Best Times to Visit Everglades National Park in 2025

Are you hoping to visit Everglades National Park but are unsure of when to go? My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I can’t wait to help you decide when is the best time to visit the Everglades for your upcoming vacation!

You’ll want to consider things like the weather, what’s open, and crowds when choosing the best time to visit the Everglades, especially if it’s your first time! Here are my suggestions if you’re hoping to:

• Beat the crowds: April or November
• Travel during the summer: June
• See lots of wild animals: January or February
• Go backpacking: February or March
• Save money: May or November
• Have a unique experience: December

Some conditions in the Florida Everglades are fairly consistent all year long, but there are still some huge variables that you will need to consider as you choose between visiting in the wet season or the dry season.

Let’s talk through the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision on the best time to be in the Everglades, which is the largest subtropical wilderness and the third largest national park outside of Alaska!

Average Monthly Temperatures in the Everglades

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg High (F)	78	80	82	85	88	90	91	92	91	87	83	79
Avg Low (F)	54	56	58	61	66	71	73	73	73	70	63	57
Avg Snow (“)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Avg Rain (“)	1.7	1.9	1.9	2.8	5.9	9.1	7.1	8.3	8.7	5.5	2.3	1.4

The Dry Season in the Everglades (December – April)

The dry season is the most popular time to be in the Everglades, and for a good reason! Temperatures are usually very enjoyable, the hurricane risk is low, and the animals are easier to see. While the dry season is not immune to storms and cold fronts, the weather is normally far more comfortable than it is during the rainy season.

Wildlife viewing in the park is at its best, and most activities are open and running regularly. Closures can still happen, but expect many more ranger programs and open hiking trails. Expect lots of crowds in the park and reserve your campsites in advance.

Boating and water activities like airboat rides or kayak tours are extremely popular during the dry season, so plan on hitting the water while you’re here!

December in the Everglades

December is the first month of the dry season in the Everglades, meaning that temperatures are cooler and there isn’t as much rain as in other months. This is a great time of year to be out exploring the park!

If you’re looking for a unique experience while you’re visiting the Everglades, check out all of the amazing Christmas activities in the area during this time.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open (weather permitting).
• All visitor centers are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• Temperatures and weather patterns are milder during this month, meaning that outdoor activities like hiking, biking, boating, and fishing are popular.
• This month is ideal for bird watching.
• All trails and activities at the park are open year-round but may close due to inclement weather or construction. Check the current conditions to see which activities are closed during your visit.
• Many ranger programs are offered during this month.
• You’ll find many Christmas activities in the Miami area! Or, if you want to stay closer to the Everglades, check out the Magic of Lights at the Homestead Speedway.
• Crowd levels are moderate.

January in the Everglades

January in the Everglades is right in the middle of the dry season, which means fewer mosquitoes and tons of wildlife!

Temperatures are at their coolest during January, and the precipitation levels are at their lowest as well. This is a fabulous time to take part in the huge variety of national park service activities available in the park, like ranger-led tours, taking the tram tour, or climbing the Shark Valley observation tower. Expect lots of crowding as you explore the Everglades during this ideal time to visit.

I suggest visiting the Everglades in January if you’re hoping to see a lot of wildlife like American crocodiles and alligators.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open (weather permitting).
• All visitor centers are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• Temperatures and weather patterns are milder during this month, meaning that outdoor activities like hiking, biking, boating, and fishing are popular.
• This month is ideal for bird watching.
• All trails and activities at the park are open year-round but may close due to inclement weather or construction. Check the current conditions to see which activities are closed during your visit.
• Many ranger programs are offered during this month.
• Crowd levels are high.

February in the Everglades

The Everglades are cool and dry during February, so you’ll have the perfect weather for enjoying all that the Everglades has to offer. You can easily get out and hike the interpretive trails, bike the Shark Valley Tram Road, enjoy miles of canoe trails, birdwatch among acres of wetlands, or join an amazing ranger program!

I suggest visiting Everglades National Park in February if you’re hoping to see lots of wildlife or if you want to camp in the backcountry.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open (weather permitting).
• All visitor centers are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• Temperatures and weather patterns are milder during this month, meaning that outdoor activities like hiking, biking, boating, and fishing are popular.
• This month is ideal for bird watching.
• All trails and activities at the park are open year-round but may close due to inclement weather or construction. Check the current conditions to see which activities are closed during your visit.
• Many ranger programs are offered during this month.
• Crowd levels are high.

March in the Everglades

March is a great time to visit Everglades National Park! The temperatures are still comfortable for hiking around the park, but they are warm enough to enjoy some time at a nearby beach if you’re hoping to get the full Florida experience.

Florida is usually quite busy in March due to the perfect weather for spring breaking, so expect crowds (It’s only a short drive from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or even the Florida Keys). Everglades itself may feel a little bit busier than normal, but it’s definitely still possible to find solitude and enjoy the park at this time.

I suggest visiting the Everglades in March if you’re hoping to do some backcountry camping.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open (weather permitting).
• All visitor centers are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• Temperatures and weather patterns are milder during this month, meaning that outdoor activities like hiking, biking, boating, and fishing are popular.
• This month is ideal for bird watching.
• All trails and activities at the park are open year-round but may close due to inclement weather or construction. Check the current conditions to see which activities are closed during your visit.
• Many ranger programs are offered during this month.
• Crowd levels are high.

April in the Everglades

April is the last official month of the dry season in the Everglades, and you’ll find the temperatures and the humidity starting to creep up at this time but still have fewer mosquitos than during the wet season. It’s still a great month for enjoying the park and seeing some wildlife!

It does rain a bit more in April than in the other dry months, but most ranger-led programs and other activities are still fully operational.

I suggest visiting the Everglades in April if you are hoping to enjoy the dry season when the crowds are a little smaller.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open (weather permitting).
• All visitor centers are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• Temperatures and weather patterns are milder during this month, meaning that outdoor activities like hiking, biking, boating, and fishing are popular.
• This month is ideal for bird watching.
• All trails and activities at the park are open year-round but may close due to inclement weather or construction. Check the current conditions to see which activities are closed during your visit.
• Although fewer ranger programs are offered this month, most visitor centers still offer some programs.
• Crowd levels are moderate.

The Wet Season in the Everglades (May – November)

The wet season in the Everglades is hot and humid. Temperatures will often exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity index often exceeds 90% at the same time! Expect frequent storms, some of which can be very severe, and plenty of rain, both of which can start and stop with little to no warning.

Wildlife in the park tends to become scarce during the wet season as a result of the rising water levels. Mosquitoes, however, tend to come out in droves, so be prepared with bug spray and appropriate clothing.

While you can still visit the Everglades during the wet season, keep in mind that some campsites, trails, or other areas of the park may close due to the weather. This is an unpredictable time to be in the Everglades (and along the Florida coast in general)!

May in the Everglades

There are two main seasons in the Everglades: the dry season and the wet season. Normally, May gets to see both, meaning that you can expect more rain, more heat, and more unpredictability with the weather! Most activities, ranger programs, and campgrounds will stay open throughout May as well.

I suggest visiting Everglades National Park in May if you’re looking to save some money but don’t want to visit during hurricane season.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open (weather permitting).
• All visitor centers are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• Most outdoor activities like hiking, biking, boating, and fishing are more difficult during this month due to frequent severe weather, hotter temperatures, and larger amounts of mosquitoes—make sure to plan for these conditions if you visit the park during this month. Insect repellent is an absolute must!
• Due to higher water levels and hotter temperatures, it can be difficult to see wildlife in the park at this time.
• All trails and activities at the park are open year-round but may close due to inclement weather or construction. Check the current conditions to see which activities are closed during your visit.
• Although fewer ranger programs are offered this month, most visitor centers still offer some programs.
• Crowd levels are low.

June in the Everglades

June is the official start of the wet season at the Everglades, and it’s also the start of the hurricane season in Florida. You can expect lots and lots of rain if you come to the park at this time.

I suggest visiting the Everglades in June if you must travel during the summer — though I would strongly suggest avoiding this park during the summer if you can!

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open (weather permitting).
• All visitor centers are open.
• The Long Pine Key Campground is closed, but all other campgrounds are open.
• Most outdoor activities like hiking, biking, boating, and fishing are more difficult during this month due to frequent severe weather, hotter temperatures, and larger amounts of mosquitoes—make sure to plan for these conditions if you visit the park during this month. Insect repellent is an absolute must!
• Due to higher water levels and hotter temperatures, it can be difficult to see wildlife in the park at this time.
• All trails and activities at the park are open year-round but may close due to inclement weather or construction. Check the current conditions to see which activities are closed during your visit.
• Although fewer ranger programs are offered this month, most visitor centers still offer some programs.
• June 1 marks the beginning of the hurricane season in Florida.
• Crowd levels are low.

July in the Everglades

If you visit Everglades National Park in July, you’ll feel like you have the park all to yourself — there are no crowds as the temperatures and humidity continue to rise! As you’re out exploring, you’ll want to expect rainy days and lots of mosquitoes.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open (weather permitting).
• All visitor centers are open.
• The Long Pine Key Campground is closed, but all other campgrounds are open.
• Most outdoor activities like hiking, biking, boating, and fishing are more difficult during this month due to frequent severe weather, hotter temperatures, and larger amounts of mosquitoes—make sure to plan for these conditions if you visit the park during this month. Insect repellent is an absolute must!
• Due to higher water levels and hotter temperatures, it can be difficult to see wildlife in the park at this time.
• All trails and activities at the park are open year-round but may close due to inclement weather or construction. Check the current conditions to see which activities are closed during your visit.
• Although fewer ranger programs are offered this month, most visitor centers still offer some programs.
• July is hurricane season in Florida.
• Crowd levels are low.

August in the Everglades

August is another extremely hot and humid month in the Everglades. You’ll continue to have difficulty seeing wildlife at this time, with the exception of the mosquitos (which are out in full force)!

Mid-August is the start of the peak hurricane season in the area, so you’re more likely to have unpredictable weather and the possibility of large storms.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open (weather permitting).
• All visitor centers are open.
• The Long Pine Key Campground is closed, but all other campgrounds are open.
• Most outdoor activities like hiking, biking, boating, and fishing are more difficult during this month due to frequent severe weather, hotter temperatures, and larger amounts of mosquitoes—make sure to plan for these conditions if you visit the park during this month. Insect repellent is an absolute must!
• Due to higher water levels and hotter temperatures, it can be difficult to see wildlife in the park at this time.
• All trails and activities at the park are open year-round but may close due to inclement weather or construction. Check the current conditions to see which activities are closed during your visit.
• Although fewer ranger programs are offered this month, most visitor centers still offer some programs.
• August is hurricane season in Florida, and the season peaks starting in mid-August.
• Crowd levels are low.

September in the Everglades

Much like the other wet season months, September is hot and rainy without many crowds. Wildlife tends to be harder to spot, and park activities such as ranger programs aren’t as frequent as they are in the dry season.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open (weather permitting).
• All visitor centers are open.
• The Long Pine Key Campground is closed, but all other campgrounds are open.
• Most outdoor activities like hiking, biking, boating, and fishing are more difficult during this month due to frequent severe weather, hotter temperatures, and larger amounts of mosquitoes—make sure to plan for these conditions if you visit the park during this month. Insect repellent is an absolute must!
• Due to higher water levels and hotter temperatures, it can be difficult to see wildlife in the park at this time.
• All trails and activities at the park are open year-round but may close due to inclement weather or construction. Check the current conditions to see which activities are closed during your visit.
• Although fewer ranger programs are offered this month, most visitor centers still offer some programs.
• September is peak hurricane season in Florida.
• Crowd levels are low.

October in the Everglades

October in the Everglades is as hot as ever, with a bit less rain compared to the other wet season months. Temperatures and precipitation levels won’t start to drop until November, and peak hurricane season starts tapering off in the middle of the month.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open (weather permitting).
• All visitor centers are open.
• The Long Pine Key Campground is closed, but all other campgrounds are open.
• Most outdoor activities like hiking, biking, boating, and fishing are more difficult during this month due to frequent severe weather, hotter temperatures, and larger amounts of mosquitoes—make sure to plan for these conditions if you visit the park during this month. Insect repellent is an absolute must!
• Due to higher water levels and hotter temperatures, it can be difficult to see wildlife in the park at this time.
• All trails and activities at the park are open year-round but may close due to inclement weather or construction. Check the current conditions to see which activities are closed during your visit.
• Although fewer ranger programs are offered this month, most visitor centers still offer some programs.
• The first half of October is still considered peak hurricane season in Florida.
• Crowd levels are low.

November in the Everglades

Although technically still the wet season, many park activities and facilities like ranger programs and campgrounds start to operate more regularly in November. Temperatures will start to drop, but crowd levels are still low, making it a popular option if you’re looking for a quieter experience than the busy winter months!

I suggest visiting Everglades National Park in November if you want to save some money and visit when the crowds are still low.

What You Need to Know

• All park roads are open (weather permitting).
• All visitor centers are open.
• All campgrounds are open.
• Most outdoor activities like hiking, biking, boating, and fishing are still more difficult during this month due to frequent severe weather, hotter temperatures, and larger amounts of mosquitoes—make sure to plan for these conditions if you visit the park during this month. Insect repellent is an absolute must!
• Due to higher water levels and hotter temperatures, it can be difficult to see wildlife in the park at this time.
• All trails and activities at the park are open year-round but may close due to inclement weather or construction. Check the current conditions to see which activities are closed during your visit.
• Many ranger programs are offered during this month.
• November is hurricane season in Florida.
• Crowd levels are low.

Now that you’ve learned about the best time to visit Everglades National Park, you’re ready to make your dream trip a reality. Here’s to big adventures!

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