Best trails in Everglades National Park
Located on the southernmost tip of Florida, just %{55_miles} south of Miami, lies one of the world's largest wetlands. Everglades National Park protects the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. The earliest inhabitants in the area called this land Pahayokee, which translates to "grassy waters." The slow-moving and shallow river is filled with sawgrass marshes, cypress swamps, and mangrove forests. There are more than 70 threatened and endangered species, such as the manatee, that call these %{1500000_acres} their home.
Because the park is so large, it's divided into 4 areas: Pine Island, Flamingo, Shark Valley, and Gulf Coast. We recommend spending at least 2 full days in the park, which allows you to explore 2 sections each day. There's plenty to discover, including several visitor centers, short interpretive trails, boat or tram tours, and wildlife viewing in some of the most magnificent environments.
The best time to visit the Everglades is from November to May, when the dry season brings pleasant weather and temperatures to the area.
There is an entrance fee to visit the park, which you can pay online in advance or in person at a fee station.
Top trails
- (2447)•Easy•0.8 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThis short loop trail is an excellent spot for observing wildlife and birds. If you're interested in safely viewing alligators, turtles, and a variety of bird species, you'll find the boardwalk and paved path ideal. The trail's short distance and well-maintained paths make it a popular choice for all visitors, including families with children. In the summer, temperatures can rise significantly, and there is minimal shade along the trail. Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and...
- (1302)•Easy•14.9 mi•Est. 4.5–5 hrShark Valley is located in the heart of the Everglades freshwater marsh. The trail is paved, making it accessible for walking, biking (you can rent a bike on-site), or taking a guided tram ride. This route runs alongside the Shark River Slough, providing opportunities to view wildlife up close, including alligators, turtles, and a variety of bird species. According to wheelchairtraveling.com: Shark Valley Visitor Center is located on the northern border of Everglades National Park, on...
- (1096)•Easy•0.5 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrA short and sweet paved path through a lush and tropical forest. This path is self-guided and leads through a beautiful forest full of amazing local flora and fauna. This trail is named after the Gumbo Limbo trees which you are able to spot along the trail. According to wheelchairtraveling.com: Royal Palm Visitor Center is located on a short spur road on the south side of the main road and is open 8 am-4:30 pm. In addition to a small store and accessible restrooms, there are two accessible...
- (771)•Easy•0.4 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrExplore this self-guided boardwalk trail that wanders through a hardwood "hammock" full of a variety of plant species. The Gumbo-Limbo trees are abundant in this area as well as air plants and large mahogany trees. According to Accessible Nature (https://www.accessiblenature.info/?page_id=144#federal): This wheelchair-accessible trail features the largest living mahogany tree in the US. Accessibility: There are 3 designated accessible spaces in the paved parking lot off of Mahogany...
- (527)•Easy•0.4 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrPinelands Trail is a short loop trail 2 miles west of the Long Pine Key turnoff on the main park road. This trail travels through a dense forest full of pines and palmettos with abundant wildflowers as well. According to Accessible Nature (https://www.accessiblenature.info/?page_id=144#federal): This 0.4-mile trail loops through a forest of pines, palmettos, and wildflowers. Accessibility: There appears to be 3 designated accessible spaces in the paved parking lot off of Ingraham Highway at...
- (445)•Easy•0.4 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThis is a short accessible trail that winds through a sawgrass slough. The boardwalk allows visitors to view the wonderful wildlife all around them while also providing self-guided interpretive signs. According to Accessible Nature (https://www.accessiblenature.info/?page_id=144#federal): This is a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk trail that features a sawgrass slough and tropical hardwood forests. Accessibility: There are 5 designated accessible spaces in the paved parking lot off of East...
- (329)•Easy•3.7 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrSnake Bight is a short and flat trail, so don't let the name deter you! A bight is a bay within a larger bay (Florida Bay). The boardwalk at the end of the trail offers excellent bird watching, but bikes are not allowed throughout the boardwalk section. It is recommended to bring bug spray due to the number of bugs present in the warm months.
- (265)•Easy•0.4 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThis trail has great views of the lake and a variety of wildlife that lives here. According to Accessible Nature (https://www.accessiblenature.info/?page_id=144#federal): This is a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk trail that features white mangrove, black mangrove, red mangrove, and buttonwood trees to the edge of West Lake. Accessibility: There are 2 designated accessible spaces in the paved parking lot off of State Highway 9336 at the north end of the trail. Both of them are...
- (277)•Easy•1.5 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThis path goes from the Visitor Center to the Flamingo Campground and is good for walking, cycling, wheelchairs/mobility equipment users, and strollers. You can see old pier pilings from when Flamingo used to be a fishing village. According to wheelchairtraveling.com: Flamingo Visitor Center is located on the shore of Florida Bay at the end of the main park road and is open 8 am-4:30 pm during the dry season (staffed intermittently during the wet season; phone 239-695-2945). The two-story...
- (240)•Moderate•11.8 mi•Est. 3.5–4 hrAlthough this trail is passable, it is not maintained by the National Park Service due to habitat protection for endangered species. The wide, rocky path cuts through a shrubby pineland forest, leading from Pine Glades Lake to Long Pine Key Road, in the heart of one of the Everglades' rarest ecosystems. Along the palmetto-lined corridors of South Florida slash pines, you’ll find an abundance of birds, insects, and flowering plants. Besides some seasonal washout zones in waterlogged prairie...
Visitor info
All accredited educational and scientific institutions are eligible to receive free entrance to the park. Bringing your classroom to the park can present many unique learning opportunities and novel ways for your students to advance their studies. The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA), Public Law 108-447, provides the National Park Service statutory authority to allow “outings conducted for non-commercial educational purposes by schools or bona fide academic institutions.”
Good for 7 consecutive days at all park entrances.
Good for 7 consecutive days at all park entrances. Admits one individual hiker, bicyclist, pedestrian, or human-powered paddlecraft, when not arriving in a vehicle or vessel. Individuals 15 years old and younger, are admitted free of charge.
Admits the passholder and passengers of a single vehicle or vessel. Good for 7 consecutive days at all park entrances.
The Everglades Annual Pass admits the pass holder, passenger on one motorcycle, or passengers of a single vehicle or vessel to Everglades National Park.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
No entrance pass required on these days:
Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The Ernest F. Coe, Royal Palm, Flamingo, Shark Valley, and Gulf Coast Visitor Centers are all accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers. Orientation films include closed captioning.
Assistive listening devices, tactile exhibits, and Braille materials are available. Loaner wheelchairs are available at the Royal Palm Visitor Center, Flamingo Visitor Center, Shark Valley Visitor Center, and Gulf Coast Visitor Center.
Some ranger-led programs are wheelchair accessible.
Additional information about accessibility at Everglades National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The Ernest F. Coe, Royal Palm, Flamingo, Shark Valley, and Gulf Coast Visitor Centers are all accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers. Orientation films include closed captioning.
The boat tours from Flamingo and Gulf Coast, plus the Shark Valley tram tour, are wheelchair accessible. Assistive listening devices are available for these tours. Please call in advance to make a reservation for accessibility services.
The Long Pine Key and Flamingo frontcountry Campgrounds have individual wheelchair accessible camping sites and wheelchair accessible restrooms and parking.
The Pearl Bay Chickee backcountry Campground has one individual wheelchair accessible camping site with handrails, a canoe dock, and an accessible chemical toilet. This campsite is reached by a four-hour canoe trip.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
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Frequently asked questions
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Attractions
- Beach trails in Everglades National Park
- Easy trails in Everglades National Park
- Forest trails in Everglades National Park
- Lake trails in Everglades National Park
- Long trails in Everglades National Park
- Moderate trails in Everglades National Park
- No dogs trails in Everglades National Park
- River trails in Everglades National Park
- Short trails in Everglades National Park
- Scenic viewpoint trails in Everglades National Park
- Wildflowers trails in Everglades National Park
- Wildlife trails in Everglades National Park
Points of interest
- Long Pine Key Lake
- Shark Valley Observation Tower
- Eco Pond
- West Lake
- Long Pine Key Picnic Area
- Bear Lake
- Clubhouse Beach
- Flamingo Campground
- Coot Bay
- Old Ingraham
- Pearl Bay Chickee
- Hells Bay Chickee #2
- Pa-hay-okee Overlook Platform
- Ernest Coe
- Bear Lake Mound
- Pearl Bay
- Hells Bay Chickee #1
- Joe River Chickee #1
- Gaskin Bay
- Lane Cove
