Everglades National Park

Quick answers

When is Everglades National Park open?

Usually Mon–Sun open 24 hours. Details

When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are January, February, and December. Details

When is Everglades National Park open?

• Mon–Sun open 24 hours

From 56 published days, 2026-11-07 to 2027-01-01; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

Established in 1947 as the first national park created for its biodiversity, Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest, and marine habitats and the native plants and animals that call it home. With several international designations, the park provides a major source of drinking water for local residents of South Florida and recreational opportunities for all.

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed), Wheelchair-accessible facilities, Drinking water, Store / concessions, Visitor center, Picnic areas, RV / electric hookups.

When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are January, February, and December.

The weather works against it in May, June, July, August, September, and October.

The warmest month is August, with average highs near 93°F (34°C); the coolest is January, near 78°F (26°C).

September is the wettest month, with about 9 in (229 mm) of precipitation in a typical September.

Typical weather, 1991-2020 (NOAA NCEI 30-year monthly normals). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (1991-2020 normals)

Official facts

On the Forest Service's 2023 map, Everglades National Park's mapped point sits in the very high wildfire hazard class; it rates the ground, not the weather.

Protected waters: 6,227 km². None of it is no-take.

Boating: Vessel use restricted; anchoring unrestricted.

Fishing: Commercial Fishing Prohibited and Recreational Fishing Restricted.

Conservation focus: Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage. Protects the whole ecosystem. Site-Specific Management Plan.

IUCN category: V (Protected landscape or seascape).

Protection level: Zoned w/No Take Areas.

Marine protection: National Park. Listed as "Everglades National Park" in NOAA's Marine Protected Areas Inventory, managed by National Park Service, established 1934.

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 1,423,036 acres (575,883 ha).

Designation: National Park. Listed as "Everglades National Park" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity, natural processes allowed (GAP 1). IUCN category II.

Established: 1934.

Managed by: NPS.

Critical habitat: Cape Sable seaside sparrow (endangered). Ammospiza maritima mirabilis. Endangered Species Act critical habitat (final rule published 2007-11-06, 72 FR 62736), mapped at or near this park.

Marsh or swamp: The Everglades. 2,834 km² of water, mapped at or near this park in the USGS National Hydrography Dataset.

NOAA Marine Protected Areas Center (Office of National Marine Sanctuaries) with the US Department of the Interior, MPA Inventory 2023 · U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1 · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Act critical habitat (FWS HQ ES Critical Habitat) · U.S. Geological Survey, National Hydrography Dataset (The National Map) · Dillon, Gregory K. 2023. Wildfire Hazard Potential for the United States (270-m), version 2023. 4th Edition. Forest Service Research Data Archive

At the park

• Biking activity
• Camping activity

Shows and experiences

• Ranger & guided programs

Events

• (Royal Palm) - Nike Missile Site Tour - Grand Reopening for the season Nov 11, 2026 · 02:00 PM–03:30 PM · Nike Missile Site Launch Area. Tour begins at the Daniel Beard Center on Research Road. Request directions at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center.
• Nike Missile Site Open House Nov 11, 2026 · 10:00 AM–02:00 PM · Nike Missile Site Launch Area. Request directions at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center.

Before you go

Disability access

This park's official page states it has wheelchair-accessible facilities. Specific routes, transfer access and equipment vary — confirm with the park for your needs.

Limits

Permits are required for ALL wilderness camping year-round

Limits

Pets are allowed (6-foot (2 m) leash) in parking lots and frontcountry campgrounds, but not on trails, in backcountry campsites, or in wilderness areas

Limits

No, drones and other unmanned aircraft are not allowed in the park, or any other National Park Service site

Getting there

Directions to Ernest Coe Visitor Center 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034 Visitors coming from the Miami area and points north should take the Florida Turnpike (Route 821) south until it ends merging with U.S. 1 at Florida City. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Palm Drive (State Road 9336/SW 344th St.) and follow the signs to the park. Visitors driving north from the Florida Keys should turn left on Palm Drive in Florida City and follow the signs to the park.

Weather & when to go

The climate in Florida is known to be mild and sunny.The average annual temperatures for South Florida and the Keys range from 74° to 77°F (23° to 25°C). There are two seasons at the Everglades National Park: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season runs from Mid-May to November and the dry season runs from December to mid-May.

History

Opened

1947

Heritage status

Listed heritage / protected status

• Park opened

Parks nearby

• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park National park · 23 mi
• Biscayne National Park National park · 34 mi

Distances are in a straight line.