A Guide to Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park
Exploring South Florida: Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park
When most people think of South Florida, they picture beaches, palm trees, and the Miami skyline. What surprised me most during my trip was discovering how much wilderness still exists just beyond the cities. In only two days, I explored two of Florida's most unique national parks: Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park. Although they are located less than an hour apart, they protect completely different ecosystems. One is a vast wilderness of wetlands, mangroves, and wildlife, while the other preserves the clear waters and marine habitats of Biscayne Bay.
Together, these parks showcase a side of Florida that many visitors never see.
Everglades and Biscayne National Park Overview
Located at the southern tip of Florida, Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park protect two of the most important ecosystems in the United States.
Everglades National Park covers more than 1.5 million acres and is the largest subtropical wilderness in North America. Often called the "River of Grass," the Everglades is actually a slow-moving river flowing south from Lake Okeechobee toward Florida Bay. The park is home to hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, mammals, and fish, including alligators, crocodiles, manatees, and the endangered Florida panther.
Just east of the Everglades lies Biscayne National Park, where nearly 95% of the park is underwater. The park protects Biscayne Bay, coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove shorelines, and small islands that support a diverse marine ecosystem. Despite being located near Miami, Biscayne feels surprisingly peaceful and remote.
Visiting both parks provides a unique opportunity to experience two very different sides of South Florida's natural environment.
Getting There
Both parks are easily accessible from Miami and make a great combination for a weekend trip.
By Car
Everglades National Park (Ernest F. Coe Entrance)
Miami: Approximately 1 hour
Fort Lauderdale: Approximately 1.5 hours
Key Largo: Approximately 1.5 hours
Biscayne National Park (Dante Fascell Visitor Center)
Miami: Approximately 45 minutes
Fort Lauderdale: Approximately 1 hour
Key Largo: Approximately 45 minutes
Tip
Wildlife in the Everglades is most active during the cooler morning hours, so it is best to start your day there and visit Biscayne later in the afternoon.
Entrance Fees
Everglades National Park
$35 per vehicle (7-day pass)
$30 per motorcycle
$20 per pedestrian or bicyclist
Biscayne National Park
No entrance fee
While admission to Biscayne National Park is free, some activities such as guided boat tours have additional costs.
Where to Stay
If you plan to visit both parks, Homestead, Florida is one of the most convenient places to stay.
Other nearby options include:
Florida City
Miami
Key Largo
Everglades City
These locations provide easy access to both parks while offering a variety of hotels and restaurants.
Best Time to Visit
Winter (December-April)
The most popular time to visit because of:
Cooler temperatures
Fewer mosquitoes
Better wildlife viewing
Comfortable hiking conditions
Summer (May-November)
Hot and humid conditions
Frequent afternoon thunderstorms
Larger mosquito populations
Excellent opportunities for water activities
Day 1: Exploring the Everglades
One of our first stops was the famous Anhinga Trail, a short boardwalk trail that offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the park. Almost immediately, we spotted several alligators resting in the water just below the boardwalk. Great egrets, herons, turtles, and anhingas were everywhere. What amazed me most was how close the animals were. In many national parks, spotting wildlife takes patience and luck. Here, it felt like wildlife was around every corner.
Afterward, we continued deeper into the park and stopped at Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook. From the observation platform, the River of Grass stretched in every direction. Looking out across the endless sawgrass prairie helped me understand why the Everglades is considered one of the most unique ecosystems in the world.
Later in the day, we visited Mahogany Hammock Trail, a short walk through a dense tropical forest. The shaded boardwalk felt completely different from the open wetlands we had explored earlier. Towering mahogany trees and lush vegetation surrounded us, making it easy to forget we were still in the same national park.
As the afternoon continued, we drove toward Flamingo, located at the southern end of the park. Along the drive, we saw wading birds feeding in shallow water and several crocodiles near the marina. Watching the sunset over Florida Bay was the perfect way to end the day. The sky slowly changed from blue to orange and pink while the water reflected the fading sunlight.
Florida Shorelines.Day 2: From the River of Grass to Biscayne Bay
Our second day in South Florida began back in the Everglades before we made our way east toward Biscayne National Park. What amazed me most was how quickly the landscape changed. One moment we were surrounded by wetlands, sawgrass prairies, and mangroves, and less than an hour later we were looking out across the bright blue waters of Biscayne Bay.
One of the most interesting things about Biscayne National Park is that nearly 95% of it is underwater. Unlike many national parks where the main attractions are visible from roads and trails, much of Biscayne's beauty lies beneath the surface. While many visitors explore the park by boat, kayak, or snorkeling tour, our visit focused on the mainland portion of the park.
We started at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, which serves as the gateway to Biscayne National Park. The exhibits inside explained the park's unique ecosystems, from coral reefs and seagrass beds to mangrove forests and the small islands scattered throughout the bay. I found it fascinating how all of these habitats work together to support hundreds of species of fish, birds, and marine animals.
After exploring the exhibits, we walked along the shoreline behind the visitor center. The calm waters of Biscayne Bay stretched toward the horizon, and despite being so close to Miami, the area felt peaceful and surprisingly remote. Pelicans glided over the water while boats moved slowly through the bay in the distance.
One thing that stood out to me was how different Biscayne felt from the Everglades. The Everglades are known for their wildlife, wetlands, and vast open landscapes, while Biscayne is centered around the ocean and the ecosystems hidden beneath its surface. Even though we didn't travel offshore to the islands or coral reefs, learning about the park's underwater world gave me a greater appreciation for how unique it is.
By the end of the day, I realized that visiting both parks together provides a much fuller picture of South Florida's natural environment. The Everglades protect the freshwater ecosystems that define the region, while Biscayne preserves the marine habitats just offshore. Although they are very different from one another, they are deeply connected and equally important.
As we headed back toward Miami, I couldn't stop thinking about how much diversity exists within such a small area. In just two days, we had explored wetlands filled with alligators and wading birds, walked among mangrove forests, and stood beside the waters of Biscayne Bay. It was the perfect way to experience the wild side of South Florida.
Top Things to Do
Everglades National Park
Walk the Anhinga Trail
Visit Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook
Explore Mahogany Hammock Trail
Drive to Flamingo
Watch wildlife at sunrise or sunset
Look for alligators, crocodiles, and wading birds
Biscayne National Park
Visit the Dante Fascell Visitor Center
Walk the shoreline trails
Learn about the park's coral reef ecosystem
Enjoy views of Biscayne Bay
Watch birds and marine wildlife from shore
Take a boat tour (optional)
Tips for a Great Trip
Bring plenty of water.
Wear sunscreen and insect repellent.
Visit early for the best wildlife viewing.
Bring binoculars for birdwatching.
Check weather conditions before visiting.
Stay on designated trails and boardwalks.
Follow Leave No Trace principles.
Final Thoughts
Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park couldn't be more different, yet they complement each other perfectly. One is a vast wilderness of wetlands filled with alligators, birds, and mangrove forests. The other protects a hidden underwater world of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and marine ecosystems.
Visiting both parks on the same trip showed me just how diverse South Florida really is. From watching alligators glide through the River of Grass to standing along the shores of Biscayne Bay, every stop revealed a different side of the region's natural beauty.
If you're planning a trip to South Florida, don't choose between the Everglades and Biscayne. Visit both. Together, they tell the story of one of the most unique and ecologically important landscapes in the United States.
Sources & Further Reading
https://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm
https://www.nps.gov/bisc/index.htm
https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/anhinga-trail.htm
https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/pa-hay-o-kee-overlook.htm
https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/mahogany-hammock-trail.htm
https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/flamingo.htm
https://www.nps.gov/bisc/planyourvisit/dante-fascell-visitor-center.htm
*Note: All images included in this guide were captured by the author during the trip.
Unless otherwise noted, all photographs in this article are the property of the author.
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