Spread across the southern tip of Florida, Everglades National Park protects one of the most unique and life-filled landscapes in the world. Often described as a slow-moving river of grass, the Everglades is a vast wetland ecosystem shaped by water, sawgrass marshes, mangrove forests, and cypress domes. Each sunrise reveals a quiet mosaic of shimmering wetlands, tree islands, and winding waterways where herons, egrets, and spoonbills glide above the water. Beneath the surface, the park supports an intricate web of life that depends on the steady flow of freshwater from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay.
Established as a national park in 1947, the Everglades became the first park created to protect an entire ecosystem rather than a specific scenic feature. The region had faced decades of drainage, development, and ecological disruption, which sparked a growing movement to safeguard what remained of this extraordinary landscape. Today, the Everglades preserves the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and serves as a refuge for endangered species such as the Florida panther, the West Indian manatee, and the American crocodile.
The Everglades offers incredible opportunities for exploration and wildlife viewing. Visitors can paddle through silent mangrove tunnels, walk along boardwalks that overlook alligator-filled marshes, or cruise across vast grasslands on an airboat. The park’s diverse habitats support a remarkable variety of birds, reptiles, and mammals that thrive in this wetland world. Each season brings changes in water levels and wildlife movement, revealing the deep connection between the flow of water and the life it sustains.
Conservation in Everglades National Park focuses on restoring natural water flow, protecting critical habitats, and combating threats such as invasive species, pollution, and rising sea levels. The National Park Service works with scientists, environmental organizations, and tribal communities to revive the health of this delicate ecosystem. Visitors are encouraged to explore responsibly, respect wildlife, and learn about the importance of freshwater restoration. Everglades National Park is a reminder that the survival of an ecosystem depends on balance, patience, and a commitment to the natural world.
Our Experience
This park began our eastern exploration of the National parks! This park is massive & offers a lot to visitors. We got to experience a seafood festival, a bay boat tour to the everglade islands, hiking and a swamp air boat tour! We saw so many alligators and a lot of very interesting birds.