Gulf Coast Visitor Center

Temporary Visitor Contact Station at Gulf Coast

NPS Photo

Directions

The Gulf Coast Visitor Center building is closed due to damages sustained from Hurricane Ian. The canoe and kayak launch, parking lot and covered pavilion are open, however services are limited. There is currently no drinking water available. For information contact the Reed Visitor Center at 239-695-4758.

Concession boat tours are operational, but tour tickets may not available for purchase in person. Please contact 855-793-5542 or visit them online.

Physical Address:

815 Oyster Bar Lane
Everglades City, Florida 34139
[phone]

From Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail)

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.

From Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley)

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.

Map out your Directions

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

 

Gulf Coast Visitor Center Desk

NPS Photo

Hours of Operation

The Gulf Coast Visitor Center building is closed due to damages sustained from Hurricane Ian. The canoe and kayak launch, parking lot and covered pavilion are open, however services are limited. Rangers are staffing the site intermittently. There is currently no drinking water available. For information contact the Reed Visitor Center at 239-695-4758.

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.

Temporary Visitor Contact Station

The visitor center is closed due to damages sustained from Hurricane Ian in September 2022.

Restrooms

Restrooms are located in the white trailer in the parking lot. Portable toilets may be available until restroom trailer is complete.

Restaurants, Stores, Lodging & Campgrounds

All local businesses are located outside the park entrance in Everglades City. Visitors should be prepared to bring their own water and any snacks.

Boat Tours, Kayak & Canoe Rentals

Ten Thousand Islands Boat Tour
Our 10,000 Islands tour departs daily from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in beautiful Everglades City, FL. This 90-minute excursion ventures across Chokoloskee Bay, into Indian Key Pass, and through the mangrove islands of Everglades National Park. Prices, hours, and reservations can be found online or by calling Everglades Florida Adventures at [phone].

Canoe and Kayak Rentals
Prices, information, and reservations can be found online.

---------

The National Park Service has awarded a 1-year temporary concessions contract to provide interpretive boat tours and equipment rentals at Everglades National Park's Gulf Coast. Guest Services Incorporated will provide narrated interpretive boat tours, departing from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, four times daily; there will be six daily tours beginning in mid-December. Additionally, the concessioner is authorized under the temporary contract to provide small boat tours, retail sales, equipment rentals (canoes, kayaks, camping equipment), guided canoe or kayak excursions, and a water shuttle between Flamingo and the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.

Wilderness Camping

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.

Learn more...

Contact by Phone

239-695-4758