10 Best Things to Do in Everglades National Park

The Everglades is unlike any other national park: a vast, slow-moving sheet of water and sawgrass that's home to alligators, crocodiles, manatees, and hundreds of bird species. It rewards patience more than miles, and this is how I'd rank what's worth doing.

Best Time of Year to Visit, and Why

I'd go from December through April, with February and March as my favorites. The dry season concentrates wildlife around the remaining water, mosquitoes are manageable, and the humidity is bearable. Tram tours and boat tours run most frequently in this period.

The wet season, roughly May through November, is hot and buggy, with daily afternoon storms. Some trails flood, and mosquitoes at Flamingo can be intense. If it's the only time you can visit, I'd focus on early mornings and bring serious repellent.

How Everglades Compares to Biscayne

Both are South Florida water parks, so here's how I'd choose.

	Everglades	Biscayne
Headline	Freshwater sawgrass prairie and wading birds	Coral reefs and a warm, shallow bay
Access	Roads and boardwalks	95% water — a boat is required
Wildlife	Alligators, crocodiles, birds, manatees	Fish, coral, and sea turtles
Best time	Dec–Apr	Dec–Apr
Best for	Boardwalks, tram rides, and birdwatching	Snorkeling and boating

If you can only pick one, I'd pick the Everglades for the accessible boardwalks and tram rides. I'd pick Biscayne only if you're a snorkeler or have a boat.

Hiking Checklist — Everglades National Park

Heat, sun, and bugs drive my kit here:

1. Insect repellent — mosquitoes can be intense, especially at Flamingo and in the wet season.
2. A wide-brim hat and sunscreen — there is almost no shade on the main boardwalks.
3. Water and snacks — options inside the park are limited.
4. Binoculars — the birds are better from a distance.
5. Light, long-sleeved clothing — it protects against sun and bugs.
6. A camera with a zoom lens — wildlife is often close but not within arm's reach.

The 10 Best Things to Do in Everglades National Park

1. 1. Walk the Anhinga Trail

   A paved and boardwalk loop along a freshwater slough, with alligators and wading birds at close range. 0.8 mi loop, easy, 45 min.

2. 2. Ride the Shark Valley tram

   A two-hour narrated tour of a 15-mile loop with an observation tower. Runs year-round, and reservations are recommended in the dry season. 15 mi loop, easy, 2 hrs.

3. 3. Climb the Shark Valley observation tower

   A tower with a wide view over the sawgrass prairie at the midpoint of the loop. Best in the late afternoon light.

4. 4. Stop at Pa-hay-okee Overlook

   A short boardwalk to an observation deck above the "river of grass." 0.16 mi RT, easy, 15 min.

5. 5. Walk Gumbo Limbo Trail

   A short, shaded loop through a tropical hammock with orchids and ferns. 0.4 mi loop, easy, 20 min.

6. 6. Explore Mahogany Hammock Trail

   A boardwalk through a dense hardwood forest with the largest living mahogany tree in the U.S. 0.4 mi loop, easy, 30 min.

7. 7. Visit Flamingo

   The road ends at Florida Bay, where manatees and crocodiles are common. 38 mi from the entrance, 2–4 hrs.

8. 8. Hike Snake Bight Trail

   A flat trail to a bayside boardwalk, best at low tide for wading birds. 3.6 mi RT, moderate, 2–2.5 hrs.

9. 9. Take a Ten Thousand Islands boat tour

   A guided tour from Everglades City through a maze of mangrove islands. 1–2 hrs.

10. 10. Paddle the Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail

    A marked canoe trail through mangrove ponds and sawgrass. 5.2 mi loop, moderate, 4–5 hrs.

Trail stats, tour schedules, and wildlife conditions are accurate as of publication but change — always confirm current conditions, road status, and reservation rules at nps.gov/ever before you go.