Everglades Alligator Farm: A Guide From Juniper Cove

"The Everglades Alligator Farm is an alligator park at 40351 SW 192nd Avenue in Homestead, near the entrance of Everglades National Park. The farm calls itself South Florida's oldest alligator farm and says it has more than 2,000 alligators. A visit can include an airboat ride, an alligator show and a feeding show. It sits on the same road that runs along the west edge of Juniper Cove, D.R. Horton's new home community in Homestead.

This guide explains what you will see at the farm, how to get there by named roads, and how to plan a good day. It also covers what living near the Everglades means for your family.

a real photo of an airboat with a big fan on the back, moving across shallow water and tall marsh grass in the Everglades..png

What Is the Everglades Alligator Farm?

It is a wildlife attraction built around alligators. The Everglades Alligator Farm's official website lists its address as 40351 Southwest 192nd Avenue, Homestead, FL 33034. The site describes it as South Florida's oldest alligator farm, located near the entrance of Everglades National Park.

The farm is its own attraction. It is not part of the national park. So a trip to the farm and a trip into the park are two separate plans.

Here is the main thing to know: this is a place to see alligators up close with trained staff nearby. That makes it a good first look at Florida wildlife for kids, new residents and visiting family.

What You Can Do There

The farm's website lists three main kinds of fun. Each one is a little different.

Airboat rides

An airboat is a flat boat pushed by a big fan on the back. It can glide over shallow water and marsh grass where a normal boat would get stuck. The farm says its airboat rides go out into the Everglades.

The farm also gives two honest warnings. It says airboats are extremely loud, so protect your ears. It also says you may get wet on the ride.

Alligator shows

The farm lists two shows:

Alligator Handling Show. Handlers show how alligators live and have adapted. The farm says you can end the show by holding a baby alligator for a photo.
Alligator Feeding Show. The farm says you can watch over 300 alligators in a wild scramble for their meal.

Animal encounters

The farm also lists guided encounters. These include an Alligator Encounter and a Capybara Encounter. A capybara is a large rodent from South America.

Shows, tours and ticket choices can change. Check the farm's website before you go for today's options and times.

the front of a finished Juniper Cove home, taken from the street, showing the front door and the garage door..png

Getting to the Everglades Alligator Farm From Juniper Cove

The answer is simple: stay on SW 192nd Avenue and head south.

D.R. Horton's site plan shows SW 192nd Avenue along the west edge of Juniper Cove. Next to Juniper Cove, that stretch of road is also State Road 9336. The farm's address is on SW 192nd Avenue, farther south than Juniper Cove.

Everglades National Park is reached from the same road. The National Park Service directions page lists the park's Homestead entrance at 40001 State Road 9336. The NPS also names Palm Drive, State Road 9336 and SW 344th Street as the way in from U.S. 1 in Florida City.

So from Juniper Cove, one trip south on SW 192nd Avenue can reach both. Follow the park signs for the national park, and stay on 192nd for the farm.

Alligator Basics: What the Park Service Says

Before you go, learn a few facts. They make the shows more fun, and they help you stay smart around water at home.

The National Park Service alligator profile says these things:

Alligators live mostly in freshwater swamps and marshes. They also live in rivers, lakes and smaller bodies of water.
Adult males sometimes reach 13 to 15 feet long. Females reach about 10 feet. Both tend to be smaller in South Florida.
Young alligators have bright yellow stripes across a black body. The stripes fade as they grow.
In the dry season, alligators dig ""alligator holes."" These hold water and give other animals a place to survive.

Living Near the Everglades: Wildlife Safety

Here is the honest part. Alligators are not only at the farm. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says alligators are found in all 67 Florida counties.

That means any canal, pond or lake in South Florida could have one. The FWC gives these tips:

Never feed an alligator. Keep your distance if you see one.
Keep pets on a leash and away from the water.
Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours.
Call the FWC nuisance alligator hotline, 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286), if an alligator worries you.

Teach these rules to your kids early. The farm is a good place to start the talk.

Tips for Your First Everglades Alligator Farm Visit

Bring ear protection for the airboat, as the farm advises.
Pack a change of clothes in the car, since you may get wet.
Wear sunscreen and a hat. Much of the day is outdoors.
Bring water. South Florida heat is strong most of the year.
Check the website first for hours, tickets and show times. These change, so we do not list them here.
Pair it with the park. The national park's Homestead entrance is reached from SW 192nd Avenue too, so one day can cover both.

Before you head out, your phone can help keep an eye on home. At Juniper Cove, D.R. Horton's Home Is Connected package includes a Wi-Fi video doorbell and a Z-Wave door lock. Learn how it works in what is a smart home.

More Things to Do Near Juniper Cove

The farm is one stop on a long list. For a full local roundup, read things to do in Homestead FL.

For a very different day out, our Fruit and Spice Park guide covers the Redland farm area. And if you want to know about the military base on the east side of town, read our Homestead Air Reserve Base guide.

Front of a finished Juniper Cove home in Homestead with the front door and garage door.png

About Juniper Cove

Juniper Cove is a D.R. Horton Express Series community in Homestead, in Miami-Dade County. It has eight floor plans. Three are two-story townhomes: the Jade, Opal and Topaz. Five are single-family homes, including the single-story Dakota and the five-bedroom Robie.

The site plan shows a park in the middle of the community and a preservation area in the southwest corner. D.R. Horton's features sheet lists impact-resistant glass windows and sliding glass doors as standard.

Townhomes have recently started around the low $400,000s. Single-family homes have recently started in the high $520,000s. Call 561-704-0091 for today's numbers. See every plan side by side in Juniper Cove floor plans compared, or visit the Juniper Cove community page.

See Juniper Cove, Then See the Gators

Want to see homes and alligators on the same road? Call 561-704-0091 with any question. Or book a time that works for you: Tour Juniper Cove on SW 192nd Avenue — Schedule a Visit. Ask what incentives are available today, since they change often.

Common Questions

Where is the Everglades Alligator Farm?

The farm's official website lists 40351 Southwest 192nd Avenue, Homestead, FL 33034. It is the same road that runs along the west edge of Juniper Cove.

Is the Everglades Alligator Farm part of Everglades National Park?

No. It is a separate attraction near the park's entrance. The park's Homestead entrance is listed by the National Park Service at 40001 State Road 9336.

What can you do at the Everglades Alligator Farm?

The farm lists airboat rides, an Alligator Handling Show, an Alligator Feeding Show and guided encounters with alligators and capybaras. It says you can hold a baby alligator for a photo at the end of the handling show.

How much are tickets and when is it open?

Prices and hours change, so we do not list them here. Check the farm's official website before you go for today's tickets, hours and show times.

Are airboat rides loud?

Yes. The farm itself says airboats are extremely loud and advises you to protect your ears. It also says you may get wet, so bring a towel or a change of clothes.

Are there alligators in Homestead neighborhoods?

They can be. The FWC says alligators are found in all 67 Florida counties. Never feed one, keep pets leashed near water, and call 866-FWC-GATOR if one worries you.

Ready to see it in person? Call 561-704-0091 or set up your Juniper Cove visit.