The best times to visit Everglades National Park

25.03.2024 - 06:29 / lonelyplanet.com / National Park

When you decide to go to Everglades National Park can make a world of difference.

While there may be a number of widely recognized “seasons” in Florida – such as snowbird season (October to April), when the Sunshine State is inundated with tourists seeking warmer temps – it’s pretty cut-and-dried within the park itself.

Actually, it’s pretty wet and dry. There are two official seasons at this whopping 1.5-million-acre wetlands preserve: the wet season (May to November) and dry season (December to April). And from crowds and wildlife to mosquitos and the price of activities and lodging outside of the park, you’ll notice the difference.

Plus, as the broader Everglades can be in the eye of hurricanes stemming from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, there is a time of year when you’ll need to stay vigilant while exploring the largest subtropical wilderness in the US. As you balance the elements, these are the best times of year to visit Everglades National Park.

The dry season is the prime time to visit Everglades National Park. On the wildlife front, less rain makes for smaller pools of water for some of the Everglades' most beloved critters – crocodiles, alligators and wading birds among them – to take a dip. This means the animals are less submerged, often found plopped in the water or waiting nearby for a chance to splash. Less standing water also means fewer mosquitos, which are particularly aggressive and pesky during the park’s wet season.

Climate-wise, thunderstorms are scarce, and you can count on highs pleasantly above 70°F (21°C) with lows dipping below 60°F (15.5°C) on some nights. All of the elements make for pleasant camping conditions at the likes of frontcountry options such as Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground. Just make sure to reserve weeks, if not months, in advance.

Crowds are larger during this time frame compared to others, particularly along visitor favorites like the Shark Valley bike and tram trail or gator-draped Anhinga Trail near the park’s Homestead entrance. Arrive as early as possible where you can; for Shark Valley, the area opens at 8:30am and the Homestead entrance is open 24 hours a day.

For ranger-led tours, the dry season is the time to experience the full spectrum of programming at Everglades National Park. For example, from December through March, a popular option is the bike hike from the Ernest F Coe Visitors Center in Homestead, during which a ranger guides folks into the wetlands where gators and white ibis often abound. The tour includes helmets, water and yes, a bicycle.

Be ready for your trip with these 12 things to know before visiting Everglades National Park

May officially kicks off the wet season in Everglades National Park, but it’s not