One Day in Everglades National Park: Exploring the Subtropical Wilderness
By Daniella from Sampler Platter Travel – this guide to Everglades National Park contains affiliate links to trusted partners!
Only have one day in Everglades National Park and want to know how to maximize your visit?
One day in the Everglades may be short, but it gives you enough time to see the highlights of the park.
We did a half-day tour and loved our time there. We thought we got a good sample of everything that the park has to offer with an airboat ride, a scenic drive, and seeing some crocodiles.
While you could certainly spend more than one day in Everglades National Park, Sampler Platter Travel is dedicated to fast itineraries helping you prioritize things to do if you only have a short amount of time.
Happy sampling!
Introduction to Everglades National Park
So you want to visit the Everglades National Park?
This is a great choice – the Everglades is a subtropical wilderness in South Florida that hosts an incredibly unique ecosystem.
The park spans over 1.5 million acres and was established as a National Park in 1947 to protect the critical habitat for endangered species and wildlife. It is one of 3 national parks in Florida!
The Everglades is a wonderful place to learn about cultural history as it is home to the indigenous tribes of the Miccosukee and the Seminole.
Spending a day in Everglades National Park makes it super easy to hop over and spend one day in Biscayne National Park, located only 30 minutes away!
Caught the National Park bug?
Check out other blogs in our ‘One Day in a National Park’ series:
Top 5 Reasons to Visit the Everglades
I hope you need no convincing to visit the Everglades, but in case you do, here are the top five reasons to go to this incredibly unique national park:
1. Rare and Endangered Species
Animal lovers will be thrilled to know that the Everglades is home to rare and endangered species, including the Florida Panther, the manatee, and the American crocodile. When you are in the park, there is a high chance that you will be able to see at least one of these animals, especially crocodiles.
2. Stargazing Adventures
The Everglades sits in an area with very little light pollution, making it a wonderful place for stargazing. Visiting the park at night has become so popular that the park even offers nighttime tours. Go on a moonlight paddle or a ranger-led night hike.
3. Unique Ecosystem
The Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the US, meaning you will encounter a diverse range of habitats. From mangrove forests to marshes, there are so many ecosystems in the Everglades. Now, while you may not enjoy getting eaten alive by mosquitoes at every turn, you won’t find this biome anywhere else in the U.S.
4. Outdoor Activities
While the Everglades may not be known for tough mountain hikes like some of the western National Parks, there are still wonderful outdoor activities that can be enjoyed. These include kayaking, canoeing, and biking as the park does not have a shortage of trails and waterways.
5. Availability of Tours
I’m not sure if this is just me but when visiting the western parks, there is a lot of DIY going on, with most hiking occurring on your own. What’s awesome about the Everglades is that there are a lot of programs and tours that will guide you around the park.
When Should You Visit the Everglades National Park
Since the Everglades National Park is located in South Florida, you can expect very hot and humid temperatures from late spring to early fall.
For the best temperature (less rain and less humidity), we highly suggest visiting during the dry season of December to April. During colder months, animal species congregate in specific areas, making tourism and animal viewing a lot more predictable.
From May to October, rainy season brings wetness to the already hot and humid days! If you can avoid visiting the Everglades during this time of the year, we highly suggest doing so.
Getting to Everglades National Park
Alright, this is a confusing one – the Everglades spans 1.5 million acres and has 4 visitor centers! (Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, Royal Palm Visitor Center, Flamingo Visitor Center, & Shark Valley Visitor Center)
We recommend flying into Miami International Airport (MIA), located around 30 minutes from the park to the northeast. Keep in mind that Miami’s traffic is quite atrocious, so it could take a lot longer to get there.
If you want a cheaper flight and don’t mind driving further, the Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood (FLL) airport tends to be more affordable than MIA, although it is located around 1 hour from the park.
From there, your two options are to (1) rent a car or (2) take a guided tour from Miami.
Taking a guided tour from Miami will be more seamless, however, you will have far less flexibility.
We recommend renting a car if you want to explore at your own pace. Because the Everglades has 4 different visitor centers, if you want to book a tour, we suggest doing so before you start the drive. You never know where the tour might depart from!
See below for a map of the 4 visitor center locations. As you might be able to tell, they’re quite spread out! Make sure you plan your trip before you begin the drive from the airport.
Everglades National Park Entrance Fee
| Pass | Price |
| Standard Pass | $20-$35 |
| Annual Pass | $70 |
| America the Beautiful (Including the Senior Passes) | FREE-$80 |
7 Best Things to Do in Everglades National Park
1. Airboat Tours
it’s not a trip to the Everglades without taking a tour on an airboat. This iconic boat has a fan attached to it, allowing it to navigate the shallow Everglades water. One-third of the Everglades is covered by water.
There is no shortage of airboat tours available in the Everglades, but we recommend the Everglades Safari Park as the most accessible and affordable option.
2. Wildlife Viewing
If you are very interested in spotting wildlife (including alligators, birds, and maybe if you’re very lucky, manatees) the best place to go is Shark Valley. This is a 15-mile loop that you can explore by tram, bike, or foot.
For a 2-hour-long guided tram tour, check out the Shark Valley Tram Tours.
3. Kayaking and Canoeing
This is a wonderful option for travelers looking to experience the mangroves and marshes up close and personal. For the best kayaking and canoe trails, check out Nine Mile Pond and Hells Bay.
Top tours are offered by the Everglades Area Tours and Everglades Adventures, which offer guided and self-guided kayak and canoe tours.
4. Bird Watching in Flamingo
If you’re really into birds, you’ll be happy to know that the best place for birdwatching is the Flamingo area!
See wading birds, waterfowl, and tons of activity during winter migration.
For a tour group, check out Everglades Adventures (like above), which offers bird-watching tours, kayak rentals, and boat tours.
5. Hiking
Ok, so maybe the thought of hiking on a hot Florida day is not your cup of tea. Believe me, I get it! Yet, if you are still interested in walking in the Everglades, you have to check out the Anhinga Trail, one of the most popular options. Trails in the Everglades are almost completely flat, and most, like Anhinga, are paved, making them very accessible.
6. Biking
If you want to stay slightly cooler by biking instead of hiking, make sure to check out the Long Pine Key Nature Trail, a wonderful scenic trail perfect for bikes.
It’ll take you through pine lands and sawgrass prairies, and you might view a few different animals.
There are various bike rental locations throughout the park, but we personally love Shark Valley Tram Tours’ bike rental.
7. Fishing
Finally, if you are a fan of fishing, you can get both freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities at the Everglades. Catch snook, redfish, trout, and snapper.
I don’t know much about fishing, but I do know that Everglades Fishing Adventures provides fishing charters for both of these options. If you want more of a personalized tour with a guide, check out Chokoloskee Charters.
Top Hiking Trails in the Everglades
Ok, so not many people think about the Everglades and picture tons of hiking opportunities, but some nice, flat walks are worth your time.
Your biggest challenge when hiking in the Everglades will be exposure to the elements, so always remember to bring sun protection and water.
Anhinga Trail
0.8 miles round trip (1.29km), easy
From the Royal Palm Visitor Center
The Anhinga Trail is an easy trail that is perfect for families. It takes less than an hour to complete and takes place over paved roads and boardwalks. If you want to see birds and turtles, this is the best way to do it.
Shark Valley
15 miles round trip (24km), easy
Contrary to what the name might suggest, going to Shark Valley will not have you seeing sharks! Instead, it’s a great, flat trail for seeing crocodiles. If you’d rather not hike, you can take a tram tour or cycle Shark Valley.
Mahogany Hammock Trail
0.5 miles round trip (800m), easy
Our final top hiking trail is the Mahogany Hammock Trail. It is an incredibly short loop, only 0.5 miles or 800 meters round trip. It’s fully paved and creates a circle of boardwalk around the jungle.
What Should You Bring for One Day in Everglades National Park?
For packing lovers and list makers like me, this is a necessary one! Even for just a day trip, there are a few things to bring to make sure that your trip goes flawlessly.
- Snacks and water– if you are taking a tour, double-check if they’re offering food. If not, bring a meal or snacks. Once you are in the actual park, it will be quite difficult to find food options. And of course, water is a no-brainer, so bring at least 2 L each!
- Mosquito repellent – welcome to South Florida! You absolutely will want to pack mosquito repellent when you go to the Everglades because the mosquitoes love paradise just as much as we do. In the hot and humid summer months, mosquitos will be your new best friend.
We visited in April, and even then, the mosquitos were quite rampant. For our airboat tour, we made sure to wear long sleeves, and long pants, and have as little skin showing as possible. Yes, it can be tough when it’s hot, but believe me, it is worth being protected.
- All forms of sun protection – should I say welcome to Florida again? Florida is hot and humid year-round. Even if you are visiting in December, we highly recommend bringing forms of sun protection including UV shirts, hats, and sunscreen. You do not want to leave the Everglades with a big burn. In a lot of trails, there is little to no sun coverage.
- Rain gear – if your tour coincides with the rainy season between May and October, we highly recommend bringing some form of rain gear. Rain in Florida comes in short but violent bursts of about 30 minutes, so we suggest packing a very lightweight rain jacket and keeping the umbrella at home.
What Should You Wear for One Day in Everglades National Park?
Wear light and breezy clothing, but make sure it covers as much as possible!
Florida is hot and humid, but it is also home to countless mosquitos. You’ll want to make sure that your clothes are breathable, not tight, but long pants and long-sleeved shirts will keep you protected from mosquitos.
If you are visiting during the rainy season of May through October, also bring a light raincoat.
Where to Stay for One Day in Everglades National Park
Of course, this itinerary is for 1 day, so it’s possible to do an Everglades day trip from Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
However, if you want one full day in the park, we suggest spending one or two nights in the area so that you can maximize your time without having to commute.
Here are our top choices ranging in style from rustic camping to more luxury options.
| Camping Option 1 – Drive-In | Flamingo Campground (from $33/night) & Long Pine Key Campground (from $33/night) | Accessible from the Homestead side of the park (Miami/Fort Lauderdale direction)Drive-in campground with heated showers, picnic tables, grillsHas several hiking and canoe trails |
| Camping Option 2 – Not drive-in | Along the Wilderness Waterway | Perfect for a December to April tripOnly accessible via boats or canoes (sometimes hikes)Requires a park pass |
If you don’t want to camp, we recommend staying in the city of Homestead, the closest town on the mainland. It’s also where you would stay to visit Biscayne National Park! We recommend visiting the Everglades and Biscayne in one day if you are tight on time.
The following options are for Homestead. If you’re feeling very adventurous, you are more than welcome to stay in Miami. Keep in mind that hotel prices will be a lot more expensive.
| Price | Name | Benefits |
| Budget Option | Fairfield Inn and Suites | Outdoor pool and fitness centerStandard style rooms perfect for couples or single travelers |
| Mid-Range Option | Hampton Inn and Suites Homestead Miami South (8.2 stars on Booking.com) | Free parking Daily continental breakfastHeated outdoor pool and gym facilities |
| Luxury B&B Option | Arritola B and B Ranch (9.6 stars on Booking.com) | Apartment style bungalows that are perfect for familiesPicnic area and outdoor poor available |
FAQs About One Day in Everglades National Park
Can you do the Everglades in a day?
Yes, you can absolutely see the Everglades in just one day! The Everglades are located close to major cities in Florida which makes it accessible either by driving or by taking an organized day trip tour.
If you are in the Everglades for one day, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of activities such as taking an airboat tour, cycling, renting kayaks, and more. It is a great day trip option from Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
Can you just drive through Everglades National Park?
For sure! You are more than welcome to drive through the Everglades, especially on a hot and humid day when you might not want to hike, bike, or generally spend a lot of time outside.
Driving is a great way to experience all of the diverse ecosystems that the park has to offer.
Make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife crossing the road and fill up on gas before entering the park. There are no gas stations within the park itself! There are restroom facilities available at the visitor centers but not much along the way.
We recommend the Flamingo Scenic Drive for a great road trip.
What is the best part of the Everglades to visit?
There are so many wonderful areas in the Everglades, but to pick just one, we recommend Shark Valley, often considered the heart of the Everglades.
Shark Valley is comprised of a 15-mile loop, most accessible via tram, although you are more than welcome to walk or bike it.
Shark Valley will give you the highest chances of viewing wildlife including alligators, manatees, and birds.
However, if Shark Valley is not your cup of tea, there are 4 visitor centers throughout the Everglades National Park. You’re more than welcome to stop at any of them to find the places that are best tailored to your individual wants.
Is Everglades National Park dangerous?
No, the Everglades National Park is not dangerous, but, of course, there are certain safety considerations that you should take when visiting the park.
For instance, remember that the park is a wild area and there are a lot of natural dangers.
Remember to keep a safe distance from wildlife, keep an eye on children around marshy areas, and pack lots of water.
Dehydration and sun exposure are two of the biggest dangers in the area.
If you are driving, make sure to fill up on gas.
We hope you enjoyed this itinerary for one day in Everglades National Park. Whether you want to take an airboat ride, view wildlife, or go on a cycling tour, there’s something for everyone in the largest remaining subtropical biome in the U.S.
Don’t forget to check out other destinations in North America!
Happy sampling!