Everglades National Park protects one of America’s most extraordinary subtropical wilderness areas, stretching across 1.5 million acres of wetlands, sawgrass prairies, mangrove forests, tropical hardwood hammocks, coastal waters, and Florida Bay. Located in South Florida within reach of Miami and the Florida Keys, the Everglades offer a completely different national park experience built around water, wildlife, and vast open landscapes. Wildlife watching is one of the biggest reasons to visit Everglades National Park. Alligators are among its most recognizable residents, but the park also provides habitat for crocodiles, manatees, turtles, wading birds, and an enormous variety of other animals. Areas such as Royal Palm and the Anhinga Trail offer accessible opportunities to explore wetland habitat, while Shark Valley combines wildlife viewing with a 15-mile loop into the famous River of Grass. Paddling is another outstanding way to experience the Everglades. Canoe and kayak routes pass through freshwater marshes, mangrove forests, the Ten Thousand Islands, and the waters of Florida Bay. Visitors can bring their own equipment, rent boats at selected locations, or explore with an authorized guide. Boat tours, tram tours, fishing trips, birdwatching excursions, photography tours, and authorized airboat experiences provide additional ways to discover the ecosystem. Flamingo, at the southern end of the park road from Homestead, provides access to Florida Bay along with boating, paddling, camping, and lodging. On the western side, Everglades City serves as a gateway to the Gulf Coast and Ten Thousand Islands. Visitors can stay inside the park at Flamingo Lodge, in houseboats, glamping tents, or campgrounds, while Homestead, Everglades City, Miami, and other South Florida communities offer additional hotels and vacation accommodations. Whether you are planning a day trip from Miami, a wildlife-focused vacation, an Everglades airboat or boat tour, or several days of paddling and exploring, choosing the right entrance and activities is essential to experiencing the remarkable diversity of Everglades National Park.