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The Everglades: About this one-of-a-kind wilderness

The Everglades is not just a park, it’s an untamed masterpiece of nature, unlike anything else in North America. Stretching across southern Florida, this sprawling subtropical wilderness is home to alligators, panthers, mangroves, and mysterious waterways. Whether you’re airboating through sawgrass or quietly spotting herons at sunrise, the Everglades is an experience of raw, immersive wildness.

Why visit the Everglades

Everglades wetland view with lily pads and reeds, part of Miami safari tour.
Alligator resting on grass beside water in Everglades National Park.
Airboat gliding through Everglades with tourists, showcasing Everglades Holiday Park tour.
Everglades airboat gliding through lush wetlands, showcasing scenic waterways.
Aerial view of winding waterways in the Everglades for a private airboat tour.
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A living, breathing ecosystem like no other

The Everglades isn’t just nature, it’s nature in motion. Picture a landscape that looks different by the hour, shifting with light, mist, and sound. One moment you’re gliding across mirror-like water on an airboat, the next you’re face-to-face with a sunbathing gator or a roseate spoonbill in flight.

Up-close wildlife encounters

This is one of the few places in the US where wildlife watching feels cinematic. Think manatees surfacing beside your boat, turtles peeking out of ponds, and gators slinking through lily-covered trails. Every trail, boardwalk, or waterway feels like a nature documentary come to life.

Iconic airboat rides

No visit to the Everglades is complete without skimming across the water at full speed on a classic airboat and stopping to admire hidden wildlife. It’s part thrill ride, part nature safari, and 100% unforgettable.

A breath of fresh (and wild) air

Need an escape from the city? The Everglades is less than an hour from Miami or Fort Lauderdale but feels a world away. Surrounded by open skies, still water, and the sounds of nature, it’s the ultimate break from traffic, screens, and stress.

History meets habitat

From Miccosukee legends to 20th-century conservation battles, the Everglades tells a powerful story of nature, culture, and resilience. Explore the stories of the local tribes, early conservationists, and restoration projects that have shaped this one-of-a-kind wilderness into what it is today.

Inside the Everglades: A guide to the wilderness

Map of Everglades National Park showing visitor centers, trails, and tour parks.
Airboat cruising through Everglades Holiday Park waterway surrounded by lush greenery.

Everglades National Park

The crown jewel of Florida’s wilderness, Everglades National Park is the most authentic way to experience the ecosystem in its natural form. It spans over 1.5 million acres of preserved wetlands, with no theme-park-style setups, just wild landscapes, quiet boardwalks, kayaking trails, and roaming wildlife. If you’re here for untouched nature, this is it.

Nearest city: Miami

Recommended tickets:

  • Everglades National Park Airboat Tour
  • From Miami: Everglades National Park Airboat Tour
Alligator resting on a log at Everglades Safari Park, Miami tour.

Everglades Safari Park

What sets Everglades Safari Park apart is its location inside Everglades National Park. It’s ideal for first-time visitors who want the full package including high-speed airboat tours, close-up alligator encounters, and access to one of the only walking trails within the park.

Nearest city: Miami

Recommended tickets:

  • From Miami: Everglades Safari Park Airboat Tour
Turtle on grass at Everglades Holiday Park.

Everglades Holiday Park

The Everglades Holiday Park is known for its connection to the popular Gator Boys as featured on Animal Planet. This park delivers dramatic, high-speed airboat rides and exciting live gator shows. The airboats are covered, making it a popular pick for families and year-round comfort.

Nearest city: Fort Lauderdale

Recommended tickets:

  • From Miami: Everglades Holiday Park Airboat Tour with Wildlife Show
Visitors feeding a tortoise at Sawgrass Recreation Park Wildlife Show.

Sawgrass Recreation Park

Smaller and more intimate, Sawgrass Recreation Park is perfect if you're looking for a quieter, more personalized airboat tour. This park also has a rescued animal exhibit that includes panthers, reptiles, and baby gators. It’s great for families with kids who want something hands-on and approachable.

Nearest city: Fort Lauderdale

Recommended tickets:

  • Sawgrass Recreation Park Airboat Tour with Reptile Exhibit
  • Everglades Airboat Ride with Access to Reptile Exhibits
  • Everglades Airboat Night Tour
  • Everglades Private Airboat Tour

Everglades at a glance: What to see & experience

Airboat with tourists in Everglades at Sawgrass Recreation Park.

Sawgrass marshes

The signature landscape of the Everglades is wide, grassy wetlands stretching to the horizon. Glide across them by airboat and spot gators lounging in the reeds.

Roseate spoonbill perched on a mangrove in the Everglades, Florida.
Tourists seated on an airboat in Everglades National Park, surrounded by lush greenery.
Wood Stork walking in shallow water, Everglades, Florida.
Indigenous tribes' traditional dance performance at Grand Canyon.

Brief history: Tracing the roots of this natural wonder

  • Pre-1900s: Long before it was a national park, the Everglades was home to Native tribes like the Calusa, Tequesta, Miccosukee, and Seminole.
  • 1880s–1930s: Large-scale drainage projects began to convert wetlands into farmland and settlements, dramatically shrinking the Everglades over a few short decades.
  • 1947: Recognizing what was at stake, conservationists helped establish Everglades National Park to protect what remained of this rare and vital ecosystem.
  • 1979: The Everglades was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting its environmental importance on the world stage.
  • Today: The park is the focus of one of the largest environmental restoration projects in US history.

​Read more about the region's history here >

Cultural legacy & pop culture: The Everglades in the spotlight

Everglades airboat gliding through lush wetlands, showcasing scenic waterways.

Movies & TV

With its misty marshes and untamed wildlife, the Everglades has long captured the attention of filmmakers. It has served as the moody backdrop for crime dramas like CSI: Miami, Dexter, and The Glades. Action scenes and tense standoffs in the swamp have also appeared in films like Out of Sight, Wild Things, and Adaptation. The setting’s mysterious atmosphere makes it perfect for thrillers and environmental stories alike.

People browsing books at the Festival of Literature in a vibrant outdoor setting.

Literature

The literary legacy of the Everglades begins with Marjory Stoneman Douglas’ landmark 1947 book, The Everglades: River of Grass. Her writing helped the world see the area as a vital ecosystem rather than a wasteland, spurring public support for its protection. The Everglades has since appeared in countless nature essays, travel memoirs, and environmental novels, continuing to inspire writers and conservationists today.

Tourists on an airboat in Everglades National Park, Miami, surrounded by water and vegetation.

Pop culture icons

You can’t talk about the Everglades without mentioning the Gator Boys. Their alligator wrestling stunts and wildlife rescue work, showcased on Animal Planet, turned Everglades Holiday Park into a pop culture hotspot. The park itself became famous almost overnight, putting real-life swamp adventures into the global spotlight. The Everglades has even made its way into video games and songs, proving its wild charm knows no bounds.

​Fun facts about the Everglades >

Explore more nearby

Guests feeding giraffes at Zoo Miami with leafy greens.

Zoo Miami

Get up close to over 3,000 animals at Zoo Miami, one of the most popular open-air, cage-free zoos in the US. It’s perfect for families and wildlife lovers who want a global safari without leaving Florida.

Aerial view of yachts docked at Watson Island marina, Miami.

Miami Boat Tours

See the Magic City from the water with a breezy boat tour past celebrity homes, glittering skylines, and hidden islands. It’s one of the most relaxing (and Instagram-worthy) ways to explore Miami.

Cruise ship docked at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Miami FL, with passengers boarding for a Caribbean tour.

Bimini Ferry

Hop on a high-speed ferry and be in the Bahamas in just two hours. The Bimini Ferry makes for an unforgettable day trip with turquoise waters, white sands, and serious island vibes.

Frequently asked questions about the Everglades

How big are the Everglades?

The Everglades covers a whopping 1.5 million acres, that's bigger than entire countries like Luxembourg, Mauritius, or even Jamaica!. It’s the third-largest national park in the continental US.

What’s the best way to experience the Everglades for the first time?

Hop on an airboat tour. It’s exhilarating, and lets you skim across the water while guides point out hidden wildlife and share fascinating facts about this unique ecosystem.

When’s the best time to visit the Everglades?

The dry season, from November to April, is prime time. Expect cooler temperatures, fewer mosquitoes, and excellent wildlife visibility. But the Everglades is a year-round wonder and each season offers something special.

Can I visit the Everglades from Miami in half a day?

Yes, many tours offer half-day experiences with transport included. It’s a perfect quick getaway from city life to immerse yourself in Florida’s wild side.

Is the Everglades wheelchair accessible?

While the natural terrain has limitations, some tour operators provide accessible facilities and airboats.

Can I spot alligators year-round?

Yes. Alligators are Everglades residents 24/7, 365 days a year. Your chances of spotting them are excellent, especially on a guided tour with experienced wildlife experts.

Are the Everglades a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes! The Everglades National Park has UNESCO status, is a Wetland of International Importance, and an International Biosphere Reserve.

How old is the Everglades ecosystem?

The Everglades formed around 5,000 years ago, shaped by rising sea levels. It's a living, breathing landscape that’s been evolving ever since.

Is it true that the Everglades isn’t a swamp?

While parts of it look swampy, most of the Everglades is actually a slow-moving river. Swamps have stagnant water, this "river" flows, albeit very slowly.

What types of animals live in the Everglades?

The Everglades is teeming with life. Expect to see alligators, crocodiles, turtles, manatees, otters, deer, snakes, and over 360 species of birds. It’s a wildlife photographer’s dream.

What’s the most famous animal in the Everglades?

The American alligator steals the show, they’re everywhere. But keep an eye out for rare sights like roseate spoonbills, panthers, or endangered wood storks.

More reads

Two women examining a map for budget travel planning.

Plan your visit

Airboats docked at Everglades marina for private 1-hour adventure tour.

Things to do

Airboat gliding through Everglades National Park wetlands, showcasing diverse wildlife and lush vegetation.

Everglades in photos

Everglades Tickets
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