The Homestead-Flamingo Everglades Road Trip is one of those drives you don’t want to rush. From the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center to Flamingo, the 38-mile stretch of Ingraham Highway takes you deep into the southern Everglades, with plenty of places to stop along the way.
This isn’t just a drive through the park. The road passes through a surprising mix of landscapes, from pine rocklands and sawgrass marshes to tropical hardwood hammocks and coastal mangroves. Wildlife can appear around almost any bend, and some of the best experiences are found by simply pulling over and exploring a trail or overlook.
Give yourself plenty of time for this Everglades road trip from Homestead to Flamingo. There are historic sites, short nature trails, scenic overlooks, paddling trails, and plenty of opportunities to see the Everglades up close. Here are the stops we think are worth making along the way.
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Table of Contents
Homestead-Flamingo Everglades Road Trip: Important to Know Before You Go
A little planning will make your Homestead-Flamingo Everglades Road Trip much more enjoyable. The park is open year-round, but conditions can change quickly, and services are limited once you get farther into the park.
- Entrance Fees: A private vehicle pass is $35 and valid for seven days. If you visit several national parks during the year, check out the America the Beautiful Pass for potential savings. Check the current NPS entrance fees and passes before your trip.
- Operating Hours: Everglades National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, although individual facilities have seasonal hours.
- Visitor Centers: Stop at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center before starting the drive. At the other end, the Guy Bradley Visitor Center at Flamingo is a great place to get current information, maps, and ranger advice. Hours vary so check the official Everglades National Park website before heading out.
- Cell Service: Don’t count on having cell service along the drive. Download maps and information before leaving Homestead.
- Bring Water: Bring plenty of drinking water, especially if you plan to hike, paddle, or spend several hours exploring the trails. A refillable water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, and a camera belong in your daypack.
- Dress for the Everglades: Lightweight long pants and long sleeves are useful for protecting yourself from mosquitoes, sun, and vegetation. Sturdy shoes are a good choice for trails, and waterproof footwear can be helpful when conditions are wet or muddy.
- Pets: Pets are allowed in developed areas such as roads, parking lots, and campgrounds, but generally aren’t permitted on trails or boardwalks. Keep them on a leash no longer than six feet
- Best Time to Go: November through March is the dry season and generally the most comfortable time to explore. April through October brings more heat, humidity, storms, and mosquitoes..
Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center: Start Your Drive Here
The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is the natural starting point for the Homestead-Flamingo Everglades Road Trip. Before heading down Ingraham Highway, stop here for maps, current trail conditions, and advice from the park rangers. You can also check the Everglades National Park map before you go to see where the stops fall along the route.
Once you’re ready to start exploring, follow the road toward Royal Palm. This is where the Everglades really begins to open up, with sawgrass marshes, wetlands, and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife.
Royal Palm and the Anhinga Trail
Royal Palm is one of the first major stops on the drive from Homestead to Flamingo. The spur road is about 1.6 miles from the park entrance and continues another 1.9 miles to the Royal Palm area.
Parking can fill quickly, especially during the busy winter season, so we prefer arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Before heading onto the trail, check the current conditions and take a look at the warning signs about vultures.
PRO Tip: Everglades vultures have been known to damage vehicle rubber, including windshield wipers and weather stripping. The park provides tarps and bungee cords that you can use to cover vulnerable parts of your vehicle. Don’t skip this step—those vultures can be surprisingly destructive!
Historic Nike Missile Site HM-69
One of the most unexpected stops along the road from Homestead to Flamingo is the Historic Nike Missile Site HM-69. Tucked away in the Everglades, this Cold War-era site played a role in the defense of South Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
We had no idea there was a Nike missile installation in the middle of Everglades National Park until we visited. Today, the site offers a fascinating glimpse into a tense period of American history.
The actual missile site is only accessible by ranger-led tour. Tours are seasonal, so check with the park for the current schedule before making the drive.
PRO Tip: The tour takes you into an exposed area with little shade, so bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Want to learn more? Read our complete guide to the Historic Nike Missile Site HM-69 in Everglades National Park, including the history of the site, what to expect on the ranger-led tour, and tips for visiting.
Walk the Anhinga Trail (MM 3.7) | 0.8 Miles • Loop • Wheelchair Accessible
The Anhinga Trail is one of the best places to stop on the drive from Homestead to Flamingo. This 0.8-mile paved and boardwalk loop winds through Taylor Slough, giving you an up-close look at the Everglades’ famous “River of Grass.”
The trail begins on a paved walkway before transitioning to a raised boardwalk over the wetlands. Keep your eyes on the water and along the edges of the slough. Alligators, turtles, wading birds, anhingas, and other wildlife are often visible along the trail.
We spent quite a bit of time looking for largemouth bass. We’re usually trying to catch bass, not watch them during their mating ritual, so seeing them behaving this way was fascinating. It’s one of those unexpected wildlife encounters that makes exploring the Everglades so much fun.
Download the NPS app before your visit so you have access to the park information and trail map even when cell service is unavailable.
TIP: Anhinga Trail can get crowded, especially during the busy winter season. We recommend arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon for a quieter experience and better opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Don’t Miss the Gumbo Limbo Trail (MM 3.7) | 0.4 Miles • Loop • Wheelchair Accessible
The Gumbo Limbo Trail takes you into a tropical hardwood hammock and offers a completely different look at the Everglades than the nearby Anhinga Trail. It is generally quieter, making it a nice place to slow down and explore.
Interpretive signs along the paved trail explain the plants and wildlife found in this unique ecosystem, and many of the trees are labeled so you can learn what you’re seeing as you walk.
Keep an eye out for solution holes along the trail. These natural depressions form when acidic rainwater gradually dissolves the underlying karst limestone. They are a fascinating reminder that the Everglades is shaped by more than water and wildlife—the geology beneath your feet plays an important role too.
This is a good short walk when you want to get out of the heat and see a different side of the park. Just remember that mosquitoes can be present, particularly during the wetter months, so bring insect repellent.
WARNING: Avoid touching poison ivy and poisonwood. Both can cause skin reactions, so stay on the trail and be careful around vegetation.
Pinelands Trail: A Diverse Landscape (MM 6.8) | 0.4 Miles • Loop • Wheelchair Accessible
The Pinelands Trail is a 0.4-mile walk through a slash pine forest and offers another change in scenery along the road to Flamingo. Interpretive signs along the trail explain the plants and wildlife that make this ecosystem unique.
The forest understory is filled with saw palmettos, scattered ferns, and other subtropical vegetation. We spotted tree snails and several lizards during our walk, so keep your eyes open as you explore.
One of the most interesting features here is the solution holes. Rainwater, combined with decaying leaves and other organic material, gradually dissolves the limestone bedrock beneath the Everglades. Some of these depressions hold water, providing an important source for wildlife during the dry season.
I find the geology of the Everglades fascinating. You can see how even subtle changes in the landscape create completely different habitats throughout the park.
Pa-hay-okee Overlook Trail (MM 14.2) | 0.2 Miles • Loop • Wheelchair Accessible
The short Pa-hay-okee Overlook Trail leads through a woodland setting before opening onto a raised observation platform overlooking the vast sawgrass marsh. The Seminole name Pa-hay-okee means “grassy waters,” an appropriate name for one of the best places along the drive to appreciate the scale of the Everglades.
From the observation deck, the River of Grass seems to stretch endlessly toward the horizon. It’s a quick stop, but the panoramic view makes it well worth getting out of the car.
TRAVEL TIP: If your schedule allows, consider stopping here near sunset. The wide-open view across the sawgrass makes Pa-hay-okee a beautiful place to watch the changing light over the Everglades.
Pa-hay-okee Overlook Trail Map
A Walk into the “Jungle” — Mahogany Hammock Trail (MM 21.8) | 0.4 Miles • Loop • Wheelchair Accessible
About halfway between Homestead and Flamingo, the Mahogany Hammock Trail offers a completely different perspective on the Everglades. This 0.4-mile loop follows a raised boardwalk through the sawgrass wetland before entering a tropical hardwood hammock.
The contrast is amazing. One minute you’re surrounded by open wetlands, and the next you’re walking beneath a dense canopy of hardwood trees. It amazes me how such a small rise in elevation can create an entirely different ecosystem.
We saw strangler figs, gumbo limbo trees, palms, and large hardwoods covered with epiphytes. The trail’s namesake is the West Indian mahogany, a native tree prized for centuries for its durable wood. Look for the impressive mahogany trees growing throughout the hammock.
These elevated hammocks provide important habitat for wildlife and serve as islands of higher ground within the surrounding wetlands. They are a fascinating part of what makes the Everglades such a diverse ecosystem.
Mosquitoes can be a problem, particularly during the wetter months, so bring plenty of insect repellent. There are no facilities at the trailhead, so plan accordingly.
Paurotis Pond: A Great Birding Stop (MM 24.6)
About 24 miles from the main park entrance, Paurotis Pond is a worthwhile stop along the drive to Flamingo. A few picnic tables sit near the water, making this a nice place to stretch your legs, have lunch, and spend some time watching the birds.
Paurotis Pond is especially known for its nesting wading birds. We saw an incredible variety during our visit, including white ibis, snowy egrets, roseate spoonbills, wood storks, little blue herons, black-crowned night herons, great blue herons, great egrets, and anhingas. The pond provides important habitat for the federally endangered wood stork.
The park may temporarily close portions of the area to protect nesting birds, so check current conditions before fishing or launching a canoe.
Mosquitoes can be an issue in the Everglades, although we found them much more tolerable during the dry season. We enjoyed our picnic, watched the birds, and even cast a few lures before continuing south toward Flamingo.
Explore the Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail (MM 26.5) | 5.2 Miles • Loop
If you want to get off the road and experience the Everglades from the water, Nine Mile Pond is a great place to do it. We rented a canoe for the day and headed out onto the shallow-water trail, following the white PVC markers through a maze of mangroves, sawgrass, and periphyton.
The markers make the route easier to follow, but don’t expect them to always be easy to spot. In places, the vegetation makes navigation a little tricky, and maneuvering a canoe through the narrow passages can be part of the adventure.
We visited during the dry season, but water levels were higher than usual. The cooler, overcast weather also kept the mosquitoes away, which we certainly appreciated. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t ideal for wildlife viewing, and we didn’t see as much as we had hoped.
Even so, paddling through this quiet landscape gave us a completely different perspective on the Everglades. If you enjoy canoeing or kayaking, Nine Mile Pond is one of the stops I’d consider adding to your Homestead-to-Flamingo itinerary.
Learn more about the Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail
Explore West Lake Trail (MM 29.7) | 0.4 Miles • Boardwalk
The West Lake Trail is a short self-guided boardwalk through one of the Everglades’ most fascinating ecosystems—a coastal mangrove forest. The trail gives you a chance to see how freshwater and saltwater environments come together in this part of the park.
Three species of mangroves can be found along the trail: red, black, and white mangroves. Red mangroves are especially easy to recognize because of their distinctive prop roots, which extend from the branches down toward the water. These tangled roots help stabilize shorelines and provide important nursery habitat for young fish.
Buttonwood trees are also common along the trail. Keep your eyes on the water and in the trees because West Lake is an excellent place for birding. During our visit, we saw purple gallinules, limpkins, coots, herons, ibises, and roseate spoonbills. Alligators may also be spotted along the shoreline, particularly on cooler days.
There is a canoe and kayak launch here, along with a covered area where you can sit and watch the wildlife. It’s a peaceful place to slow down and enjoy the mangroves.
West Lake Canoe Trail
For experienced paddlers, West Lake also provides access to a much longer backcountry route. The canoe trail winds through Long Lake and the mangroves before eventually reaching Alligator Creek and Garfield Bight. The full route is challenging, and conditions can change quickly with wind and water levels.
We paddled about three miles before turning around. The maze of mangroves made the trip an adventure, and we enjoyed seeing the Everglades from the water.
Travel Tip: Check weather and water conditions before paddling West Lake. Strong winds can make the open water difficult to navigate, and crocodiles and alligators are present in this part of the park.
Paddle the Hell’s Bay Canoe Trail
The Hell’s Bay Canoe Trail is a peaceful paddle through the Everglades’ mangrove wilderness, but don’t let the quiet scenery fool you. This is a backcountry route that can become challenging when the wind picks up.
We rented a tandem kayak for half a day, which gave us plenty of time to explore. The route is marked with white PVC poles that guide paddlers through the maze of mangroves. Along the way, you’ll find access to several backcountry campsites and chickees, including Lard Can, Pearl Bay, and Hell’s Bay. Camping requires a backcountry permit.
The day we visited, a brisk wind was blowing and the skies were beginning to look threatening. We made it as far as Pearl Bay Chickee before deciding it was time to turn around. The old saying that Hell’s Bay is “hell to get into and hell to get out of” certainly makes sense when the weather turns.
Even though we didn’t complete the entire route, we had a wonderful afternoon. The paddle was peaceful, and we saw plenty of wading birds and a few alligators along the way.
Travel Tip: Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, insect repellant, binoculars, snacks, and a camera. A waterproof dry bag. is also a smart addition for protecting your gear. Check the weather before launching because wind and storms can make paddling conditions much more difficult.
Navigate the Snake Bight Trail (MM 33.1) | 3.6 Miles • Out & Back • Moderate
The Snake Bight Trail follows an old roadbed along the Snake Bight Canal toward Florida Bay. The 3.6-mile out-and-back trail is mostly flat, but don’t underestimate it. Heat, mud, mosquitoes, and the lack of shade near the bay can make this a challenging walk.
The trail begins in a tropical hammock where you’ll have some shade. As you get closer to Florida Bay, the vegetation opens up and the trail becomes much more exposed. The final stretch leads to a boardwalk with beautiful views across the bay.
WARNING: Trail conditions can be rough, and maintenance may be limited. Check current conditions before setting out, particularly after storms or during the wet season.
And then there are the mosquitoes. During hot weather, they can be relentless. Even on cooler winter days, we recommend long pants, long sleeves, and plenty of bug repellent.
Don’t let the bugs discourage you, though. If you make it to the end, the views are worth the effort. When the tide is out, the exposed flats attract plenty of birds. During our visit, we saw roseate spoonbills, white pelicans, and other wading birds. The mangroves along the trail also provide habitat for flycatchers, warblers, and catbirds.
We even spotted a few alligators sunning themselves in the cooler weather. I only wish we had brought our fishing rods. The canal looked like it could be a fun place to cast a few lures!
Stop at Mrazek Pond (MM 34.2)
Just four miles north of the Flamingo area, Mrazek Pond is an easy roadside stop and a good place to look for birds. When water levels are low, the pond can attract impressive numbers of wading and migratory birds.
During the winter months, ducks, herons, egrets, white pelicans, and other water birds frequent the pond. When we stopped here on our return trip to Homestead, we spotted kingfishers and ibises.
Bring binoculars and take a few minutes to scan the shoreline and surrounding trees. You never know what might be waiting.
Follow the Rowdy Bend Trail (MM 34.5) | 2.6 Miles • Out & Back
The Rowdy Bend Trail follows an old roadbed through coastal prairie and eventually connects with the Snake Bight Trail. The landscape changes from tropical hammock to lowland buttonwood, marsh grasses, and mangrove habitat, with epiphytes covering many of the trees.
This is a quieter option for travelers who want to get farther from the main road. A bicycle can also be a good way to explore the old roadbed.
TRAVEL TIP: Conditions can be muddy and buggy, especially during the wet season. Long pants, long sleeves, and plenty of bug repellent are a good idea. Check current trail conditions before setting out, as conditions and maintenance can change.
The area also provides habitat for the Cape Sable thoroughwort, a rare plant found in the southern Everglades.
Enjoy Lunch at Coot Bay Pond Picnic Area (MM 34.5)
Coot Bay Pond is a simple roadside stop, but it’s a nice place to slow down and enjoy the scenery. The mangroves reflected beautifully in the water during our visit, and the setting reminded me of Big Cypress National Preserve.
There are a few picnic tables near the water, although the mangroves block much of the view of Coot Bay Pond. Still, it’s a pleasant place to stop for lunch before continuing toward Flamingo.
We didn’t have a saltwater fishing license during our visit, but we could see snook striking bait in the clear, tannin-stained water. It definitely made me wish we’d brought the fishing gear!
Adventure Along the Christian Point Trail (MM 38.1) | 4 Miles • Out & Back
The Christian Point Trail heads through coastal prairie toward Florida Bay, with mangrove flats becoming more prominent as you get closer to the water.
When we hiked it, conditions were difficult. The trail was extremely muddy and flooded, and portions were overgrown and challenging to follow. Saltwater intrusion and storm damage had also changed much of the landscape.
The mosquitoes were another story. Even with a breeze, they were thick among the mangroves. We eventually made it to Florida Bay, but this is a trail where conditions can make a huge difference in the experience.
WARNING: Check current trail conditions before attempting Christian Point. After heavy rain or storms, flooding, mud, vegetation, and mosquitoes can make the trail significantly more difficult.
Bear Lake Trail (MM 39.3) | 3.5 Miles • Out & Back
The Bear Lake Trail follows a dirt service road for roughly two miles before continuing toward Bear Lake alongside the Wilderness Waterway.
Our first attempt didn’t go well. The mosquitoes were so bad that we had to turn around. Even bathing ourselves in DEET wasn’t enough to make the hike enjoyable!
We tried again during much cooler weather, with near-freezing temperatures, overcast skies, and a brisk north wind. What a difference! The mosquitoes were practically gone, and we enjoyed the walk much more. I even spotted beautiful spiderwebs covered in early-morning dew.
The road can be rough and overgrown, but our truck had no trouble reaching the trailhead. If conditions are right, the trail offers a quieter side of the Everglades and good views of Bear Lake.
Walk the Eco Pond Trail (MM 41) | 0.5 Miles • Loop
Just off the road near the Flamingo Campground, the Eco Pond Trail is an easy 0.5-mile loop and one of the simplest walks along the Homestead-to-Flamingo drive.
The freshwater pond attracts a variety of birds, and it’s not unusual to see alligators and turtles along the shoreline. During our visit, we watched alligators and turtles sunning themselves after a cold spell.
Because of its location near the campground, this trail can be popular. It’s also a good choice for families looking for a short walk without committing to a longer Everglades hike.
Explore the Coastal Prairie Trail
The Coastal Prairie Trail follows an old roadbed behind Flamingo’s C Loop Campground before heading into the coastal prairie. The full trail is about 12 miles out and back, but you don’t have to hike the entire route to experience this remote part of the Everglades.
We explored only the first section during our visit. The trail was wet and flooded in places, but the low tide worked in our favor. A small thicket of oaks gives way to open coastal prairie, and the farther we walked, the more isolated we felt. We didn’t encounter another person during our hike.
The trail eventually reaches the coast, where Clubhouse Beach is known for its shells and remote setting. If you’re planning to continue into the backcountry or camp at Clubhouse Beach, you’ll need the appropriate permit.
Travel Tip: This is not a quick roadside walk. Bring plenty of water, bug repellent, and sun protection, and check trail and weather conditions before heading out.
Flamingo — The End of the Road (MM 40.3)
After 38 miles of sawgrass marshes, pine forests, mangroves, and coastal prairie, Flamingo is where the road ends and Florida Bay begins. This is the southernmost destination in Everglades National Park and the perfect place to slow down after your drive from Homestead.
The landscape changes dramatically here. The open waters of Florida Bay stretch toward the horizon, and the surrounding mangroves provide habitat for an incredible variety of wildlife. During our visit, we even spotted a nesting osprey near the visitor center.
Stop at the Guy Bradley Visitor Center
The Guy Bradley Visitor Center is a good first stop when you arrive in Flamingo. You can pick up information, maps, use the restrooms, learn more about the area, and get current conditions from park staff before heading out to explore.
There is plenty of parking, along with access to the campground, marina, and nearby trails.
Explore the Flamingo Marina
The Flamingo Marina is the hub for exploring the waterways around Florida Bay. You can launch your own kayak or canoe, rent equipment, or join a guided boat tour into the backcountry.
We stopped at the marina for a snack and a chance to rest before exploring more of Flamingo. I considered renting a canoe, but after spending the day hiking and paddling along the road from Homestead, we were ready for a break. Maybe next time!
The marina also has a small store with food, drinks, and other necessities. Fuel is available, which can be especially helpful if you need it before making the long drive back to Homestead.
Travel Tip: Don’t wait until you’re almost out of fuel to fill up. Services are limited once you’re this far into the Everglades, and prices at remote locations can be considerably higher.
Flamingo is more than just the end of the road. It’s where the freshwater Everglades meets Florida Bay, and it’s one of the best places along this drive to appreciate just how diverse this national park really is.
Walk the Guy Bradley Trail
The Guy Bradley Trail is an easy, paved 1.5-mile walk connecting the Flamingo visitor center area with the campground along the edge of Florida Bay. It’s a beautiful way to stretch your legs after the drive from Homestead.
We visited on a chilly, windy day when temperatures were around 44 degrees, so mosquitoes weren’t an issue. I can imagine this would be a very different experience during a hot, humid summer day!
The trail follows the shoreline and offers views across Florida Bay. Keep an eye out for wading birds and other wildlife along the water.
Take an Everglades Backcountry Boat Tour
If you have time for only one guided activity in Flamingo, I highly recommend taking a backcountry boat tour.
Our tour traveled through the Buttonwood Canal, Coot Bay, and Tarpon Creek before entering Whitewater Bay. The ride gave us a completely different perspective of the Everglades, and our narrator was both knowledgeable and entertaining.
We were especially excited to see several American crocodiles sunning themselves along the banks and around the marina. Our guide also pointed out manatees near the marina, and the boat provided excellent opportunities for photographing birds and other wildlife.
The tour was educational without feeling like a lecture, and we learned much more about the mangrove ecosystem and waterways than we would have exploring on our own.
I only wish we’d had time to take the sunset cruise. After spending the day driving, hiking, and paddling through the Everglades, watching the sun disappear over Florida Bay would have been the perfect ending.
Travel Tip: Boat tours run by Flamingo Everglades can fill, especially during the busy winter season. Check the current schedule and consider reserving ahead of your visit.
End Your Homestead-to-Flamingo Adventure at Sunset
After a full day exploring the road from Homestead to Flamingo, we headed back to our campsite and watched the sunset over Florida Bay.
It was the perfect ending to a day spent exploring one of the most unusual landscapes in the country. The Everglades isn’t a park you simply drive through. Take your time, get out of the car, and explore the places along the way. That’s where the real adventure begins.
Where to Stay Near Flamingo
If you want to experience more than just a day trip, staying overnight near Flamingo is a great choice. Being here early in the morning gives you a head start on the trails, waterways, and wildlife before the heat of the day arrives.
Camp at Flamingo Campground
The Flamingo Campground offers a peaceful place to spend the night at the end of the road. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings, although shade is limited.
The campground has both tent and RV camping areas, with some RV sites offering electrical hookups. Restrooms, a dump station, and a water refill station are available, making it a convenient base for exploring the southern Everglades.
What I liked most about staying here was the location. You’re already at Flamingo, so you can be on a trail or out on the water early in the morning without having to make the drive down from Homestead.
Stay in an Eco-Tent
Don’t want to sleep in a traditional tent? Flamingo’s Eco-Tents offer a more comfortable way to experience the Everglades. These elevated tents provide electricity, a queen-size bed, and storage while keeping you close to the campground and other Flamingo amenities.
It’s a nice middle ground between traditional camping and a hotel—and you don’t have to worry quite as much about sharing your sleeping space with the mosquitoes!
Stay at Flamingo Lodge
For travelers who prefer a real bed and a few more comforts, Flamingo Lodge is another option. The modern lodge sits on stilts overlooking Florida Bay and offers accommodations ranging from studios to two-bedroom suites.
Many rooms feature private balconies, air conditioning, and kitchenettes, making the lodge an appealing choice after a long day of hiking, paddling, or exploring the Everglades.
Travel Tip: Flamingo is remote, and lodging options are limited. If you want to stay overnight, book as far ahead as possible, especially during the popular dry-season months.
Final Thoughts on the Homestead-Flamingo Everglades Road Trip
We were lucky enough to return to the Everglades and make the drive from Homestead to Flamingo again. A lot has changed since our last visit, but one thing hasn’t: the Everglades still has a way of leaving you amazed.
What I love most about this drive is how quickly the landscape changes. One stop takes you through sawgrass marshes, another through a hardwood hammock, and before long you’re surrounded by mangroves and looking out over Florida Bay. You really can see several sides of the Everglades in a single day.
Every time we return, I seem to notice something I missed before. That’s why I recommend resisting the urge to simply drive straight to Flamingo. Stop at the trailheads, walk the boardwalks, watch for wildlife, and take your time. The stops along the way are what make this road trip special.
The Homestead-Flamingo drive isn’t just a scenic drive through Everglades National Park. It’s an opportunity to experience how remarkably different the Everglades can be from one mile to the next.
It was another great Everglades adventure—and I already know we’ll be back.
Have you driven from Homestead to Flamingo? What was your favorite stop along the way? Share your experience in the comments. We love hearing from our National Park friends!
Cathy
Can’t wait to visit the Everglades now!
Travel the Parks
It is a special place, very different from Zion or Rocky Mountain. I hope you enjoy your visit!
Muriel Williams
The canoe trails are a must do in the Everglades. We did 9-mile pond and Hell’s bay. The bugs were definitely tough, but the scenery was breathtaking!
Travel the Parks
I am so glad you enjoyed your trip. We have been lucky to have colder weather on both trips to the Everglades. The mosquitoes can definitely be a problem. Thanks for reading our blog.