Everglades National Park is a park of the U.S. state of Florida which is the largest subtropical backwoods in the United States, and is visited by one million people each year. So, when you are planning to visit such a rich park.

If you are still planning then start planning little fast so, that you can enjoy the beauty of the park as soon as possible. Well before going to that place you must want to know something about this place and if this is the scene you are at the right place because the information will help you in making your perfect plan for Everglades national park.

Actually the park cares for an interrelated network of swamp and forest flora and fauna which are managed by natural forces. 36 species which are selected as protected or threatened survive in the park which includes the American crocodile, the Florida panther and the West Indian manatee.

The park also protects the major U.S. wilderness region in the eastern part of the Mississippi River which is the most important breeding land for wading birds in Northern America, and includes the biggest mangrove ecology in the western hemisphere.

The park also possess more than 300 species of fresh and saltwater fish, 350 species of birds, 50 species of reptiles and 40 species of mammals. Not only this, the fresh water from South Florida's is also stored in the Biscayne Aquifer which is again recharged in the park.

If you are planning to visit now then note that the busiest season for visiting is from December to March, when temperatures are at its lowest and mosquitoes are not active at all. Tram tours are also available during the busiest season. Camping sites are also easily available constantly in Everglades National Park. Moreover, Front country camping with some services, is also available at Long Pine Key which is nearby the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, where 108 sites are also easily accessible by car.

So, now you know most of the things about the park and can easily plan your visit.

Are you looking for a place for learning, recreation and viewing wildlife? Just about an hour's drive from the bustle of Miami, you will find the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States - Everglades National Park.

Designated as a World Heritage Site, Everglades National Park is home to over 350 species of birds, 300 species of fresh and saltwater fish, 40 species of mammals and 50 species of reptiles. It is also thought to be one of the most biologically diverse parks in the South Florida area, with a fragile ecosystem.

Do you want to explore this wonder in person? The park is open 365 days a year. Whenever you visit the park, the Everglades will always await you on southern tip of Florida, just west of the city of Miami. With so many adventures to explore, there are many different ways to spend your day at Everglades National Park, including concession tours and alternative tours in the park.

Concession Tours in Everglades National Park

1) Shark Valley Tram Tours

To have an educational trip into the heart of the park, join the Shark Valley Tram Tour. This is a guided two-hour narrated tram tour, helping get visitors into the "River of Grass" along a 15-mile loop. Tours set off from the benches, giving a great opportunity to see the natural habitats of wildlife and learn about the freshwater ecosystem.

Reservations are encouraged when Everglades National Park is at its busiest during the dry and winter season. Prices and hours are subject to change. To get current information, call 305-221-8455.

Shark Valley Tram Tours

http://www.sharkvalleytramtours.com/

2) Everglades National Park Boat Tours

Everglades National Park Boat Tours will take visitors on an exploration of Ten Thousand Islands. The tours depart from the park's Docks on Chololoskee Causeway on RT. 29, one half miles south of Traffic Circle at the Ranger Station in Everglades City.

Boat tours are available all year long, leaving every 30 minutes or so. Reservations could be made by fax (239-695-2553). Hours and prices are subject to change. For current information, call (239) 695-2591.

Everglades National Park Boat Tours

http://evergladesnationalparkboattoursgulfcoast.com/

3) Everglades National Park Boat Tours II

Everglades National Park Boat Tour II provides an opportunity to explore the Whitewater Bay backcountry north of Florida Bay. Tours start off from Flamingo Marina, 38 miles from the park entrance gate, leaving about every 30 minutes also. Visitors can enjoy a quiet, guided 90-minute boat ride by joining the tours.

Reservations are available by fax (239-695-2553). If you want to know the specific info about hours and prices, call 239-695-3101.

Everglades National Park Tours II

http://evergladesnationalparkboattoursflamingo.com/

Alternative Guided Tours

1) Kayak and Canoe Tours

A superb way to explore the Everglades is via canoe or kayak. Slinking through the mangroves, sliding across sawgrass prairies… the unique environment of the park can be seen at water level by tours in kayaks and canoes. Expert guides will lead you in the right direction. Here, we share you some kayak and canoe tour providers located in Florida.

- Chokoloskee Enterprises (Address: 620 Collier Avenue Everglades City; Phone: 239-695-9107; Website: evergladesareatours.com)

- North American Canoe Trips (Address: 107 Camellia Street Everglades City; Phone: 239-695-3229; Website: evergladesadventures.com)

- Everglades Hostel and Tours (Address: 20 SW Second Avenue Florida City; Phone: 305-248-1122; Website: evergladeshostel.com)

- Florida Bay Outfitters (Address: 104050 Overseas Highway Key Largo; Phone: 305-451-3018; Website: kayakfloridakeys.com)

2) Eco Tours

With abundant natural wonders, wouldn't it be wonderful to explore the Everglades by eco-tours? Eco tours will take visitors to traverse parts of the park by boat trips and watching various native and migrating birds by bird watching trips. Some recommended eco tour providers are listed below:

- Avianscapes (Address: 10 Aragon Avenue, #1408 Coral Gables; Phone: 305-710-7748; Website: avianscapes.com)

- Orchids & Egrets (Address: 4807 SW 91st Drive Gainesville; Phone: 352-376-4685; Website: naturetour.com)

- Amoray Dive Resort (Address:104250 Overseas Highway Key Largo; Phone: 800-426-6729; Website: amoray.com)

3) Everglades by Car Audio Tour

Audio tour is also an interesting way to explore the unique landscape. There are 13 narrated tracks leading listeners on a guided exploration down the main park road. Making stops at all the park's main visitor areas, the tour is a fabulous way to make the most of your Everglades visit. For more info and details, visit this page:

Everglades by Car Audio Tour

http://www.nps.gov/ever/photosmultimedia/podcast.htm

Besides appreciating the wonderful sights by various tours, the Everglades National Park also boasts many great activities and events to give you a more enjoyable Everglades experience. To get to know these activities and events, click here:

Outdoor Activities at Everglades National Park

http://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/outdooractivities.htm

Schedule of Events at Everglades National Park

http://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/events.html

Are you planning a Florida vacation? If so, make sure to visit the Everglades National Park. This is the third-largest national park in the contiguous 48 states, only after Death Valley and Yellowstone. Known for its animals including famous alligators, tropical wading birds and 14 threatened species, the park also has a variety of habitats including saw grass, freshwater marsh, mangrove forests, hardwood hammocks, lakes and Florida Bay.

Where is the Everglades National Park located? Covering about 1,509,000 acres, throughout Dade, Broward, Monroe and Collier counties in Florida, the Everglades is situated on the extreme southern section of the Florida peninsula, about 20 miles east of Biscayne National Park. The elevation usually ranges from 0 to 8 feet above sea level, with a Native American-built shell mounted on the Gulf Coast rising 20 feet above sea level. Take a look at the maps at this page and you will gain a clear understanding of the Everglades National Park.

Maps of Everglades National Park

http://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/maps.htm

Although many visitors are confused about the park's attractions which are quite different from the geographical characteristics of many western parks, the features are subtle but amazing. Also, there are four visitor centers set in different areas of the park, offering maps and brochures to help tourists prepare for some wonderful adventures in exploring the park.

1) Ernest Coe Visitor Center (305-242-7700)

Ernest Coe Visitor Center is located at the main entrance of the park, close to Homestead Road 9336. The physical address is 40001 State Road 9336 Homestead, Florida, 33034-6733.

Visitors driving north from the Miami area are suggested to take the Florida Turnpike (Route 821) south until it converts to the U.S. 1 at Florida City. Take a right at the first traffic light onto Palm Drive (State Road 9336/SW 344th Street) and follow the sighs to the park. For visitors coming north from the Florida Keys, make a left on Palm Drive in Florida City and follow the signs to the park.

Featuring educational displays, orientation films and informational brochures, the center is open daily. The operating hours are from 9am to 5pm. There are a series of popular walking trails starting only a short drive from the center.

2) Gulf Coast Visitor Center (239-695-3311)

The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is situated 5 miles from south of Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) on State Road 29, in Everglades City. The specific address is 815 Oyster Bar Ln Everglades City, Florida, 34139.

If driving from I-75 (Alligator Alley), get off at exit 80 (State Road 29) south and drive on about 20 miles to Everglades City. When you are in Everglades City, follow the signs to the park. The visitor center is on the right.

The center gives visitors access to the Ten Thousand Islands, a maze of mangrove islands which extends to Flamingo and Florida Bay. The center hours are from 9am to 4:30pm from mid April to mid November and from 8am to 4:30pm from mid November to mid April.

3) Flamingo Visitor Center (Contact 239-695-2945)

The Gulf Coast Visitor Center serves as the gateway for exploring Wilderness Waterway by canoes, a 99 mile canoe trail that extends to the Flamingo Visitor Center. You can find the center approximately 38 miles south of the park entrance.

For visitors driving north from the Miami area, take the Florida Turnpike (Route 821) south until it converts to the U.S. 1 at Florida City. Make a right at the first light onto Palm Drive (State Road 9336 / SW 344th Street) and follow the signs to the park. If driving north from Florida Keys, take a left on Palm Drive.

The center features educational displays, informational brochures and backcountry permits. There are campgrounds, a marina and marina store, several hiking and canoeing trails in the vicinity. The center is open from 9am to 4:30pm based on staffing. For self-registration for backcountry attractions, lobby opens 24 hours. The hours are subject to change.

4) Shark Valley Visitor Center (305-221-8776)

Located on Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail / SW 8th Street), 25 miles west of the Florida Turnpike, Shark Valley Visitor Center can be found on the Tamiami Trail (part of U.S. Route 41) directly west of Miami. For guests coming from the Naples area, take U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) about 70 miles east to Shark Valley.

The center provides educational displays, a park video, an underwater camera and informational brochures. A 15-mile round trip path helps get you to a two-story observation tower from this center. The center hours are from 9:15am to 5:15pm.

Everglades National Park also boasts areas at the Chekika where visitors can hike, picnic and bike. Chekika lies about 36 miles from downtown Miami and 18 miles from Homestead.

To reach the Chekika, take the Dolphin Expressway (State Road 836) and turn off at the Palmetto Expressway (State Road 826) or the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. Go to the Palmetto exit or Turnpike exit at Kendall Drive (SW 88th Street). Then head west to Krome Avenue (SW 177th Avenue). Make a left and head south about 5 miles to SW 168th Street. Turn right and go west about 6 miles to 237th Avenue. Take a right and drive north about 1 mile. Turn left onto 168th Street and you will find the entrance to Chekika on the western side.

As a wonderful place for bicycle rides along paved roads and canal banks, visitors also can enjoy picnicking and self-guided, short hiking trail through a hardwood hammock. By reason of seasonal flooding, Chekika will be closed during the wet season, from December 1 to April 30. The contact number is 305-242-7700.

In addition to picnicking and hiking, Everglades National Park also has many other fun activities and events. To explore these events, visit this page:

Things to Do at Everglades National Park

http://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in America, protecting the 25% of the original Everglades. Located in the Miami-Dade County, Florida, the park was established in 1947, aiming to protect the endangered ecosystem as well the threatened species. There are 36 species which are designated as threatened living in the park, plus 350+ species of birds, 300 species of fish and lots more.

Everglades National Park on Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everglades_National_Park

Everglades National Park Visitors Guide

http://www.everglades.national-park.com/visit.htm

Each year, over one million visitors jump to the park, and the peak season stretches from December to March when the temperatures are lowest. The must do thing at Everglades National Park is camping! There are a large number of camping sites available year round throughout the park for your adventure. If you are interested about this attraction, please keep reading, for this article will offer you a complete guide on camping and lodging.

First let's talk about on-site camping.

- There are three large campgrounds within the park, respectively Chekika, Flamingo and Long Pine Key. Chekika is found six miles west of Krome Avenue. Currently this campground is only open for day-use, but not available for camping overnight for the damage by the Hurricane Irene in 1999. To make reservation for campsites at Flamingo and Long Pine Key, please call at 1-800-365-2267.

Location: Flamingo Campground is located at the end of the main park road of Flamingo Visitor Center and 234 campsites are available here. Long Pine Key Campground is situated off the main road and near the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, offering 108 campsites for all visitors.

Fees: It is noteworthy that camping from June through August is free. And from May to October, camping is by self-registration at all campsites. The regular price is $14 per person at both Flamingo and Long Pine Key Campground.

When it comes to group camping (maximum of 15 persons in the group), there is one site at Long Pine Key Campground and four at Flamingo. The rate of group camping is $28 each night. For group reservation, you can call 305-242-77.

Time Regulations: The check-out time is 11 am every day and you are suggested to arrive at least three hours earlier in order to get chance of obtaining a site, for all the campsites are operated on a first come, first served basis if no reservation has been made. If you want to re-register, please do it before the check-out time.

Please note that the consecutive camping is limited to 14 days during the winter season from November 1 to April 30. At the meantime, your camping can not exceed 30 years throughout a year in total.

10 pm to 6 am is the Quiet Time at Everglades National Park when you can not make noises. The Operating hours are from 8 am till 8 pm.

For more regulations on Food Storage, Water Disposal, Pets, Fires and more, please click:

Everglades National Park Camping Guide

http://www.everglades.national-park.com/camping.htm

- If you miss the opportunity of applying a campsite at the campgrounds above, never mind, as Everglades National Park has three additional backcountry campsites - Chickees, Ground Sites, and Beach Sites. Overnight camping at these three sites is required Backcountry Permits which should be displayed on your tent during your camping and be returned to the Ranger Station or Visitors Center before your leaving.

Backcountry Permit is charged at $10 for up to 6 persons, $20 for 7 to 12 persons, and $30 for 13 and more persons. You can purchase it at the following sites during the designated time daily.

Gulf Coast Center - 7:30 am to 4:45pm

Flamingo Visitor Center - 7:30 am to 5 pm

Main Entrance Station - 8 am to 5 pm

You can find more specific information about backcountry camping on the website of Everglades National Park Camping Guide.

The next topic is lodging. Maybe you are not tempted by the excitement of camping, or looking for a quiet night in a comfortable hotel room, all right, your desire will be fulfilled. If you prefer lodging inside the park, choose Flamingo Hotel which is the only lodging option available within the park. In addition, there are two accessible rooms inside.

If you want to lodge outside the park, Redland and Grove Inn Country Guest House are recommended.

- Redland is the oldest commercial building in Homestead which was opened since 1904. The hotel is striving to offer the premier services of lodging, dining, conferences and business meetings. Staying in Redland Hotel, you can be within 25 to 35 minutes from a number of natural attractions, such as Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park and the Florida Keys. The physical location of this hotel is 5 South Flagler Avenue, Homestead. You can call toll free (800) 595-1904 for inquiry and reservation.

Redland

http://www.redlandhotel.com/

- Grove Inn Country Guest House is located at 22540 South West Krome Avenue, and very suitable for a family getaway. Nestled adjacent to Everglades National Park, Biscayne Underwater Park, Monkey Jungle and the "World Class" Fruit and Spice Park, Grove Inn provides 14 uniquely decorated guest rooms named after exotic fruits. In addition, lodging in Grove Inn Country Guest House avails you to access to Miami's stunning nightlife and beaches in 30 minutes.

Grove Inn Country Guesthouse

http://www.groveinn.com/

Visiting to a national park always is a thrilling experience. The next most important thing we have to look up is the good lodging facility. In and around Everglades National Park there are many luxurious and pleasant hotels in Miami to prefer.

The Flamingo lodge is the only lodge inside the park and is open year around. It has 103 rooms and 24 cottages with the kitchen facilities. The tourists experience a comfortable place to live in.

http://www.evergladessafaripark.com/

The other lodges near the national park are:

- Comfort Inn Florida City

- Travelodge Florida City Homestead

- Ramada Florida City

- Budget Host Inn Florida City

- Holiday Inn Express Suites Florida City

- Econo Lodge Florida City

The following link provides more information about the lodgings in Everglades's national park http://www.everglades.national-park.com/lodge.htm

Facilities in lodges near Everglades National Park:

All these hotels are very near to the Miami international airport and the shopping malls, restaurants are at walking distance which adds to theirs feather. The amenities in the lodgings are awfully pleasing and they include

- Swimming pool

- Fully air conditioned rooms

- Equipped with cable TV/FM

- 24 hours free parking

- Dry cleaning/laundry

- Non-smoking rooms

- Business center.

http://www.us-parks.com/everglades-national-park/lodging.htmlthis link gives complete information on various lodgings and their services.

The Everglades National Park is one excellent tourist destination in Miami. It is second only to the Yellowstone National Park in terms of land area and has the distinction of being the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. People who visit this park from far away places make it a point that their choice of hotels in Miami are near the vicinity of the park. This way they it would be more convenient to visit the park.

http://www.everglades.national-park.com/

Here are some hotels in Miami to consider if you want to stay near the park

Holiday Inn Express

- Located just a few miles away from the Everglades National Park, this is one great hotel to stay if you want to visit the park.
- Hotel Reservations: 1800-1651-8888
- Hotel Front Desk: 1-305-2473414

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel-directory/florida/florida-city

Ocean Pointe Suites Key Largo

- A resort style hotel that lets you truly unwind and relax. For fun filled activity it is also located near the Everglades National Park.
- Tel 305-853-3000 (Reservations)
- Tel 800-882-9464 (USA & Canada Reservations)
- Fax 305-853-3007

http://www.opsuites.com/

Days Inn Hotel Homestead

- Popularly known as "the Gateway of the Florida Keys". This hotel is located just a couple of miles away from the Everglades National Park.
- Phone:305-245-1260
- Fax:305-247-0939

http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/control/Booking/check_avail?variant=&id=05581&propBrandId=DI&force_nostay=false&bmInSession=true&tab=tab1

Ramada Florida City

- A hotel that is strategically located near the Florida Keys and the Everglades.
- Phone: (305) 247-8833
- Fax: (305) 247-6456

http://www.hotelfloridacity.com/

As soon as you make a choice of any of the hotels in Miami that are located near the Everglades, the adventure would soon begin with your tour of the park.