Florida Python Challenge™ in Everglades National Park

Coming soon: 2026 Florida Python Challenge™

 

Burmese pythons are an invasive species in Everglades National Park

NPS Photo by Rodney Cammauf

Welcome to Everglades National Park's participation in the 2025 Florida Python Challenge™, a vital initiative aimed at addressing the ecological threats posed by invasive Burmese pythons in our unique ecosystem. This year, the park joins the effort to involve the public in monitoring and controlling this harmful species. Through participation in the Florida Python Challenge™, Everglades National Park aims to raise awareness about the impacts of invasive species and emphasize the importance of community involvement in their management. This collaborative effort supports the ongoing mission to protect the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Greater Everglades ecosystem. The Florida Python Challenge™ python removal competition occurs from 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 11, 2025, to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, July 20, 2025.

 

How to Participate:
1. Individuals interested in removing pythons from Everglades National Park (ENP) must first officially register for the event through the Florida Python Challenge™ website.

2. After official registration and prior to their first in-park orientation, all individuals wishing to search for pythyons in ENP must:

• Read the Florida Python Challenge: Everglades National Park Rules and Regulations which may differ from those in other Florida Python Challenge™ locations.
• Watch the required Florida Python Challenge™: Everglades National Park Orientation Video.
• Understand that participants registered as 'novice' will be serving as a National Park Service Public Python Agent (Agent) for the duration of the Florida Python Challenge™ only. This designation does not apply to paid contractors and subcontractors who must adhere to their contract requirements during their competition.

3. An Agent must attend a one-time orientation on their first day of participation in Everglades National Park. Orientation must be completed at an Agent Authorized Station (locations below). At this orientation, participants will sign an acknowledgement form certifying that they have read the Florida Python Challenge: Everglades National Park Rules and Regulations, watched the Florida Python Challenge™: Everglades National Park Orientation Video, and agree to serve as Agents for the duration of the Florida Python Challenge™ only. During this time, Agents will also be provided an identification badge, maps, and other relvant materials. After initial orientation, Agents are required to digitally sign in and sign out when enter entering and leaving ENP using provided QR codes.


Agent Authorized Station Locations & Hours:
Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
July 11, 2025 - July 20, 2025
7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Note: No Agent Authorized Station from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on July 20, 2025

Shark Valley Visitor Center
July 11, 2025 - July 20, 2025
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

 

Florida Python Challenge - Everglades National Park Survey Map

NPS graphic by Kevin Donmoyer

Approved ENP Search Locations:

Main Park Road - Homestead Entrance
Main Park Road and connecting paved roadways searched by motor vehicle, bicycle, and on foot from 7:00 a.m. on July 11 to 5:00 p.m. on July 20, 24 hours a day.

Shark Valley Tram Road - Miami Entrance
Shark Valley Tram Road can be searched by bicycle and on foot daily 7:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. from July 11 to July 20. (Note: Shark Valley Tram Road cannot be surveyed after 5:00 p.m. on July 20.)

L-67 Extension Levee
The L-67 Extension Levee can be searched by bicycle and on foot from 7:00 a.m. on July 11 to 5:00 p.m. on July 20, 24 hours a day.

Click here for all of the Florida Python Challenge™: Everglades National Park Survey Maps.

 

NPS Public Python Agent Toolkit
Florida Python Challenge™: Everglades National Park Rules and Regulations
Florida Python Challenge™: Everglades National Park Survey Maps
Florida Python Challenge™: Everglades National Park Orientation Video

For questions about the Florida Python Challenge™ in Everglades National Park, contact us.
For any other questions about the Florida Python Challenge™, to include media requests, email: [e-mail].