Summer Season at Everglades National Park Changes in Hours and Closures

Date: April 17, 2014
Contact: General Park Information:, 305-242-7700
Contact: Media contacts only: Linda Friar, 305-242-7714
Contact: Mary Plumb, 305-242-7017

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA -- Everglades National Park is implementing annual changes in visitor services for the slower summer season at Flamingo and at Long Pine Key Campground.

Concession operated tours continue through the summer, including guided tram tours and bicycle rentals at Shark Valley, boat tours and canoe rentals at Gulf Coast, and houseboat, canoe, kayak, bicycle rentals and boat tours at Flamingo. 

Ranger guided programs are available but reduced in number.  A schedule of available programs can be found on the park’s website as well as by contacting the main park number (305-242-7700) or e-mail us.

When visiting most areas of the park during the wet summer season, please be prepared for mosquito activity and possible afternoon rain storms.

Camping:

Beginning Monday, April 21, the majority of campsites in Flamingo and in the Long Pine Key Campground will be closed.  At Flamingo, all camping will be on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations.  A limited number of campsites in A Loop and T Loop (electric sites) and walk-ins will be available. As of June 1, limited camping at Flamingo will be available.  At Long Pine Key Campground, 8 campsites will remain open until June 1 when the entire campground will be closed until late November.  

Flamingo Marina Store and Restaurant:

The Buttonwood Café closes April 16. Drinks and snacks are available at the Marina Store.  Starting April 28, the Marina Store will open one hour later on weekends; the hours will be 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 7 days a week.  (The hours are currently 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. weekdays, and 6:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. on weekends.)  Also starting April 28, boat tour times will be: Backcountry Tour at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. daily; Florida Bay Tour at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m., Friday, and Saturday, and Sunday.  

For more information, click here for directions to the Flamingo Visitor Center in Flamingo, Florida.  For more information about the Long Pine Key Campground, click here https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/longpinecamp.htm.  More information is also available by calling [phone].

WHAT:         Everglades National Park is implementing annual changes in visitor services for the summer season at Flamingo and at Long Pine Key Campground.

WHEN:        The changes are in effect during the summer season.   

WHERE:     Flamingo is located at the extreme southern tip of the park approximately 38 miles south of the park’s main entrance near Homestead.  The Long Pine Key Campground is located seven miles (11 km) from the main entrance, just off the main road.