Operating Hours & Seasons

Road in the Everglades

Photo By: Glenn Gardner

Everglades National Park is Open Daily

We are open, rain or shine, everyday including all holidays


Park visitor center hours vary depending on staff levels, locations and seasons. For current hours, please visit the visitor center page or call the main park line at (305) 242-7700. There is an entrance fee to enter the park. To learn more about entrance fees, visit our fees page.

 

Park Entrances

Everglades National Park has three entrances in Homestead, Miami, and Everglades City. Please note, these entrances do NOT interconnect.

Homestead Entrances

  • Main Entrance: This entrance connects visitors to the Royal Palm and Flamingo areas of the park. It is open 24 hours a day. There is an entrance fee collected.
  • Chekika Area (CLOSED): Chekika closed in April of 2013 and will remain closed until sufficient resources are available to professionally maintain operations in the areas. User groups can still access the area through the use of special permits, though facilities won't be maintained.

Miami Entrance

  • Shark Valley Area: Open daily from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM. There is an entrance fee collected at the gate. Separate fees apply for tram tours and bike rentals. The park remains open 24 hours, but vehicles do not have access after 6:00 PM.

Everglades City / Naples Entrance

  • Gulf Coast Area: Open 24 hours a day. There is an entrance fee collected. Separate fees apply for boats tours, and canoe and kayak rentals.
 
entrance to the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center

Visitor Centers

Hours of operation vary. Click on the locations below for more information.

 

Visitor Seasons

The park has two major seasons: the summer Wet Season and the winter Dry Season.

Wet Season (April - October)

The park visitor centers generally open at 9:00AM to 5:00PM. Ranger-led programs are usually fewer than the dry season due to staff availability. To help you plan your visit during the wet season, visit our wet season page.

Dry Season (November - March)

The park visitor centers generally open daily at 8:00AM to 5:00PM. Ranger-led programs are widely available at all park entrances and wildlife is usually plentiful throughout the park. To help you plan your visit during the dry season, visit our dry season page.

Last updated: October 6, 2020

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

40001 State Road 9336
Homestead, FL 33034-6733

Phone:

305 242-7700

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