Everglades National Park is one of the largest and most exciting national parks in the country! The wildlife viewing here is unreal, and the landscape is incredibly unique. In this article, we’ll discuss how to get to Everglades National Park, including the best airports to fly into and the best roads to drive.
If you are flying to Everglades National Park, the closest airport is the Miami International Airport, which is located about an hour from either the Ernest F. Coe or the Shark Valley entrances to the park. This airport is my number one choice for flying to the Everglades.
Driving to Everglades National Park? Be sure to drive along the Tamiami Trail (Highway 41) and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. You’ll find me wildlife watching in the Everglades any chance I get, and I can’t wait to help you plan your upcoming trip to this incredible national park.
Let’s talk more about how to get to Everglades National Park, including my advice for the best airports and roads in the area!
Where is Everglades National Park Located?
Everglades National Park encompasses a huge amount of land on the southernmost tip of Florida. It is 1 hour from Miami, 4 hours from Orlando, and 6 hours from Jacksonville.
The closest national park to the Everglades is Biscayne National Park, another unique national park that is only a 30-minute from the Everglades.
The closest town to the park with amenities depends on which entrance you go through: to the south, you’ll find the most amenities in Homestead, which is under a 30-minute drive; to the north, you’ll find the most amenities in Naples, Florida, which is around a 45-minute drive from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.
What is the Closest Airport to Everglades National Park
Miami International Airport
The Miami International Airport (MIA) is the closest airport to Everglades National Park. This airport is only 34 miles from the main entrance to the Everglades, making it my #1 choice for flying to the park to go exploring.
The Miami Airport services flights from all over the world on every major airline. This is the best airport to fly to if you want to get as close to the park as possible and have the best selection of flights.
Other Airports Near Everglades National Park
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
The Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) is only 45 miles north of Miami and is one of Florida’s major hubs.
This airport offers a large variety of flights that you can book to get you within a few hours of Everglades National Park. If you don’t mind a slightly longer drive to the Everglades, this is a good option. When I’m searching for flights to visit the Everglades, I always check this airport and the Miami Airport to see which offers a better deal.
Southwest Florida International Airport
The Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is located in Fort Myers, FL, about 75 miles north of the Gulf Coast Visitor Center on the park’s west side.
Although this airport isn’t as big as the Miami Airport, it still offers flights on several different airlines and non-stop flights from many major U.S. cities.
If you plan on spending time on the Gulf Coast beaches and only a day or two in the Everglades, this is a good option. You won’t be as close to the main points of interest in the Everglades if you fly into this airport versus Miami, but you will find plenty of activities in this vicinity.
The Best Roads to Everglades National Park
If you’re driving to the Everglades, you’ll pass by so many exciting views and activities! Here are some things you can expect on the roads that lead to Everglades National Park.
Highway 41 (Miami to Everglades City)
Highway 41 runs along the northern boundary of the Everglades from Miami to Everglades City. This is the road you’ll take if you want to visit Shark Valley (where there are SO many alligators). This is also where you’ll find the NPS-authorized airboat tours if you’re hoping for the quintessential Everglades experience!
The section of Highway 41 is known as the Tamiami Trail and is a scenic byway. Not only will you pass by the beautiful Everglades wilderness, you’ll also go right through Big Cypress National Preserve. Keep an eye out for alligators and birds as you drive the Tamiami Trail!
When you reach Everglades City, I definitely recommend exploring the 10,000 Islands area of the park on a ranger-led boat tour and then eating lots of seafood.
This road is RV-friendly and doesn’t experience any seasonal closures, but be aware that it is a 2-lane road.
Highway 9336 (Homestead to the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center Entrance)
Highway 9336 travels from the city of Homestead to the main entrance of Everglades National Park. When Highway 9336 enters the park, it becomes the main park road — this is where you’ll find most of the can’t-miss activities in the Everglades.
Highway 9336 is super fun to drive because you pass by a few stops that are incredibly unique and fun to add to your Everglades experience. These local gems along this route include Robert Is Here, an exotic Florida fruit stand with delicious key lime pie shakes; the Gator Grill restaurant, where you can try alligator or frog legs; and the Everglades Alligator Farm, where you can hold a baby alligator.
This road is RV-friendly and stays open year-round (weather permitting).
328th Street (Canal Drive)
328th Street travels from the city of Homestead over to the Dante Fascall Visitor Center in Biscayne National Park. From here, you can enjoy a beautiful day out on the water, scuba diving, boating, or windsurfing!
You might feel like you’re driving through the middle of nowhere as you get closer to Biscayne, but keep going. You’ll get close to the Miami Speedway, but otherwise, there’s not much out here. As you get closer to the visitor center, you’ll start seeing some small signs pointing you in the right direction.
This road is RV-friendly and stays open year-round.
Highway 1 and the Ronald Reagan Turnpike (Miami to Homestead)
These are the main highways that travel from Miami down to Homestead, and I just wanted to mention that if you want to drive from Miami down to the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center Entrance, you will likely hit toll roads as you travel on the highways here.
State Route 821, also known as the Homestead Extension of Florida’s Turnpike, is the quickest way to Homestead, but it is a toll road. On the map, it will often appear as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike.
You can take Highway 1 for a slower drive out of Miami if you want to avoid the tolls, but after many trips to the Everglades, I have found it is much easier to pay the money to take the faster and easier toll road (SR 821).
This information should help you get to the Everglades in no time — there are so many adventures waiting for you in this exciting national park. Safe travels!
More Everglades Trip Planning Information
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.
Best Things to Do — activities for every type of adventurer.
The Ultimate Everglades Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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Wondering–if I fly into Ft. Meyers and enter Everglades Nat’l Park on that side, how many days should I spend in order to get over to the HomeStead entrance, i.e. see all the sights in between?
I recommend 3 full days to get through my can’t-miss list for Everglades, but you could cut out an activity or two and get it done in 2.