible via regular trails. Knowledgeable guides share insights into the park’s diverse flora and fauna, from alligators to rare birds and plants. The swamp walks are typically led by park rangers or approved outfitters, and participants should be prepared for muddy, wet conditions.
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