Everglades National Park, covering a whopping 1.5 million acres of South Florida landscape, represents the best the state has to offer. It’s wild, it’s tropical, and it’s full of Florida’s most iconic species, from alligators and manatees to mangroves and mahogany trees (actually, the largest living mahogany in America can be found on a trail inside the park).
Located an hour outside of Miami and just under two hours south of West Palm Beach, Everglades National Park is easy to get to. Many visitors come to explore the area via an airboat ride, though the Everglades boasts plenty of unique hiking trails and camping opportunities. My family opted to see the park by boat and by foot. It was a vacation we will never forget!
Read on for our guide to visiting Everglades National Park with kids, including the best things to do in and around the park, family-friendly hikes, where to eat while visiting the Everglades with kids, and more. Check out our US National Parks Family Travel Guide for more national parks to visit with kids, including our top-ten list of family-friendly national parks.
When is the Best Time to Visit Everglades with Kids?
Everglades National Park is open 365 days a year, rain or shine. Two of the entrances are open 24 hours a day as well. (Keep in mind the park can shut down during severe weather events like hurricanes.)
The most popular time of year to visit is during the “dry season,” which is December through April. This is when the weather is mild, temperatures range from the high 60s to the 80s, and the park has fewer mosquitoes. The downside is that this is also the most crowded time of year and park services may be stretched thin.
During my family’s visit the week after Christmas, we were told by rangers that it was the busiest week of the year. Yes, there was more traffic on the roads and trails and one of the main restrooms ran out of toilet paper. Overall, however, it didn’t affect the quality of our visit.
The Everglades’ “wet season” is May through November. This is when Florida’s infamous humidity can rear its ugly—and sticky—head. Visitors should expect a heat index of over 100°F, with short afternoon thunderstorms, and mosquitoes. Ranger tours are more limited during the wet season.
What to Know Before Visiting Everglades National Park with Kids
Getting to Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park may feel like it’s a million miles away from civilization, but in reality it’s an accessible natural oasis with three main entrances. In the north, drivers come into the park from Miami and Everglades City. In the south, visitors enter through the town of Homestead (this is how my family did it).
Everglades National Park Entry Fees
The park charges a $35 fee per vehicle, which is good for seven consecutive days at all three entrances. Note that the park does not accept cash. There are also several public holidays throughout the year when the park grants free admission to all. Learn more about free entrance days in the national parks.
Got a fourth-grader? If so, you must check out the Every Kid Outdoors program, which gives fourth-graders and their families free passes to US National Parks.
What to Pack for Everglades National Park
- Insect repellent: This is especially necessary during the wet season of May through November.
- Refillable water bottles: You’ll find water filling stations at Visitor Centers and other locations in the park.
- Sunscreen: Florida is the Sunshine State. so no matter when you visit, sunscreen is a must.
- Comfortable sneakers: You’ll be doing a lot of walking!
Cell Phone and WiFi Service in Everglades National Park
Cell phone service and WiFi can be spotty in the park, so I recommend downloading a park map ahead of time.
What are the Best Things To Do in the Everglades with Kids?
One look at the map and it’s clear that this area is vast, requiring a lot of driving to go from one end of the park to another. (Spoiler alert: You probably don’t have time to see it all.) That said, here are a few of the most family-friendly activities and hikes.
1. Visitor Centers
I’m a big fan of starting any national park journey with a trip to the park’s visitor center, and there are five of them in Everglades National Park (note: the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center was closed as of press time while undergoing construction). These centers offer interactive wildlife displays, educational films, park brochures, gift shops, and rangers available to answer questions and help you plan your itinerary.
Kids are also encouraged to take part in the Junior Ranger program, where they are given a workbook to fill out with age-appropriate material (think coloring pages for the little ones and more writing and games for older kids). After completing the book, participants are “sworn in” as junior rangers and given a one-of-a-kind badge pin. It’s a great way to bring home a free souvenir from the Everglades.
2. Airboat Tours
A popular activity when visiting the Everglades is seeing this unique ecosystem aboard an airboat. Designed for shallow, vegetation-heavy water, these boats skim along the surface, making for an exciting ride. While there are no airboat tours operating within the national park, there are many options just outside of it. Most companies highly recommend or require online reservations, and tours can sell out weeks in advance during the busy months of December and January.
Our family chose the Everglades Alligator Farm in Homestead because it’s one of the few places offering walk-up airboat tours, and because admission includes access to the animal park where over 2,000 alligators live. During our visit, we watched alligators eat their lunch, my kids got to hold baby gators, and we got up close with other exotic creatures like snakes and emus. Several airboats depart every hour, with rides lasting 20-25 minutes long.
Yes, we got wet and yes, it was very loud and very thrilling! We were all given ear protection to wear, and the boat did some 360-degree spins as we glided along on top of the water. There were kids as young as 2 on our boat, and everyone was delighted when our guide pointed out three alligators swimming in the wild. Read more about Everglades airboat tours here.
3. Shark Valley Tram Tour
Families coming from Miami often start their Everglades adventure at the Shark Valley area of the park, as it is about a 40-mile straight shot west from the city. Not only is there a notable visitor center here, but it’s also a spot where you can rent bikes, line up nearby airboat tours (none operate within the park boundaries, FYI), and go on an open-air tram tour. The two-hour tour follows a 15-mile loop where you’re pretty much guaranteed wildlife viewing.
What Are the Best Hikes in Everglades for Families?
4. Royal Palm Trails
In my opinion, the two trails at the Royal Palm Station are the best places to hike with kids. You’re pretty much guaranteed to see cool wildlife while walking the 0.8-mile Anhinga Trail loop. My kids and I were delighted to see not one, not two, but three wild alligators while strolling this paved path and boardwalk! (It’s an excellent trail for parents with strollers or wheelchairs.) We also saw great blue herons and turtles, as well as the trail’s namesake anhinga bird.
The adjacent Gumbo Limbo trail is a half-mile loop that winds through a dense jungle-like hammock of Florida forest. We greatly appreciated the shade provided by these majestic trees. The trail is paved, though much narrower than the Anhinga Trail. Both trailheads can be accessed from the Royal Palm parking lot. We found parking to be relatively easy there, even on a busy Saturday in December.
5. Flamingo Station Trails
Located on Florida Bay in the southernmost section of the park, Flamingo Station is a great place to go if your family wants to rent bikes, boats, or kayaks and canoes. Hoping to spot manatees? The gentle sea cows love to hang out in Flamingo’s marina, particularly in the winter months.
We really enjoyed the one-mile Guy Bradley Trail, a flat, paved, and scenic walk that traces the shoreline and offers a few beach access points. This is another trail that’s good for strollers; bikes are allowed too. Meanwhile, the Eco-Pond Trail is a half-mile roundtrip walk around a freshwater pond where ducks, alligators, and turtles often cruise.
6. Bobcat Boardwalk Trail
Parents really like this half-mile, paved trail through sawgrass marsh in Shark Valley. Also, for panoramic views of the landscape and fabulous photo ops, check out the Shark Valley Observation Tower. At 70 feet tall, it’s the highest elevation point you can reach in the park by foot. The tower is open all day every day and is free to visit.
7. Pa-hay-okee Overlook
This quarter-mile boardwalk trail can be accessed just off of Main Park Road, the 38-mile stretch between Homestead and Flamingo station. Offering stunning scenery, it’s long been a popular spot because a raised platform along the loop provides sweeping views of the park’s “river of grass.”
8. Mahogany Hammock Trail
Our family really liked this half-mile trail, also accessed off of Main Park Road. The flat, paved path made for an easy stroll, and lush vegetation provided a lot of shade. Be sure to snap a pic of the trail’s namesake tree, the largest living mahogany in the United States!
What Are the Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants Near Everglades National Park?
If you are coming to Everglades National Park by way of Miami, there are just too many amazing restaurants in the city for me to mention (check out our list of family-friendly favorites to get an idea.) If you’re among the thousands of travelers who come to the park via Homestead, here are our recommendations on where to eat while in the area.
9. Robert is Here
Arguably the best fruit stand in America, you must (MUST!) check this place out. Robert is Here has been a local landmark since 1959. The market sells delicious milkshakes and smoothies as well as a variety of produce, including exotic fruits I had never heard of before. There’s also an animal farm on site that’s free to visit, plus a killer taco food truck. Do your family a favor and make a pit stop here.
10. Casita Tejas
It’s as well-known secret that the best Mexican food in Florida can be found in the city of Homestead. I love the casual atmosphere, generous portions, and reasonable prices at this family-owned restaurant. After a long day of hiking in the ‘Glades, the fajitas and tacos taste especially good. There’s a kids menu, too.
11. La Quebradita Mexican Grill
“LQ” is another great spot serving up authentic Mexican food in Homestead. Not only do locals love the house-made tortillas, but the restaurant has a spacious patio where families can dine al fresco. LQ is open all day, beginning at 9am.
12. Flamingo Restaurant
The only restaurant inside the park, Flamingo Restaurant (located in—wait for it—Flamingo Station) is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Menu items include smoothies, sandwiches, salads, and a “cook your catch” option for those who fish.
What Are Some Kid-Friendly Hotels Near Everglades National Park?
13. Flamingo Lodge
This lodge at Flamingo Station features 24 gorgeous rooms and suites. Equipped with modern amenities like a coffeemaker, dishwasher, refrigerator, hair dryer, and WiFi, the lodge also boasts balconies with gorgeous views of Florida Bay. Visitors note the spectacular night skies full of stars.
14. Courtyard by Marriott Homestead
Though no-frills, my family appreciated the cleanliness of this hotel and how it offered many of the conveniences we were looking for: an on-site cafe serving up Starbucks, a spacious lobby, free parking, and an outdoor pool. It’s located about 20 minutes from the entrance to the Everglades, which is just about as close as you can get to the park without staying in it.
15. Everglades Camping with Kids
Families seeking a rustic stay will be happy to know there are two campsites in Everglades National Park where you can pitch a tent (or bring an RV). The larger of the two is the Flamingo Campground. It’s open year-round and has picnic tables, showers, and grills. It’s also near the Flamingo Station trails and marina. Meanwhile, the more primitive Long Pine Key campground is open November through May. Reservations for both sites often book up months in advance.
Everglades National Park with Kids FAQ
Q: Is the Everglades safe to visit with kids?
A: Yes, as long as you take basic safety precautions: Stay at least 15 feet away from alligators, remain on marked trails, watch kids closely around water, and never feed wildlife.
Q: Can you bring a stroller on Everglades trails?
A: Yes, many Everglades trails are paved or boardwalk-style. These include the two Royal Palm Station trails, the Guy Bradley Trail in Flamingo Station, the Bobcat Boardwalk Trail in Shark Valley, and others.
Q: Are airboat rides safe for children?
A: Airboat rides are safe for children as long as they can sit still and are wearing life vests and ear protection, as the engines are very loud.
Q: How long do you need to visit the Everglades with kids?
A: Three days will allow you to explore the various areas of the park and do activities like hiking, riding an airboat, and taking a tram tour without rushing.
Q: What wildlife can kids expect to see in the Everglades?
A: Kids will almost certainly see alligators in the Everglades. They may also see crocodiles, manatees, and hundreds of bird species such as egrets and herons.
Q: What should families pack for a day in the Everglades?
A: Insect repellent, sunscreen, refillable water bottles, snacks, comfortable shoes, and other sun protection like hats and sunglasses are essential.
Q: What time of day is best for spotting alligators?
A: Early morning and late afternoon are best for seeing alligators, as that’s when the temperature is cooler.
Q: Are mosquitoes really that bad in the Everglades?
A: YES, especially during the wet season from May through November. Bring insect repellant and reapply it often!
One final note—if you are visiting the Everglades as part of a Florida road trip, be sure to check out our list of top family resorts in Miami and Fort Lauderdale!
