Travel Guide To Florida's Everglades
Extending 1.5 million breathtaking acres, Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wetland ecosystem in North America. It's also the third largest national park on the continental U.S. and should be included on anyone's bucket list of sites that must be visited at least once in a lifetime. If you're thinking of visiting this vast region, use this handy guide to provide you with tips on where to stay, where to eat and what to see in one of the most important biosphere reserves on the planet.
By Air
The Miami International Airport is the primary hub to destinations throughout South Florida. Visitors arriving into Miami International have several grand transportation options into Miami, including car rentals, hotel shuttles, taxis, Metro Rail and Metrobus.
By Car
The primary way to reach the Everglades is from Miami via U.S. Highway 1 South. The main entrance is located off Highway 1 in the city of Homestead, also know as the "Gateway to Everglades and Biscayne National Parks." The approximate distance between Miami and the Everglades is 42 miles, and estimated driving times is one hour. Visitors can also reach the Everglades via the Shark Valley entrance 40 miles west of Miami and the Gulf Coast entrance just south of Everglades City.
By Tour Operator
Many tours of the Everglades are available in South Florida, particularly from Miami. Recommended tour operators include Miami Tour Company, Miami Double Decker, Grayline Miami and Everglades City Airboat Tours. All these tours include an airboat ride through a section of the Everglades. Three concession tours authorized by Everglades National Park are also available.
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Although Everglades National Park is open year round, the best time of the year to visit is during the winter dry season from December to April, with temperatures ranging from the low 50s to the upper 70s.
Inside The Park
There are no lodging facilities within the park. However, there are two drive-in campgrounds at the Lone Pine Key Campground and the Flamingo Campground located near the Flamingo Visitor Center. Sites at Lone Pine are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and group reservations are only available after November 20. Reservations at Flamingo are accepted only during the peak months, from November 15 to April 15. Additionally, there are several backcountry campsites and permits are required.
Miami
Miami has the largest concentration of overnight accommodations, from hostels and low budget motels to mid-ranged hotels and luxury resorts. One of Miami's hostels was once voted the best hotel in America.
Budget To Moderate:
Miami Everglades Resort, Miami Beach International Hostel, Chateau Bleau Hotel, Tropic Garden Hotel, Best Western Premier Miami International Airport Hotel,
Hotel Urbano, Conrad Miami, Intercontinental at Doral Miami, EPIC Hotel, Mondrian South Beach
Luxury
Biltmore Hotel, Four Seasons Miami, Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne, The Setai, Fontainebleu Miami Beach
Homestead
Budget To Moderate
Super 8 Florida City/Homestead, Hampton Inn and Suites Miami South/Homestead, Floridian Hotel Homestead, Hotel Redland, Courtyard Miami Homestead
Everglades City
Budget To Upscale
Everglades City Motel, Captain's Table Lodge, Port of the Islands Adventure Resort, Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, Marco Beach Ocean Resort
Where To Dine
A list of recommendations of where to dine in Miami, Homestead and Everglades City.
Miami
Miami has a wide assortment of cheap eats and upscale restaurants, including some of the finest in the country. Take a look at these suggestions, all the way from the budget-minded side of things to fine dining experiences. No matter what you are in the mood for, you'll find an option here for you and your family.
Budget
Sweet Dogs, Tacos and Tattoos, Ball and Chain, Shake Shack, Puerto Sagua Restaurant
Moderate
Bongos Cuban Café, Toro Toro Restaurant, Lola Restaurant and Grill, 27 Restaurant and Bar, Mango's Tropical Café
Upscale
Joe's Stone Crab, BLT Steak, Nobu Miami Beach, Barton G, Ola Miami
Homestead
Budget
Royal Palm Grill, Taqueria Morelia, La Cruzada Taqueria, Larry Curly Burgers and Moe, Bistro Fusion Restaurant
Moderate
Whistle Stop, Shiver's Bar-B-Q, El Rincon de Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta, Chefs on the Run
Everglades City
Budget
Kirk's Coney Island, NeNe's Kitchen, Sweet Mayberry's Café, Island Café, Angel Fish Café
Moderate
Triad Seafood Café, Carnelia Street Grill, City Seafood, Havana Café, Oyster House Restaurant
Upscale
Angler's Cove Restaurant and Bar, Fin Bistro, Marco Prime Steaks and Seafood, Verdi's American Bistro, Kurrent's
How To Get Around Everglades National Park
Everglades recommends three authorized concession tours that operate within the park: Shark Valley Tram Tours, Everglades National Boat Tours and Everglades National Boat Tours II.
Top Attractions
Airboats
No visit is complete without a ride through the Florida Everglades on one of their world famous airboats. Tours originating from Miami typically include a guided one-hour airboat ride, allowing passengers to view a biodiverse collection of native flora such as duckweed, water fern and pennywort and fauna such as the American alligator, redbelly turtle, pig frog, West Indian manatee, roseate spoonbills and wood storks. Recommended airboat tour operators not previously mentioned include Gator Park Airboat Tours, Buffalo Tigers Airboat Tours and Speedy Airboat Tours.
One of the three authorized concessions in the Florida Everglades, this tour group leads visitors on a two-hour journey through the park's northern region. A top highlight on this 15-mile loop into the "River of Grass" is a stop at the 45-foot high observation deck, allowing guests to enjoy panoramic views of the Everglades, with visibility up to 20 miles on a clear day. Shark Valley Tram Tours also offers bike rentals to ride along the 15-mile paved road, estimated to take between two and three hours in duration. People interested in taking this fascinating tour can find Shark Valley Tours near the Shark Valley Visitor Center, 25 miles west of the Florida Turnpike.
Gator Park
Described as the premier airboat tour in the Everglades, Gator Park really deserves mention all by itself. Open daily, rain or shine, the entertaining park runs airboat guided tours every 20 or 30 minutes with no reservations. Admission to the park includes an airboat tour and wildlife shows. Gator Park also has a stationary airboat where visitors can take photos and selfies. Private airboat tours are also available for up to 12 people. Gator Park is located off Highway 41, about 28 miles west of Miami.
Everglades National Park Boat Tours
The only authorized boat tours in the Everglades, this company features departures from two locations and operates year round. The original tour departs near the Gulf Coast Visitor Center via the official west entrance in Everglades City. There are two different boat tours originating here – Mangrove Wilderness Tours, transporting passengers through a swampy section of the Everglades and Ten Thousand Island Cruise, traveling through the world's largest mangrove forest. The second location, near the Flamingo Visitor Center, features two other recommended tours – Backcountry Tour and Florida Bay Tour. The tour operator also offers group tours, boat rentals and houseboat rentals on White Water Bay.
This section, formerly known as Royal Palm State Park, is home to the Everglades' most famous and most popular trail - the Ahinga Trail. Beginning near the Royal Palm Visitor Center, this .8-mile round trip trek features a boardwalk over scenic Taylor Slough. Visitors on the trail may have the opportunity to see many of the park's famed wildlife, including alligators, turtles, herons, egrets and its namesake – the ahinga, also known as a snakebird or darter.
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Randy Yagi is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. In 2012, he was awarded a Media Fellowship from Stanford University. His work can be found on Examiner.com Examiner.com.