Here’s everything you gotta know before planning a trip to Everglades National Park.
“I love sharing the complexities and beauty of this park with visitors.
The park is open year-round but offers two very different experiences based on when you visit.
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A pass for a single vehicle or vessel is $35 and is valid for seven days.
Homestead also provides access to the neighboringRoyal Palm State Park.
The northern section of the park is best accessed from the Miami or Everglades City entrances.
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The closest entrance to Miami is Shark Valley, which has the Shark Valley Visitor Center.
The entrance closest to Naples is the Everglades City entrance, which has the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.
The wetter summer season offers incredible cloud formations and calmer waters for boating and fishing, Gantt adds.
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The expansive park has more than its fair share of interesting ecosystems and wildlife.
There are marine and estuary topographies, cypresses and mangroves.
Drive the Homestead Entrance Road and hike.
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Alligators, turtles, herons, and egrets are often seen along this trail.
Join a tram tour for wildlife sightings.
Take an airboat tour.
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Visit the mangroves and Florida Bay.
The bay and the mangrove-lined waterways that feed into it are home to much of the parks marine life.
There are several great trails in the area for paddling as well as the open area of Florida Bay.
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Manatees, crocodiles, and osprey are frequently seen around the marina, said Gantt.
Cruise through the Ten Thousand Islands along the Gulf.
But no creatures are as synonymous with the Everglades as the alligators and crocodiles.
Remember, the park was originally protected because of its biodiversity, which is its biggest draw.
TheFlamingo Lodgeis located at the southernmost tip of the Florida peninsula and can be reached via the Homestead entrance.
The lodge has 24 rooms including eight two-bedroom suites that can accommodate up to six people.
The highlight of each room is the east-facing balcony that provides sunrise and sunset views over Florida Bay.
Visitors can rent one of thesafari-style glamping tents, which have a fan and electricity.
You will need to bring your own sleeping pad and bag.
The houseboats can sleep up to six people and can be taken out on the water.
Both campgrounds have RV and tent sites and can be driven to.
The new Flamingo Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a full-service bar, said Gantt.
There are picnic tables at Long Pine Key and Flamingo campgrounds.
