WILD OUTDOORS

ON THE WILD SIDE 

Those with an urge to pursue their wild side and walk about in Greater Miami and the Beaches can explore Everglades National Park. The park offers the largest protected sub-tropical wilderness in the continental United States, where alligators and crocodiles exist side-by-side, flowers bloom year-round, and kayaks breeze through a maze of creeks and ponds

A trip to Everglades National Park would not be complete without a stay at Flamingo Lodge Marina & Outpost Resort, the parks only overnight accommodations. Tucked among millions of acres of natural wilderness, the Lodge embraces beautiful Florida Bay. At this resort you will find everything from standard rooms to cabins to campsites to even houseboats.  

Take a cruise through the backcountry into the mangrove forests or venture out on a sunset cruise to the marine feeding and nursery grounds of Florida Bay. Cruise back in time aboard the Everglades Queen, a replica of an old steam launch from the turn of the century. Discover the untouched wilderness of the Everglades Mangrove Estuary or sail the Florida Bay on the Windfall as explorers once did more than 100 years ago. 

In summary, guests at Everglades National Park can enjoy fishing, boating, bird-watching, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and bicycling, among other, more romantic activities. 

VISITATION:

Highest from December through April; lowest May through November.

ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE:

Everglades National Park
4000l State Road 9336
Homestead, FL 33034-6733

 

(305) 242-7700
(8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST)

OPERATING HOURS AND SEASONS:

• Main entrance (near Homestead and Florida City): Open daily, 24 hours a day. The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. The Royal Palm Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. The Flamingo Visitor Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. November through April.

• Chekika: Closed until further notice due to damage caused by Hurricane Irene in October 1999.

• Shark Valley: Open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

• Gulf Coast Visitor Center (in Everglades City): Open daily, November to April  7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and May to November 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For a complete list of member accommodations in Greater Miami and the Beaches, contact the Greater Miami Convention and visitors Bureau (GMCVB) by mail at GMCVB, Visitor Services, 701 Brickell Ave., Suite 2700, Miami FL 33131; through the internet at www.miamiandbeaches.com; or by phone @ (305) 539-2939 or (800) 283-2707 (U.S./Canada only).