Gulf Coast Visitor Center

*Due to construction, entrance passes cannot be purchased at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center at this time. Passes can still be purchased from the Shark Valley and Homestead park entrances. For more information about park entrance fees, visit our fees page.
 
Temporary Gulf Coast Visitor Center
Temporary Visitor Contact Station at Gulf Coast

NPS Photo

Directions

The Gulf Coast Visitor Center temporary building is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The canoe/kayak launch and parking lot are open, however services are limited. For more information, call the visitor center at 239-232-0057.

For more information on construction, please read "Everglades National Park announces the construction of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center in Everglades City."

Physical Address:

815 Oyster Bar Lane
Everglades City, Florida 34139
(239) 232-0057

The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is located 5 miles south of Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) on State Road 29, in Everglades City. The visitor center is on the right.
Take exit 80 (State Road 29) south and proceed 20 miles to Everglades City. Once in Everglades City, follow the signs to the park. The visitor center is on the right.
Searching for Everglades National Park, Gulf Coast Visitor Center on Google will get directions. Approximate GPS coordinates: 25°50'49.03" N 81°23'06.85" W

 
Visitor Center Desk
Gulf Coast Visitor Center Desk

NPS Photo

Hours of Operation

The Gulf Coast Visitor Center building is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The canoe/kayak launch and parking lot are open, however services are limited.

 

Amenities

The Gulf Coast visitor access area serves as the gateway for exploring the Ten Thousand Islands, a maze of mangrove islands and waterways that extends to Flamingo and Florida Bay accessible only by boat in this region. The original Gulf Coast Visitor Center was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in September of 2017. The temporary Visitor Contact Station was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Visitor services are limited.

Contact by Phone

239-232-0057

As construction proceeds, the tour company Everglades National Park Adventures has contracted with the US National Park Service to resume the popular Ten Thousand Islands boat tour under a Commercial Use Authorization. The tour’s 49-passenger pontoon boat, led by trained guides and joined occasionally by Park Rangers, visits the same natural and cultural resources of the Ten Thousand Islands in addition to historical landmarks along the Barron River. The two-hour tour launches from two miles north of the Gulf Coast Visitor Center at 929 Dupont Street in Everglades City. Tours depart daily at 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.

Restrooms are available in the trailer adjacent to the visitor center. The restrooms are open 24/7.

All local businesses are located outside the park entrance in Everglades City.

Camping reservations can be made online or in-person at the visitor center. There is a $21 administrative fee and an additional $2 per person, per night use fee for wilderness permits. The costs will apply for advanced reservations and walk-up permits year-round. A credit card is needed for both online and in-person permit reservations.

Last updated: February 13, 2024

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

40001 State Road 9336
Homestead, FL 33034-6733

Phone:

305 242-7700

Contact Us