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Everglades National Park

Near Homestead · United States of America

Background

World Heritage since
1979
Type of site
Natural
Dedicated as a national park
1947

This site at the southern tip of Florida has been called a river of grass flowing imperceptibly from the hinterland into the sea. UNESCO says the exceptional variety of its water habitats has made it a sanctuary for a large number of birds and reptiles, and for threatened species such as the manatee.

Wikipedia: the park protects the southern fifth of the original Everglades, fed by a river moving a quarter of a mile a day out of Lake Okeechobee; it was the first national park created to protect an ecosystem rather than scenery, holds the largest mangrove system in the Western Hemisphere, and is home to the Florida panther, American crocodile and West Indian manatee. Wikivoyage: in the dry season facilities are open and wildlife easy to see. The GoGo Miami guide makes it a full day from Homestead.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 1882Plans arise to drain the wetlands for farms and homes
  2. 1934The park is established to save the vanishing Everglades
  3. 1947Dedicated as canal-building spreads across South Florida
  4. 1976UNESCO biosphere reserve
  5. 1979Inscribed as World Heritage
  6. 1987Listed as a Ramsar wetland of international importance

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Anhinga Trail
    Royal Palm's boardwalk, the easiest wildlife viewing, best in the dry season.
  2. 2
    Shark Valley
    The tram shuttle and bike hire into the sawgrass.
  3. 3
    Flamingo and Florida Bay
    Boats and tours where fresh water meets salt, among 200 keys.
  4. 4
    The Mangroves
    The largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere.
  5. 5
    Alligators and Crocodiles
    Both live here; the floating logs in Florida Bay are often crocodiles.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Dry Season Is Best
Wikivoyage: winter to May the wildlife gathers at the deeper water; from June to October facilities may close.
Two Roads from Miami
Wikivoyage: Route 41 runs west and Route 1 south; fill the tank first, and there is no public transport inside the park.
Quiet on the Boardwalks
Walk softly on the Anhinga Trail so the shyer animals stay; bikes are for hire at Shark Valley and Flamingo.
Alligators Rarely Attack
Wikivoyage: avoid them in mating season and keep your distance; attacks are very rare.

Everglades from Miami

From the GoGo Miami guide · Open the Miami Guide ›

  1. 08:00
    Everglades National Park7 hrs
    Airboats, alligators and the Anhinga Trail from Homestead.
  2. 19:30
    Cuban Dinner90 min
    Cuban sandwich and mojitos in Little Havana.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: Nov–Apr. Rainy season Jun–Sep.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Sep (212 mm), driest Jan (38 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 76 · Wikipedia: Everglades National Park · Wikivoyage: Everglades National Park (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Miami guide · UNESCO listing