5-Day Everglades National Park Itinerary
Five days paddling, biking, and boardwalking through the South's largest subtropical wetland.
The Everglades is a subtropical river of grass—teeming with alligators, wading birds, and fish across million-acre marshlands, cypress forests, and mangrove waterways that form the largest remaining subtropical wilderness east of the Rocky Mountains.
- 1.5M Acres of wetland
- 350+ Bird species
- 2 Seasons (dry/wet)
- 70 ft Observation tower height
Day 1: Anhinga Trail & Sawgrass Marshes
Stay: Book Flamingo Lodge ($159–$259/night, newly opened 2024) or Long Pine Key Campground near park entrance.
Kickstart the trip with intimate wildlife encounters and establish your Everglades bearings at the park's most wildlife-rich area.
- Begin at Royal Palm Visitor Center with the iconic Anhinga Trail, a 0.8-mile round-trip boardwalk through sawgrass marsh and open water where alligators, anhingas, herons, and egrets gather year-round.
- Follow with the wheelchair-accessible Gumbo Limbo Trail, a 0.4-mile jungle loop through hardwood forest with royal palms and air plants, then climb Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook for expansive marsh panoramas.
Day 2: Shark Valley Tram Road & Observation Tower
Stay: Return to Flamingo Lodge same day (90-minute drive) or overnight in Shark Valley area and return Day 3.
Experience the heart of the Everglades from a 70-foot observation tower and bike one of Florida's most pristine, flat wildlife circuits.
- Drive 90 minutes north to Shark Valley and rent a bike for the 15-mile paved loop on Tram Road, flat and ideal for all skill levels.
- Pause at the midway observation tower for sweeping 20-mile vistas of the 'river of grass,' then return spotting alligators, herons, egrets, and deer along the route.
Day 3: West Lake & Snake Bight Trails
Stay: Stay at Flamingo Lodge with marina views or rent a houseboat for overnight water-based immersion.
Explore the park's coastal mangrove transitions and tidal ecosystems, then launch multi-day water adventures.
- Start with West Lake Trail, a wheelchair-accessible 0.5-mile boardwalk through mangrove forest with waterbird views.
- Continue to Snake Bight Trail, a 1.6-mile one-way trek through tropical hardwoods to a tidal boardwalk ideal for bird-watching.
- Finish with a 90-minute Florida Bay boat tour from Flamingo Marina spotting ospreys, dolphins, and sea turtles.
Day 4: Nine Mile Pond or Hell's Bay Paddling
Stay: Return to Flamingo Lodge by evening, or camp at a backcountry chickee platform if permit secured.
Escape into backcountry waterways on a solo or guided canoe, spotting manatees, fish, and wading birds in their native habitat.
- Launch a canoe from Flamingo Marina on Nine Mile Pond, a 5-mile loop through shallow grassy marsh with mangrove islands, or paddle Hell's Bay, a navigable creek system marked with 160+ poles leading to remote bays.
- Expect to encounter manatees, tarpon, and wading birds in intimate settings inaccessible by land.
Day 5: Gulf Coast Waterways & Homebound
Stay: Depart same day for Miami airport or overnight in Naples/Homestead before flying out.
Cap the trip with Gulf Coast ranger-guided exploration through the nation's largest unbroken mangrove forest.
- Drive 1.5 hours west to Gulf Coast Visitor Center for a 90-minute ranger-guided boat tour through Ten Thousand Islands and mangrove waterways.
- Alternatively, hike the 0.9-mile Sandfly Island Trail near Everglades City, then depart for Miami airport (1.5 hours east).
Common Questions
Can I see alligators and manatees without paddling?
Yes. Anhinga Trail, Gumbo Limbo Trail, Shark Valley observation tower, and boat tours offer excellent wildlife viewing from boardwalks and raised platforms. Morning visits (6–8 a.m.) maximize sightings, especially during dry season (December–March) when animals concentrate in smaller water areas.
Do I need a car to explore the park?
Yes. The three park entrances do not connect by park roads; you'll need a vehicle to shuttle between Homestead (Ernest Coe), Shark Valley (near Miami), and Gulf Coast (Everglades City) entrances. Rent a car or book tours that include transportation.
What's the best time to visit?
December through March (dry season) offers the most wildlife, mild weather (50s–70s), and lowest mosquito populations. Peak season fills lodging 2–4 weeks ahead. Wet season (May–November) is hot, humid, and buggy but equally valid for paddlers seeking solitude and lower rates.
Should I camp or stay at a lodge?
Flamingo Lodge offers comfort and marina access for boat tours ($159–$259/night). Long Pine Key Campground (near Homestead entrance) is budget-friendly ($25–$35/night). Backcountry camping requires wilderness permits and advanced paddling skills (overnight chickee platforms $2/person/night).
Are pets allowed?
Pets are permitted on leashes in parking lots and campgrounds only. They are prohibited on all trails and waterways.
Sources & Further Reading
- Everglades National Park Home — National Park Service
- Plan Your Visit - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Things To Do - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Hiking Trails - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Anhinga Trail - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Gumbo Limbo Trail - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Shark Valley Trails - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Tram Road - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Shark Valley Observation Tower — National Park Service
- Snake Bight Trail - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- West Lake Trail - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Pine Island Trails - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Canoe and Kayak Trails - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Gulf Coast Ranger Guided Tours - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Flamingo Boat Tours — National Park Service
- Guided Tours & Other Services - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Places to Go - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Fees - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Operating Hours & Seasons - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Permits and Reservations - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Eating & Sleeping - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Camping - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- The Dry Season - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- The Wet Season - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Weather - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Park Statistics - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Basic Information - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Frequently Asked Questions - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Flamingo Lodge Grand Opening - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Bicycling - Everglades National Park — National Park Service
- Wilderness Paddling Permits - Recreation.gov — Recreation.gov
