How to Spend One Perfect Day in Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park is the largest of the 3 national parks in Florida. During your first visit to the Everglades there are a few highlights that you can’t miss! This itinerary focuses on 2 of 3 main areas of the park, the Homestead entrance and the Shark Valley entrance.
One day in Everglades National Park Overview
- Shark Valley Loop (Bike or tram tour)
- Drive to Homestead Entrance
- Stop at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
- Hike the Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo Trails
- Drive Park Road and hike additional trails
- Grab a milkshake at Robert is Here
Morning: Shark Valley Entrance
I highly recommend starting your morning in the Everglades at the Shark Valley entrance. The main attraction here is the Shark Valley Tram Tour Road, and you have two options to explore this 15-mile loop. While the name may be deceiving, people come here to see alligators, not sharks!
Biking Shark Valley
My personal recommendation is to bike this loop! It is a 15-mile loop that can be biked counterclockwise. You can bring your own bike or rent bikes at the park. Advanced reservations are recommended, but bikes are available on a first come, first served basis starting at 8:30 AM. The cost is $26 per bike. This is one of the main reasons I recommend the Shark Valley entrance at the beginning of the day. If you make a bike reservation later in the day you may have to wait for bikes to be returned before you can head out on the trail.
Be prepared for an exposed trail with no shade. I recommend bringing plenty of water, sunscreen, and a snack with you. I enjoyed biking because it allows you to go at your own pace. You can make stops as frequently and as long as you would like. However, you have to keep your eyes peeled or you may miss some of the alligators! If you are planning to bike the Shark Valley Loop I would recommend planning on 2-3 hours.
Tram Tour
The other option to explore Shark Valley loop is booking a tram tour. The tours are 2 hours and are narrated by the driver. This option allows you to learn more about the Everglades ecosystem and ensure you don’t miss any wildlife viewing opportunities. Consider this option for a less physically demanding experience. The trams are open air, but do have cover from direct sun. There are multiple tram tours offered daily, and I recommend reserving your spot in advance. The cost is $33 for adults, $25 for seniors (62 years and older), and $18 for children (3-12 years).
The tram will make stops whenever there is wildlife, as you can see above. The alligators are often laying right along the tram road for an up close viewing experience!
Shark Valley Observation Tower
Regardless of the method you pick to experience Shark Valley Loop, you must stop at the observation tower. The observation tower is the highest accessible point in Everglades National Park. It is located at the half-way point of the loop. Walk to the top and experience 360 views of the park! Restrooms are available here.
Afternoon: Homestead Entrance
It will take you 1 to 1.5 hours to drive from the Shark Valley entrance to the Homestead entrance of the Everglades. I would recommend packing a picnic lunch or stopping somewhere along the way to grab a bite to eat. I am a fan of packing a PB&J whenever I am exploring national parks!
Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
Once you have arrived at the Homestead Entrance, the first stop I recommend is the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. This is the largest of the visitor centers throughout the park and has a gift shop, museum, and park orientation film.
Hike the Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo Trails
The next stop I recommend is at the Royal Palm Visitor Center. This is where you can access two of the most popular trails in the park. I recommend both trails because they are unique and provide different experiences.
The Anhinga Trail is a 0.8-mile loop, rated as easy. The trail is a mix of paved walkways and boardwalks and is wheelchair accessible. Keep your eyes peeled for alligators relaxing in the water!
The Gumbo-Limbo Trail is a 0.4-mile loop, rated as easy. This trail is unpaved, but well maintained. Get lost as you are surrounded by a lush tropical forest. Make sure to see the many Gumbo-Limbo trees which this trail is named after. There are interpretive signs throughout the trail to help you spot them.
Drive Park Road
If you still have time, you can continue driving along Park Road. There are a few short trails that are worth stopping at to see more of this diverse ecosystem. The park road ends at Guy Bradley (Flamingo) Visitor Center. There are hiking trails, kayak/canoe rentals and boat tours at the Flamingo area of the park. However, with only one day to explore you likely won’t have enough time to fully explore this area of the park.
Additional Trails along Park Road
The Pineland Trail is a short, 0.4-mile loop rated as easy. This short trail provides access to various plants including pines and palmettos.
The Pahayokee Trail is a short 0.2-mile loop rated as easy. Make sure to stop at the observation platform that provides a different view of the park.
The Mahogany Hammock Trail is a 0.5-mile loop boardwalk, rated as easy. See old-growth mahogany trees along this short trail.
Final Stop: Robert is Here
My last recommendation to complete your day is outside of the park, but I highly recommend it! Robert is Here is a roadside exotic fruit stand that is known for their milkshakes. I tried the famous guanabana milkshake and after a full day exploring the park, it really hit the spot! The milkshakes are thick and creamy, best enjoyed with a spoon.
They also have exotic fruits, homemade guacamole and salsa, honey, hot sauce, jelly, jams, and more!
Ready to spend one day in Everglades National Park?
This one day itinerary hits the highlights at Everglades National Park Shark Valley and Homestead entrances. If you have more time, make sure you check out my two day itinerary (coming next week) or consider visiting Biscayne National Park. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to my e-mail list for more Florida outdoor adventures!
