Everglades National Park, National park in South Florida, US.
Everglades National Park is a subtropical protected area in southern Florida that includes vast grass plains, dense mangrove forests, and open water expanses. The area stretches from the mainland coast to Florida Bay and forms a connected ecosystem of freshwater and saltwater zones.
Ernest F. Coe led a campaign in the 1920s to protect these wetlands, which eventually resulted in the establishment of a national park in 1947. This park was created as the first protected area in the United States intended to preserve a subtropical landscape.
Rangers at the park's visitor centers often display live examples of small reptiles and explain how early inhabitants of the region navigated through the shallow water. The Anhinga Trail boardwalk at Royal Palm Visitor Center remains a popular route for visitors wanting to observe wading birds and alligators at close range.
The only road into the park runs about 60 km southwest from Florida City near Homestead along State Road 9336 to Flamingo. Camping is possible in Flamingo and at more than 40 designated sites, and mosquito protection is advisable in every season.
The park protects 36 threatened animal species, including the American crocodile, Florida panther, and West Indian manatee. These three species live together here in one of the few subtropical areas of the country.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,635 contributors worldwide.
