How to do a self guided Everglades tour
The Everglades National Park is one of the best things to see in Florida. If you’re traveling to Florida and planning on visiting Everglades National Park, you’re in for a treat; especially with this Everglades driving tour.
Out of all the places we saw during our trip around America over 3 months, the Everglades National Park was a highlight. You should definitely add it to your Florida travel itinerary!
It was one of our favorite days from our whole road trip of three months around the USA we saw SO many animals in the Everglades and you should make sure you visit Everglades National Park while in Southern Florida.
Before we started our USA road trip I thought the best way to see the Everglades National Park, Florida was to take one of the airboats in the Everglades. However, when I started researching companies to do this with I quickly went off the idea.
Instead, we opted to plan our own, self-guided tour of the Everglades that involved driving through the Everglades and stopping off where we wanted.
I truly believe it’s the best Everglades tour you can do and this post will show you exactly how to do it!
About Florida Everglades National Park
Are you wondering just “What are the Everglades?” You’ve probably heard of them but aren’t quite sure what they look like in practice. Well, the Everglades is a huge area of land in South Florida. In fact, it’s the third-largest park in the US just behind Death Valley and Yellowstone.
The ecosystem in the Everglades is a wetland which means this area is inundated by water either permanently or seasonally. In the case of the Everglades, it’s more seasonal and the Everglades has a dry season and a wet season.
There’s an amazing amount of wildlife in the Everglades National Park. We were both blown away by the number of alligators, birds, and turtles we saw. This wildlife is why the Everglades was designated a National Park. In fact, it was the first National Park created to protect wildlife rather than geographic features.
The Everglades also borders Big Cypress National Preserve which is actually the area we preferred as we saw the most impressive sites! Therefore this guide to the Everglades also includes things to do in Big Cypress National Preserve.
Entrance fees for the Everglades National Park
To enter the Everglades National Park costs $30 per vehicle and lasts for 7 days. Pedestrians and cyclists cost $15 to use the national park service in the Everglades.
You can buy your pass online or at one of the Entrance stations in Homestead and Shark Valley. If you’re visiting multiple national parks in one year, then the National Parks Pass is the best option.
Getting to the Everglades National Park from Miami
Most of you will probably be visiting the Everglades from Miami as it’s the largest city in the area and a popular tourist destination.
Wondering “How far are the Everglades from Miami?”
Well, the Shark Valley Visitor Centre is just over 41 miles away from downtown Miami. Getting from Miami to Everglades National Park it takes about an hour to drive there on the US-41 W.
Why not to take airboat rides in the Everglades
Originally I’d planned on going boating in the Everglades and taking an Everglades National Park airboat tour. But, when I started looking into them and reading reviews I very quickly went off the idea.
I read a lot about Florida Everglades tours before our trip and time and time again I saw that airboat tours in the Everglades seemed to be far from eco-friendly.
Many of the reviews of Everglades airboat tours mentioned that guides fed the alligators and other wildlife sweets and food to attract them closer to the boat.
Some said that the boat rides in the Everglades seemed downright dangerous and others mentioned that Everglades National Park boat tour companies tended to have “sanctuaries” attached where animals were kept in tiny cages.
I also don’t think holding a baby alligator should be the highlight of a responsible airboat tour in the Everglades which means, in my view, there’s no such thing as best Everglades airboat tours.
Sure, it’s up to you at the end of the day but I’d recommend seeking a more eco-friendly tour such as an Everglades kayaking tour.
Below are some options for the best Florida Everglades tours that are more ethical. These Everglades national park tours all get great reviews and will likely get you better sightings of the alligators anyway!
- Everglades National Park Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Eco Tour: 3-hour kayak tour in the mangrove tunnels alongside alligators.
- Everglades small-group kayak tour: Book this once-in-a-lifetime tour as you glide through Everglades mangrove tunnels and cypress ponds
- Small Group Motorboat Eco Tour of the Everglades: Explore the Everglades on this intimate eco-boat tour and disembark on an isolated island during the tour too
Animals from the Everglades
You won’t believe your eyes when you step foot in the Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve! There are so many different types of birds of the Everglades alongside endangered species in the Everglades too.
If you were wondering “Are there crocodiles in the Everglades?” the answer is yes, there are crocodiles in the Everglades! They’re smaller than the alligators and are usually less aggressive but can pose danger!
Some more common animals of the Everglades are
- American Alligator
- American Crocodile
- Manatee (threatened but not endangered since 2017 – sometimes injured by airboats)
- Bottlenose dolphin
Endangered species of the Everglades
- Florida Panther – perhaps the most endangered animal of the Everglades
- Wood Stork
Birds of the Everglades
There are over 360 different species of birds in the Everglades. They can usually be categorized into the following groups: wading birds, land birds, and birds of prey.
Some of the birds in the Everglades you’ll see include egrets, herons, and eagles.
Best things to do in the Everglades National Park
Add these Big Cypress and Everglades attractions to your itinerary for driving through the Everglades. You do all these stops on an Everglades day trip, just get up early to make the most of your day.
I’d also recommend packing a picnic as there aren’t many places to grab food along HYW 41 as you’re driving through the Everglades.
This probably ended up being the best way to see the Everglades as it turned out. We saw so much wildlife on our self guided Everglades tour, could stop when we wanted to and it was free.
If you want to do the same, here is the route we took going from west to east. You could do this self-guided Everglades tour the other way around too, of course, if you’re coming from Miami.
Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk
Technically this one isn’t actually inside the Everglades National Park but it’s a must do for your what to do in the Everglades list!
We came from the town of Naples on Florida’s west coast and this was our first (and favorite) stop of the day. We easily could have spent all day watching the wildlife here!
This trail, like many Everglades trails, involves a boardwalk. The boardwalk takes you into the wetlands where you’ll likely see alligators, crocodiles turtles and so many species of birds.
We saw owls, great egrets, alligators, and their babies, fish, and lizards all within 10 minutes. It was incredible!
Smallest Post Office in North America
Jump out of the car for a quick visit to America’s (and maybe the world’s) smallest post office. This isn’t just a picture opportunity, but actually a fully working post office. Buy a stamp as a reminder of your trip or as a unique souvenir.
Note: The post office closes for a few hours over lunch so go before 11 am, or after 2 pm if you want to pop inside.
Skunk Ape Headquarters
I’m adding this to the list as I think if the man behind the idea for this stop is there you’ll have a pretty enjoyable visit. When we visited there wasn’t really anyone on hand to talk about the myth (or truth!) of the Skunk Ape – a kind of swamp version of Big Foot.
It’s worth having a stroll around the shop and flicking through books about Skunk Ape whatever you think.
H. P. Williams Roadside Park
This is another great place to stop off at during your self guided Everglades tour. It’s right off the road and there’s a short boardwalk along the river which is teeming with alligators.
There are plenty of picnic benches too if you’re feeling hungry!
Kirby Storter Roadside Park
Another great place to stop is Kirby Storter Roadside Park. The boardwalk here is longer (1 mile) through the Cypress trees towards a small pond where you’ll likely see gators (or at least their tracks!).
Miccosukee Indian Village
If you want to add some culture and history to your Everglades activities, then stop off at Miccosukee Indian Village.
Sure, it’s pretty touristy but you’ll still learn about the Miccosukee tribe (the original inhabitants of these parts). Just skip the alligator show.
A map for your driving tour of the Everglades
Check out this Florida Everglades map to see the suggested stops on your self-guided Everglades driving tour.
This self-driving tour of the Everglades takes you along Hwy 41 avoiding the infamous “alligator alley” in the Everglades to the north.
Additional things to do in the Florida Everglades
If you’re looking for more Everglades National Park things to do then check out the following ideas for your Everglades vacation.
Drive the scenic Loop Road in the Everglades
The scenic Loop Road takes you into some of the more remote areas of the Everglades National Park. It’s not a paved road so bear in mind you’ll probably one a 4×4 or at least a vehicle with high clearance.
You should also take into consideration that the cypress swamp you drive through on Loop Road is flooded in the summer wet season (May – October).
Other things to consider when visiting the Everglades
- Take food and plenty of water. It’s hot and there are very limited places to stock up on food. Most roadside stops have a water fountain though.
- Take sunscreen: It’s usually hot and sunny in Everglades city
- Respect the wildlife. Alligators are dangerous when threatened. Stick to the paths and don’t get too close.
- Take all your rubbish with you. Leave no trace.
- Go early. This way you avoid the crowds and are likely to see more wildlife. During the heat of the day, they tend to hide away.
Best time to visit Everglades National Park
The dry season in the Everglades lasts from November to March and the wet season from April to November.
We visited towards the very end of the dry season and noticed that a lot of the pools were dried up. The dry season is considered to be the busy season because of the warm winters.
During these months you’ll see the largest variety of wading birds and their predators as the animals tend to congregate in the small pools of water that remain.
This creates prime animal-watching spots for you!
In the wet season, there are a lot more bugs and the National Park doesn’t run its ranger programs.
For these reasons, I’d recommend visiting during the dry season when you can make the most of ranger programs and are more likely to see a wider variety of wildlife.
We did our driving tour of the Everglades early in the morning when the temperatures were cooler, the wildlife was out before it retreats to sleep during the day, and there were fewer people about to.
Where to stay in the Everglades
If you’re coming from Miami then it’s probably worthwhile staying in Miami and travelling out for your Everglades trip.
The following are all west of downtown Miami which makes them closest to Everglades National Park. They’re also budget-friendly and highly rated.
- Residence Inn by Marriott Miami Airport West/Doral: Well located for enjoying the Everglades Florida and you can enjoy the added luxuries of an on-site bar and a complimentary hot breakfast.
- Courtyard by Marriott Miami at Dolphin Mall: Free parking, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and on-site dining at The Bistro, all just a stone’s throw away from Miami International Mall and a short drive from Florida International University.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Miami-Doral Dolphin Mall: Outdoor pool, on-site restaurant, and complimentary hot breakfast, coupled with rooms with kitchenettes in all suites; get in shape at the fitness center and explore local dining options like Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine and Spizzigo Italian Restaurant
FAQs about arranging an Everglades Park tour
Where are the Everglades in Florida?
The Everglades are located in southern Florida. There are four Everglades National Park entrances with Everglades Visitor Centres. There’s the Gulf Coast Visitor Centre in the east, the Shark Valley visitor center to the west, the Ernest F. Coe visitor center, and the Flamingo visitor center in the south. We drove to the Everglades from the small town of Naples in southwestern Florida and stopped at the Shark Valley visitor center.
Can you drive through the Everglades?
Yes, you can drive many of the roads through the Everglades but you’ll want to get out and walk some of the boardwalks and trails to maximize your chances of seeing some of the wildlife.
How to visit the Everglades?
Visiting the Everglades National Park can be done via driving, biking, boating, or hiking. A range of guided tours, including airboat rides, are available. Remember to prepare for the weather and bring bug repellent, as the park is a wilderness preserve
How far is the Everglades from Miami?
The Everglades National Park is approximately a one-hour drive from Miami, depending on the starting point and traffic. The distance is approximately 35-50 miles, which makes it a great day trip opportunity for those staying in Miami.
How to tour the Everglades?
There are many ways to tour the Everglades, including hiking, canoeing, biking, and airboat tours. This drive through everglades national park takes you to all the best places for wildlife spotting in the unique ecosystem of the Everglades.
Final thoughts on this Everglades tour Miami
As your Everglades self driving tour comes to an end and you’ve experienced the beautiful Everglades by car, you’ll have hopefully seen plenty of wildlife from alligators in the marshes to birds in the trees.
This Everglades National Park driving tour is a chance to embrace nature, learn about diverse wildlife, and create unforgettable memories. Instead of booking a guided Everglades tour, check out these free things to do in the Everglades instead.
Now that you’ve crossed off this Everglades Florida trip, it’s time to continue working through your Florida bucket list or this list of the best places to see on the east coast of the USA.
Last Updated on July 12, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.
We’ve just got back from Miami and did an Everglades tour without reading up on it first. OMG some of it was awful – there was a show after where a guy handled the alligators who were kept in cages and you could have your photo taken with a baby croc for $3 … I felt so so uncomfortable about the whole thing but looking round no one else seemed to care. I’ll be doing a blog post and will definitely link your article as an alternative others should do!
Hey Chloe,
I’m even more glad I skipped the tour now! I would’ve felt really awkward too. We were chatting to some people on the trails we walked along and they all seemed super happy they got to stroke a baby crocodile but that’s totally not for me. Thanks for sharing it and hope you had a fab time in Miami!