Top 7 Must-Do Activities in Everglades National Park for First-Time Visitors

If you’re heading to Everglades National Park for the first time, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure. The Everglades is like no other place: It’s wild, humid, buzzing with life, and yes, full of alligators! Let’s go over the best ways to experience this unique National Park.

Here are 7 awesome things to do in Everglades National Park, especially if it’s your first time exploring this unique and massive subtropical wilderness.

Airboat Tour of the Florida Everglades — Airboat tour over the Florida Everglades

1. Take an Airboat Tour to See the Alligators (and Feel the Thrill)

If you do one thing in the Everglades, take an airboat tour. It’s the classic way to explore the swamp and spot alligators up close. The boats hover over the weeds and water and it’s like you’re just gliding. They’re perfectly safe and you have an experienced Floridian guide that is there with you.

You’ll likely see plenty of gators, birds, and maybe some pythons too! The guides are usually super knowledgeable about the ecosystem and share some fascinating facts along the way. It’s touristy, yes, but 100% worth it.

Pro tip: There are multiple airboat operators just outside the park’s boundaries since airboats aren’t allowed in most parts of the park proper. I recommend booking a smaller tour for a more personal experience.

Alligator up close in the Everglades — Alligator in the Everglades

This is a great Airboat Tour with experienced guides

More private Airboat tour of the Everglades just outside the park

There are lots of different tours to choose from and any of them will be great. Check out the links to see which one is best for you!

2. Visit Shark Valley Visitor Center

Shark Valley is one of my favorite parts of the park. Located north of Homestead off of US-41, it gives you a real feel for the Everglades without having to venture deep into the backcountry. The Shark Valley Visitor Center has great info on the area, restrooms, and a gift shop for your souvenirs such as post cards, stickers and magnets. I always have to get a couple post cards and some stickers when I’m at a visitor center.

From here, you can choose to walk, bike, or take the guided tram tour along a 15-mile loop trail. The overlook tower is located 7.5 miles from the visitor center. The tram is a great option for first-timers as you’ll get loads of info from the naturalist guide, and it includes a stop at the observation tower to overlook the miles and miles of mangroves.

3. Bike to the Shark Valley Overlook Tower

If you’re up for a little exercise (and don’t mind the heat), biking the loop trail to the overlook tower is one of the best ways to experience the Everglades. The path is flat and paved, but it’s 15 miles round-trip, so bring water and sunscreen.

The reward? An incredible 360-degree view of the “River of Grass” from the top of the Shark Valley Observation Tower. Along the way, you’re almost guaranteed to spot alligators lounging just feet from the trail, especially in the dry season. As long as you don’t get too close or startle them, they won’t bother you. It truly is the Florida experience.

4. Walk the Anhinga Trail

If you’re short on time but still want to get out on foot, check out the Anhinga Trail near the Royal Palm Visitor Center. It’s only about 0.8 miles round trip and mostly on boardwalk, so it’s easy and accessible.

This is one of the best spots to see wildlife up close. Birds like herons, turtles, and yes, even more gators. I’ve been here when they were right under the boardwalk. It’s a bit nerve-wracking but unforgettable but a super call experience to see them.

5. Watch the Sunset at Flamingo

Flamingo is at the southernmost tip of the park and feels like the end of the world—in the best way. If you can make the drive, it’s worth it. There’s a marina, visitor center, and even the chance to see manatees and American crocodiles. Here you can also do kayak tours, rent a house boat, camp, get a bite to eat and walk trails along the water

1 Flamingo Lodge Hwy, Homestead, FL 33034

The Sunset over Florida Bay is absolutely gorgeous. You definitely will want to wear long pants and make sure you put on your bug spray cause they will be brutal. But the sunset is breath taking.

This area is about an hour from the entrance near Homestead, if you have the time it’s definitely worth it to drive down here as you can spend a lot of time in this part of the park.

6. Take a Kayak Tour

If you really want to dive deeper into the Everglades’ unique ecosystems, consider joining a kayak tour (seasonally available). These tours give you a whole new appreciation for the landscape and wildlife and you’ll get to experience everything up close and personal.

I know what you’re thinking, “I don’t want to get in the water with gators!” I don’t blame you, but if you’re brave enough, kayaking through the mangroves is an awesome way to see this park. Especially if you’re with a guide, it’s perfectly safe.

Florida Everglades kayak and Airboat Tour — Alligator in the Florida Everglades

Book your guided kayak Tour here!

if you’re looking for a half-day experience with an airboat tour included as well check out this tour that will help you take in the full experience of the Everglades! TOUR LINK

7. Florida National Scenic Trail

Off of Us-41 this is a great place to stop at and get out. A pretty central spot in the park and easy to get to from either side.

There are restrooms here, ranger stations and a very nice walking path as well. You will see lots of gators, birds and maybe even some turtles. It’s a flat, swampy trail but it’s a great spot to get out and take a little hike, use the restroom and take in the Florida wilderness.

If you want to see gators but don’t want to hike with them, there are usually a couple that hang out around the ranger station that you can observe from a safe distance.

You can go as far down the trail as you want as it’s a down and back trail. So go for stroll and make sure your phone is charged to get some good pictures of some gators!

Final Tips for First-Timers:

Check out my article on what you NEED to pack for your Florida trip here

Pack bug spray – The mosquitoes can be pretty bad, especially in the summer months.
Bring water and snacks – especially if you’re biking or hiking.
Dress light – but wear sun protection, sun shirts are a MUST
Check the weather and park alerts – Some areas can close due to flooding if you go during wet season which is usually the summer months
Go in the off-season – Summer months can be hot, muggy, humid and brutal. The winter and fall months are a lot more comfortable.
Pythons are INVASIVE – This is an important one, if you see a python, do not approach. Instead call one of the numbers listed at the ranger station and report it. Pythons are invasive to the Everglades and need to be removed. If you spot one, report it.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a place like no other. You won’t see picturesque mountains or rivers. But you will see a thriving ecosystem where hundreds of different species live such as birds, gators, turtles and other reptiles and mammals. It’s raw, wild, and beautiful in its own way.

Whether you’re gliding through sawgrass on an airboat, biking past sunbathing gators, or soaking in a peaceful sunset at Flamingo, it’s an experience that sticks with you.