Everglades National Park is one of the most underrated parks in the country — here you’ll find a huge diversity of wildlife, unique experiences, and adventurous ranger programs! There are so many fun things to do in Everglades National Park, and you’ll find surprises everywhere.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. Everglades is my favorite winter destination, and I can’t wait to help you find the best activities for you and your group.
Whether this is your first time in the Everglades or you’re looking for new things to do here, this list will help you have an incredible experience!
Keep reading (or if you want to fast-forward, click on the links below) to find the best things to do for your specific interests!
The Top 10 Things To Do in the Everglades
You want to be sure to see all of the can’t-miss activities when you visit the Everglades for the first time!
If you make it through this top ten list, you can relax knowing that you’ve had a completely immersive tour of Everglades National Park!
When you are ready for more detailed information on these top things to do, including driving directions and trip planning help, click over to this list of things you can’t miss on your first visit to the Everglades.
Mahogany Hammock Trail
The Mahogany Hammock Trail travels on a boardwalk through beautiful trees and dense vegetation. The largest mahogany tree in the U.S awaits you along this trail!
Nike Missile Site
The Nike Missile Site was built in the 1960s in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis and is the perfect stop for any history buff.
Take a look around the site and learn more about the real Nike Hercules missile on display!
Anhinga Trail
The Anhinga Trail is one of the best places to see wildlife in the Everglades!
This wheelchair-accessible boardwalk trail travels through a sawgrass marsh that is home to alligators, anhingas (a type of bird), turtles, herons, and pelicans!
Ranger-led Adventure
You will not find a national park with a more impressive selection of adventurous ranger-led tours!
You can go slough slogging, kayaking, biking, moonlight hiking, or even motorboating out into the bay!
Pa-hay-okee Overlook
The Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook is perfect for viewing the “river of grass.”
At the end of this short trail, you’ll find an observation platform that looks out into the heart of Everglades National Park, showcasing just how expansive this park is!
Birdwatching
Everglades is famous for its birdwatching!
You’ll spot birds from the trails and roads, but if you want the best birdwatching, head to Paurotis Pond, Mrazek Pond, Eco Pond, or Nine Mile Pond and get ready to be amazed.
Flamingo Marina
Gumbo Limbo Trail
This trail is the best place to see gumbo limbo trees, whose reddish-brown bark peels and flakes onto the ground.
Funnily enough, these trees are also known as “tourist trees” because they look like they’re peeling after a bad sunburn!
Airboat Tours
Airboat rides are an exciting way to explore the Everglades!
You can glide through the grass, searching for wildlife and soaking in the beautiful views on these incredible, fast-paced boats.
Shark Valley
Shark Valley is the best place to go to spot alligators in the park.
As you travel out to the Shark Valley observation tower, you’ll likely see dozens of alligators here, so have your camera ready!
For more trip-planning information (including driving directions) on each of these stops, check out this list of things you can’t miss on your first visit to the Everglades.
How long does it take to see the top ten things in the Everglades?
It will take approximately three full days to get through this top ten list if you want to move at a normal speed! Can you do it in two? Yes, but you’ll be exhausted :)
If you’d like more help, I have a whole article devoted to helping you figure out how many days to spend in the Everglades.
Everglades National Park has so many adventures, no matter your skill level or age! Now that we’ve covered the top ten things to do in the park, it’s time to dig deeper into your own personal interests.
Things to Do in the Everglades With Kids
While Everglades is a very adventurous park, it is still a great place for a variety of short hikes, wildlife viewing opportunities, and tours. You don’t need to travel far from the main roads to get amazing views, see wildlife, or feel like you’re on an adventure!
The Gumbo Limbo, Mahogany Hammock, and Anhinga Trails are my favorite easy hikes in the park. All of these are scenic hiking trails with things to keep their attention as you go. If you’re hoping to hike with your kids, check out this post on the best easy hikes in the Everglades.
The Shark Valley Tram Tour is a really fun way to explore the Everglades and see lots of alligators if you’re traveling with kids! My kids absolutely love looking for wildlife while riding this open-air tram.
In the Everglades, it’s all about the wildlife. After you’ve explored Shark Valley, head down to the Flamingo area of the park to try to see even more animal species. The highlight for our family is always the manatees that hang out around the Flamingo Marina — we can sit and watch them swim near the docks for a long time! The Flamingo area is also good for seeing crocodiles and birds.
Another fun activity with kids is to take a boat tour out of the Gulf Coast area of the park. It’s a fun way to see mangrove trees, which are an important part of the Everglades ecosystem. We’ve also had awesome luck seeing dolphins during the Ten Thousand Islands Boat Tour!
Be sure to pick up a Jr. Ranger book at any park visitor center. These books have activities that your kids can complete to earn their very own ranger badge. This is a great way to keep them engaged and excited about the Everglades — you’ll probably even learn something, too!
Things to Do in the Everglades if You Love to Hike
Everglades National Park is not known for its hiking, so if you typically hike in the national parks, you might feel a little out of your element. But if you’re hoping to hit the trail in the Everglades, here are a few great options:
The Anhinga Trail is short and easy, but it’s one of the best trails to introduce you to the Everglades. You’ll wander along a mostly flat wooden boardwalk that elevates you above the water. Make sure to look down into the water often because you’re likely to see creatures swimming around or lying on shore!
If you love hiking and are looking for a longer hike, try the Long Pine Key Trail—although it’s 15.5 miles long, it isn’t as difficult as you might think it is! Most hikers normally take under five hours to complete the hike, and it’s almost completely flat. This trail wanders past Pine Glades Lake and through many different beautiful views.
For a hike that’s a bit longer than the other smaller hikes at the Everglades but nothing that will take the whole day to complete, then the Snake Bight Trail is a good option. This 3.6-mile roundtrip hike out to Florida Bay is almost completely flat and only takes an hour or two to complete. At the trail’s end, you’ll find a boardwalk with amazing views into the Snake Bight, where you can stop and admire the ocean for a while!
The Coastal Prairie Trail is another long one—it usually takes around five hours to complete. However, if you want some of the best ocean views and don’t mind the long walk, you’ll love hiking on this trail! This hike takes you along the coast of Florida, allowing you to gaze out at the ocean as you walk.
When you go hiking in the Everglades, don’t forget to wear a heavy coating of bug spray!
Things to Do in the Everglades if You Don’t Want to Hike
If hiking isn’t something you want to do in the Everglades, you’ll find many amazing alternative activities that will show you the beauty of the area. A few of my favorite non-hiking activities are guided tours, canoe trips, and ranger-led activities.
If you like the idea of a guided tour, you’ve got SO many options in Everglades National Park. Check out this list of guided adventures you can sign up for.
You can give your feet a break by taking the Shark Valley Tram Tour. It travels a 15-mile loop road that provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing! I love this tour because you’ll see tons of wildlife, plus you get to walk up to the top of the observation tower that provides amazing scenic views.
Canoeing is probably the best way to get out and experience Everglades National Park in the way it’s meant to be explored! This park has several amazing canoe trails that are marked and ready for you to follow. You can even canoe to a chickee and stay out in the wilderness overnight!
If I can be so bold, I think that Everglades National Park offers the most diverse and adventurous ranger-led activities within the National Park Service! I recommend that everyone who visits the park joins at least one ranger-led activity—you’ll learn something new and have a unique adventure.
Depending on when you visit, try going on a slough slog, boating along a popular water trail, biking throughout the park, going on a starlight or moonlight walk, or even motorboating out into the bay! Many of these ranger-led programs require reservations in advance, but equipment such as kayaks and bikes are often provided.
Things to Do in the Everglades if You Love Ranger Programs
Participating in ranger programs will make your trip to the Everglades unforgettable! You’ll learn interesting facts, meet other travelers, and connect with someone who loves the park and knows it well! Everglades National Park has an impressive selection of adventurous programs you can join.
Be sure to stop by the Nike Missile Site. The site was built in the 1960s in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis and is the perfect stop for anyone who wants to learn more about United States history or see a real Nike Hercules missile!
If you love ranger programs, you don’t want to miss this! The site is typically open during the winter months from about 10 a.m. -2 p.m. for an open house. You’re welcome to walk through the area on your own and take pictures — there will be a ranger onsite to answer your questions. You can also join a formal ranger tour that’s offered outside of the open house hours.
There are lots of amazing ranger programs in the Gulf Coast area, including guided paddle trips, boat tours, and astronomy programs. If you’re having a hard time deciding, you could always do a nighttime paddle trip or starlight cruise and get out on the water under the stars.
The Royal Palm area is home to several famous hikes and activities, so why not tag along with a park ranger while you visit them? Go searching for wild animals with a ranger on the Anhinga Amble program, or take a guided tour through the Nike Missile Site for an incredible introduction to the fascinating history of the Everglades!
The ranger programs offered in Flamingo are some of the park’s best—from “Leafy, Barky, Toxic?” to “Crocs Alive!” you’ll learn tons about the park while exploring the most unique places in the Flamingo area! These programs take you stargazing and hiking in some of the most beautiful places in the park.
The Shark Valley area offers some of the most unique programs in the park, particularly the Shark Valley Slough Slog, which is offered from January through April and requires reservations by calling 305-221-8776. In this program, you get to walk through waist-deep swampy waters and learn more about the river that forms the basis of the Everglades!
Wheelchair-Friendly Things to Do in Everglades
If you are exploring Everglades National Park in a wheelchair, you’ll be happy to know that many points of interest and guided tours are accessible!
Many viewpoints, campgrounds, picnic areas, and visitor centers in the Everglades have handicapped parking stalls and ramps. The official park website has detailed information about each area of the park and its accessibility.
The Shark Valley Tram Tours are accessible (you’ll just want to call and let them know you are coming so that the proper arrangements can be made). Many of the boat tours that run out of Flamingo or the Gulf Coast are wheelchair-friendly as well. Read through this list of tours available in the Everglades here.
The Nike Missile Site is an ADA-accessible missile site located within the Everglades! The site was built in the 1960s in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis and houses a real Nike Hercules missile. The site is typically open during the winter months from about 10 a.m. -2 p.m. for an open house. You’re welcome to explore the site on your own — rangers are onsite to answer your questions.
Numerous trails in the Everglades are wheelchair-friendly, including the Anhinga Trail, the Gumbo Limbo Trail, and the Mahogany Hammock Trail. You can find out more about each of these trails and a few others in this article (near the end).
Things to Do in the Everglades With Your Dog
Bringing your dog to the Everglades can be tricky, especially with all the wildlife encounters that happen in this park. If you want to visit with your furry friend, click here to read my article about visiting the Everglades with a dog!
High Adventure Activities in the Everglades
If you’re looking for something to get your adrenaline going or to push you out of your comfort zone, consider canoeing, biking, slough slogging, or riding in an airboat through the Everglades!
Canoeing is an amazing way to experience the Everglades! You can follow a designated canoe trail, or if you’re feeling extra adventurous, snatch up a backcountry chickee and canoe to a wilderness campsite.
Biking is a popular way to explore this park, and you’ll find several awesome bike-friendly trails. You can also bike the Shark Valley Loop Road, which I highly recommend!
Slough slogging is an adventurous way to see the Everglades. You’ll be knee-deep in the water as you make your way through the park, learning more about the plants and animals that call this area home. Ranger-led slough slogs are available in Shark Valley or Royal Palm.
When you think about exploring the Everglades, an airboat is probably the first image that comes to mind. These tours are extremely popular in the park, and they are an exciting way to explore the parts of the park that your car can’t get to! If you are going to take an airboat tour, please use one of the three companies that are authorized by the National Park Service.
Things to Do in the Everglades if You Love to Bike
Biking in the Everglades has become a favorite activity for many people! You’ve got lots of great options if you’re hoping to do some biking while you’re here.
Shark Valley is the most famous biking area in the Everglades, so plan on biking the 15-mile loop road that provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and leads to a 70-foot tall observation tower!
The Long Pine Key Trail is a bike-friendly dirt path that is fantastic for spotting wildlife as you ride toward Pine Glades Lake! When you reach the end, take a break and watch for the alligators, fish, and birds that are plentiful in the area! The trailhead for this path starts near the Long Pine Key Campground.
The Rowdy Bend Trail is a dirt path that is perfect for beginners and advanced bikers alike, and it takes you through some of the most unique areas of the Everglades. Most visitors come here to birdwatch as they bike through a peaceful buttonwood forest that slowly turns into a coastal prairie. Be aware that the path isn’t currently being maintained by the park, so use caution as you ride.
The Snake Bight Trail travels to a stunning boardwalk with views of the Snake Bight—a smaller bay within the Florida Bay. Keep in mind that you can’t take your bike on the boardwalk, but you will see several different species of birds and trees along this amazing path that cuts through multiple ecosystems!
You can join a park ranger on a ranger-led bike ride through the park! Check out the ranger program calendar or the list of ranger programs to see which biking program fits you—you can bike along several famous trails with rangers to answer any questions you have about the park. They even offer an evening ride under the stars during a meteor shower!
Things to Do Near the Everglades
The area around Everglades could easily keep you busy for a long time! Here are a few of my favorite things to do while I’m in the area:
Biscayne National Park is only a 30-minute drive from the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center in the Everglades, so you’ll want to plan some time to visit this national park that is 95% water. Book a boat tour if you’re hoping to see the best of this park!
Big Cypress National Preserve is next to the Everglades and is made up of hundreds of thousands of acres of swamp land. I highly recommend that you visit Big Cypress if you have a bit of extra time and want to see a different landscape.
Dry Tortugas National Park is a must-see if you have extra time after visiting the Everglades. This unique park is hard to get to, but snorkeling here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Most of the park is open water, and you have to access it by boat or seaplane, so you will need to plan your visit in advance.
Miami is within an hour’s drive of the Everglades. You can find all sorts of things to do here, but my favorites include seeing the lighthouse at Bill Baggs and eating Cuban food at Versailles.
After visiting the beautiful Everglades, why not drive up to Orlando and hit some theme parks? A trip to Disney or Universal Studios is a fun way to spend your remaining time in Florida.
I hope you have an amazing time completing these things to do in the Everglades. Safe travels!
More Everglades Trip Planning Information
How to Get to Everglades — the best airports and roads in the area.
How Many Days Should I Spend in the Everglades? — itinerary ideas.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
10 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Everglades — the top 10 spots.
The Best Easy Hikes — the perfect trails for kids, wheelchairs, and beginners.
The Ultimate Everglades Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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