Introduction
The Everglades, located in the southern tip of Florida, is one of the most iconic and remarkable places in the United States. It is known for its vast wetlands and mangrove forests, which provide refuge for numerous species of plants and animals. While the Everglades may seem distant and far away for many, it’s actually quite accessible from the nearby city of Miami. So, how far is it from Miami to the Everglades?
Overview of the Everglades
The Everglades is a unique ecosystem that covers the southern tip of the state of Florida in parts of Miami-Dade, Broward, Collier and Monroe Counties. It’s one of the largest wetlands in the world and it’s home to more than 350 species of birds and numerous other animals, such as alligators, crocodiles, deer and panthers.
The Everglades is also a popular spot for outdoor activities like canoeing, air boating and even fishing. You can explore over 2 million acres of saw grass plains, wetlands or hammocks with many feet of water either above or below the surface. Although much has been lost due to drainage for housing developments, progress has been made to revive this area through conservation efforts led by the National Park Service.
Visitors from all over come to experience its beauty but may be surprised to find out how close it is from nearby Miami – just 60 miles south! Many travelers who live farther away can take advantage of low cost airlines that fly in to either Fort Lauderdale or Miami International Airports as they are both within easy reach to most attractions inside of Everglades National Park.
Location
The Everglades is a large subtropical wetlands region located in south Florida, United States of America. It is south of Lake Okeechobee and north of the Florida Keys. If you’re looking to visit this lovely place, then you should know that the Everglades is approximately 43 miles away from Miami.
How Far Is the Everglades From Miami
The Everglades National Park is located in southern Florida, just 40 miles southwest of Miami. The park is located between the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Okeechobee and consists of 1.5 million acres of sawgrass marshland and tropical hardwood hammocks. Because it’s so close to a densely populated area, the Everglades attract many visitors every year for recreation and wildlife spotting.
The easiest way to travel from Miami to the Everglades is by car; it takes about an hour on US-41 or I-75. A more leisurely option would be to take the scenic Palm Beach–Miami Coastline Railroad route which passes through South Florida coastal towns including Homestead, Florida City, and Lake Worth before ending in Key West – 120 miles to the south-east.
If you’re looking for a more adventurous journey, kayak or canoe tours are a great way to explore the area’s mangrove forests, sawgrass marshes, hardwood hammocks, sloughs, riverine swamps and other wetlands vital to its ecology. Guided tours on motorboats are also available which cover locations in addition to what can be seen from land.
What Cities Are Located Near the Everglades
The Everglades is a vast natural park located in south Florida, U.S.A., that covers nearly 1.5 million acres of wetlands and cypress swamplands. It lies mainly in Palm Beach County, partially in Collier County, and extends westward into Lee, Hendry and Miami-Dade counties. Stretching from Lake Okeechobee to the Florida Keys, the Everglades constitute the southern tip of a vast watershed covering more than 11 million acres leading north to central Florida and south to Port Everglades near Ft. Lauderdale.
There are several cities that are close to or within the boundaries of the Everglades National Park including Miami (the closest major city), Coral Gables, Key Largo, Homestead, South Bay, West Palm Beach and Naples. All of these cities are less than an hour away from the park by car depending on traffic conditions. In addition there are numerous smaller towns located in between these cities that provide access to trails for wildlife watching and outdoor activities such as:
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Camping
- Hiking
Transportation
If you’re looking to get to the Everglades from Miami, you’ll have a few different options. Depending on your preferences, you may want to drive, take the bus, or even fly. Let’s explore the various transportation options when traveling from Miami to the Everglades:
- Driving
- Taking the bus
- Flying
How Far Is the Everglades From Miami?
Getting to the Everglades from Miami, Florida is a relatively straightforward process. Many people choose to drive the short distance from Miami, as it is the most convenient and cost-effective option. The Everglades National Park is just 44 miles (70.8 kilometers) from downtown Miami, taking around one hour via car.
The public transportation system in and around Miami can also be used to travel to the Everglades. Visitors can take a combination of train and bus rides with Miami-Dade Transit or TriRail, which offer service beyond downtown Miami towards Homestead Station located on the edge of the Everglades National Park boundary. Upon arrival at Homestead Station, visitors can catch a taxi or local bus that takes them into the park itself.
For those looking for a more adventurous way of arriving in the ‘Glades’, guided airboat tours are available that depart from downtown Miami right up until Homestead by plane or helicopter if desired. This presents a valuable opportunity for sightseeing along the way before you set foot in some of Florida’s most untouched swamplands – home to diverse wildlife including panthers and alligators!
What Transportation Options are Available
If you plan to visit the Everglades National Park, there are a variety of transportation options available. Depending on where you are traveling from, the way you get there can vary significantly.
In terms of distance, the Everglades National Park is roughly 6 hours from Miami and 3 hours from Orlando by car. If you plan to drive to your destination in the Everglades, make sure to bring a navigation system or map for accurate directions and route planning.
For travelers who prefer not to drive, there are several public transportation options available such as Greyhound buses or Amtrak trains. Greyhound buses run several times each day between Miami and other key locations such as Fort Lauderdale and Naples while Amtrak offers commuter rail service between Orlando and Key West with stops in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and other southern Florida cities that link up with the Everglades.
Additionally, many airports near the Everglades offer car rental services so if visiting by plane is a more convenient option for you, renting a car may be your best bet. Likewise, car hire companies such as UBER also serve major tourist destinations nearby such as not only Miami but also Naples (an hour away). UBER enables customers to book their cars online meaning you’ll never have to wait in line or worry about availability when arriving at your destination airport.
Activities
Visiting the Everglades is a great way to spend a vacation, especially if you are looking for an adventure. The Everglades are located only a short drive from Miami, Florida, making it a perfect day trip. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely canoe ride or an adrenaline-filled airboat tour, here are some of the activities you can enjoy while visiting the Everglades:
- Canoe ride
- Airboat tour
- Bird watching
- Alligator spotting
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Camping
- Hiking
What Activities Can be Done in the Everglades
The Everglades is home to a variety of exciting activities. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, airboating, kayaking, bird watching, and sightseeing. Hiking trails provide the perfect opportunity to experience the wild and scenic areas around you. Biking trails are available for those looking to explore at a faster pace while still taking in natural wonders. Airboating is a great way to explore the inner waterways of the national park – get an up-close view of wildlife and catch a glimpse of some breathtaking sunsets!
Kayaking is a common activity in Everglades National Park as it allows visitors to access the unspoiled wetlands through the many rivers, sloughs and canals. Bird watching is also popular; there are many endangered species that call this park their home, including Bald Eagles and Florida Panthers. In addition to these activities, visitors can enjoy sightseeing from top observation towers or from scenic roadways that cross over part of the region’s ever-changing landscape.
The Everglades are located in South Florida about 25 miles west of Miami. It is one of America’s most diverse ecosystems and offers plenty of opportunities for enjoyment and education for all ages!
What Wildlife Can be Seen in the Everglades
The Everglades is a vast area made up of different wildlife habitats and some of the most diverse plant and animal life in North America. From manatees to alligators, bald eagles to storks, herons to ibises, this unique ecosystem is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Over 20 varieties of amphibians have been recorded here, as well as 58 types of mammals, 362 species of birds, 67 types of reptiles, and almost 500 various species of fishes—making the Everglades one of the prime locations for watching wildlife.
Mammals such as white-tailed deer can often be encountered in their natural habitat; while endangered species like anhingas, black bears and Florida panthers can also make appearances at times. Endemic species like tropical murmuring bats and the otherwise shy red cockaded woodpecker appear in the vastness too.
Every season brings something different; Flamingos can be seen near large lagoons throughout Florida Bay during winter months, while herons and egrets often frequent estuaries during its peak nesting months: February through April. It’s most productive times for birdwatchers are generally mid-April through mid-June—when migratory birds such as brown pelicans join their year-round winged friends for summer breeding sessions before heading off on their chilly sojourns come wintertime again! Meanwhile Atlantic bottlenose dolphins can usually be spotted cavorting just offshore from any sunny beach along the Gulf Coast from time to time regardless of season or climate.
Accommodations
The Everglades is located just over an hour’s drive away from Miami, making it a great option for a day trip or an overnight stay. When planning your vacation to the Everglades, there are plenty of options when it comes to accommodations. From cabins and campgrounds to luxury resorts, the Everglades offers a variety of accommodation types to suit any budget. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of Everglades accommodations available:
What Type of Accommodation is Available in the Everglades
The Everglades National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Florida, and it offers a variety of different types of accommodations for visitors. There are camping sites for those who are looking for a more rustic experience, as well as comfortable cabins and lodges to suit more luxurious tastes.
For campers, there are both primitive and developed campsites available. Primitive campsites have few amenities and minimal effort has been made to make them accessible. They typically come equipped with fire rings, but visitors should be prepared to bring their own water and supplies. Developed campsites offer a more comfortable experience with designated access roads, picnic tables, grills, parking spurs near the campsite, lantern posts, fire rings or fire grates and plenty of space for RV camping or tent camping.
Cabins at the Everglades also provide a unique lodging experience – they typically include basic necessities like bathrooms with running water showers and flushing toilets as well as electricity if needed. Cabins may either be air-conditioned or not air-conditioned; depending on whether guests need it or not. Some cabins include covered porches so visitors can take in the scenery (or wildlife!) without having to leave their room too far behind! Finally most cabins offer kitchenettes where guests can prepare meals or snacks during their stay if desired.
Lodges provide an even more luxurious lodging experience – these resorts often have spacious interiors as well as large porches that overlook open green areas full of native wildlife species like tortoises and lizards! Features vary from lodge to lodge: some boast private balconies offering stunning views of sunsets over the Everglades National Park while others offer fully furnished kitchens with all necessary accouterments for those who wish to dine in comfort after a day spent exploring the park’s trails on foot.
What Are the Best Places to Stay in the Everglades
The Everglades is a vast and diverse ecosystem, teeming with vibrant wildlife and plants so striking, it’s almost like another world. However, one must be prepared to make the trek in order to appreciate its majesty; the Everglades is located about 60 miles west of Miami.
If you’re looking for the best places to stay while exploring the area, you’ve got plenty of options. If you’re looking for something comfortable that doesn’t break the bank, there are plenty of cabin rentals or campgrounds nearby. At these locations, you’ll be close enough to enjoy all the sights and sounds of nature without sacrificing creature comforts like indoor plumbing and electricity.
For a more “luxurious” stay in nature, there are several lodges located in South Florida’s most scenic spots including Everglades City and Flamingo near Everglades National Park. For those looking for a truly one-of-a-kind experience try glamping –– camping with luxuries normally found in more traditional lodging such as air conditioning units and mini refrigerators.
For a remote all-inclusive eco-lodge experience, visitors can head West about 10 miles from Everglades National Park at Bore Tribe Wilderness Reserve: an off-the grid retreat with cottages, onsite activities such as kayaking, fishing excursions customized eco-tours & much more!